Georgia Notebook: Region 8-AA South teams fighting for position

One of the pitfalls of the strength of Region 8-AA South, the subregion where Hart County and Elbert County reside, is the lack of playoff spots that match the playoff-worthy teams.

Last year, North Oconee finished 9-1, but because the Titans lost at Elbert, and therefore finished second in the subregion, they opened the playoffs on the road, an eventual loss.

North Oconee’s 28-20 win over Hart County last week was one of the first steps toward shaping the playoff field from that subregion.

“Hart obviously has their back against the wall, and they’re fighting in that survivor mode,” North Oconee coach Terry Tuley said. “We only get three (in the playoffs). It’s a screwed up region, it’s not Hart’s fault.”