Games of the week

Howard at FPD

          The Huskies had momentum a year ago, having taking Class 5A Jones County down to the wire before losing by a score. Howard made a rebuilding FPD pay with a 36-point win a week later, leading the Vikings to make changes in the offensive scheme. FPD is better than last year, and Howard is the team in more of a rebuilding mode. FPD, though, will be tested by a speed disadvantage and a set of lines with one Husky below 250 pounds.

Coverage

This week’s statewide polls and Maxwell predictions
The Sports Report’s predictions
Monday Morning Quarterback
Macon TD Club KO Classic: Good night for Westside and Washington County
Friday’s Roundup
Week 1 predictions

Preseason
GHSA, GISA scouting reports
Coaches on the move
Preseason All-Central Georgia team
Preseason state polls
Preseason polls, Maxwell Ratings, first-week predictions

 

Rutland at Hawkinsville

          A battle of new coaches shares a similarity to last year. Hawkinsville opened 2018 with a 42-6 loss at home to Bleckley County. This year, the margin was 48-0. The Red Devils then came to Macon and beat Rutland 24-7. Rutland was competitive in a scrimmage with FPD, and yet may still may have more confidence than expected. And that can lead to the end of a 23-game losing streak.

 

Peach County at Northside (Saturday)

          It’s still a Class 6A team at home against a Class 3A team, but Peach County simply has more returning players from a state championship game team than just about anybody else in the state. Including Northside. The Eagles have to defend up the middle and deep, and sideline to sideline a team that has Division I prospects at every level, from QB Jaydon Gibson to Clemson-bound LB Sergio Allen to athlete Noah Whittington to linemen Octavious King and Terrance Ferguson. And the Trojans are likely to yet again be among the most balanced teams around. Both are ranked in their respective classifications. Peach County won 27-24 last year at Mercer.

 

The Matchups

Central at Houston County

          Central appears to be getting a very different version of Houston County. The Bears rolled Perry’s defense for 484 yards, and showed great balance with 32 runs and 27 passes. The defense held Perry – a Class 4A playoff team last year – to 87 yards total offense, four on the ground. The Chargers are in transition on offense, especially at quarterback, and are facing an improved defense and one of the better linebacking duos in the area in Wesley Steiner and Antuan Adams.

 

Jackson at Mary Persons

          Mary Persons went through a stretch of losing two straight openers – broken last year – and followed each one with a win over rival Jackson. Major difference: This year, the loss was to Gainesville, a two-win team last year. Those losses? Class 6A powers Houston County and Lee County. The Red Devils have the momentum of a 21-point win over Locust Grove, after following an 0-2 start last year to finish 7-5. This should be a rival game that feels like a rival game.

 

Jones County at Baldwin

          Nice task for Baldwin’s defense. The Braves go from an offense that may throw 10 times a game to an offense that may throw 10 times a quarter. Hunter Costlow threw it 33 times in the win over Howard, and Jones County’s defense held the Huskies to 193 yards offense. Baldwin’s speed in the secondary will be tested, and it’ll be a challenge to improve on last year’s 41-17 loss.

 

Gatewood at John Milledge

          They’re not in the same GISA classification any more, which means this is yet again a meeting of teams that played for a state championship last year. Gatewood won in AA, John Milledge lost in AAA. The Gators have a lineman (Weston Wallace) committed to Colorado State, and the Trojans have a running back (Amaad Foston) who is rising up the list of prospects in the state. John Milledge rolled to a 45-7 win on the road a year ago.

 

The Games

Crawford County at Pacelli

East Paulding at Upson-Lee

GMC at Oglethorpe County

Hancock Central at Josey

Harris County at Westside

Johnson County at East Laurens

Lamar County at Greenville

Landmark Christian at Mount de Sales

Locust Grove at Warner Robins

Northeast at Perry

Notre Dame at ACE, Thompson

Putnam County at Temple

Savannah Country Day at Stratford

Washington County at Jefferson County

West Laurens at Crisp County

Wilkinson County at Wilcox County

Worth County at Dooly County

Veterans at Bleckley County

GISA/GAPPS

Central Christian vs. Fullington

Deerfield Windsor at Westfield

John Hancock at Thomas Jefferson

Notre Dame at ACE, Thompson

Piedmont at Monsignor Donovan

Trinity Christian at Brentwood