A breakdown of Class AAAA’s playoff scenarios

In Region 1, Cairo (3-1) and Worth County (4-0) face off with the region title and No. 1 seed, on the line. The loser of the matchup will clinch the two seed. The winner of the Thomas County Central (3-1)-Bainbridge (2-2) receives the No. 3 seed and the loser takes the No. 4 seed.

Region 2 presents a peculiar situation as five teams vie for the four seeds. Mary Persons (5-0) takes on West Laurens (4-1) in a region title matchup, while Baldwin (3-2) faces off with un-contending Howard. A Baldwin victory matched with a West Laurens loss would clinch Baldwin the No. 2 seed with West Laurens getting the third seed. Upson-Lee carries a 3-2 region record into their game against Veterans (2-3). A Veterans’ victory gives them the tiebreaker over Upson-Lee and a playoff berth, while a loss eliminates Veterans.

An Upson-Lee win, alongside a Baldwin loss, gives Upson-Lee the No. 3 seed and Baldwin the No. 4 seed. If Upson Lee and Baldwin gain victories alongside a West Laurens loss, there will be a three-way tie for the number two seed.

Region 3 has a cleaner look with their playoff picture. Wayne County (4-0 region) has clinched the No. 1 seed while the winner of Burke County-Thomson, each with a 2-1 region record, clinch the No. 2 seed. The No. 4 seed has already been clinched by Liberty County (1-3).

Region 4 will see Griffin (8-0) strive for their second straight undefeated season in their region title matchup at Eastside. The loser of that matchup gains the No. 2 seed. Eagles Landing (3-2) visits Spalding (3-2) and Jonesboro visits Locust Grove.

In Region 5, Sandy Creek (3-1) takes on Fayette County (2-2) while Woodward Academy (3-1) visits Carrollton (2-2). Whitewater (2-2) has a matchup with, out-of-contention, Troup. A victory by both Sandy Creek and Woodward Academy gives Woodward Academy the region title due to their prior win against Sandy Creek. However, a Sandy Creek loss matched with a Carrollton victory will see a three-way tie alongside Woodward Academy for the region title. A Carrollton win matched with a win by Sandy Creek guarantees Carrollton the No. 2 seed, while Woodward and Fayette County take the three and four seeds, respectively. A loss by Carrollton eliminates the Trojans from the playoffs and will give Whitewater and Fayette the three and four seeds.

St. Pius X already clinched the Region 6 title and Marist will carry the No. 2 seed out of the region into the playoffs. The remaining two seeds will be determined by Arabia Mountain (4-3) versus Columbia (5-2) on Saturday. Lithonia’s (4-4) playoff hopes are the line. An Arabia Mountain victory earns the Rams a No. 3 seed and Columbia would take the fourth seed. However, a loss by Arabia Mountain allows Lithonia to sneak in with the final seed.

Cartersville (6-0) and Pickens County (5-1) battle for the Region 7 title while Gilmer (4-2) takes on Heritage (3-3). The loser of the title game gets the second seed. Southeast Whitfield (3-3) is on the bubble in their game with Northwest Whitfield. A Gilmer win over Southeast Whitfield solidifies its spot at No. 3. If Southeast Whitfield wins their matchup with Gilmer and Heritage loses, Southeast Whitfield gains the final seed. A Heritage win with a loss by Southeast Whitfield gives Heritage the No. 4 seed.

Buford (6-0) visits Stephens County (5-1) for the Region 8 championship. North Oconee (5-1) facing off with Madison County (3-3) and White County (3-3) visits North Hall (2-4) to settle the remaining playoff berths. A win by both Stephens County and North Oconee sees a three-way tie with Buford for the No. 1 seed.