Closer look at Friday night’s games

Carver vs. Cross Creek

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium

Series record: First meeting.

Records: Carver 6-4. Cross Creek 6-4.

Last week: Carver beat Hardaway 33-13. Cross Creek beat Baldwin 14-13.

You need to know: This is a game in the GHSA 4A state playoffs. … Carver is the No. 2 seed from Region 1, while Cross Creek is the No. 3 seed from Region 3. … Carver won three straight to close out the regular season. … The Tigers have not made it past the first round of the state playoffs for the last two seasons, including a 70-34 loss last year against Drew. … Cross Creek lost by a combined 124-25 to the two teams ahead of it in Region 3 — Thomson (69-13) and Burke County (55-12). … This is only the second winning season for Cross Creek, which started playing football in 1999. … The Razorbacks have lost the only two state playoffs games they have played.

Northside at Burke County

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Waynesboro, Ga.

Series record: First meeting.

Records: Northside 6-4. Burke County 8-2.

Last week: Cross Creek beat Baldwin 14-13. Burke County beat Hephzibah 79-6.

You need to know: This is a game in the GHSA 4A state playoffs. … Northside is the No. 3 seed from Region 1, while Burke County is the No. 2 seed from Region 3. … Northside has lost its last four state playoff games, three in the first round. The Patriots’ lone playoff win came over Monroe in the first round of the 2005 state playoffs. That was Northside’s second season of varsity football. … Northside QB Bryce Valero has thrown for 1,241 yards and eight touchdowns. …Burke County lost what essentially was a region title game two weeks ago, 20-7 to Thomson. … Burke County won the 3A state championship in 2011.

Spencer at Pepperell

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Dragon Stadium, Pepperell, Ga.

Series record: First meeting.

Records: Spencer 6-4. Pepperell 8-1.

Last week: Spencer lost 16-13 in overtime to Heard County. Pepperell beat Chattooga 35-10.

You need to know: This is a game in the GHSA 2A state playoffs. … Spencer is the No. 4 seed from Region 5, while Pepperell is the No. 1 seed from Region 7. … Spencer missed a chance to finish the No. 2 seed and host a state playoff game with its loss to Heard County last week. … The Greenwave had to go on the road for a first-round game last year and beat Washington County 47-34. … Pepperell is allowing just nine points a game. … The Dragons’ only loss this season was 201-6 to Cedartown on Sept. 9. … This was Pepperell’s fourth region championship and the first since 2006. … The Dragons won a 2A state title in 1990.

Brookstone at Pinecrest Academy

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Pinecrest Academy Stadium, Cumming, Ga.

Series record: First meeting.

Records: Brookstone 4-6. Pinecrest Academy 7-3.

Last week: Brookstone lost 42-0 to Taylor County. Pinecrest Academy beat Bowdon 20-14.

You need to know: This is a game in the GHSA A-private school state playoffs. … Brookstone got the last playoff spot as it finished 24th in the power ratings. Pinecrest just missed a first-round bye as it earned the No. 9 seed. … After a 3-2 start, the Cougars have lost four of their last five. Pinecrest has won three straight.

Marion County at Twiggs County

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Jeffersonville, Ga.

Series record: Marion County leads 1-0. The eagles won 22-20 last year in the first round of the state playoffs.

Records: Marion County 7-3. Twiggs County 7-3.

Last week: Marion County lost 47-13 to Dooly County. Twiggs County lost 44-25 to Greene County.

You need to know: This is a game in the GHSA A-public school state playoffs. … Marion County got the last playoff spot as it finished 24th in the power ratings. Twiggs County just missed a first-round bye as it earned the No. 9 seed.

Auburn at Central

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Garrett-Harrison Stadium.

Series record: Central leads 34-13-3. Central has won each of the past two meetings, including 42-14 earlier this season.

Records: Auburn 8-3. Central 9-1.

Last week: Auburn beat Davidson 34-10. Central beat Murphy 56-7.

You need to know: This is a second-round game in the AHSAA Class 7A state playoffs. … Central has won nine straight since a 23-7 loss to Hoover to open the season. Auburn has won six straight since a loss to Enterprise on Sept. 16. … This is the third straight year Central has faced a rematch in the second round of the state playoffs. The Red Devils are 1-1 in those games, having lost to Prattville in 2014 and beating R.E. Lee last season.

Glenwood at Monroe Academy.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Volunteer Stadium, Monroeville, Ala.

Series record: Monroe Academy leads 15-2, including 49-0 last year in the first round of the state playoffs. Monroe Academy is 5-0 vs. Glenwood in the playoffs. Glenwood’s two wins came in the 1975 and 1978 seasons.

Records: Glenwood 8-3. Monroe Academy 10-1.

Last week: Glenwood beat Fort Dale 35-14. Monroe Academy beat Tuscaloosa 46-14.

You need to know: This is a semifinal in the AISA Class 3A state playoffs. … Glenwood has won three straight. … First-year coach Jason Gibson has led a resurgence at Glenwood, which suffered three straight losing season prior to his arrival. … Monroe Academy has won 10 straight.

Kevin Price

This story was originally published November 10, 2016 at 6:03 PM with the headline "Closer look at Friday night’s games."