Note: This story has been updated with additional information at 2:06 p.m. – KtE

Call it good or bad luck, but the Cedartown Bulldogs are moving into the second round of the playoffs without having to play a game in this crazy year overtaken by COVID-19.

Superintendent Laurie Atkins confirmed the news that Cedartown will get to move on to face the winner of the North Oconee and Fayette County matchup coming up next Friday.

Cedartown will get to host the second round game, head coach Jamie Abrams said.

“I hate it for our kids, two weeks in a row. Now this is the third game our kids have lost,” Abrams said. “I hate it for the Arabia Mountain kids too. I’d like to settle it on the field and not in this way.”

Arabia Mountain was forced to forfeit the first-round game with no makeup possibility after cases of COVID-19 were reported on the team, according to Atkins as well as the social media postings announcing no game for Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs have already experienced COVID-19 troubles earlier in the season when they were forced to cancel their first game of the season against Carrollton, and then saw their final game of the season on the road called off by positives on the Heritage-Catoosa Generals squad.

As region champions, Cedartown was set to host the first round matchup against Arabia Mountain – the first playoff game at Doc Ayers Field in several years.

There’s no ability for the potential to make up playoff games if a team comes down with COVID-19 positives before a game. They have no choice but to forfeit and allow the team without positives to move onto the next round.

Tickets purchased online for the game will be refunded. Additional information about those who purchased paper tickets and what they can do to get into the second round game will be forthcoming.

Check back for details about Cedartown’s second round opponent and whether they will host the winner of the North Oconee – Fayette County game the first Friday in December.