HSFB 2018: Week 7 scouting report has some nice region-opening games, and some that may be interesting, and some must-win situations already.

Note: Fans should bring cash to games, with the likelihood that many teams will be soliciting donations for the family of Dylan Thomas, the Pike County player who died Sunday and was buried Thursday. Rutland will have a short pregame service with Pike County at Ed DeFore Sports Complex. For the first play, Pike County will play with 10 players in Thomas’ memory.

Game of the week

Dutchtown (6-0, 3-0) at Jones County (6-0, 3-0)

So while everybody talks about Jones County’s offense and Dutchtown defense, expect that the game is won – in some form or fashion – by Jones County’s defense or Dutchtown’s offense. And there’ll be that one key special teams play that may not be head-turning, but involves a field-position situation. Can Jones County QB Hunter Costlow (69-100-3, 1,241 yards, 19 TDs) ) avoid defensive end William Anderson (five tackles, three TFLs, and two sacks last week vs. Woodland), highly touted end Kevon Glenn, and DB Ja’Shaun Poke? How well will Dutchtown cover Jontavis Robertson (25-484-5) and Maleek Wooten (22-406-7)? Goodness, you could talk about this one for awhile, and afterward, likely will.

Games of the week

Howard (4-2, 1-0) at Perry (4-2, 0-1)

How even are they? Howard has scored seven fewer points, and given up 12 fewer points. Perry has gone from run-happy Veterans to pass-happy Upson-Lee in consecutive weeks, and is back to defending a run-oriented offense. Another game of interesting offensive contrasts. Howard throws Javarsia Meadows, Jeremiah Kelly, and Quintan Sewell in the ground game, a trio with 11 touchdowns and 8 yards a carry (as per not-updated MaxPreps stats). Perry QB Lane Rucker (113-217-7, 12 TDs, 1,873 yards) is having a huge year, aided by quality skill people. Howard comes in with a better frame of mind than Perry, so the faster Panthers need at least a decent start. Whichever team doesn’t make “that” mistake in the final 15 minutes will win.

Mary Persons (6-0, 1-0) at Upson-Lee (4-2, 1-0)

A month ago, nobody would have said that Upson-Lee would be the second-toughest opponent for the Bulldogs so far, but the Knights did an admirable job erasing that 31-0 season-opening loss to Veterans from memory. They could easily be 5-1. The Bulldogs are stronger on offense this year, and they’re strong, with QB J.T. Hartage (66-90-1, 10 TDs, 1,238 yards), RB Quen Wilson (88-725-14), and a veteran offensive line. Upson-Lee’s defense has to avoid missteps fundamentally so the Bulldogs don’t snap off big plays, and give the Knights’ offense a chance. Sophomore QB Jake Davis is 67 of 109 for 987 yards and 10 scores, and no interceptions, and Thadd Webb is a big-play machine. Not letting the stage get to them is another issue for the Knights, especially if Mary Persons gets off to a better start.

Dodge County (6-0, 2-0) at Dublin (5-1, 2-0)

If this turns out to be a defensive game, it might finished in less than two hours. If the offenses are clicking better, it could go past 10 p.m. The Irish are more prone to turn it into more of an offensive game, but goodness, the ball-control skills of these two teams is impressive. Dodge County has 14 rushing touchdowns from Erin Pitts (98-547) and R.J. Carr (78-486), and the Indians cause problems with a balanced defense led by Elisha Williams and Jadin Johnson. Dublin has another weapon or two in its wing-T, and size and speed on defense as well. The fourth quarter may be keepaway with whoever has the lead.

The matchups

Friday

6A

Valdosta (3-3) at Houston County (2-4)

Two teams that competed for state championships a few years ago are kind of in a playing-to-avoid-playoff-elimination game, moreso for Houston County, which has lost seven straight to Class 4A or larger. The Wildcats, though, are ranked in both polls.

Coffee (6-0) at Northside (3-3)

Coffee has given up 33 points, but that last two shutouts have come against Class 5A teams that are a combined 1-10 and have scored 64 points all season. Northside has a substantial strength-of-schedule advantage, and had last week off.

5A

Warner Robins (5-1) at Harris County (2-4)

Harris County has three losses by 12 points (Carver-Columbus, Westside, Upson-Lee) to 3A and 4A teams, and lost by 47 to top-10 4A Troup. So Dylan Fromm (137-218-3, 21 TDs, 2,080) and WR Marcayll Jones (39-917-2) and LB Malachi Weatherspoon and Co. are unlikely to see much fourth-quarter time.

Veterans (6-0) at Bainbridge (2-4)

Bainbridge keeps scores pretty low, and the Bearcats have played a pretty good schedule, with Brooks County, Crisp County, and Tift County the past three games. Veterans can’t get impatient or overlook the home team, which will be a little refreshed for a region opener.

4A

Spalding (3-3, 0-1) at West Laurens (4-2, 0-1)

It’s not to the point of playoff elimination yet, but it’s close. The Raiders won 27-25 last year on the road.

Baldwin (1-5) at Richmond Academy (6-0)

Richmond Academy has given up 75 points, Baldwin has scored 82.

3A

Kendrick (1-5, 1-1) at Central (1-5, 0-2), Thompson

The records are the same, but Central has been outscored by 34 points and Kendrick by 173, against an easier schedule.

Westside (4-2, 2-0) at Jackson (3-2, 1-0)

Jackson has a home-field advantage, but the crowd can’t defend QB Victor Dixon (1,012 yards) or RB Tyshaun Freeman (119-676-7).

Pike County (4-1, 0-1) at Rutland (0-6, 0-2), Ed DeFore

2A

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

A region win is more important than city bragging rights, and both need one in the race for fourth.

Bleckley County (2-4, 0-2) at Washington County (5-0, 1-0)

The Royals follow Dublin with Washington County, an awfully tough two-week stretch.

Callaway (5-1, 2-0) at Lamar County (3-3, 1-1)

Both have good defenses, but Callaway has scored 84 more points than the Trojans.

A

Macon County (2-3, 1-1) at Crawford County (2-3, 0-2)

The Bulldogs have won four straight in this series by an average of 53.3 points.

Dooly County (2-3, 1-1) at Hawkinsville (2-3, 1-1)

The Red Devils are playing good defense, but the Bobcats have scored almost twice as many points.

Schley County (4-1, 2-0) at Taylor County (2-3, 1-1)

Schley County has scored only one more point than Taylor County, which needs a solid defensive night to pull off the upset.

Wilkinson County (0-5, 0-1) at FPD (1-4, 1-0)

The teams have played every year since 2012, and that was the last time the Warriors won.

Warren County (3-3, 1-2) at GMC (3-3, 1-2)

GMC is on a three-game losing streak, and is ranked four spots ahead of Warren County.

ACE (3-4) at Glascock County (0-6)

The Gryphons keep alive hopes of a non-losing first season with a win.

Hancock Central (4-1, 2-0) at Greene County (3-2, 2-0)

No. 14 in the GHSA Class A public rankings is at No. 15, and the winner can retain hopes for a region title.

Twiggs County (0-6, 0-2) at Mount de Sales (5-0, 1-0)

The Cavs aren’t necessarily a blow-people-out undefeated team, but they won 31-0 in Jeffersonville last year.

Tattnall (3-3, 2-0) at Stratford (1-4, 0-1)

This is the 52nd meeting between the two, and Tattnall is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings. Stratford won 27-23 last year. The Eagles are 21st in the rankings, the Trojans 33rd, so a Tattnall loss dooms its playoff chances, since the Trojans have only one top 20 opponent left, Mount de Sales.

GISA

Augusta Prep (1-5) at Trinity Christian (3-2)

This is the first meeting between the teams.

Westfield (1-5) at Frederica (4-2)

The hard-luck Hornets have only one loss of more than 14 points, and the Knights have won four straight, by at least 20 points.

Bulloch (5-0) at John Milledge (5-0)

The Trojans had a week off after surviving Westfield, the first game since Oct. 16, 2015 against Westfield that John Milledge scored only 14 points in a regular-season game.

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

The last time they played, it was a 19-19 tie in 1999.

Brentwood (3-3) at Robert Toombs (5-1)

Both teams are on solid two-game winning streaks.