By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

Last week: 16-7

Season: 145-37 (79.7)

Within 6 points of margin: 4 (perfect on Lee County over Northside by 17)

Upset specials: 0-2 (Oops on Warner Robins and Macon County).

 

Games of the Week

Upson-Lee (4-3, 1-1) at Howard (5-2, 2-0), Ed DeFore

          The Knights have battled assorted key injuries all season, so the off week was perfectly timed. Of course, the Huskies haven’t been the healthiest team, either. A nice contrast of the balanced Knights – QB Jake Davis has passed for more than 1,000 yards – and the run-oriented Huskies. Will the visitors outdraw the home team?

The Sports Report pick: Howard by 6

Perry (4-3, 0-2) at Spalding (3-4, 0-2)

          Spalding’s worst loss is by 21 points to Mary Persons, and the Panthers are on a three-game slide.

TSR pick: Spalding by 9

Mary Persons (7-0, 2-0) at West Laurens (5-2, 1-1)

          A few years ago, this was a battle of phenomenal defenses, and the one who went to Georgia wasn’t the best defensive lineman on the field. Yessir, the Ds were that good in the Bulldogs’ 14-2 win. But Mary Persons is more offensive this go ‘round, and the defense is improving.

TSR pick: Mary Persons by 19.

Burke County (6-2, 2-0) at Baldwin (3-5, 2-0)

          Remarkably, this is basically for the top seed in Region 3-4A, the Braves engineering an impressive turnaround after a rough start. But the scoring numbers stand out: Burke County has scored 156 more points and given up 95 fewer points. And the Bears’ two losses are by two points, to a ranked 3A team and ranked 5A team.

TSR pick: Burke County by 23

 

The Matchups

Class 6A

Houston County (2-5, 0-1) at Coffee (6-2,0-2)

          Coffee has been humbled with two straight losses after spending the season ranked second. But the Bears have lost four straight and are on a 1-8 region run.

TSR pick: Coffee by 24

Class 5A

Bainbridge (3-4, 1-0) at Warner Robins (7-1, 2-0)

           The Bearcats aren’t a team to overlook, despite only 110 points. They’re pretty good on defense, giving up only 16.7 points a game. ‘Course, the Demons score 40.1.

TSR pick: Warner Robins by 25   

Eagle’s Landing (1-6, 0-4) at Jones County (6-1, 3-1)

          The rested Greyhounds haven’t played since the 18-10 loss at home to Dutchtown. May not be a good time to face them.

TSR pick: Jones County by 29

 

Class 3A

Kendrick (1-7, 1-3) at Westside (5-2, 3-0), Thursday, Ed DeFore

          The Seminoles are rolling, and it would be easy to overlook a team that’s scored 52 points in eight games. But that’s unlikely to happen as Westside spends the second half getting ready for Pike County next week.

TSR pick: Westside by 30

Central (2-6, 1-3) at Peach County (5-2, 3-0)

          These two have played every year since 2010. Central has been shut out in all but two games.

TSR pick: Peach County by 33

 

Class AA

Northeast (3-4, 2-1) at Dublin (7-1, 4-0)

          At home, now in sole possession of first place in 3-AA, Dublin won’t be taking Northeast lightly even as the Irish peek ahead to Washington County next week.

TSR pick: Dublin by 28

Dodge County (6-1, 2-1) at East Laurens (1-6, 0-3)

          The average score of the past two meetings is 52-7.

TSR pick: Dodge County by 31

Southwest (2-5, 0-3) at Washington County (6-1, 2-1)

          Both teams are off energy-sapping losses, but the Golden Hawks can still forge a three-way tie for first.

TSR pick: Washington County by 28

Bremen (6-1, 2-1) at Lamar County (3-4, 1-2)

          Lamar County is in the hunt for the fourth spot in 5-AA, but the Trojans have scored only six points in the past two games.

TSR pick: Bremen by 30

Monticello (3-4, 2-2) at Elbert County (4-3, 2-2)

          The Hurricanes need to pick it up on offense to upend a team that’s beaten them 73-0 the past two years.

TSR pick: Elbert County by 19

Banks County (3-4, 2-2) at Putnam County (2-5, 1-3)

          Putnam County had one of the surprises of last week in routing Social Circle 54-35, and the War Eagles are still alive for a playoff spot.

TSR pick: Putnam County by 4

 

Class A

Hawkinsville (2-5, 1-3) at Macon County (3-4, 2-2)

TSR pick: Macon County by 24

Crawford County (2-5, 0-4) at Schley County (6-1, 4-0)

TSR pick: Schley County by 32

Dooly County (4-3, 3-1) at Taylor County (3-4, 2-2)

TSR pick: Dooly County by 22

Lincoln County (2-5, 0-4) at GMC (3-5, 0-5)

TSR pick: GMC by 2

Warren County (4-3, 2-2) at Hancock Central (4-3, 2-2)

TSR pick: Hancock Central by 6

FPD (2-5, 2-1) at Mount de Sales (6-1, 2-1)

TSR pick: Mount de Sales by 5

Wilkinson County (1-6, 1-2) at Stratford (2-5, 1-2)

TSR pick: Stratford by 24

ACE at Aucilla Christian, Fla.

TSR pick: Aucilla by 9

 

GISA

Bulloch (6-1, 1-0) at Trinity Christian (4-3, 0-1)

TSR pick: Bulloch by 20

Westfield (2-6, 1-1) at Augusta Prep (1-6, 1-0)

TSR pick: Westfield by 18

John Milledge (7-0, 1-0) at Bethlehem Christian (2-5, 0-2)

TSR pick: John Milledge by 32

Gatewood (5-1) at Memorial Day (4-3)

TSR pick: Gatewood by 2

Crisp (3-3) at Piedmont (2-4-1)

TSR pick: Crisp by 3

Brentwood (5-3, 1-0) at Briarwood (4-2, 2-0)

TSR pick: Briarwood by 11