Generals will travel to Stephens County on Friday in state playoffs

The Heritage football team will be celebrating its spot in history on Friday when the Generals travel to Stephens County for its first-ever appearance in the GHSA class AAAA State Playoffs.

Heritage head coach EK Slaughter said it’s a special week for Generals past and present, and his team is taking it all in.

“I’m proud of them,” he said. “They’re fun to share the field with.” We’re really not suppose to be in this position so we’re just going to enjoy it.”

A few weeks ago there was some uncertainty regarding playoff spots following a Heritage football win over visiting LaFayette, 47-21, on Oct. 21.

That victory was highlighted by Gatorade showers after the announcement the program had earned its first-ever playoff berth only to find out that may not be the case heading into an off week with Pickens County on the slate in the final regular season game. To make no bones about their spot in post season play, the Generals stunned host Pickens County, 48-35, Friday to secure the No. 3 spot.

Slaughter said the Generals were “a little looser” coming into the game, which he worried could be a good or bad thing.

However, he said the Generals proved they were determined to make a mark in history...and they did.

Now, the Navy-and-Red will load the buses and try to make it into week two, with what Slaughter said is “the best draw in the region” as the No. 3 seed.

“I think we match up with Stephens pretty well,” he said. “We’re just going to go out there and play hard and see what happens.

Learn more about Pickens’ game and Friday’s upcoming game at Northwestgeorgianews.com.