If you love local football — especially good high school football — then it’s hard to beat this upcoming weekend.

Both Troup High School and Callaway High School won quarterfinal playoff games Friday night, reaching the Georgia High School Association’s semifinals. Callaway used an onside kick to take charge against Washington County, while Troup rallied in the fourth quarter to top Cairo.

Troup and Callaway are now one win from taking part in the GHSA state championship games. 

Unfortunately, the Tigers and Cavaliers will each be on the road Friday, about an hour and a half from home. Troup will take on Blessed Trinity in class AAAA and Callaway will face Rockmart in class AA. 

Blessed Trinity and Rockmart are each undefeated, and figure to be stern tests for the local schools. 

These are the kind of games that can come down to one play, where one possession can make the ultimate difference. These players have worked hard all year, starting with summer workouts and continuing into the fall.

Now, both teams sit on the door of achieving something truly remarkable, and they can use all the help they can get. We’re sure the schools are figuring out how to get students to the games Friday, and a big crowd — even on the road — figures to be a huge advantage.

Fans can’t score touchdowns, but they can provide support and get loud at the right time.

We hope both teams have a big crowd Friday night. We wish them luck as they prepare for these enormous games.