CAMILLA, Ga. (WALB) —Miller County and Mitchell County play Friday in a first-round playoff game, a rematch of a September meeting that Mitchell County won by 11 points.

Friday night, the winner moves on to the second round of the GHSA playoffs, and the loser’s season ends.

What happened in the first meeting

Miller County led 14-0 in the first game before Mitchell County came back to win 42-31.

Miller County head coach Tom Causey said special teams mistakes cost his team opportunities.

“I think, no doubt, the turnovers on special teams cost us a lot of opportunities,” Causey said. “We had four turnovers on special teams and I think three of those turned into touchdowns for Mitchell. You can’t say we win the game if we don’t do that, but it sure didn’t help us a whole lot. So, we need to make sure we take care of the ball and win the turnover battle.”

When asked what the biggest difference is between the team in September and the team Friday, Causey said, “Depth.”

Both teams improved on last season

Miller County finished 3-7 and missed the playoffs last year. The Pirates are 5-5 this season and in the postseason.

Causey said Miller County replaced 18 seniors last year and had players getting their first game experience on Friday nights.

“I think probably the biggest change is that they are more experienced this year than last year and our schedule had to have it,” Causey said. “They grew up more this year.”

Mitchell County went from 5-5 last year to 8-2 this season.

Mitchell County not sugar coating anything

Mitchell County head coach Kareem Hess said his team is treating the game like a playoff game because a loss ends its season.

“I’m telling them we definitely don’t want this to be our last game,” Hess said.

Hess said a second meeting brings a different challenge because both teams have seen what the other can do.

“We’re familiar with them, they’re familiar with us. They know what we’re gonna do, and we know what they’re going to do,” Hess said. “It’s all gonna come down to execution and who takes advantage of the opportunity.”

Hess said Miller County’s running backs are back and look healthy. He said they were not fully healthy when the teams met in September.

“So, we just gotta come in ready to execute the game plan and do what we do,” Hess said.

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