Clayton News Daily

Photo by Heather Middleton

By Brian Paglia

bpaglia@news-daily.com

Here is a look at state tournament games in the Southern Crescent.

BOYS

Class AAAA

Greenbrier at Forest Park

When, where: Wednesday, 5 p.m., at Tara Stadium.

Records, rankings, seed: Greenbrier is 12-5-0, unranked and the third seed from Region 2; Forest Park is 11-5-0, unranked and the No. 2 seed from Region 4.

Outlook: After a 1-4-0 start to the season, Forest Park got back on track, going 10-1-0 the rest of the way. Three of Greenbrier's five losses came to ranked teams -- St. Pius X (No. 1 in Class AAA) and Lakeside-Evans (No. 7 in Class AAAA) twice. Another loss came to Glynn Academy, which is 18-0-0.

What's next: The winner plays the Houston County-Fayette County winner on May 4.

Richmond Hill at Lovejoy

When, where: Wednesday, 6 p.m., at Twelve Oaks Stadium.

Records, rankings, seed: Richmond Hill is 11-7, unranked and the No. 4 seed from Region 2; Lovejoy is 9-3-0, unranked and the top seed from Region 4.

Outlook: Lovejoy captured the region championship after dropping down to Class AAAA. The Wildcats face a Richmond Hill program making its fifth-straight appearance in the state tournament.

What's next: The winner plays the Northside Columbus-McIntosh winner May 4.

Warner Robins at Dutchtown

When: Wednesday, 6 p.m.

Records, rankings, seed: Warner Robins is 5-9-0, unranked and the No. 4 seed from Region 1; Dutchtown is 11-2-1, ranked 10th and the No. 2 seed from Region 3.

Outlook: Dutchtown ended the season with two impressive games against No. 8 McIntosh (4-3 win) and No. 2 Starr's Mill (2-1 loss in PKs), the defending state champion. The Bulldogs made the quarterfinals last season and expect to return with UAB-signee Darion Copeland and Judah Goodridge leading the attack. First-year starter Cody Poole has solidified the keeper position, MFs Carl Adjaho and Rodney Brown provide muscle and D James Serpas controls the defense.

What's next: The winner plays the Glynn Academy-Tri-Cities winner May 4.

Class AAA

Veterans at Drew

When, where: Friday, April 29, 5 p.m.

Records, rankings, seed: Veterans is 9-6-2, unranked and the No. 4 seed from Region 2; Drew is 10-2-1, unranked and the top seed from Region 4.

Outlook: Drew limps into the state tournament, going 1-2-1 its final four regular season games. But the Titans captured its first region championship in just their second season of existence. Veterans is well-tested, with six games against ranked opponents, but went 0-4-2 in those games.

What's next: The winner plays the Westover-Hephzibah winner Wednesday, May 4.

GIRLS

Class AAAA

Greenbrier at Riverdale

When, where: Tuesday, April 26, at Southern Crescent Stadium.

Records, rankings, seed: Greenbrier is 12-4-1, unranked and the third seed from Region 2; Riverdale is 9-1, unranked and the No. 2 seed from Region 4.

Outlook: The Lady Raiders made a great turnaround from only winning two games last season to hosting a state tournament game. But they'll face a tough task against Greenbrier, which plays in one of the stronger regions in Class AAAA.

What's next: The winner plays the Starr's Mill-Warner Robins winner Tuesday, May 3.

Lakeside-Evans at Lovejoy

When, where: Tuesday, April 26, at Twelve Oaks Stadium.

Records, rankings, seed: Lakeside is 12-5-1, ranked ninth in Class AAAA and the No. 4 seed from Region 2; Lovejoy is 12-1-0, unranked and the top seed from Region 4.

Outlook: The Lady Wildcats cruised through their region, allowing just two goals in region play. The only blemish on the season was a 6-0 loss to Union Grove. Lovejoy is bolstered by three Division I players: Abria Allen (Georgia Southern), Dee Buckley (Jacksonville) and Cheyna Williams (Vanderbilt).

What's next: The winner plays the Union Grove-Lee County winner Tuesday, May 3.

Class AAA

Howard at Eagle's Landing

When: Thursday, April 28, 7 p.m.

Records, rankings, seed: Howard is 7-2-0, unranked and the No. 3 seed from Region 2; Eagle's Landing is 9-4-2, unranked and the No. 2 seed from Region 4.

Outlook: The Lady Golden Eagles spent early parts of the season ranked and have a good history in the first round of the state tournament. Eagle's Landing has advanced to the second round four-straight seasons, which included quarterfinals appearances in 2007 and 2009. Howard is a third-year school in Macon.

What's next: The winner advances to the second round Tuesday, May 4, where it will play the winner of Thomson-Cairo.