Marist's loss ends dominant home streak

The state's all-time longest home winning streak in the playoffs ended Friday when Kell defeated Marist 30-7 at Marist's Hughes Spalding Stadium. Marist had won 28 consecutive home playoff games dating to 1996.

In our Daily List, we have all home playoff winning streaks of 10 games or more in GHSA playoff history.

Below, we look at eight of the most remarkable runs of home-field dominance in Georgia playoff history:

*Buford: The Wolves are 41-4 in playoff games at Tom Riden Stadium over the past 20 seasons. Three of those four losses are to the same school - Charlton County. Buford's 14-game streak in home playoff games is the longest active in Georgia. Buford also has a 41-game winning streak at home in all games.

*Lowndes: The Vikings had never lost a home playoff game under coach Randy McPherson (hired in 2002), but his streak of 17 home playoff victories came to an end in 2010 when beaten by Collins Hill in the Class AAAAA quarterfinals. Coincidentally, Collins Hill had been the most recent playoff team to beat Lowndes at the Concrete Palace (aka Martin Stadium) in 2001, also the quarterfinals. Until the latest Collins Hill conquest, Lowndes had won 24 of its last 25 home playoff games, including two state finals.

*Marist: Marist set a state record with its 28th consecutive home playoff victory in 2010. That was a 27-10 victory over Heritage of Conyers in the first round. But Marist's run of dominance extended to 1987. Since then, Marist had won 46 of 47 home playoff games, losing only to Tucker in the 1994 Class AAA quarterfinals. Those years covered Marist's only state championship seasons, in 1989 and 2003. The '89 title was won at Worth County, while the '03 title was won at home against Statesboro.

*Parkview: The longest home playoff winning streak in the highest classification belongs to Parkview and Lilburn's Big Orange Jungle from 1995 to 2003. Three of Parkview's four state titles were won at home during those years. The streak of 20 home playoff wins was ended by Newnan in the 2003 Class AAAAA quarterfinals.

*Thomas County Central: Thomas Central set a state record, broken by Marist, with a 27-game home winning streak in the playoffs from 1987 to 2006. The streak started when Charlie Ward was Central's quarterback. It ended with a 34-33 overtime loss to St. Pius in the 2006 Class AAAA quarterfinals. In between were five state championships (1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997). All five were won at the Jackets' Nest.

*Valdosta (Nick Hyder era): Valdosta's longest home playoff winning streak is 19, but that was part of a 29-1 run from 1984 to 1996. Valdosta won five state titles under Nick Hyder during that time, four of them at Cleveland Field, three against Clarke Central. The one loss - one of the biggest upsets in state history - came against Carver of Columbus in the 1987 AAAA quarterfinals.

*Valdosta (Wright Bazemore era): Given the competition and the nature of the playoffs in the 1950s and 1960s, perhaps the most impressive home streak came under Wright Bazemore. From 1952 through 1971, Valdosta never lost a playoff game at home. The Wildcats' record was 19-0-1 - all games against region champions. The Wildcats were 9-0-1 in finals (the tie with Athens in 1969), 8-0 in semifinals, 2-0 in quarterfinals and 1-0 in region championship games. Valdosta and Thomas Central share the record of most consecutive home victories in the quarterfinals or beyond with 12.

*Washington County: It was Rick Tomberlin, hired as head coach in 1992, who turned WaCo's home field into the House of Pain. Since '92, Washington County is 30-2 in home playoff games, including a current 11-game winning streak. The past six have come under coach Joel Ingram. Ironically, Washington County has won all three of its state titles (1994, 1996, 1997) on the road.

Westminster at Dublin

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Shamrock Bowl, Dublin

Records, rankings: Westminster is 7-4, the No. 3 seed from Region 6-AA and unranked; Dublin is 10-1, the No. 1 seed from 3-AA and ranked No. 9.

Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.

Three things to know: 1. Westminster led Callaway just 10-7 at halftime in the first round last week, but the Wildcats took advantage of a fumble, a blocked punt and a failed fake-punt attempt in the third quarter to pull away in a 34-15 victory. Westminster's Harrison Butker kicked field goals of 20 and 47 yards. He is 14-for-15 on field goals this season, and his only miss was from 59 yards. 2. Dublin trailed 7-0 early in its first-round game against Northeast but dominated the rest of the way in a 56-7 victory. Cedric O'Neal ran for 161 yards on 11 carries and scored three touchdowns for Dublin, which had a 504-175 advantage in total offense, according to the Macon Telegraph. 3. Westminster has won eight consecutive first-round games but is just 1-6 in the second round in that stretch. The only victory was a 16-6 decision against Gainesville in 2003. Dublin had five consecutive seasons of 10 or more victories from 2004-2008 but was eliminated in the first round each of the past two seasons.

Winner plays: Brooks County/Calhoun winner

Brooks County at Calhoun

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Phil Reeve Stadium, Calhoun

Records, rankings: Brooks County is 9-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 1-AA and ranked No. 8; Calhoun is 11-0, the No. 1 seed from 7-AA and ranked No. 2.

Last meeting: Calhoun won 38-35 in the 2008 Class AA semifinals.

Three things to know: 1. Brooks County quarterback Malcolm Parrish had touchdowns runs of 1 and 64 yards and threw a 29-yard TD pass to Deric Herring in the Trojans' 28-10 victory over Tattnall County in the first round. 2. Calhoun linebacker Hunter Knight had 15 solo tackles, five assists and 5.5 sacks in the Yellow Jackets' 39-6 victory against Jefferson last week. Calhoun gives up 8.6 points per game, which ranks fourth among the 16 remaining playoff teams. 3. Calhoun has won 10 or more games and advanced to at least the second round of the playoffs for 11 consecutive seasons. The Yellow Jackets haven't lost in the first round since Crim beat them 22-13 in 2000.

Winner plays: Westminster/Dublin winner

Appling County at North Oconee

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Titan Stadium, Bogart

Records, rankings: Appling County is 10-1, the No. 2 seed from Region 2-AA and unranked; North Oconee is 11-0, the No. 1 seed from 8-AA and ranked No. 5.

Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.

Three things to know: 1. Appling County took 14-0 lead and held on for its 28-18 victory over Thomasville in the first round. Thomasville outgained the Pirates 279-212, according to the Thomasville Times-Enterprise. 2. North Oconee ranks third in scoring among AA playoff teams with 44.2 points per game, but the Titans are perhaps better known for their defense, which allows an average of 6.9 points. North Oconee has allowed six points or less in eight games and missed its sixth shutout by just 18 seconds in a 63-6 victory over Gordon Central in the first round. 3. North Oconee has 11 victories for the first time in the program's eight-year history. The Titans are 53-13 in Terry Tuley's six seasons.

Winner plays: Blessed Trinity/Lamar County winner

Blessed Trinity at Lamar County

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Trojan Field, Barnesville

Records, rankings: Blessed Trinity is 7-4, the No. 2 seed from Region 6-AA and unranked; Lamar County is 11-0, the No. 1 seed from 4-AA and ranked No. 7.

Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.

Three things to know: 1. Blessed Trinity got its first playoff victory in the program's 11-year history when it beat Heard County 44-19 last week, and the Titans can pick up a school-record eighth victory this season with a win against Lamar County. Blessed Trinity is coached by Tim McFarlin, who led Roswell to a AAAAA championship in 2006. 2. Blessed Trinity's Chris Dore led the way against Heard County. He had a 64-yard touchdown reception and intercepted three passes. 3. Lamar County's Maurice Bloodser rushed for 103 yards - 96 of which came in the fourth quarter - and two touchdowns in the Trojans' 35-14 victory over Bleckley County in the first round. Bloodser also threw a 29-yard TD pass. It was the first playoff victory for Lamar County since 2001.

Winner plays: Appling County/North Oconee winner

Jefferson County at Buford

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tom Riden Stadium, Buford

Records, rankings: Jefferson County is 8-3, the No. 3 seed from Region 3-AA and unranked; Buford is 11-0, the No. 1 seed from 6-AA and ranked No. 1.

Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.

Three things to know: 1. RB/LB Nathan Staub this week became the sixth Buford player to commit to a FBS (formerly Division I-A) school. Those committed are Staub (North Carolina), LB Dillon Lee (Alabama), OL Vadal Alexander (LSU), DB C.J. Moore (Virginia), DB/WB Paris Head (Vanderbilt) and OL Reid Ferguson (LSU). Three others have FBS offers. 2. After a 1-3 start, Jefferson County has won seven straight. The victories include the school's first on the road in the playoffs (Putnam County) and an upset of the eventual Region 3-AA champion (Dublin). A key has been the move of free safety Lafayel Williams to quarterback. He has nearly 800 yards rushing in the winning streak. Meanwhile, RB Dontavious Kitchens has rushed for 1,369 yards on the season. 3. Buford has won 41 consecutive games at home. Its last loss was to Charlton County in the 2006 Class AA quarterfinals.

Winner plays: Cook/Elbert County winner

Cook at Elbert County

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Granite Bowl, Elberton

Records, rankings: Cook is 7-4, the No. 4 seed from Region 1-AA and unranked; Elbert County is 10-1, the No. 3 seed from 8-AA and ranked No. 6.

Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.

Three things to know:1. Cook won its 10th road playoff game since 2000 (tied with Lovett for the most in Georgia) in a 43-22 victory over Region 2-AA champion Pierce County. 2. Elbert County's 33-20 victory over Pepperell was the Blue Devils' first playoff win since 2002. This game will be Elbert's first playoff game at the Granite Bowl since 2002. 3. Both schools have second-year coaches. Elbert's Sid Fritts is 19-3. He is trying to reach the quarterfinals with his third school in 10 seasons. He made the quarters with Rome (2007, 2008) and Vidalia (2003, 2004). Cook's Ken Cofer is 19-5. He could become the first coach to take Cook to back-to-back quarterfinals (Cook made it in 2000 and 2001 with different coaches).

Winner plays: Jefferson County/Buford winner

Adairsville at Fitzgerald

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jaycee Stadium, Fitzgerald

Records, rankings: Adairsville is 10-1, the No. 3 seed from Region 7-AA and unranked; Fitzgerald is 10-1, the No. 1 seed from 1-AA and ranked No. 3.

Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.

Three things to know: 1. Fitzgerald is primarily a running team, but QB Kaleb Nobles has committed to Valdosta State. He was 12-of-15 passing for a season-high 172 yards and four touchdowns in the 41-14 victory over McIntosh County Academy. 2. Mike Upshaw rushed for 120 yards in Adairsville's 21-3 road victory over Banks County last week. Adairsville completed only two passes and won its first playoff game since 2003. 3. Fitzgerald achieved its eighth consecutive 10-win season last week. Only seven schools in GHSA history have matched that. Adairsville has 10 victories for the first time since 2002.

Winner plays: Laney/Carver-Columbus winner

Laney at Carver (Columbus)

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, Columbus

Records, rankings: Laney is 9-2, the No. 2 seed from Region 3-AA and unranked; Carver is 10-1, the No. 1 seed from 5-AA and ranked No. 4.

Last meeting: Laney won by forfeit in the 1965 GIA Class AA semifinals.

Three things to know: 1. Laney's George Myers rushed for 102 yards and intercepted a pass in the 41-13 victory over Morgan County last week. It was Laney's first playoff victory since 2006. 2. Carver has won a playoff game and at least 10 games each year since 2006 after going 18 seasons without a postseason win. In the 38-7 victory over Lovett in the first round, Marquel Holloway rushed for 150 yards, and Carver held Lovett to 33 yards rushing. 3. Carver defeated Laney 24-20 in the semifinals of the GIA Class AA playoffs in 1965, but the game was overturned by forfeit, putting Laney in the championship game against Price of Atlanta. Laney lost the final 14-0. Laney won a GIA state title in 1966 and joined the GHSA in 1967. Carver joined in 1968. The GIA, the association for all-black schools, folded in 1970.

Winner plays: Adairsville/Fitzgerald winner

Here is this week's schedule with projected margins of victory courtesy of the Maxwell Ratings. The projected winner is on the left. The projected margin of victory is on the right. The Maxwell computer ratings take into account historical scores, weighing the more recent seasons the most heavily.

Class AAAAA

Camden County vs. Marietta -14

Dacula vs. Newnan -6

Grayson vs. Lowndes -11

Hillgrove vs. West Forsyth -22

M.L. King vs. Brookwood -12

McEachern vs. Lassiter -17

North Gwinnett vs. Colquitt County -11

Walton vs. South Cobb -27

Class AAAA

East Paulding at Northgate -2

Flowery Branch vs. Thomas County Central -14

Heritage, Conyers vs. Ware County -6

Kell at Lovejoy -2

Northside, Warner Robins vs. Clarke Central -15

Pope vs. Tri-Cities -10

Tucker vs. Griffin -19

Warner Robins at Chattahoochee -4

Class AAA

Allatoona vs. Mary Persons -3

Burke County vs. Woodward Academy -23

Cairo vs. Stephens County -10

Carrollton vs. Stockbridge -11

Gainesville vs. Monroe -22

Peach County vs. Ridgeland -27

Sandy Creek vs. Troup -21

St. Pius vs. Henry County -4

Class AA

Buford vs. Jefferson County -38

Calhoun vs. Brooks County -11

Carver, Columbus vs. Laney -21

Dublin vs. Westminster -1

Elbert County vs. Cook -6

Fitzgerald vs. Adairsville -23

Lamar County vs. Blessed Trinity -8

North Oconee vs. Appling County -13

Class A

Eagle's Landing Christian vs. Greenville -33

Landmark Christian at Calvary Day -3

Lincoln County vs. Clinch County -20

Marion County vs. Bremen -17

Prince Avenue vs. Charlton County -2

Savannah Christian vs. Bowdon -22

Seminole County vs. Wilkinson County -2

Wilcox County vs. Aquinas -18

List

Home-field advantage

Longest home winning streaks in the playoffs:

28

Marist (1996-2010)

27

Thomas Co. Cent. (1987-2006)

20

Parkview (1995-2003)

19

Valdosta (1988-96)

18

Marist (1987-94)

Thomson (1954-92)

17

Lowndes (2003-10)

16

Buford (1999-2004)

Northside-W.R. (1985-2001)

15

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