Only four teams remain in the playoffs, each one looking to get to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for the State Championship next Saturday.

Bainbridge is focused on beating Cartersville (13-0) Friday to make their first appearance at the State Championship since 1982. After hosting and winning the first three rounds of the playoffs at Centennial Field, the Bearcats will be on the road in a hostile environment.

But none of that changes coach Jeff Littleton’s core philosophy that has led his team to a historic 13-0 start.

“One play, one day, one game,” Littleton said. “You can’t look at the end result. You have to look at (today).”

Cartersville runs a spread offense that is centered on sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the national No. 1 recruit for the class of 2018. The Hurricanes’ spread formation has multiple targets for Lawrence, who is 209-for-316 this season with 3,315 yards and 39 touchdowns.

“The offensive line does a good job of protecting him and he does a good job of avoiding some bad hits,” Littleton said about Lawrence. “He’s got all the intangibles—height, speed, a strong arm.”

Lawrence most often connects with senior wide receiver Terrius Callahan, who has 30 receptions for 1,160 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Hurricanes’ leading rusher is running back Tiamon Pennymon, who has racked up 630 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Cartersville’s defense is a 3-4 formation with a crew of strong secondary players, Littleton said.

“They haven’t had a lot of people score points on them, that’s for sure,” Littleton said. “We just have to execute our game plan like we have all year and hopefully find some weaknesses in there that they have. I don’t know that they have any right now, but hopefully we can exploit what they have.”

Bainbridge is hot off a fourth quarter comeback win over St. Pius X (10-3) last Friday. In the final seven minutes of regulation, running back Dameon Pierce ran 72-yards and 39-yards for a pair of touchdowns that lifted the Bearcats over the Golden Lions 18-17.

Pierce has 1,950 yards on 282 carries and 33 touchdowns this season.

Bainbridge kicks off against the Hurricanes Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Cartersville.

TICKET AND TRAVEL INFO

Tickets for Friday’s game are on sale at Bainbridge High School Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Student tickets are $13 and adult tickets are $15. Tickets at the gate are $15.

Decatur County schools will follow their early release schedule Friday to give time for students, parents and fans to travel to the game.

Two charter buses will leave the BHS gym at 1 p.m. on Friday. Riders can pay $45 for a seat to ride to Cartersville and back to Bainbridge. Only 18 seats are left as of Monday.

Those who are interested can call Jennifer Harrell at (229) 400-0553.

Cartersville High School and its football field are located at 320 E. Church St., Cartersville, GA 30120.