The LaFayette Ramblers will begin their Class 3A state football playoff run Friday night with a road trip to face Lumpkin County.
LaFayette enters the opening-round matchup with a 7-and-3 record and the No. 21 seed. Lumpkin County also comes in at 7-and-3 but holds the No. 12 seed. Neither team is currently ranked.
The two programs have never met on the football field, making Friday night’s contest their first meeting.
The Ramblers are making their first playoff appearance since 2020 and are looking to advance to the round of 16 for the first time.
Head coach Lee Bohannon has guided LaFayette to a 7-and-3 record in his first season with the program. Lumpkin County, led by head coach Heath Webb, is making its fifth consecutive playoff appearance. Webb has a 40-and-16 record in five seasons at Lumpkin County and a career record of 101-and-83.
Both teams have been productive offensively this season. LaFayette is averaging 32 points per game while allowing 26. Lumpkin County is averaging 32 points while giving up 25 points per contest.
One difference heading into the matchup is the strength of schedule. LaFayette faced the 54th-toughest schedule in Class 3A, while Lumpkin County played the 18th-toughest schedule. The teams have no common opponents this season.
Lumpkin County is looking to return to the round of 16 for the first time since 2023.
The Ramblers will look to overcome the road challenge and continue what has been a successful first season under Bohannon.