Playoffs Round 1: Key Regions, Top Running Backs, and Stat Leaders Enter Postseason

As the 2025 postseason approaches, the top players from northeast Georgia stand poised for exciting matchups. This round will showcase remarkable individual achievements and highlight regions with standout programs. Below are the key details on leading players and critical playoff structure in the area.

Top Running Backs and Stat Leaders

Several players from the northeast Georgia area excelled during the regular season. Highlights include:

• Nolan Matthews from Lumpkin County: 1,922 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns, ranking 2nd in the state and Class 3A.
• Alex Schlieman of North Hall: Led Class 3A in passing with 2,823 yards and 24 touchdowns, primarily a pocket passer.
• Jamarcus Harrison: Completed 1,993 passing yards, 1,042 rushing yards, and a total of 36 touchdowns, leading all area players in total yards.
• Drew Richardson: Threw for 1,282 yards, added 1,104 rushing yards, and achieved 23 combined touchdowns.
• Brett Sturm from Flowery Branch: 2,046 passing yards, 512 rushing yards, and 22 combined touchdowns.
• Ty Truelove from Rabun County: Recorded 1,500 passing yards and 541 rushing yards with 21 touchdowns.
• Kyari Burch from Lakeview: Achieved 1,520 passing yards and 712 rushing yards with 17 combined touchdowns.

Notably, Harrison and the Vikings narrowly missed the playoffs this season.

Power Regions in the Playoffs

The postseason format has evolved. The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) now ranks teams for playoff seeding. Here are the regions showing dominance in playoff advancements:

• Class A Division 1: Region 2 had seven teams, Regions 1, 4, and 6 each had six teams, and Region 8 had five.
• Class 2A: Region 7 advanced six teams, while Region 5 had five teams. All six teams from Region 8 made the playoffs.
• Class 3A: Regions 2, 3, 4, and 5 each advanced five teams.

The concentrated success from just a few regions emphasizes their power in the postseason landscape.

Rushing Attacks in Region 8-5A

Region 8-5A struggled overall, ranking low in non-region success. However, it boasts impressive rushing talents:

• M.J. Dowdy (Winder-Barrow): 1,842 rushing yards, ranked 4th overall in the state.
• Daylan Maxwell (Jackson County): 1,472 rushing yards, ranked 19th overall.
• Donnie Warren (Habersham Central): 1,453 rushing yards, ranked 20th overall.

Together, these three players amassed over 4,700 rushing yards this season.

Upcoming Playoff Matches

Tonight’s matchups feature 13 area teams, with several entering as favorites:

The anticipation builds as these skilled athletes take the field, aiming for a successful postseason run.