Week 15. The Sweet 16. The second round of GHSA state playoffs. Things are getting good.
Several Athens-area teams fell in heartbreakers last week, leaving six in the mix. The slate this Friday night is looking tight, with two undefeated teams staking claim at home to hopefully advance, two teams coming in off a three-week rest and two teams taking opposite sides of the line of scrimmage up for a higher stakes rematch.
Glory and bragging rights are on the line.
Here’s what to watch for.
Week 15 Athens-area high school football preview
1-seed North Oconee vs. 2-seed Ware County
Kickoff: Friday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. | Class 4A
North Oconee is still undefeated headed into Week 15 of the season, a hot 11-0 after yet another shutout. The Titans have a powerhouse program, their offense led by a quarterback-receiver duo in Harrison Faulkner and Landon Roldan. Roldan was upgraded to a 4-star recruit by 247Sports a few weeks ago and he’s committed to play for Kirby Smart at Georgia in 2025. Ware County is up there in competition, but the Titans shouldn’t have much trouble. Their best work is under pressure, evident from the late comeback against Eastside in October.
North Oconee defeated Eagles Landing 49-0 in round one. Ware County defeated Tucker 38-0.
Jefferson (team 1) vs. Oconee County (team 17)
Kickoff: Friday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. | Class 3A
A rematch for the ages. Last time it was for seeds. This time it’s for survival. These two teams met to close the regular season on Nov. 1 and Oconee County managed to unseat a regionally undefeated Jefferson team in overtime, 32-30. Jefferson still took home the region title, due to scores accumulated earlier in the season, but it was no less of a feat for Oconee County. This time, they’re playing in Dragon territory, so things are going to be a bit harder, but if anyone’s capable of an upset, it’s the Warriors.
Jefferson defeated Monroe 45-6 in round one. Oconee County defeated Westside-Augusta 31-14.
Commerce (team 11) at Toombs County (team 6)
Kickoff: Friday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. | Class A-Division I
Commerce has its work cut out for headed to one-loss Toombs County out in Lyons. The Tigers managed to scrape by Bremen thanks to the triple threat of Jaiden Daniels, Tysean Wiggins and Jacari Huff. And truly, that might be enough even with the seven Toombs County running backs and five wide receivers each with over 100 yards on the season. I mean, Wiggins himself has eclipsed 1,000 yards for the second season, and Daniels is still adding consistent yardage even in a new position, but Toombs County can throw it, and that’s the one thing Commerce falls short on.
Commerce defeated Bremen 35-28 in round one. Toombs County defeated Southwest 62-8.
Athens Academy (team 3) vs. Aquinas (team 14)
Kickoff: Friday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. | Class A-3A Private
Athens Academy has had a nice three weeks off, ending its season as undefeated region champ on Nov. 1 and earning a bye in round one. They’ve got the home advantage this time, allowing their seniors another chance to ball out on Slaughter Field’s green. Aquinas has three running backs with 500+ rushing yards on the season, and a wide receiver with almost 1,000 yards himself. Jack Rhodes might be a threat, but so is Keyon Standifer, who averages 122.2 yards per game for 19 touchdowns and 1,222 yards this season. Jamari Welch and Jeremiah Wingfield are also human brick walls when they’ve got the ball, so we’ll see how well they can get through the Aquinas defensive line.
Aquinas defeated Holy Innocents’ 30-23 in round one.
Prince Avenue Christian (team 5) vs. Providence Christian (team 21)
Kickoff: Friday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. | Class A-3A Private
Prince Avenue has also had three weeks off, also ending its season with a region title over Hebron Christian, earning a bye in round one. The back-to-back state champions also got the home advantage, a known plus-side for all teams, but especially Prince Avenue, who is 28-3 all-time in home playoff games. Head coach Greg Vandagriff has only lost one home playoff game and four road or neutral playoff games in his eight year tenure. They’ve even had the home advantage for every single round for the last two years except the finals, which are typically held at Mercedes Benz Stadium, like they will be this year.
Providence Christian defeated Landmark Christian 27-24 in round one.
