CAIRO — A team that’s had to overcome quarantines and game cancellations all season begins the first round of the state playoffs where it has since 2004 — at home, preparing for a first-round playoff game.

The Cairo Syrupmakers, who finished in second place in Region 1-AAAA following last week’s 23-14 victory over Westover, will host a postseason game for the 17th straight season when West Laurens comes to West Thomas Stadium for a Saturday afternoon kickoff.

The Georgia High School Association on Monday switched all Class AA and Class AAAA games to Saturday amid an official shortage.

It’s another hurdle the Syrupmakers will have to overcome in a year of challenges.

“We’re 0-0,” said Syrupmakers coach Steve Devoursney. “Everybody, it doesn’t matter what their record is. We’ve just got to stay healthy and stay focused and stay locked in and not get caught up in crazy stuff.”

Cairo looks to win a playoff game for the first time since the 2018 season when it finished 10-3 and advanced to the quarterfinal round.

The West Laurens Raiders enter Saturday’s game with a 5-4 record, which includes two blowout wins over Rutland and Westside-Macon to end the regular season. It could be a defensive struggle with Cairo’s long history of defensive dominance and West Laurens allowing just 16 points per game. 

“It’s one of those things, if you don’t play good you’re going to pack your stuff up. Hopefully, we can get things going and come out ready to play,” Devoursney said. “You can’t start the game like we did (last Friday night).” 

Cairo overcame a fumbled kickoff last week that led to Westover scoring a quick touchdown and earning a 7-0 lead. However, the Syrupmakers held the Patriots to just one score after that and forced two fumbles in route to victory.

The Syrupmakers enter the playoffs having won four straight over Monroe, Thomas County Central, Dougherty and Westover to clinch the region’s No. 2 seed.