One team has already clinched a playoff berth, and a dozen more are in the hunt for playoff berths and/or possible region titles across the eight regions of the Georgia High School Association that house northeast Georgia teams.

But as we head into the final three weeks of the season, area teams are in some of the toughest regions in the state, regardless of classification.

Four of the eight regions currently have top-10 teams in the all-classification MaxPreps rankings, including Buford, leading the way. The Wolves are ranked eighth in the all-class poll and sit atop Region 8-6A. Meanwhile, North Oconee is No. 1 in the all-class poll and leads Region 8-4A. Loganville is No. 2 and leads Region 8-5A. Pickens is 10th and leads Region 6-3A.

We also know that things are tightening up in several other regions, especially after last week. Towns County in Region 8-A Division 2 has completed its region schedule and finished second behind Lake Oconee Academy, and has clinched a playoff spot.

For area teams on Monday, Regions 8-6A, 6-6A, 8-5A, and 7-5A will stage some key series as teams continue to jockey for playoff spots.

As for the regions that have begun to take shape at the top, none is closer to being wrapped up than Region 8-6A.

Buford, ranked third in Class 6A in the Coachesbox poll, is leading Region 8-6A now by four games. The Wolves’ (17-2, 12-0 Region 8-6A) magic number to clinch the region title is now down to two after sweeping second-place Mill Creek (12-7, 8-4 Region 8-6A) last week. Buford takes on Discovery (6-13, 0-11 Region 8-6A) this week. Mill Creek takes on a Mountain View (12-9, 7-5 Region 8-6A) squad this week that has won six straight.

Gainesville in Region 7-5A continues to dominate the region, winning its fourth consecutive region series, and second by sweep, over Seckinger last week.

Big Red (11-10, 10-2 Region 7-5A) now owns series wins over Roswell, Milton, Lanier, and the Jaguars and will open a series with last-place Chattahoochee (6-14, 3-9 Region 7-5A) this week. The Red Elephants’ magic number to clinch is four, in any combination of Gainesville wins or Milton (12-10, 8-4 Region 7-5A) losses.

In Region 8-5A, No. 2-ranked Loganville (16-3, 6-0 Region 8-5A) has taken firm control of the region after sweeping previous first-place Jackson County (10-7, 5-2 Region 8-5A) last week. The Panthers now sit just one-half game ahead of Habersham County (14-7, 5-2 Region 8-5A) for second place, and the two teams will play a huge home-and-home series this week. The Raiders, who come into the week on a four-game win streak, will also take on Loganville on Friday in the second of their two meetings this season.

And in Region 6-6A, No. 5 Denmark (18-3, 11-1 Region 6-6A) owns a three-game lead over both North Forsyth (13-8, 8-4 Region 6-6A) and South Forsyth (13-8, 8-4 Region 6-6A). However, both North and South have a chance to chip away at the lead.

The Danes open a series with South this week and will take on North beginning on April 6. The Raiders, who are on a season-high five-game win streak, take on Alpharetta (6-13, 4-8 Region 6-6A) this week.

PREP BASEBALL SCHEDULE FOR Monday, March 30

Alpharetta at North Forsyth, 6:15 p.m.*

Buford at Discovery, 5:55 p.m.*

Denmark at South Forsyth, 6:15 p.m.*

Gainesville at Chattahoochee, 6 p.m.*

Jackson County at Habersham Central, 6 p.m.*

Milton at Lanier, 6 p.m.*

Mountain View at Mill Creek, 5:55 p.m.*

North Atlanta at West Forsyth, 5 p.m.*

Roswell at Seckinger, 6 p.m.*