By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The Troup Tigers can take a huge step toward securing one of Region 5-AAAA’s four playoff spots with a road win over Cedartown on Friday night.

Troup (5-2 overall), after last week’s 21-6 victory over LaGrange, is 2-1 in the region with three regular-season games remaining.

While a win this week wouldn’t guarantee a playoff spot for the Tigers, they would be in great shape heading into their final two games.

Cedartown (3-4 overall) is also 2-1 in the region, making this a massively important game for two teams that are tied for second place in the region along with Sandy Creek.

Cedartown and Troup are both coming off hard-fought wins last week.

While Troup had its hands full with LaGrange, Cedartown outlasted Central-Carroll 28-21.

It was a critical win for Troup, which would have fallen into a tie for fourth place with a loss, leaving it in precarious position in the region.

“It’s a good win,” Troup head coach Tanner Glisson said. “No Troup team has won four in a row in this rivalry on our side, so we’re fortunate to do that, and I’m proud of our guys.”

LaGrange (2-5 overall), which fell to 0-4 in the region with the loss to Troup, has a tough task on Friday night with a game at Sandy Creek.

Sandy Creek (6-1 overall) staged a fourth-quarter rally against Cartersville before falling 52-42.

While the Grangers’ hopes of making the playoffs are virtually gone, they’re hoping to make the most of the three games they have left in the regular season.

“We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re trying to get there,” LaGrange head coach Chuck Gibbs said. “As we get more kids back, we’re going to get better. We’re looking to make sure we’re in a position to compete the last three games, and hopefully win some.”

On Friday night at Callaway Stadium, Callaway and Heard County will face off with first place in Region 5-AA on the line.

Callaway (7-1 overall) is 4-0 in the region, while Heard County (3-4 overall) is 3-0 in region play.

Callaway can win the region title with a victory, while Heard County would still need to beat Bremen to secure the region title.

“This’ll be a big week for both schools,” Callaway head coach Pete Wiggins said. “It’ll be a hard-fought contest Friday night. We have to go and prepare this week and be ready for a very tough opponent.”

Lafayette Christian is off this week after completing a successful regular season with last week’s thrilling 21-20 victory over Griffin Christian.

Lafayette Christian (6-2 overall) will have two weeks off before hosting a game in the Georgia Independent Christian Athletic Association 11-man state playoffs.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES

FRIDAY

Heard County at Callaway, 7:30 p.m.

Troup at Cedartown, 7:30 p.m.

LaGrange at Sandy Creek, 7:30 p.m.

Lafayette Christian is off