This Week's high school football games, and who's going to win

By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com
 

Last week: 20-6.

Within 6 points of margin: 4.

Upset special: win (Putnam County).

FRIDAY

Aquinas at Wilkinson County

          Alas, a running clock game.

TSR pick: Aquinas by 31.

Bowdon at Monticello

          Bowdon is coached by former Warner Robins assistant Richard Fendley Jr., and the Red Devils are off to an 0-2 start.

TSR pick: Monticello by 4.

Howard vs. Central, Ed DeFore

          Central showed signs against Houston County, but Howard is playing some big-boy (and girl) football in all phases, and getting a fan base might fired up.

TSR pick: Howard by 27.

Central-Talbotton at Crawford County

          Neither team’s loss was a good one, but the Eagles are closer to a win.

TSR pick: Crawford County by 2.

Dodge County at West Laurens

          Fans may want to wear some equipment, so physical – and 1970s-like – will this one be. Kicking game is the difference, since this will not be an overly offensive affair.

TSR pick: Dodge County by 3.

Dublin at Swainsboro

          This will be a four-quarter game, just like the last three meetings have been. Dublin needs a test to get into fourth-quarter shape, but don’t be surprised if the Irish pull away in the second half.

TSR pick: Dublin by 15.

Fitzgerald at Dooly County

          The Bobcats and Hurricanes aren’t that far apart, yet don’t play. After this one, people will wonder why.

TSR pick, upset special: Dooly County by 8.

George Walton at Stratford

          The Bulldogs are off a 16-0 win at a 5A program, and the Eagles struggled on offense last week on the road against a good team.

TSR pick: George Walton by 6.

Harris County at Upson-Lee

          Upson-Lee has home momentum after coming back to beat East Paulding, and Harris County lost in OT to a 3A team.

TSR pick: Upson-Lee by 9.

Hawkinsville at Wilcox County

          Both teams are in very good moods, but the Red Devils had the better win. Probably. TSR pick: Hawkinsville by 1.

Jeff Davis at East Laurens

          The Yellow Jackets are a slowly rising program.

TSR pick: Jeff Davis by 23.

Jones County at Northside

          The game of the week with a pair of ranked big-school teams, and one is mighty miffed. The battle of contrasts leads to entertainment. It's extraordinarily tempting to pick Jones County, but the Eagles after a rough weekend, at home?

TSR pick: Northside by 7.

Josey at Hancock Central

          The Bulldogs are off a quality 6-point loss to Toombs County, and Josey lost by 33 to a so-so 4A team.

TSR pick: Hancock Central by 2.

Lamar County at ACE

          Lamar County took care of business nicely, and doesn’t make for a good first-game-at-home opponent.

TSR pick: Lamar County by 27.

Morrow at Mary Persons

          Another bigger school comes to Pitts of opposing misery. Oh well.

TSR pick: Mary Persons by 28.

Mount de Sales at Pinecrest

          The Cavs get a chance to stretch and rest a little against former Falcon Terance Mathis’s team.

TSR pick: Mount de Sales by 24.

Mount Vernon Presbyterian at FPD

          FPD had something of a wakeup call against Howard, and will be a little amped with an opponent not quite so big and fast.

TSR pick: FPD by 9.

Peach County at Lee County

          So much for No. 1 6A Lee County overlooking Peach County, which set a mighty high better-than-expected first-game standard. It’ll still be a quality game.

TSR pick: Lee County by 20.

Putnam County at Greene County

          The War Eagles had quite the juice going last week, and have momentum.

TSR pick: Putnam County by 16.

Rutland at Houston County

          Houston County has had two not-too-artistic wins against smaller programs, and will do it again.

TSR pick: Houston County by 21.

Southwest at Macon County

          Both teams had the week off after getting skunked. The Bulldogs are likely to be angrier.

TSR pick: Macon County by 6.

Tattnall at Trinity Christian-Sharpsburg

          TCS may be a GHSA newby, but it just beat a 4A team on the road 16-0 and is building something quickly.

TSR pick: TCS by 16.

Taylor County at Turner County

          The Vikings will have a battle against a team off a respectable 3-point loss to a 3A team and is pretty good.

TSR pick: Turner County by 11.

Telfair County at Bleckley County

          The Royals were too generous last week, and can’t be that way again, even with the competition dropping down from 5A to A.

TSR pick: Bleckley County by 14.

Treutlen at Twiggs County

          Both teams are in the rebuilding mode.

TSR pick: Treutlen by 20.

Veterans at Baldwin

          The Braves are playing their second straight 5A team, and it may not be all that different than the first one.

TSR pick: Veterans by 15.

Westside at Perry

          Both teams are sort of searching for an identity, and certainly consistency. Regardless, this is a quality win for either team. But Perry's home opener with all the new stuff? Crowd makes the difference.

TSR pick: Perry by 4.

GISA

Brentwood at John Milledge

TSR pick: John Milledge by 27.

John Hancock at Briarwood

TSR pick: Briarwood by 20.

Piedmont at Thomas Jefferson

TSR pick: Piedmont by 11.

Southland at Westfield

TSR pick: Southland by 8.

Trinity Christian at Gatewood

TSR pick: TCS by 2.