By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

Last week: 23-7

Season: 129-30 (80.4 pct.)

Within 6 points of margin: 5

Upset specials: 1-0 (Dublin over Dodge County).

 

Games of the Week

Warner Robins (6-1, 1-0) at Thomas County Central (5-1)

          Ah, nothing like playing a non-region schedule of Class 3A teams and smaller, and then your first region game is against a top-10 team that can throw and run and score galore. That’s what Thomas County Central faces with Dylan Fromm, Marcayll Jones, and Company. Very much worth noting: this was one of those games last year that Warner Robins eked out, thanks to the foot of now-gone kicker Eli Mashburn. Special teams are huge: TCC blocked a punt and converted an onside kick last week, and the Demons have struggled in that area. If the Yellow Jackets, 3-8 a year ago, can keep it close again, the chances for an upset are there.

The Sports Report pick: Thomas County Central by 2 (upset special)

Washington County (6-0, 2-0) at Dodge County (6-1, 2-1)

          Dodge County has to rebound from its worst loss to a same-class team since 2013 against the team that handed them that loss in 2013. Will the bandwagon – and home side – be full for a game in which a win puts the Indians right back in the region title hunt? Dodge County’s D must deal with Washington County’s single-wing offense, and runners Preston Daniels and Dyquan Bloodsaw.

TSR pick: Washington County by 4

Dublin (6-1, 3-0) at Southwest (2-4, 0-2), Henderson

          Dublin head coach Roger Holmes no doubt has spent the week hammering into the Irish’s heads not to overlook Southwest, which beat Dublin here two years ago and took the Irish to the wire at the Shamrock Bowl last year. But the Patriots have lost four straight, and have to get over a double-OT loss to Northeast.

TSR pick: Dublin by 24

Mount de Sales (6-0, 2-0) at Tattnall (4-3, 3-0)

          Tattnall has found a groove amid a three-game winning streak, but those three teams have one win between them. The Cavs are covering all bases in finding ways to win.

TSR pick: Mount de Sales by 4

SW Ga. (6-1) at Gatewood (5-1)

          SWG is giving up 11 points a game, Gatewood 16. The margin is about the same, 36-30, in points scored. The Gators seem to have that winning feeling, and being at home helps.

TSR pick: Gatewood by 2

 

The Matchups

6A

Lee County (6-0) at Northside (4-3, 1-0)

          Remember the note about the difference in schedule strength for Northside and for Coffee? That’s not too much different, but Lee County has played the big-boy opponent that Coffee hadn’t. And the Trojans are well aware of what the Eagles can do This one? Welcome to 1980s football. Enjoy.

TSR pick: Lee County by 17

 

5A

Harris County (2-5, 0-1) at Veterans (6-1, 0-1)

          The Tigers took a 41-0 whipping by Warner Robins, and now gets a Veterans team off its first loss. Will there be a hangover?

TSR pick: Veterans by 21

 

Class 4A

Baldwin (2-5, 1-0) at Thomson (2-4)

          It really is a new season for Baldwin, and Thomson needs a region-opener win. The Braves need to show consistency, especially against a team that’s had their number.

TSR pick: Baldwin by 3

 

Class 3A

Rutland (0-7, 0-3) at Peach County (4-2, 2-0)

          It won’t be pretty.

TSR pick: Peach County by 44

Central (2-5, 1-2) at Pike County (5-1, 1-1)

          Pike County returned to its “routine” this week after the death and burial of Dylan Thomas. There still can easily be an impact. Defensive discipline will dictate Central’s fate. Upset watch.

TSR pick: Pike County by 15

 

Class AA

East Laurens (1-5, 0-2) at Bleckley County (2-5, 0-3)

          Bleckley County’s tiny playoff hopes stay alive with a win, which would break a four-game losing streak.

TSR pick: Bleckley County by 22

Monticello (2-4, 1-2)) at Oglethorpe County (0-6, 0-3)

          The Hurricanes have won by one and 10 points. They’ll pass that margin.

TSR pick: Monticello by 19

Social Circle (4-2, 1-2) at Putnam County (1-5, 0-3)

          One team is in the postseason hunt, the other isn’t.

TSR pick: Social Circle by 24

 

Class A

Crawford County (2-4, 0-3) at Dooly County (3-3, 2-1)

          Dooly County is back on track and that’s unfortunate for the Eagles.

TSR pick: Dooly County by 28

Taylor County (2-4, 1-2) at Hawkinsville (2-4, 1-2)

Both need region titles to make the postseason, so goals have been adjusted.

TSR pick: Taylor County by 4

Macon County (3-3, 2-1) at Schley County (5-1, 3-0)

          A win puts the Bulldogs inside the playoff window and adds momentum toward a possible region title.

TSR pick: Macon County by 3 (upset special)

Hancock Central (4-2, 2-1) at Aquinas (6-0, 3-0)

          In Sparta, a legitimate upset special pick. In Augusta, not so much. Aquinas has won seven of its last eight regular-season home games.

TSR pick: Aquinas by 16

Stratford (1-5, 0-2) at FPD (2-4, 2-0)

          Stratford currently has the final Class A Private playoff spot (sort of). FPD is five spots lower. Yessir, there’ll be some juice for teams that are a combined 3-9.

TSR pick: FPD by 2

GMC (3-4, 0-4) at Washington-Wilkes (2-5, 2-2)

          GMC seeks that first region win since returning to region action, and both are focused on a non-losing season.

TSR pick: Washington-Wilkes by 8

Twiggs County (0-7, 0-3) at Wilkinson County (0-6, 0-2)

          There will be great joy for one of these two.

TSR pick: Wilkinson County by 9

Johnson County (3-3) at ACE (4-4)

          The Gryphons have a tough task in trying to clinch at least a .500 first season.

TSR pick: Johnson County by 24

 

GISA

Community Christian at John Milledge (6-0)

          The Trojans take on a decent GICAA that played Gatewood within nine.

TSR pick: John Milledge by 24

Bethlehem Christian (2-4, 0-1) at Westfield (1-6, 0-1)

          The Hornets have to rebound from the rare thumping last week. These teams are pretty even.

TSR pick: Bethlehem Christian by 3

Trinity Christian (4-2) at Frederica (5-2, 0-1)

          Defensively, the teams are pretty close. Offensively, not so much.

TSR pick: Frederica by 21

Piedmont (2-3-1) at Flint River (3-4)

          The hosts have too much offense.

TSR pick: Flint River by 13