SAVANNAH, Ga. () — The Beach High School football squad is gearing up for its first playoff game since 2011.
Ranked as the 29th seed, the Bulldogs are set to face off against West Laurens, the fourth seed, on November 14. This year, teams participating in the GHSA playoffs are benefitting from an additional week of rest after the regular season wraps up.
Beach concluded the season with an overall 5-4 record, competing solely against Region 3-AAA teams. They found themselves tied for fifth place with Southeast Bulloch, as both teams finished with identical 5-4 records in the region. While both teams faced defeats against the same regional rivals, Beach triumphed over Liberty County.
During an away game against the Panthers on October 24, Beach secured an 18-7 victory. In contrast, Southeast Bulloch fell to the Panthers on September 26, losing 10-7.
In the same region, Calvary Day, a private institution, also competes. However, the Cavaliers will participate in a distinct playoff bracket tailored for private schools within Classes A through AAA.
Predictions leading into Week 12 of the high school season often placed the Bulldogs within the 32-team playoff bracket. Despite this, there was some uncertainty about their exact position in the final GHSA Post Season Rankings, the system used to rank teams across Class AAA, Class AA, Class A Division II, and Class Private.
Beach’s only non-region game against Savannah High on Aug. 22 was ruled a no contest. Both principals agreed to end the game.
The last time Beach advanced to the playoffs was 14 years ago under then-head coach Ulysses Hawthorne. In 2011, Beach went 5-6 overall and 4-4 in the region.
In 2011, Beach played in region three of Class AAAAA. The Bulldogs lost on the road to Hillgrove, 49-12.
