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.