By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

For the past three seasons, the Troup Tigers have headed into their regular-season finale against Cartersville with a chance to win a region championship.

That won’t be the case this year, but the Tigers still have plenty to play for as they head into their final two games of the regular season.

Troup is in fourth place in Region 5-AAAA with a 2-2 record, and it can clinch one of the region’s four state-playoff spots with a home win over Central-Carroll on Friday.

If Troup slips up against Central-Carroll, it could be faced with the prospect of having to be an unbeaten Cartersville team to make it to the state playoffs for the fourth straight season.

There are scenarios where Troup could lose to Central and beat Cartersville and still not make the playoffs, making this week’s game that much more important.

“It’s a must-win as far as playoff implications,” Troup head coach Tanner Glisson said.

While Cartersville has already sewn up the region championship, there is still plenty to be decided in the region over the next two weeks.

Cedartown and Sandy Creek are tied for second place in the region with 3-1 records, and Troup is alone in fourth at 2-2.

Chapel Hill and Central are still very much in the playoff picture with 1-3 region records, and only LaGrange (0-5 in the region) has been eliminated from playoff contention.

For Troup, not having a playoff spot in the bag this late in the season is something new.

Troup could have clinched a playoff berth by winning at Cedartown last week, but it lost 15-8 while playing in difficult conditions on a muddy field.

It was a tough loss for the Tigers, but there’s not much time to dwell on it with a critical game on tap this week.

“I think this team’s going to be ready to bounce back and ready to fight Friday,” Glisson said.

Cedartown, after its big win over Troup, can finish second in the region and earn home-field

Cedartown, after its big win over Troup, can finish second in the region and earn home-field advantage in the state playoffs with wins over Sandy Creek and Chapel Hill the next two weeks.

Sandy Creek can also finish second if it beats Cedartown and Central-Carroll to close the regular season.

While Troup controls its own playoff fate, Central-Carroll and Chapel Hill need some help.

Central-Carroll could take a huge step toward making the playoffs with a win over Troup, while Chapel Hill will try to stay in the playoff race with a home win over LaGrange on Friday.

REGION 5-AAAA

Overall record first, followed by region record

Cartersville                              9-0, 5-0

Cedartown                               4-4, 3-1

Sandy Creek                             7-1, 3-1

Troup                                         5-3, 2-2

Chapel Hill                               4-4, 1-3

Central-Carroll                        3-5, 1-3

LaGrange                                  2-6, 0-5

THIS WEEK’S GAMES

FRIDAY

Central-Carroll at Troup, 7:30 p.m.

LaGrange at Chapel Hill, 7:30 p.m.

Cedartown at Sandy Creek, 7:30 p.m.

Cartersville is off