Last week: 24-6

Season: 119-32, 78.81

Within 7 points of margin: 6; 21 for the season

Upset specials: 1-2 (lost Dodge County and Rutland, won Bleckley County)

A note: The Sports Report policy is to max out picks at 39 points although some games could earn a predicted margin of victory in the 40s and 50s.

 

Games of the week

Lamar County at Jordan

          Jordan is a prime trap-game opponent, record-wise at 0-4. But the Red Jackets are competitive, and a win is an upset, but not earth-shaking.

The Sports Report pick: Lamar County by 13

Northeast at Bleckley County

          Will the Northeast contingent traveling all of 45 miles pass the triple-digit mark? It’s looking like the Raiders have made a big jump in all three phases, and get a pretty warm Bleckley County team on the road in the region opener.

TSR pick: Northeast by 4 (upset special)

This week

Friday night’s roundup and scores (11 p.m. Friday 12:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday)
Scouting Reports for Friday night (Friday morning)
Statewide polls and Maxwell predictions (Thursday afternoon)
The Sports Report tells you the winners
Weekly football honorees (from teams)
Class A power ratings
Monday Morning QB (polls and notes)
Macon TD Club honorees

Last week
Friday night’s roundup and scores
Scouting Reports
Statewide polls and Maxwell predictions
The Sports Report tells you the winners
Weekly football honorees (from teams)
Henderson work not quite done, Rutland game changed
Class A power rankings
Monday Morning Quarterback (with all-class area poll)
Macon TD Club honorees

Northside vs. Warner Robins

          Northside has the top two rushers in Region 1-6A, but are averaging 58.6 yards a game passing. Warner Robins leads 1-5A with 459.5 yards a game, and remarkable balance, with 12 more rush attempts than pass attempts. But the Demons are still having success in the air, with almost 40o more passing yards. Penalties, the one or two clutch defensive stops in the second and fourth quarters, and field goals decide this one.

TSR pick: Warner Robins by 8

Perry at Veterans

          The head-scratching win over Houston County is over, but it’s a boost to the Warhawks to win a game like that, an inexplicable game. Perry’s week off came at a good time, to work on what went wrong against Wetside and improve on what worked against Monroe. And the Panthers will need their best game of the year.

TSR pick: Veterans by 17

Southwest at Dodge County

          One never really knows what Southwest will do in a given week. And now we have Dodge County in rare territory: 1-3 and having given up 40 more points than it’s scored. For the Indians, a loss could send them spiraling. They’ve won four of five in the series since 2012, and the last time they went into October with four losses? We’ll get back to you.

TSR pick: Dodge County by 21

Stratford at Mount de Sales

          The Eagles appear to be better than a year ago, especially on defense. They’ve scored four more points than a year ago and surrendered 61 fewer points. The Cavs against the same three opponents – the schedule was funkified – have scored 38 more points and given up only 16 more. The last time Mount de Sales beat Stratford two straight? 2009-10, by 55-38 and 35-14. The second win won’t be like that.

TSR pick: Mount de Sales by 9

 

Games

Baldwin at Greenbrier

          A year ago, Baldwin started its region title run in this game, at home.

TSR pick: Baldwin by 9

Central at Jackson

          The Red Devils have quality single-digit losses to 4A Mary Persons and Howard.

TSR pick: Jackson by 19

Dooly County at Schley County

          It won’t be as close as last year’s 23-6 Schley County win.

TSR pick: Schley County by 33

Dublin at East Laurens

          *Sigh* The Falcons haven’t won since 2012, one of two times since 2009 they cracked double figures against the Irish.

TSR pick: Dublin by 39

GMC at Greene County

          The Bulldogs haven’t officially won a region game – after a break from region competition – since Oct. 31, 2014. That shall change.

TSR pick: GMC by 2 (upset special)

Hawkinsville at Crawford County

          The Red Devils have given up 180 points in four games, to teams that finished 18-25 last year.

TSR pick: Crawford County by 6 (upset special)

Kendrick at Peach County

          Only because it’ll be hot will anybody from Peach County work up a sweat.

TSR pick: Peach County by 37

Macon County at Taylor County

          A few years ago, this impacted a region title. This year, well, Taylor County’s in the hunt.

TSR pick: Taylor County by 11

Rabun County at Monticello

          The Hurricanes have lost by 36, 45, and 41 in the last three meetings.

TSR pick: Rabun County by 35

Tattnall at Twiggs County

          The last two margins of victory for Tattnall: 49 and 28.

TSR pick: Tattnall by 27

Union County at Putnam County

          Union County is a top-10 AA team, the second straight for Putnam County.

TSR pick: Union County by 33

Washington-Wilkes at Hancock Central

          Both come in off nice wins, W-W’s a little better, 22-19 over Warren County. Hancock Central is inconsistent so far. Every 7-A game is big for the playoff contenders, and both are.

TSR pick: Hancock Central by 8 (upset special)

West Laurens at Statesboro

          The Raiders should be undefeated and still ranked. They’ll take it out on the hosts.

TSR pick: West Laurens by 8

Westside vs. Rutland, Ed DeFore

          Rutland hoped for an upset against Holy Innocents or Worth County, and appear to have stagnated some.

TSR pick: Westside by 27

GISA/GAPPS

Brentwood at St. Andrews

TSR pick: Brentwood by 18

Gatewood at Westwood

TSR pick: Gatewood by 24

Piedmont at Southwest Georgia

TSR pick: Southwest Georgia by 22  

Westfield at John Milledge

TSR pick: John Milledge by 39