By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

HSFB 2018: Week 5 scouting report has some big-boy games, at The Mac, in The Valley, and fighting for Freedom Field, among others

Game of the week

Mary Persons at Peach County (8 p.m.)

For the past few years, Peach County has had an edge in experience, especially at the skill positions.

That’s how you come back from 19-0 in the fourth quarter to win by one, and how you survive some mistakes to pull away for a 35-14 win on the road, as part of a seven-game winning streak in the series.

The script has been flipped, and the Bulldogs have that edge with quarterback J.T. Hartage and running back Quen Wilson and receiver Deadrek Alford, among others.

What Antonio Gilbert had for Peach County, Hartage has for the Class AAAA No. 4 Bulldogs (4-0).

“He’s got this poise and calmness about him, this kind of moxie about him,” said MP head coach Brian Nelson of the state’s No. 13 passer (according to MaxPreps, which relies on information submitted by teams) with 835 yards, a number that would be higher had the Bulldogs not been putting teams away os early. “Everything looks fluid and smooth. Nothing ever looks, ‘Oh, crap, I’m rushed.’”

Peach County’s defense, while not inspiring head coach Chad Campbell to necessarily smile, is currently the Trojans’ strength, despite some individual inconsistency. So Hartage, who has 83 yards on 18 carries and may be more mobile than credit for, is likely to be under some pressure.

“They look like Peach County always does,” Nelson said of the Trojans. They’re aggressive and they just fly around. They’re always a carbon copy every year.”

The young Trojans secondary (basically four newcomers) will have to deal with Alford (13 catches, 316 yards, 4 TDs) as well as Antoine Davis (8-79-0) and Trippe Moore (7-93-1), plus Andre Jackson (7-141-1).

And Wilson, who has four catches for 157 yards and shares the longest reception – of 74 yards – with Alford – a multiple threat. That alone makes a huge difference between the 2017 Bulldogs and the 2018 version.

“The first thing is is he’s healthy,” Nelson said of the 5-8, 165-pound senior who has 429 yarsd on 44 carries, nearly 10 yards a carry. “Last year, he hadn’t even played a game up to this point yet.”

Wilson sprained an ankle in the opener a month earlier against Lee County after five runs and 42 yards. In his first full game back a year ago, he went for 122 on 13 carries en route to 972 yards in 11 games.

“So,” Nelson understated, “that helps a bit.”

Peach County is 2-1, following a 33-0 weather-shortened loss at Lee County with a 49-14 win over Houston County, the Trojans flexing muscles in the second half of the latter game.

Campbell said the Lee County game wasn’t as bad as looked, but that the season-opening win over Northside wasn’t as good as it looked.

“After I watched that (Northside) film, we didn’t play good,” he said of the 27-24 win over the then-No. 4 team in Class 6A on Aug. 25. “The kids played hard, but we had 104 mental mistakes as a team. We’d like 20 or less as a team.”

Conversely, the Lee County game wasn’t as bad as perception.

“Defensively, I thought we played decently,” he said. “We only gave up 170 yards. They had a short field most of the time.”

But a late first-half score, the second-half kickoff return for a touchdown, and a few special-teams mistakes got Lee County rolling. And?

“Offensively, we were just in a fog all night,” Campbell said. “Kids didn’t show up and play.”

Peach County is again having weeks of inconsistent practices, which was also the case during last year’s run to the Class AAA state title game. But the Trojans had veteran players with multiple years of experience, and they were able to overcome that.

Regardless of Friday’s result, Campbell expects changes.

“I don’t think we’ve got a lot of good leadership,” he said. “There’s fixin’ to be some changes after this week. If some of them don’t make drastic improvement, there’ll be some changes.”

Games of the week

Colquitt County (4-0)at Warner Robins (3-0)

The home stands haven’t been shoulder-to-shoulder packed often during the Demons’ resurgence – they’re on a 17-1 roll, 12-1 at home – but that’s likely to change with a prime-time, must-see game, with No. 2/3 Class 5A team playing host to the consensus No. 1 Class 7A team.

It’s been a long time since two teams – with only one team from the International City involved - with elite resumes strapped it up at The Mac. Peach County was No. 1 last year in Class AAA, and Houston County was No. 1 in Class 6A in 2016 when the Demons were amid a 3-8 year. And Northside was No. 1 in 6A in 2015

But Colquitt County is two classifications higher, and hasn’t been challenged much past the first quarter all year.

“They are really, really, really good on the offensive line,” Warner Robins head coach Mike Chastain said. “They have a power-5 running back, they have a second running back … I don’t know if he’ll be power 5, or whatever, but he’s a danged good high school back. They’re really good on offense.”

The Packers are getting 198.5 yards on the ground keyed by Daijun Edwards and Ty Leggett and 200 through the air on the arm of Jaycee Harden. Last week, he connected with nine teammates.

And the defense, for example. Valdosta took an early lead, and was then outscored 38-0.

The Packers’ worst season since Rush Probst took over in 2008 as his first, 4-6. Worst since then? 8-5 in 2016, which came after a pair of 15-0s.

The Demon passing game hasn’t missed a step despite the absence of wideout Tyler Fromm, an Auburn commit who hasn’t played yet this season because of a preseason shoulder injury. Chastain said Fromm, while improving daily, is out this week.

Returnee Marcayll Jones leads the Demons with 19 catches for 430 yards, with Ty’larrious Carr next with 12 catches for 207 yards. Six other Demons have caught at least three passes helping to add up to Dylan Fromm’s 61 completions for 1,072 yards. He has nine touchdowns and one interception.

Jahlen Rutherford has taken over lead running back duties at a spot where the Demons lost a number of playrs. Rutherford has 304 yards on 47 carries, with Stratford transfer DDeondre Duehart next with 117 yards on 21 rushes.

Warner Robins’ offensive line isn’t as big as last year’s, but is more athletic. The defense is a mix of returnees and some new names. The kicking game is a work in progress, no surprise after losing standout Eli Mashburn, who had three game-winning field goals last year.

The last team of this caliber to face the Demons – at The Mac, no less – was Rome in last year’s Class 5A state title game, and that was a 38-0 loss. Even though that was the final game of the season, this year’s group, whether it’s a state finalist team or not for 2018, is likely a little better prepped for such a huge game. It’s one of less overall importance, but can be quite a statement evening in a major playoff atmosphere.

“They’re buying tickets (online),” Chastain said of Colquitt County, which will have about a 115-mile ride. “It should be something.”

Houston County (2-2) at Veterans (4-0)

The Bears and Warhawks have played four times, twice opening the season and twice a few weeks into the season. One result: A Houston County win.

The first three games weren’t all that close, by 19, 28 and 31 points. Last year, Houston County won 27-22, and the Warhawks were kicking themselves after blown opportunities.

This year? Well, Veterans entered 2018 having won the season opener, uh, never, and the Warhawks broke that streak 31-0 at 4A Upson-Lee.

They’re 4-0 entering the Freedom Field battle of the home teams, while the Bears are 2-2.

New Veterans head coach Milan Turner was an assistant at Coffee, a Region 1-6A foe of Houston County, so he has a little extra familiarity with the Bears.

“I think they’re better this year,” Turner said. “They lost to Perry, and they destroyed Perry statistics-wise and lost the game. Could be 3-1.”

Veterans is 18 points from passing last year’s points total, and the average of 34.8 points a game is a program best by 11 points so far. The scoring will decrease, and Veterans can answer with a defense giving up 12.8 points a game, a program best by four points.

Houston County was 1-3 at this point last year, and could have been 0-4. The Bears could be 3-1 or 1-3 this year, having beaten Central 21-13 and Rutland 62-17.

The Bears are more balanced, with QB Max Rigby throwing for 137.5 yards a game and completing 56.6 percent of his passes.

“They have a big offensive line, and a very good quarterback,” Turner said. “Throws the ball well, and is deceptively good with his feet, runs the ball really well.”

Houston County operates on a 37-63 percent pass-run ratio, while Veterans is about 20-80. Cyrus Zuell gets 109 yards a game with quarterback Sebastian Verger next at 72. The Warhawks, operating out of a multiple-formation spread, average 7.3 yards a carry.

The Warhawks are more physical in the past, and are winning in different ways. No game is a sign of the program’s strides than two weeks ago, when despite their best/worst efforts, they bet Baldwin 38-30. They blew a 17-0 lead, gave up points on offense and special teams, muddled back to take the lead and hold on.

“I told our coaches, ‘This didn’t feel good at all,’” Turner said. “It was one of those where you win and you feel gross.”

It gave the coaches plenty to harp on for a week, but also gave Veterans a level of confidence it hadn’t had.

“I thought that was huge,” Turner said. “I thought our kids grew up a lot in that game.”

Brooks County (2-1) at Dublin (3-0)

Two pretty even teams and upper-level programs tussle in the Shamrock Bowl, with the Trojans (No. 7 in one poll, unranked in the other) and the No. 9 Irish.

Brooks County brings more balance on offense with QB Jacolbey Brown 23 of 44 for 326 yards and two touchdown and three interceptions, while the Irish have thrown eight passes all year. That average of 2.6 tries a game is likely to increase notably at some point, and by design rather than necessity. Considering Dublin had last week off …

Brooks County has a pretty sharp Dublin wing-T to deal with, one that’s already past 1,100 yards rushing, with Conteveyas Mitchell, Rodriguez Martin, and Greg Jones all with between 200 and 300 yards, and 11 rushing touchdowns between them.

It’s a non-region game, and both teams are in stellar and balanced regions. Dublin is one of three Region 3 teams ranked, with Bleckley County perhaps on the fringe in a week or two. And all five teams in Region 1 have only one loss.

Fitzgerald (3-1) at Dodge County (3-0)

Another superb non-region battle takes place in Eastman, again with Region 1 vs. Region 3.

Fitzgerald is 3-1 and unranked but has a six-point loss to a top-5 Class A team and a one-point road win ovr a top-10 Class A team, and is off a quality 28-24 win over a .500 Class 4A team.

The Purple Hurricane do have a task on defense with a Dodge County offense that that gets six yards a carry. R.J. Carr has 335 yards and five touchdowns in three games, while Erin Pitts adds 173 and two.

There’s no suspense from Dodge County on offense. The Indians have tried only 14 passes, and completed only three, a 21.4 percent mark. They know how to win close games, and all three opponents have been higher-classification teams, including 22-10 over neighborhood rival Class 4A West Laurens.

Three of Fitzgerald’s wins games have been decided by a total of 11, so both are used to 48-minute games.

The matchups

FPD (0-3) at Brookstone (1-1)

The Vikings are struggling everywhere, but the 41 points a game allowed is the highest in Region 7-A.

Fullington at ACE (1-3)

The Gryphons face GICAA competition after a thumping by GMC.

GMC (3-0) at Hancock Central (2-1)

The teams are only 25 miles away, and have winning records, so this should be a quality game.

Greene County (1-1) at Mount de Sales (3-0)

Greene County’s only loss is by five to Class AAA Morgan County, and the Tigers have had a week off to prepare for QB Dexter Williams.

Hawkinsville (1-2) at Schley County (2-1)

It’s the Region 4-A opener for both teams, and Schley County trails in the series 7-1. But the ‘one’ 1 was last year.

Howard (3-1) at Jackson (1-2)

The Huskies are playing a lower-classification team with a losing record that lost 48-17 to Mary Persons, the favorite in Howard’s region. So the Huskies have to avoid being flat from that stat and the high from beating Westside.

Jones County (4-0) at Woodland (2-2)

Can Woodland keep Jones County’s starters on the field in the fourth quarter?

Macon County (0-2) at Twiggs County (0-3)

Macon County head coach Dexter Copeland takes on his former team (twice), a group that hasn’t scored in three games.

Marion County (3-0) at Bleckley County (2-1)

Marion County is ranked in one poll and beaten three Class A teams. The Royals’ wins are against Class A teams with a toughening-up game against Veterans in there.

Metter (3-0) at Wilkinson County (0-3)

The records alone spell doom for Wilkinson County, not to mention that AA Metter is off a quality win over ECI.

Northeast (1-2) at Central (0-3), Henderson

Central keeps playing people respectably, but Northeast turned that same thing into a quality win at Manchester. Can Central get over the hump? Can Northeast stay over the hump?

Northside (2-2) at Baldwin (0-4)

Baldwin hasn’t been 0-4, well, certainly never with Jesse Hicks on the sideline. Same for being 0-5. Northside may start slow because of that record, but the Eagles have some momentum they want to keep with the salty part of the schedule coming up.

Pike County (3-0) at Lamar County (2-1)

Lamar County’s last win over a higher-classification team was 13-10 over Jackson early in 2016.

Rabun County (2-1) at Putnam County (1-2)

The last time the War Eagles played a ranked team was Rabun County last year. They lost 59-0.

Rutland (0-3) at Worth County (0-4)

Worth County has been in two close games, losing by 10 to Turner County and 12 to Dooly County, while Rutland has suffered two straight big losses (45 and 42 points).

Southwest (2-2) at Lee County (4-0)

The reality is that a running clock will be in place, technically, in the second quarter. Lee County is No. 1 in 6A, and has a 33-0 win over No. 2/3 Class 3A Peach County.

Stratford (1-2) at Fellowship Christian (3-0)

The Paladins are averaging more a game (51.3) than the Eagles have scored in their last four games (42), including the 2017 finale.

Union County (3-0) at Monticello (1-2)

Monticello has lost two games by eight points, and will need the home-field advantage against a team that’s allowed 20 points in three games (two against AAA teams).

Upson-Lee (2-2) at Griffin (2-1)

The Knights have outscored opponents 78-72 since the season opener, but the Bears have a 7A win under their belt.

Washington County (3-0) at Swainsboro (2-1)

A quality non-region AA game. Washington County is off a win over 6A Greenbrier, and has given up 27 points in three games. Swainsboro’s only loss is 20-13 to Dublin.

West Laurens (2-1) at South Effingham (1-2)

The Raiders had a week off after losing 22-10 to AA Dodge County and work on getting the offense closer to the level of a defense that has two shutouts.

GISA

Bulloch (3-0) at Westfield (1-2)

Community Christian at Gatewood (2-1)

Terrell (1-3) at Piedmont (2-0-1)

Trinity Christian (1-2) at Westwood (1-3)