The first round of the GHSA Football playoffs had a little of everything. Blowouts, overtimes, upsets and the list of possible scenarios goes on and on. As we move on to the second round, there is a different flavor to the 2018 prep playoffs, as the field is now pared to 16 teams in each classification. 

The playoffs are no longer based on who has the best record in the competition, but who is playing the best at this point in the season. This week’s games will serve as a barometer for the same, because there are some teams still in play without outstanding won-loss records.

There are top games in each classification in every corner of the state as we head into the “Sweet Sixteen,” round of play.

In Class A Private, defending champion No. 1 Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy hosts Trinity Christian, Calvary Day School of Savannah plays host to Holy Innocents’, and Aquinas travels to Darlington. 

Click here to see the playoff brackets. 

In Class A Public, Commerce travels to Mitchell County and ECI meets No. 6 Pelham on the road in another top-notch Southwest Georgia showdown. Playoff newcomer Montgomery County, continues their title hunt when they play at No 7 Marion County. And another Region 2 meeting is in the offing this week as Charlton County meets old rival Clinch County one more time. No.3 Clinch has won the last four meetings and beat Charlton 40-14 during the regular season to deadlock their career series at 28-28-1.  

Class 2A is loaded with outstanding games this week. Region 2 champion Swainsboro hosts the Fitzgerald ‘Canes, the runner up to Brooks County in Region 1.  Other games finds Thomasville at No. 6 Dublin in the Shamrock Bowl in Dublin, and No. 10 Washington County at No 5 Brooks County. In the northern portion of the state, it’s the surprising No. 2 Rockmart Yellow Jackets welcoming No. 8 Bremen in another top-notch game.

Cartersville moved into the second round

In Class 3A, Jackson plays at unbeaten and eighth-ranked Pierce County and No. 6 Benedictine Military, which moved up from Class 2A this season, welcomes Westside-Macon to Savannah State Stadium.

Class 4A’s top games has No. 6 Marist at No. 4 St.Pius X, and No. 2 Cartersville hosting No. 10 Ridgeland. Unbeaten and seventh-ranked Pickens meets No. 8 Troup in another powerhouse showdown.

In Class 5A, Bainbridge travels to Jesup to take on unbeaten Wayne County, ranked No 5. The Bearcats are finally healthy, while the Yellow Jackets hope to continue their magical season with a home-standing win. Other top games find No. 9 Kell at No. 2 Buford and surprising No. 4 Dutchtown welcoming Griffin. 

In Class 6A, No. 9 Valdosta heads to Brunswick to meet Glynn Academy, and top-ranked Lee County hosts Effingham County and in the state’s largest division, it’s top-ranked Colquitt County meeting McEachern in the “Hog Pen” in Moultrie, and No. 9 Archer meeting No. 3 Parkview in the GPB-TV football Friday game of the week.

The All-Access Pass kicks things off at 7 p.m., with the Class 7A kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. 

As is always the case, expect upsets, overtimes, blowouts and plays that leave you shaking your head in disbelief.

 It’s Georgia Prep Playoff Football Round Two!

Enjoy.