Tonight at

7:30 p.m., 80 teams will face each other for a chance to progress in the

state football playoffs.

Four of our

local teams will be among them. The East Coweta Indians and the Northgate

Vikings will play only a town away from each other, while the Starr's

Mill Panthers and the Sandy Creek Patriots will both be close to two hours

from home. The only thing on their minds is survival and each team can

be expected to put forth an incredible effort.

East Coweta

(11-0) is the top seed from Region 4-AAAAA. Last week, the Indians defeated

Bradwell Institute 39-14 by scoring 19 unanswered points in the second

half. They also ran up 353 yards, including 163 yards passing from Lee

Heaberlin. This week, they will host the Northside Eagles (10-1), from

Warner Robins. The Eagles defeated Lowndes County 28-3 last week. The

winner of the game between East Coweta and Northside will face the winner

of the game between Parkview and Roswell.

Starr's Mill

(11-0) has advanced to the second round of the state playoffs for the

first time in school history. The team will travel to Warner Robins tonight

to take on the Demons (11-0). The Panthers, who have lived by the ground

attack and stifling defense all season, won with them last week as well,

defeating Wayne County 44-21. Reuben Houston scored two touchdowns in

the first half off runs of 19 yards and 56 yards.

Warner Robins

defeated Colquitt County in the first round 41-0. The winner of the game

between the Panthers and the Demons will face the winner of the Chattahoochee/Brookwood

game.

Sandy Creek

(9-2) defeated Thomson last week 7-6 in overtime. The Patriots, which

gained 308 yards rushing on the evening, won on penetration after an interception

the Shaw Raiders in Columbus. Shaw defeated Worth County 27-7 last week.

The Raiders also have defeated the Patriots this season, winning 7-0 in

the first week of the season.

The Raiders

were also the team to knock Sandy Creek out of the playoffs last season.

The Patriots want revenge, but they would also like to advance to the

next round and have a chance to face the winner of the Washington/Murray

County game.

Northgate (10-1)

is the top seed in 5-AA. The Vikings survived the first round by going

for a two point conversion in the second overtime period against Darlington.

Maurice Huffman was the hero of the game, catching the pass for the two

points and giving Northgate an 11-10 win. Northgate will now host Putnam

County (8-3) and the winner will face the winner of the Americus/East

Laurens game.

Be sure to

bundle up in your school's colors tonight and be safe if you are traveling

to the games. Good luck to all and have a good holiday weekend.

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