HSFB 2018: This week's prep football games, and who will win
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
THURSDAY
Central at Houston County
The Chargers are an unknown, the Bears aren’t. Houston County let one get away last week.
The Sports Report pick: Houston County by 24.
East Laurens at Johnson County
Little is in the Falcons’ favor.
TSR pick: Johnson County by 22.
Hawkinsville at Rutland, Ed Defore
The Hurricanes may be ready to show some progress.
TSR pick: Rutland by 14.
FRIDAY
ACE at Notre Dame Academy
The Gryphons were competitive in their first game ever, against a GHSA opponent. This time, it’s a GISA team off a big loss.
TSR pick: ACE by 12
Bleckley County at Veterans, Freedom
Veterans raised eyebrows a week ago with a 31-0 win at Upson-Lee. Can the Warhawks keep the eyebrows raised?
TSR pick: Veterans by 20.
Baldwin at Jones County
The neighbors that don’t play are playing. The Braves need at least a better game, win or lose. The Greyhounds are at home.
TSR pick: Jones County by 23.
Crisp County at West Laurens
Both have holes to fill, players to learn about. The Cougars are off the better win, 17-14 over Americus-Sumter.
TSR pick: West Laurens by 4.
Dooly County at Worth County
It’s the opener for new head coach Corey Jarvis and eye-catching QB Bo Lawson.
TSR pick: Dooly County by 17.
FPD at Howard, Ed DeFore
Howard has multiple advantages – size, a game under its belt, not replacing some major skill people - and if the Huskies have improved communication, this will sniff running-clock territory.
TSR pick: Howard by 27.
Greenville at Lamar County
It’s a battle between, from 2017, a 1-9 AA team and 2-8 A team.
TSR pick: Lamar County by 17.
Hancock Central at Toombs County
Toombs County went 10-2 last year and popped Twiggs County 35-0. The War Eagles are on the road for the opener.
TSR pick: Toombs County by 30.
Jefferson County at Washington County
No reason this shouldn’t be a four-quarter old-school game.
TSR pick: Washington County by 10.
Mary Persons at Jackson
You will not be able to feel any love in this one-sided rivalry.
TSR pick: Mary Persons by 33.
Mount de Sales at Landmark Christian
The Cavs are on the road, but have some second-week momentum and confidence.
TSR pick: MdS by 10.
Oglethorpe County at GMC
The Bulldogs are at home with the chance to go 2-0 for the first time since 2012.
TSR pick: GMC by 17.
Pacelli at Crawford County
Pacelli has lost 16 straight, and only two have been fairly close.
TSR pick: Crawford County by 20.
Perry at Northeast, Thompson
The Raiders did not get off to a good start, and the Panthers did. Might Perry be flat and Northeast peeved enough for this to be close?
TSR pick: Perry by 24.
Stratford at Savannah Country Day
The Eagles won 33-14 on the road last year, a quality result against what became a 10-win team.
TSR pick: Stratford by 10.
Temple at Putnam County
The War Eagles have to flush a rough opener, especially on defense, at home. Temple went 6-5 last year.
TSR pick: Upset special is Putnam County by 3.
Upson-Lee at East Paulding
The Knights were more than humbled at home last week. The 5A Raiders went 4-6 last year, with four single-digit losses.
TSR pick: East Paulding by 17.
Warner Robins at Locust Grove
Locust Grove is off a decent win over Jackson, but Warner Robins’ topping of Tift County was better.
TSR pick: Warner Robins by 23.
Westside at Harris County
There’s a two-classification difference, but Westside is the more solid program. The Seminoles better have scrubbed away last week’s sloppiness to win on the road.
TSR pick: Westside by 10.
Wilcox County at Wilkinson County
Two programs having fallen on rough times are hungry for a win.
TSR pick: Wilkinson County by 6.
GISA
Brentwood at Trinity Christian
TSR pick: TCS by 14.
John Milledge at Gatewood
TSR pick: Gatewood by 2.
Monsignor Donovan at Piedmont
TSR pick: Piedmont by 4.
Westfield at Deerfield-Windsor
TSR pick: D-W by 20.
GICAA
Holy Ground at CFCA
Central Christian at Covenant
Westwood at Fullington
Thomas Jefferson at John Hancock
Twiggs Academy at Vidalia Heritage
Saturday
5 p.m.: Tattnall vs. Dublin
Tattnall sure got Dublin’s attention with 59 points, albeit against a team that will give up 59 again this year. That may not be all that good, though. Dublin scored 42 against a substantially better team, a 10-win program. This could grow to the running-clock stage if the Irish are sharp.
TSR pick: Dublin by 24.
8 p.m.: Peach County vs. Northside
The Trojans simply have more question marks than the Eagles. And fewer bodies. Northside’s defense is about normal, and expect improvement from the offense.
TSR pick: Northside by 21.