After all the muck and mire of the Region 7-AAA subregion season, everyone finally knows that North Hall is numero uno. The Trojans (10-0) were forced run the table this season in order to win the region title.
The Trojans were more than willing to play along. Their regular season concluded with a 53-6 thrashing of Chestatee on Friday night at War Eagle Stadium. They’ll open the playoffs against No. 4 seed McNair (5-5) from 5-AAA at 7:30 p.m. next Friday at the Brickyard.
"It feels wonderful to win the region championship," North Hall coach Bob Christmas said. "Now we get to prepare for a team outside of our region."
Flowery Branch (9-1, 4-0) is 7-AAA’s No. 2 seed with the subregion championship in hand, and a second consecutive undefeated season in 7B-AAA after defeating West Hall 41-7 Friday night in Oakwood. The Falcons open the state playoffs with a home game against Westminster (8-2) next Friday night at ‘The Branch.’
The Falcons have an upperhand playing at home as winners of 14 of its last 15. Flowery Branch won its state playoff opener at home last season against Sandy Creek.
This marks Flowery Branch’s third straight season in the state playoffs.
By virtue of head-to-head advantage this season, Gainesville (7-3) is the No. 3 seed in the playoffs and visit Region 5-AAA No. 2 seed Chamblee (9-1) next Friday in DeKalb County. This marks the Red Elephants’ seventh consecutive playoff berth under coach Bruce Miller.
No. 4 seed White County (7-3) is headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2001. The Warriors visit Region 5-AAA champion Carver-Atlanta (9-0) next Friday night.
In Region 6-AA, the state’s top-ranked Buford (10-0) open the playoffs with Region 8-AA No. 4 seed Washington-Wilkes (5-5) at Tom Riden Stadium next Friday night in Gwinnett County. With a 21-0 win against Lovett on Friday night, the Wolves won their 51st straight region game and completed their eighth perfect regular season since 1995.
Habersham Central (9-1) plays host to Region 6-AAAA’s No. 3 seed Marist next Friday night at Larry Black Memorial Stadium in Mount Airy. The Raiders finished as the region’s No. 2 seed with a 28-0 win against Heritage on Friday night, and a Salem (9-1) win against Madison County 31-11.
Jefferson (7-3, 3-1 Region 8-A) plays host to Bowdon (3-7, 1-2 Region 6-A) next Friday night. Commerce (6-4, 2-2) visits No. 2 seed Gordon Lee (5-5, 2-1 Region 6-A).