STATE PREVIEW: Tons of storylines in tonight’s action

Traditional power Warner Robins will return to the playoffs tonight for the first time since 2006. Bryan Way’s squad completed a season of revitalization this year with an 8-2 record and the No. 2 seed out of Region 1-AAAA. The Demons captured a signature win over Colquitt County earlier in the year. Tonight they will host Lakeside-Evans, which finished 6-4. The teams’ common opponent was Northside-Warner Robins, which beat both teams. However, the Eagles destroyed Lakeside 57-14 while holding on to defeat Warner Robins 32-24. … One of the most intriguing games this weekend will be the Stephenson-Lowndes game. Both teams are considered threats to make it far in the playoffs if they can get past their first-round opponent. In recent years, the two programs have been mainstays in the top 10 and have each done a lot of damage in the playoffs. The Vikings will make the voyage to Clarkston to take on the No. 8 Jaguars, who are fresh off a 50-49 heartbreaking loss to ML King. Stephenson lost that game on a kickoff return for touchdown with seconds remaining. In two previous playoff matchups, Lowndes defeated Stephenson in the 2004 second round and the 2005 semifinals. … First Presbyterian will play its first GHSA playoff game ever Friday night when it travels to Bremen. The Vikings took second place in Region 5S-A. “We certainly didn’t back into the playoffs,” coach Greg Moore said. “We have had to earn it. It has been full steam ahead the past five or six weeks.” Brooks County coach Maurice Freeman was candid when discussing what his team had to do to defeat Tattnall; County in the first round of the playoffs. “We’ve got to outscore the other team,” Freeman told the Valdosta Daily Times. The No. 9 Trojans will host the Battle Creek Warriors tonight in the 2-3 game pitting Regions 1 and 2 from Class AA together. Brooks County’s only losses came to region champions in Valdosta and Fitzgerald. … Newnan will make the trip down to Bazemore-Hyder Stadium tonight to face Valdosta. The No. 9 Wildcats upset Colquitt County last week to win Region 1-AAAAA for the first time since 2003. The visiting Cougars, meanwhile, struggled to a 5-5 record this season in Region 2-AAAAA …   Defending Class A state champion Clinch County is in unfamiliar territory as it enters the playoffs this season: for the first time since 1999, the Panthers will open the postseason on the road. Jim Dickerson’s squad finished third in Region 2-A, possibly the deepest and toughest region in the classification. The Panthers will play at Mitchell County, which sports an identical 7-3 record to that of Clinch County.