Tucker Looks to Secure State Title Shot

Tucker knows it’s moving up next year, but what the Tigers really want to do is move on this season.

As in on to next week’s Georgia High School Association Class AAAAA state championship game at the Georgia Dome.

But to do so, the top-ranked Tigers, 13-0, must get past defending state champion Gainesville, 12-1, on Friday night.

Kickoff at Hallford Stadium between undefeated Tucker and the visiting third-ranked Red Elephants is set for 7:30 p.m. The winner will advance to next week’s title game in Atlanta against the winner of the other semifinal contest between a pair of unbeatens in Kell and Creekside.

Tucker, winners of the Class AAAA title in 2008 and 2011, is in the semifinals for the fifth time in seven seasons. Gainesville is playing in its third straight semifinal, and for the fourth time in five seasons.

The Tigers, who have limited 11 of 13 opponents this year to two touchdowns or less, will need to contain Gainesville passer Deshaun Watson, who is the state’s record holder for career passing yardage and passing touchdowns.

What's your final score prediction for Friday night's game? Let us know below!

Win or lose, the Tigers know they won’t be returning to AAAAA next year as they will make the leap to the state’s highest classification next school year. The GHSA this week released the reclassification of its 451 member schools into regions for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.

The new region realignment plan puts the Tigers in with Lakeside-DeKalb and Lovejoy. Tucker defeated Lovejoy for the state title in 2011. Others in the region are Alcovy, Newton and Rockdale County.

Schools can appeal by Dec. 13 to transfer from one region to another in the same class. GHSA will ratify the reclassification on Jan. 13.

Check out the complete GHSA proposed realignment here.