Boys Soccer Playoffs: Six area teams start in 5A…

The Georgia High School Association football playoffs began in the state on Tuesday, starting with girls. Wednesday was the boys' turn, with six Northeast Georgia area boys starting in the first round in both Class 5A, 3A and Class A Divisions 1 and 2.

But unlike the girls, where the top two teams and nearly six teams play at home, only Class 5A Jefferson and Class 3A Dawson County will play host in the first round. None of them are regional champions. Only Rabun County (No. 10) in the Class A division is ranked for the start of the playoffs. Towns County received a first-round bye in Class A Division 2.

The Dragons (9-5-1) finished second in Region 8-5A and face a very difficult opening match against a Chapel Hill team (11-4-1) that plays in the tough Region 5-5A. Despite finishing third, the Panthers climbed the standings for most of the season and won six straight games en route to the playoffs.

Dawson County (9-7-1) played a very tough schedule, being in and out of the rankings for most of the season. The Tigers are 0-2-1 in their last three games, all against non-region ranked teams such as Jefferson and Union County, which was ranked No. 1 in Class 2A for part of the season. It was a match against It will entertain Adairsville (6-6-2) from Region 6-3A. Adairsville heads into the playoffs on a two-game winning streak.

Also in Class 3A, West Hall could be a dark horse in Class 3A. The Spartans (7-10) came into the game against No. 8 Bremen (10-4), but they played a very tough schedule that included seven ranked teams and two of the No. 1 teams at the time.

(Below is the complete schedule of Wednesday boys soccer playoff games for teams in the AccessWDUN coverage area.)