No. 1-state ranked Griffin High’s leading tackler, middle linebacker Cartavious Woods, couldn’t believe it.

“You’re kidding me, right,” he said Monday upon learning Griffin’s semifinal-round game Friday against No. 3 Sandy Creek was moved minutes earlier from Sandy Creek to Griffin’s Memorial Stadium.

“God is smiling on us today,” ninth-year Griffin High head coach Steve DeVoursney said of the sudden change in fate.

The reason for the change? Sandy Creek’s stadium, The Battlefield, did not meet the minimum seating requirements (4,000) as set by the Georgia High School Association, said Griffin High athletic director Jamie Cassady.

At 6,700 seats, Griffin High’s Memorial Stadium did. Henceforth, since both teams are No. 1 seeds, by GHSA by-laws the game will be played at Griffin High.

Ironically, Sandy Creek initially won a coin toss between the two teams Saturday morning for the right to host.

The fact their stadium wasn’t large enough to host a state playoff game, however, didn’t come to light until about 2 p.m., Monday.

Earlier Monday, Sandy Creek tried to get Griffin to agree to play the game at Fayette County High School, citing the field surface at Sandy Creek High School — located in Tyrone, Ga., in north Fayette County — was not in good shape, said ninth-year Griffin High head coach Steve DeVoursney.

“We’re just glad to be back home,” said DeVoursney, whose team advanced to the semifinals with a 24-3 win Friday at No. 4-ranked Apalachee in Winder, Ga.

Earlier postseason wins for the Bears have come at home against Harris County, 34-7, in the first round and Ware County, 42-10, in the second round.

Sandy Creek advanced to the semifinals by knocking off No. 8 Thomas County Central 31-17 Friday on the road. Earlier postseason wins for the Fighting Patriots have come at home against Loganville, 37-19, in the first round and defending state champ Tucker, 17-14, in the second round.