Class 2A Blog: Championship contenders meet in round two battles

Every remaining 2A school is looking ahead to the second round as the playoffs come into full swing. With the depth of the class this year, multiple high-end matchups are on tap Friday, games that will see traditional title contenders knocked out of the bracket.

Pierce County will make the trip to Atlanta to face Carver-Atlanta. The two traditional powers are meeting for the third time, all of which have come in the playoffs since 2020. Pierce County has been the more successful program in that stretch, winning two state titles, one in 2020 and another in 2023. The Bears beat Carver 51-18 in the 2020 quarterfinals on their way to the championship. Carver got its revenge in the 2021 semifinals, winning 19-17 before finishing as the state runner-up. This year marks the first time Pierce County will travel for the matchup. Carver will once again rely on star playmaker Terrious Favors, who has done everything for the Panthers this season. He will need a huge performance to end Pierce County’s five-year quarterfinal streak.

Thomson will host Callaway in a battle of perennial state title contenders. The Bulldogs face a tough task in their bid to return to the quarterfinals. Thomson is only four years removed from a state championship, while Callaway won its only  title in 2020. The Cavaliers did not win their region this year for the first time since 2021, but remain extremely dangerous. Thomson, a traditional power, knocked off defending runner-up Burke County 24-14 to claim the region championship. The Bulldogs look like a legitimate contender, but the road ahead is difficult.

Burke County will travel to DeKalb County to face Columbia in a matchup that will help define both teams’ seasons. The Bears enter at 9-2, with their only losses coming to 4A powerhouse Benedictine 41-0 and region rival Thomson 24-14. Columbia, meanwhile, will host after winning Region 6 and riding a five-game winning streak, this after starting the season 0-6. The Eagles’ 5-6 record is deceiving: five of their losses came to ranked opponents, and the sixth came against a good Douglass team. Overall, this should be a highly competitive game that either team is capable of winning.

Class 2A second round schedule

Pierce County vs. Carver-Atlanta

Sumter County vs. North Murray

Hapeville Charter vs. Appling County

Miller Grove vs. Morgan County

Stephens County vs. Carver-Columbus

Callaway vs. Thomson

Burke County vs. Columbia

Laney vs. Rockmart

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