The wait is finally over.

A handful of DeKalb-area teams are set to face off with the rest of the state’s best for gridiron supremacy, beginning this week.

Here’s a sneak peek of Round 1 playoff action.

 Pope at Stephenson

No. 9 Stephenson (7-2) will play host to Pope (7-3) Saturday night.

Coach Ron Gartrell’s Jaguars, making their 13th consecutive trip to the state playoffs, are looking to break a three-year string of first round losses. That won’t be an easy task against a hot Pope team. The Greyhounds have won seven of their last eight games, including a last week’s 31-28 win over

Northview.

Details: Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Hallford Stadium.

Tucker at Creekview

Tucker (8-2) will begin its defense of its state title on the road against a tough Creekview team.

In order to advance, the Tigers — the No. 3 seed out of Region 6 — have to become the second team to hang a loss on Creekview all season.

First-year Tucker coach Bryan Lamar has the team making its

sixth consecutive trip to the playoffs, including state titles in

2008 and 2011.

Creekview has won seven games in a row since a four-point loss to Kell in September.

Details: Friday at 7:30 p.m.

 Gilmer County at Marist

Marist (9-1) overwhelmed Carver last week to claim the Region 6-AAAA title. The War Eagles, their sights now set on state championship gold, must now contend with a Gilmer County team that went 7-2 in the regular season.

Coach Alan Chadwick’s homestanding Marist club will look to jump on the visitors early.

Details: Friday at 7:30 p.m., Hughes Spalding Stadium

 Dawson County at St. Pius X

St. Pius X, newly minted Region 6-AAA champs, will look to keep its momentum going against underdog Dawson County.

Coach Paul Standard’s Golden Lions (8-2) are fresh off last week’s 47-0 steamrolling of Decatur. Getting past pesky Dawson (6-4) might be harder than it appears, though.

Details: Friday at 7:30 p.m.

 Southwest DeKalb at Kell

Southwest DeKalb (7-3) goes on the road to Region 7 No. 1 seed Kell (9-1).

Coach Buck Godfrey’s Panthers extended their playoff streak to five straight seasons by way of last week’s win over Dunwoody.

Details: Friday at 7:30 p.m.