If playoff experience counts for anything, Griffin (9-1) is light years ahead of Banneker (6-4) heading into Friday’s opening-round Class AAAA state playoff game between the two schools at Memorial Stadium in Griffin.

Banneker — which had been to state once the past three seasons — is making its first trip to state since 2005 when it was eliminated in the first round, 34-28, at Westlake.

Griffin, on the other hand, is making its seventh consecutive trip to the state playoffs and 11th trip in the last 12 seasons.

The Bears are 4-2 in opening-round games the past seven seasons and 3-0 since 2004, taking down Thomas County Central 49-48 in 2004, Sandy Creek 30-0 in 2005 and Bainbridge 38-12 last year in opening-round games all played at Griffin High’s Memorial Stadium, the site of Friday’s contest.

Friday’s game will mark the 10th state playoff game for this  class of Griffin High seniors. The Bears have also played two week No. 10 crossover region playoff games for the right to advance to state the past two seasons, each time eliminating archrival Upson-lee to advance to the state playoffs.

Friday’s game will mark the second state playoff game for the seniors on this year’s Banneker squad.