Key region games set for Thursday night

          Thursday night’s high school football schedule has some quality matchups.

          The reason for changes – weather – is unlikely to live up to expectations, but the moves also allow for flexibility with officials.

          Two of the games involve Region 3-AA, with Lamar County at Washington County and Dodge County at Bleckley County. Wheeler County visits Hawkinsville in 4-A/Public, and GMC is at John Hancock in a game set up this week.

          It’s the 3-AA opener for the four teams, with one more game on Friday.

          Bleckley County is 3-1 and Dodge County 1-2.

          The Indians have had to do some shuffling because of COVID issues, and the two losses are by six points and three points, Dodge County in both games until the end

          Daylon Gordon is a tough runner for Dodge County, with 244 yards on 57 carries in three games, but only one TD, according to stats posted on MaxPreps.

          The ninth-ranked Royals are seconds away from being undefeated, letting a win become a 21-20 defeat by Wilcox County in the second game.

          This is quite the rivalry game, the teams having played every year since 1977. Dodge County leads 32-12, the Royals breaking a five-game losing streak with last year’s 41-34 win.

          Lamar County and Washington County are both 2-2 as they prepare to battle for the first time.

          The Trojans lead the region in scoring with 138 points in four games, to 72 for the Golden Hawks. Only three points separate them in points allowed.

          Quarterback Devin Bateman sparks the Trojans, Lamar County, with 118.8 yard passing and 80 yards rushing a game, accounting for nine touchdowns. C.J. Allen adds 74 yards a game rushing, and has seven touchdowns on the ground while leading the defense with 8.3 tackles a game.

          Washington County has split with Swainsboro, losing by six and winning by five, with a 14-point loss to 3A Thomson and a 10-point win at 6A Evans.

          Wheeler County is 3-0 overall and 1-0 in region play, Hawkinsville 2-2 and 1-1. The Red Devils, though, are only a few plays from 4-0, losing 7-3 to Tattnall and 21-19 to Montgomery County.

          Casson Clark had two scores in the loss at Montgomery County, which pulled off the game-winner in the final three minutes.

          The visiting Bulldogs have yet to beat Hawkinsville in 10 meetings, but they haven’t played since 2005 after battling six straight years – with Hawkinsville racking up three shutouts.