DOME DROUGHT: The area won't be sending a team to the Georgia Dome for the second consecutive year, the longest such stretch since the Georgia High School Association voted to move semifinal games in every classification there in 1996.

The area has had a team in the annual jubilee every year except 2001, 2007 and 2008. Lincoln County, of course, would have made its ninth Dome trip this season had the GHSA not tweaked its setup and booked the finals, not the semifinals, for the Dome.

The Red Devils' semifinal loss to Wesleyan Friday means the area will go without an 11-man state championship team for the first time since 2004.

The closest team still alive is defending Class A state champion Emanuel County Institute, about 75 miles south of downtown Augusta.

TITLE ROAD: Of the 10 teams playing for state titles at the Dome this weekend, only two had to defeat area opponents to get there.

Other than Wesleyan, Cairo took out Burke County 41-28 in the Class AAA second round. The Syrupmakers, whose most competitive playoff game came against Burke, are the clear favorite against Flowery Branch in the title game.

A Cairo win would mean the four teams who defeated Burke went a combined 44-9.

Thomson can relate. Its six losses came against opponents who will likely finish at 64-13 should defending champion Buford wins the Class AA title this weekend.

BULLDOGS BEWARE: ECI will be a heavy favorite against Wesleyan in the Class A title game Saturday.

The Bulldogs have won 29 consecutive games and have three players committed to either Georgia or Georgia Tech. There are some folks in Lincoln County, though, who wouldn't be surprised if Wesleyan shocked the state.

"That's a heck of a football team," Lincoln County senior Wilkes Goolsby said. "Whoever they play next better get ready."

CLOSE CALLS: South Carolina Class AA state champion Dillon won its last four playoff games by a combined seven points, including a two-point victory at Silver Bluff in the second round. All four victories came away from home.

"That's a great credit to them ... it's pretty awesome to be able to do that," Silver Bluff coach Al Lown said.

Dillon edged Pageland Central 7-6 on Saturday at Clemson. Central beat Strom Thurmond with a 37-yard field goal in the quarterfinals, but it couldn't convert an extra point in the loss.

Go figure.

Reach Matt Middleton at (706) 823-3425 or matt.middleton@augustachronicle.com.