HSFB 2018: Week 6 scouting report has some nice region-opening games, and some that may be interesting, and some must-win situations already.
Game of the week
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Upson-Lee (3-2) at Perry (4-1)
Here are two teams with one thing in common: heartbreak at the hands of Veterans. The Warhawks pulled off the first major early-season surprise with a 31-0 season-opening win at Upson-Lee. Last week, they handed Perry its first loss, no less at The Pit, in a to-the-last-play slugfest. The Knights have been impressive getting over that game, which Perry must now do, and in the region opener. Upson-Lee has momentum and confidence after beating ranked 5A Griffin last week. Both teams are used to close games – save for Perry’s 43-0 win over Monroe and U-L’s opener – so who makes the major fourth-quarter play or mistake is something to watch.
Games of the week
Houston County (2-3) at Warner Robins (4-1)
The Bears had a week off to maybe try video and computer work on stopping a Warner Robins offense that’s averaging a dizzying 519 yards a game. The Demons are still lacking a consistent sharpness on defense and special teams, which left the door open in three pretty close wins. Is Houston County good enough to take advantage of similar stumbles and make it a four-quarter game?
West Laurens (4-1) at Howard (3-2), Henderson
The numbers are pretty sporty: 5.2 points a game, 5.2 first downs a game, 123.4 yards. That what West Laurens’ defense is giving up. Spencer Dacus is all over, and has six tackles for losses of 45 yards. Howard has had health issues in the backfield since the Westside game, and will need everybody at full strength – and near-perfect execution – against this defense, probably in the top five in Central Georgia.
Jones County (5-0, 2-0) at Locust Grove (2-3, 1-1)
Defensive backs and pass-rushers better have gotten a good night’s sleep. Locust Grove QB R.J. McDaniel has passed for 1,210 yards and 15 touchdowns. That’s 19 yards and four fewer touchdowns than Jones County’s Hunter Costlow.
The matchups
Class 4A
Spalding (3-2) at Mary Persons (5-0)
The Jaguars have two quality losses, but no quality wins. And they open region play against one of the top teams in the state, and on the road. There’s always a chance that the Bulldogs may be ferociously overconfident.
Class 3A
Peach County (3-2, 1-0) at Pike County (4-0)
The Pirates’ quality win is 31-14 over 3-2 Lamar County, a AA team. Pike County isn’t giving up many points, to teams that aren’t scoring many. Peach County after a loss is not too desirable a situation. The Trojans have won the past two, the last two years, 49-21 and 45-7. Maybe getting Peach County earlier in the season rather than at the end might make a slight difference.
Central (1-4, 0-1) at Westside (3-2, 1-0), Ed DeFore
Southwest broke the overall streak two years ago, and Howard made its own history earlier this season; the Bibb County jump of beating Westside. Central hopes to be next, after losing the last two meetings 28-0 and 40-20. Stopping QB Victor Dixon (50.7 percent, 907 yards, 7-3 TD-INT) and TyShaun Freeman (115.6 ypg, 5 rushing TDs) is a task.
Class 2A
Dublin (4-1, 1-0) at Bleckley County (2-3, 0-1)
The Royals have lost two straight, by two and by six. Bleckley County has quality speed – Nykeem Farrow has 722 yards rushing - but needs its defense to come up huge against the Irish attack of QB Rodriguez Martin and a slew of skill players.
Northeast (2-3, 1-0) at Dodge County (5-0, 1-0)
Northeast’s tasks are balanced: stop a run game that bigger teams haven’t, and do something against a defense that other teams haven’t. The Indians are giving up only 12.2 points a game, led by Jadin Johnson and Elisha Williams.
Washington County (4-0) at East Laurens (1-4, 0-1)
The Golden Hawks follow an off week with a game they’re huge favorites in. How sharp will they be, even in a blowout? East Laurens remains a struggling program and in transition, but is making slight strides.
Lamar County (3-2, 1-0) at Spencer (0-5, 0-1)
Spencer is winless, but has outscored Lamar County 74-7 the last two years.
Putnam County (1-4, 0-2) at Monticello (1-4, 0-2)
Less than an hour separates the two, and both need a night of energy and, win or lose, some quality play. Both are playing for a .500 – or close – record in a tough region with four 2-0 teams. Monticello’s Dylan Jackson gets nearly 100 yards a game rushing.
Class A
Taylor County (1-3, 0-1) at Crawford County (2-2, 0-1)
The Eagles will work on slowing down quarterback Jabin Ford (125 ypg,), but the Vikings must contain counterpart Cody Guidry (280.3 ypg, 55.3 percent completions).
Macon County (2-2, 1-0) at Dooly County (1-3, 0-1)
Teams are focused on Dooly County QB Bo Lawson, whose numbers are down significantly and didn’t play last week, and the Bobcats were held to less than 200 yards total offense. The pressure has been on the defense, led by Zepha Hill (17 tackles last week) and Ra’quavious Billings (18).
GMC (3-2, 0-2) at Aquinas (4-0, 1-0)
GMC is struggling on offense, with 10 points in the last two games, and visits a team giving up 12.5 a game.
Wilkinson County (0-4) at Tattnall (2-3, 1-0)
Tattnall is averaging nearly twice as many points as Wilkinson County has scored (33.5-18).
FPD (0-4) at Twiggs County (0-5, 0-1)
The Vikings should be sharper after a week off to improve on offense. FPD has scored 14, 17, 17, 14, so changing that consistency is a goal.
ACE (3-3) at Maclay, Fla.
The home team, in Tallahassee, is undefeated.
GISA/GICAA
Trinity Christian (2-2) at Westfield (1-4)
Westfield has lost by three, one, and four, all to 3A teams. The Hornets are 4-0 against TCS, but the teams haven’t played since 2015.
Gatewood (4-1) at Terrell (3-3)
Gatewood is averaging 33.3 points since the opening 45-7 loss to John Milledge.
Memorial Day (3-2) at Brentwood (2-3)
The average this season involving these two teams is 58 points scored.