On to the postseason: Playoff brackets set for high school football
Nov. 6—After 12 weeks of regular season high school football, it's on to the postseason.
Four high school football teams from schools in Whitfield and Murray counties will be advancing to the 32-team bracket in their respective classification.
First round games will be held Friday and Saturday.
Christian Heritage, Dalton, North Murray and Northwest Whitfield advance to the state playoffs, while the season ended last week for Coahulla Creek, Murray County and Southeast Whitfield.
The schedule and matchup for each local playoff team is listed below, and check Friday's edition of the Dalton Daily Citizen for in-depth previews of each local playoff game.
Christian Heritage vs. Macon County
Playing in a three-team region, Christian Heritage was guaranteed a playoff spot before the 2023 regular season started.
The Lions fell to region champion Bowdon but defeated Mt. Zion in their regular season finale to earn the right to host a first-round game by grabbing the second seed in Region 7-A DII.
Christian Heritage (5-5) hosts Macon County (8-2), the third-seeded team from Region 6, Friday night at 7:30 in the first round of the Class A DII playoffs. With a win, the Lions would play either Glascock County or Aquinas.
Dalton at Greater Atlanta Christian
Dalton went into the final game of the regular season against Cartersville with a chance to earn the Region 7-5A championship and a home playoff game, but a loss sent Dalton down to the region's third seed.
Dalton (7-3) will travel to Norcross to play Greater Atlanta Christian (9-1), the second-seeded team in Region 6-5A, Friday night at 7:30 in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.
If Dalton pulls off a win, the Catamounts would play the winner of a first-round game between Flowery Branch or Creekside.
North Murray vs. South Atlanta
North Murray's region title hopes were dashed in the winner-take-all final game of the regular season against Rockmart when the Mountaineers fell 59-7.
Thanks to a 5-1 record in Region 7-2A, North Murray finished as the second-seeded team in the region and will host a playoff game.
The Mountaineers (7-3) host South Atlanta (5-5) Saturday at 7 p.m. in a first round game in the Class 2A playoffs. First-round games in Class 2A and 4A are held on Saturday due to an officials shortage.
With a win, North Murray would advance to play either Redan or Fellowship Christian.
Northwest Whitfield at Stephenson
Northwest Whitfield makes a return to the postseason after a run of seven straight playoff appearances was snapped last season.
Seeded fourth in Region 7-4A, the Bruins will hit the road for a playoff game on Saturday night.
Northwest Whitfield (6-4) will play at Region 6-4A champion Stephenson (8-2) in Clarkston Saturday night at 7:30 in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. First-round games in Class 2A and 4A are held on Saturday due to an officials shortage.
If Northwest can pull the upset, the Bruins would play either Luella or East Forsyth in the second round.
