GHSA Class 5A Football Playoffs: Games to Watch in Round 1
The 2021 GHSA 5A football playoffs are finally here! This classification has been one of the most exciting to watch so far this season, and it will continue to awe with some spectacular first-round playoff matchups. Here are some key games to keep an eye on.
Coffee at Creekside
Here is a potential quarterfinal matchup in the first round. Creekside is coming off a tough loss to Woodward Academy in the region title game, but their defense has been stellar all season long. They notably defeated Grayson and Westlake to start the season. Coffee also stands at 8-2, having defeated Bainbridge and lost to Ware County and Warner Robins, two of the top teams in 5A.
Griffin at Jones County
Although Griffin stands at 4-5, they have lost all their games by 10 points or less, including against Lowndes. They will be playing a rollercoaster Greyhounds team that has beaten North Gwinnett but also lost to Veterans and escaped against Ola. If Griffin can catch Jones County on a down night, they could pull off the 4-seed over 1-seed upset.
Union Grove at Starr’s Mill
This is more than just another game for Starr’s Mill. Earlier in the season, Starr’s Mill was upset as the seventh-ranked team in 5A by Union Grove, and revenge will be on their minds. Union Grove has been a little shaky recently, and 2-seed Starr’s Mill could exact their revenge once again with home field advantage.
Harris County at Dutchtown
While Dutchtown will be favored, expect Harris County to put up a fight. After going 1-3 to start the season, the Tigers have found some momentum, winning 5 of the last 6. Dutchtown hasn’t been wildly impressive this season either. They survived against Stockbridge and lost in the region title game this past week against Jones County. This could be an interesting, yet underrated matchup.
Blessed Trinity at Southwest DeKalb
Would anyone have thought that this would be a mildly interesting matchup in the preseason? Southwest DeKalb has found a stride winning four straight games, including an upset over ninth-ranked Decatur. Blessed Trinity hasn’t impressed this season, and they’ve lost to Calhoun and Cartersville in region. The Titans have fame on their side, but watch out for Southwest DeKalb to potentially unseat the perennial contenders.
Honorable Mention: Decatur at Calhoun
This game may not be one of the best, but it surely will be exciting to see how Decatur rebounds after two region losses. Calhoun has been nothing short of impressive this year, with their only losses coming to nationally ranked McCallie (TN) and Cartersville. Calhoun should be favored, and rightly so, but Decatur could put up a fight defensively early.
Written by: Dhruv Mohan
