Playoffs begin for GHSA schools, GISA holds semifinals

ALBANY — Deerfield-Windsor defeated Frederica Academy last Friday in the second round of the Georgia Independent Schools Association Class AAA playoffs and made the semifinals for the 10th straight season.

But the Knights don’t want to stop there.

They’d like nothing more than to make it to the state championship game for the second straight season. But standing in Deerfield’s way is Gatewood, whom the Knights will visit Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

Deerfield-Windsor is one of two Albany-area schools needing one more win to advance to state championship games. Terrell Academy will visit Briarwood in the GISA Class AA semifinals.

Georgia High School Association schools begin first round play in the state playoffs and a handful of teams are in action.

In Class AAA, Dougherty is in the postseason for the first time since the 2008 season, and they’ll travel to Savannah to meet Region 3-AAA champion Jenkins at Memorial Stadium.

Also in Class AAA, Worth County will play host to Southeast Bulloch in its first-round game.

In Class AAAAAA, Lee County heads to metro Augusta to face Evans.

In Class A public, Mitchell County gets a rematch with Randolph-Clay, while Terrell County will play host to Turner County.

Pelham, who defeated Mitchell County 29-26 last week to capture the Region 1-A title, gets a first-round bye. The Hornets will play host to the Greene County-Wheeler County winner on Nov. 18.

Deerfield-Windsor lost to Brookwood in its season finale three weeks ago, but the Knights have rebounded to whip Augusta Prep and Frederica in the postseason. Deerfield defeated Gatewood soundly in the 2014 and ‘15 playoffs, but coach Allen Lowe knows the Gators will be tough to beat at home.

“We’re just trying to focus and see one more game,” he said.

The winner advances to the state championship game next Friday at Mercer University’s Five Star Stadium. Lowe hopes his team continues to play well.

“We’ve gotten some people healthy,” he said. “Our practice habits have been good and it’s a lot of fun to still be playing this time of the year.”