This week’s high school football games, and who’s going to win

By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

This week’s high school football games, and who’s going to win

Last week: 25-4

Season: 91-23 (79.8 pct.)

Within 6 points of margin: 8

Upset specials: 2-2 (Got Upson-Lee and Howard, missed GMC and Dublin).

Games of the Week

Warner Robins (3-1) vs. Northside (3-2)

          The teams had markedly different Fridays, Warner Robins taking itself out of things early against Colquitt County and Northside hammering Baldwin. Still, the Demons moved on with the confidence that they can physically compete with one of the top teams in the nation but aren’t so good that they can make mistakes and automatically overcome them. The Eagles got the kind of win that’s puts back the swagger that losses to Peach County and Jones County dimmed. More than just this game, the loser may suddenly be unranked.

The Sports Report pick: Warner Robins by 8.

Veterans (5-0) at Perry (4-0)

          Man oh man, Herb St. John Stadium will be more electric than in years, if not a decade or two. And neither program is used to much of a playoff atmosphere when it’s still barely past the middle of September. Perry has won five games only nine times this century, and only four times in the last 10 seasons. Veterans has only been alive as a program since 2010, and has won six games only once. That’s what awaits the winner. The Warhawks have more weapons and balance on offense.

TSR pick: Veterans by 11.

Mount de Sales (4-0) at Stratford (1-3)

          There are no doubt skeptics about how good Mount de Sales actually is, since the Cavs have grinded their way to four close wins over four one-win teams. And there are those waiting for Stratford to get going after losing three games to now 4-0 teams and improve on scoring 12.3 points a game and giving up 31.

TSR pick: Stratford by 6.

Statesboro (2-2) at West Laurens (3-1)

          West Laurens got some offense going a week ago, and getting some confidence on that side of the ball makes the Raiders better. When their offense comes close to the defense, it makes life tough for the opposition. Stateboro, on a two-game losing streak, may get some of that.

TSR pick: West Laurens by 20.

The Matchups

Pataula Charter (0-4) at ACE (2-3), Thursday

TSR pick: ACE by 13

Jackson (2-2) vs. Central (1-3), Henderson, Thursday

TSR pick: Jackson by 4

Bleckley County (2-2) at Northeast (1-3), Thompson

TSR pick: Bleckley County by 3

Crawford County (2-1) at Hawkinsville (1-3)

TSR pick: Crawford County by 16

Dodge County (4-0) at Southwest (2-2), Henderson

TSR pick: Dodge County by 23

East Laurens (1-3) at Dublin (3-1)

TSR pick: Dublin by 42

Greenbrier (0-3) at Baldwin (0-5)

TSR pick: Baldwin by 4

Greene County (1-2) at GMC (3-1)

TSR pick: Greene County by 14

Kendrick (1-3) at Peach County (2-2)

TSR pick: Peach County by 27

Jordan (0-4) at Lamar County (2-2)

TSR pick: Lamar County by 13

Monticello (1-3) at Rabun County (3-1)

TSR pick: Rabun County by 24

Hancock Central (3-1) at Washington-Wilkes (1-3)

TSR pick: Hancock Central by 3

Putnam County (1-3) at Union County (4-0)

TSR pick: Union County by 16

Rutland (0-4) at Westside (2-2), Ed DeFore

TSR pick: Westside by 28

Schley County (3-1) at Dooly County (1-2)

TSR pick: Schley County by 8

Taylor County (1-2) at Macon County (1-2)

TSR pick: Macon County by 12

Twiggs County (0-4) at Tattnall (1-3)

TSR pick: Tattnall by 25

GISA/GICAA

Brentwood (1-3) at St. Andrew’s (0-1-1)

TSR pick: Brentwood by 10

Gatewood (3-1) at Westwood (1-4)

TSR pick: Gatewood by 24

Piedmont (2-1-1) at SW Georgia (4-1)

TSR pick: SW Georgia by 17

John Milledge (4-0) at Westfield (1-3)

TSR pick: John Milledge by 24

Covenant at Thomas Jefferson (2-1-1)

TSR pick: Thomas Jefferson by 20