So this is how the final weeks of the regular season are going to go.

          A running team actually blows a 17-point lead, and then uses a big-play pass in the final seconds to pull out a win.

          A ranked team needs a last-second field goal to beat a two-win team.

          Two rivals turn in a monster of a game only for it to end with a scuffle and ejections.

          And we turn to another elimination round next week for playoffs and playoff seeding, with some regions needing to keep calculators handy.

          There were apparently a few ejections at the end of Dodge County’s 30-27 comeback win over Bleckley County in a 3-AA rivalry game in which the Indians came back from 13-0 and 21-3 deficits. Attempts Saturday afternoon to reach head coaches Rex Hodges and Von Lassiter were unsuccessful, but there will be updates should either be contacted.

          There were no upsets, but there is, as always, plenty to ponder.

 

Big ‘ns

 

Baldwin 14, Hephzibah 8

          The Braves came up with the must win, on the road, and in a close game against a similar team. Baldwin had lost four of five, two to bigger programs and two to region favorites. Now Baldwin has to take care of business against last-place Cross Creek.

 Spalding 27, Howard 26

          Dealing with success – and moving the game because of facility issues – ended up a problem for Howard. The Huskies led 23-14 at halftime and 26-14 early in the third, but couldn’t get any more offense going. How close was it? Spalding had one more point, seven more yards in total offense.

Westside 28, Central 0

          So all that about Southwest taking over Bibb County? Remember that? Maybe not. This was Westside’s first shutout since 21-0 over Howard to open the 2016 season, and Central was blanked for the third time this season. Westside takes second with a win over Kendrick.

Stratford 27, Tattnall 23

          One could foresee a team getting a decent lead. One may not see a team giving up that lead. One wouldn’t expect the comeback team to then trail again, and not on a pass by a team that  does not travel by air. But the Eagles’ win over the Trojans had all that and more.

 

Upsets

          None. The computer-based Maxwell Ratings got only one area game wrong Friday, and not by much. Howard was a 1-point favorite over Spalding and lost by 1. Closer-than-expected: Northside by 22, won by 3; Dodge County by 22, won by 3. Pretty dang close: Warner Robins by 40, won  by 39; Greene County over Hancock Central by 11, won by 12; Mary Persons by 22 over Perry, won by 26; Peach County over Pike County by 30, won by 28; Southwest by 31 over East Laurens, won by 29; Westside over Central by 26, won by 28.

 

Surprises

Northside 17, Houston County 14

          Few expected Northside to need a game-winning field goal by Cory Munson to beat Houston County, which has won only two games. Passing for only seven yards, turning it over four times and getting only one sack is not the way to go into the playoffs.

 Washington County 41, Northeast 9

          The Golden Hawks have been pretty average most of the year, but the move of Preston Daniels to starting quarterback has been a spark to wins of 34-14 over Southwest and by 32 Friday. It’s a statement for the Golden Hawks, who now visit Dublin. Who all is tied for third in 3-AA? Washington County, Dublin and Bleckley County.

 West Laurens 37, Upson-Lee 13

          The Raiders winning isn’t a surprise, but taking a 24-point win over a playoff contender is a sign that West Laurens has some momentum. The Raiders weren’t full strength against Mary Persons, a 28-9 loss that was closer than that. That West Laurens passed for 298 yards makes the Raiders a sneaky team to watch in the postseason, a sign of balance.

 

No surprise

Warner Robins 56, Veterans 17

          The Demons were unlikely to have gone this far and overlooked Veterans, despite the Warhawks’ struggles. A 49-10 halftime lead pretty much indicated Warner Robins came in focused and stayed focused. And now? The Region 1-5A championship at The Mac against Bainbridge (7-2, 3-0).

 Stockbridge 27, Jones County 17

          Both teams showed how good they are and how mortal they are with mistakes. Penalties and general execution issues aside, those in the overflow crowd at Greyhound Field – almost a redundant phrase – saw two teams who could meet again in the Dome, er, Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Stockbridge knows it could have won by more, and Jones County knows it could have won.

 

This ‘n that

          Mount de Sales is no doubt among the most frustrated teams this weekend.

          The Cavs outgained FPD 327-249 and had five more first downs, but lost 28-14, thanks in part to two lost fumbles and an interception, plus 13 penalties for 90 yards.

          And quarterback Dexter Williams had the slightly better night than Dalton Cox, who is among the top quarterbacks in Central Georgia. Williams was 13 of 24 for 167 yards with a touchdown and interception while Cox was 13 of 24 for 150 (averaging two different stat reports), two scores and two picks.

          But FPD has been a turnover machine, and now has forced 16 this season. …

          It wasn’t going to be good for Bethlehem Christian against John Milledge.

          The Trojans were a little angry after losing last week to Gatewood to end a perfect season, and opened the GISA playoffs with a 27-0 win, rushing for 373 yards, led by Tyrese Jackson’s 184 yards. But it took a 15-point third quarter to take control. ….

          Brentwood’s timing for its third-largest margin of victory was good: the first round of the playoffs. The War Eagles had 11 different ballcarriers team for 278 rushing yards. …

          Still perfect? Warner Robins, Dodge County, Stratford, and Gatewood. Still searching? Twiggs County, East Laurens, Rutland.