Friday's Central Georgia high school football scouting reports
Game of the week
Upson-Lee (4-3, 1-1) at Howard (5-2, 2-0), Ed DeFore
On the Friday before the week off, Upson-Lee got popped 49-14 by Mary Persons, and Howard won 35-16 at Perry. So, what impact – other than getting healthier – will the week off have? U-L QB Jake Davis has only four interceptions this season, but they all came two weeks ago. Getting Thad Webb (hamstring, probable) back will help. But Howard is off a confidence-building defensive effort against a passing team, Perry. The Knights are a little more balanced (Daymon Thomas has 643 yards rushing and five TDs), but Howard has multiple weapons in its wing-T and averages almost three more yards a carry. Then again, the week off allow U-L extra work on the wing-T. So the heat will be on defenders like Travon Walker and DeAndre Shelton and Chance Gamble and C.J. Grimsley as Howard tries to stay unbeaten in region play with hopes and dreams of hosting Mary Persons for the region title.
Games of the week
Perry (4-3, 0-2) at Spalding (3-4, 0-2)
Howard and Upson-Lee gave Spalding a bit of a blueprint in slowing down Perry and QB Lane Rucker a little, but Perry has given up an average of 38 points in the last three games, against Veterans, Upson-Lee and Howard. Spalding is more of a ball-control team, averaging 194 rushing yards a game, and that might frustrated the Panthers if it works. The last three years, Spalding has won its last three games of the regular season. At the same time, Perry has gone 1-2, 0-3, and 1-2 in their final three of the regular season. The loser is out of the playoff picture.
Mary Persons (7-0, 2-0) at West Laurens (5-2, 1-1)
This game hasn’t passed the 40-point mark since 2013 when Mary Persons won 34-31. Since then, both teams have had some pretty sporty defenses, and general offensive balance. Now, the explosive Bulldogs offense and tight Raiders defense get their biggest tests of the year. MP QB J.T. Hartage (76-108-22, 1,440, 12) and RB Quen Wilson (104-845, 17) are having stellar years, and Hartage has many targets. The Raiders and D’Eryk Jackson (59.5 tackles, 3 sacks), Devonta Royals (46 tackles), and Trent Carr (43.5 tackles, 4 TFLs) have given up four touchdowns all season. It’s worth noting, though, that Mary Persons has 11 interceptions, four from Desmond Williams.
Burke County (6-2, 2-0) at Baldwin (3-5, 2-0)
Both teams know about turning things around, but one was much more expected. Burke County hasn’t had a losing region record since 2003. Baldwin was getting fairly hammered and struggling on offense, and before you know it, the Braves got going after a 45-0 home loss to Northside and have won three straight. But Baldwin will have to play perfect and Burke County below average in what basically is the region championship. The Bears are more tuned for this level of game, having reached the quarterfinals last year, a place not visited by Baldwin since 2008.
The matchups
Class 6A
Houston County (2-5, 0-1) at Coffee (6-2, 0-2)
Coffee went from second in the state to needing to beat Houston County to clinch a playoff spot. How close are the Bears to clicking in all phases to make this at least a three-quarter game?
Class 5A
Bainbridge (3-4, 1-0) at Warner Robins (7-1, 2-0)
The Bearcats have a pretty good defense, first in the region in points allowed and yards per game. But they’ve defended only 101 pass attempts, and Warner Robins has thrown 280 – and completed 62.1 percent with only four interceptions.
Eagle’s Landing (1-6, 0-4) at Jones County (6-1, 3-1)
The Eagles have been pretty competitive in five losses, all by 20 points or less, including playing region co-leader Stockbridge within 15 points on the road. But, well, it’s homecoming, Jones County stewed for a week about losing to Dutchtown, and the Eagles have to deal with Hunter Costlow (97-155-7, 1,731, 23), RB Semaj Ingram (75-461-2), and WRs Jontavis Robertson (35-703-8), Maleek Wooten (27-487-8), Caden Mutchler (14-284-4) and John Walton (17-218-2), and an underrated defense.
Class 3A
Westside 37, Kendrick 0, Thursday
Central (2-6, 1-3) at Peach County (5-2, 3-0)
The Trojans could be a little flat after scoring 73 points and facing a team they’ve handled for a long time.
Class AA
Northeast (3-4, 2-1) at Dublin (7-1, 4-0)
Northeast won 21-20 a year ago, and was 3-3 entering that game, Dublin 5-3. But this Irish team is a notch better, with QB Rodriguez Martin, backs Greg Jones and Corteveyas Mitchell, among others, and a solid defense.
Dodge County (7-1, 3-1) at East Laurens (1-6, 0-3)
The Indians are back in the hunt for the top seed and aren’t likely to stumble against an improved Falcons group. Mikhail Carr was beastly Monday with 137 yards rushing on one side and 17 tackles on the other.
Southwest (2-5, 0-3) at Washington County (6-1, 2-1)
It’s a short week for the Golden Hawks, who lost 20-6 on Monday to Dodge County, and they’re likely anxious to eliminate that taste. The Patriots are all but done from playoff possibilities with a loss.
Bremen (6-1, 2-1) at Lamar County (3-4, 1-2)
Bremen is fourth in both polls, and Lamar County has been outscored 203-34 in its last five games against a ranked team. The Trojans need an upset this week or next (Heard County) and probably some help for that final region playoff spot.
Monticello (3-4, 2-2) at Elbert County (4-3, 2-2)
Elbert County is off losses of 29-28 and 45-14 to region leaders Union County and Rabun County, so the Blue Devils are likely amped – and there’s a shot of being overly amped – to take on a non-leader. Also at 2-2 is Banks County, which visits Monticello next week in the logjam for the final two spots. Dylan Jackson has 568 yards rushing for Monticello, and Jaymerious Fleetwood is 52 of 96 for 732 yards.
Banks County (3-4, 2-2) at Putnam County (2-5, 1-3)
The War Eagles pulled off a surprise with a resounding win over Social Circle last week to stay alive in the postseason hunt, cracking the 50-point mark for the first time since Sept. 9, 2011 (55-0 over Crawford County). The last two meetings have been close, 14-7 and 14-0 Banks County wins.
Class A
Hawkinsville (2-5, 1-3) at Macon County (3-4, 2-2)
The Class A Public champ of 2014 visits the Class A Public champ of 2016. Macon County is 27th, needs a win to keep postseason hopes breathing.
Crawford County (2-5, 0-4) at Schley County (6-1, 4-0)
Schley County won 45-0 last year, and looks to firm up its first-place spot in the sub-region.
Dooly County (4-3, 2-1) at Taylor County (3-4, 2-2)
Dooly County played on Monday, but cruised. The Bobcats are 7-2 against the Vikings.
Lincoln County (2-5, 0-4) at GMC (3-5, 0-5)
GMC returned to region play this year after two years off, and seeks its first region win sinc beating Hancock Central 12-6 on Oct. 31, 2014.
Warren County (4-3, 2-2) at Hancock Central (4-3, 2-2)
Matching records and teams tied for fourth in the sub-region means a playoff atmosphere in Sparta.
FPD (2-5, 2-1) at Mount de Sales (6-1, 2-1)
The Cavs were in the hunt for a first-round bye before losing to 28-17 to Tattnall, and FPD played with Stratford, so this should be a good battle.
Wilkinson County (1-6, 1-2) at Stratford (2-5, 1-2)
The Eagles have a good ranking despite the record, but could be a little flat early against the Warriors, who beat winless Twiggs County last week for their first win.
ACE (4-5) at Aucilla Christian, Fla.
ACE tries for a .500 first season, but faces a good small-school team.
GISA
Bulloch (6-1, 1-0) at Trinity Christian (4-3, 0-1)
Bulloch has given up 107 points in seven games, third-best in Class AAA.
Westfield (2-6, 1-1) at Augusta Prep (1-6, 1-0)
The Hornets are better than their record, and are likely to show as much against a team that’s giving up 39 points a game.
John Milledge (7-0, 1-0) at Bethlehem Christian (2-5, 0-2)
The Trojans have surrendered only 71 points in seven games, and are looking for their first shutout of this season after racking up five last year (in the regular season).
Gatewood (5-1) at Memorial Day (4-3)
Two playoff-bound teams battle in Savannah, meeting for the first time since 2003.
Crisp (3-3) at Piedmont (2-4-1)
Piedmont has yet to crack the 100-point mark for the season.
Brentwood (5-3, 1-0) at Briarwood (4-2, 2-0)
Brentwood is second in AA with 34 points a game, and hopes to end a three-game losing streak to Briarwood.