Saturday's Central Georgia high school football scouting reports
Class 6A
Lakeside-Evans (R3/3, 4-6) at Northside (R1/2, 7-3), Saturday, 2 p.m.
Lakeside is a team with a losing record that has scored 23 more points than it’s allowed, regrouping a bit after a 1-3 start. The Panthers have won two straight, by 37-7- and 34-7, but lost 38-10 to their only ranked opponent, 3A Monroe Area. The Eagles missed the playoffs, and lost 27-0 in the first round since reaching the finals in 2018 with a 5-5 regular season. These teams used to be region opponents, Northside winning four straight en route to a 10-1 series lead.
Next: Douglas County or Riverwood
Houston County (R1/3, 4-6) at Evans (R3/2, 8-2), 1:30 p.m.
The Bears are on a three-game losing streak and the Knights have won four of five, losing by three to region champ Alcovy last week. Evans is the only team in the six-team region with more than five wins, and its lone loss is at home to AA Washington County (43-26), which was thumped Friday night in the AA playoffs. Houston County, which went to the quarterfinals in 2020 after going 5-5, has played six ranked teams and beaten two. The Bears have had a week off after the 38-21 loss to Northside.
Next: Johns Creek or Rome
Class A Public
Turner County (R2/3, 4-6) at Dublin (R4/2, 6-4), 1 p.m.
The Irish are might warm, winning five of their last six, and winning clutch last week over Montgomery County to get second and a first-round home game. The Titans give up 32.5 points a game, Dublin scores 33.5 a game. JT Wright brings 1,075 yards and 15 rushing TDs into the game, with Quay Ashley scoring 14 times and getting 797 yards. Ja’Quarius Evans is up to 620 yards passing with eight touchdowns. Ashley is getting 31.4 yards per kickoff return, and has three interceptions for 44.7 yards per return, getting a touchdown in each category.
Next: Commerce or Bowdon
ACE (R7/3, 4-4) at Schley County (R5/2, 9-1), 7:30 p.m.
It’s the Gryphons’ playoff debut, while Schley County is on a roll of four trips in the last five years, including reaching the 2018 quarterfinals. The Wildcats have been ranked since late September, losing no ground after falling 54-38 to No. 3 Macon County. They’ve held seven opponents to single-digit points or nothing, racking up five shutouts. QB Jay Kanazawa has completed 58 percent for 2,004 yards for Schley County, second in Class A Public, with 23 touchdowns and 6 INTs.
Next: Seminole County or Metter
Crawford County (R7/4, 3-6) at Macon County (R5/1, 9-0), 2 p.m.
The scoring numbers have been nice during Crawford County’s season turnaround, with three straight 40-point games. But the Eagles gave up only 22 points in that three-game winning streak that put them in the playoffs, the best such three-game stretch since 2015. QB Judd Puckett is 75 yards from 1,000 passing for the season, and Jordan Andrews 35 yards from 1,000 rushing. Macon County, though, has been in smackdown mode all season. Landon Austin has completed only 42.8 percent of his passes, but has 1,208 yards and 17 TDs to 7 INTs. Marlon Mitchell has run for 1,256 yards and 15 scores, while Landon Austin has 10 touchdowns on only 79 carries. Shelquavious Byse, Dekeitheon Jenkins and Kenwan Felton team for 24 tackles a game, Felton racking up 25 TFLs in a season during which the Bulldogs have four shutouts, but have given up some points in region play. Not many.
Next: Terrell County or ECI
Manchester (R5/4, 5-4) at GMC (R7/1, 10-0), Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
The first home game in school history after the first undefeated regular season in school history could lead to some nerves for GMC, whose schedule isn’t anywhere near as strong as Manchester’s. The Blue Devils have played three ranked teams (1-2) and have been ranked about half of the season. They gave Macon County one of the Bulldogs’ few tests, and unloaded on Taylor County 51-7 last week. GMC’s Jessie Washington is 11 yards from 1,000 rushing yards. QB Tyler Saunders has 651 yards and 10 TDs with 3 INTs on a 42.7 percent completion rate.
Next: Mitchell County or McIntosh County Academy
Class A Private
Aquinas (R3/4, 6-4) at FPD (R1/1, 8-2), Saturday, 7 p.m.
The FPD of the Sept. 10 visit to Aquinas is much different than the one hosting Aquinas. The Vikings kept turning it over in the 27-2 loss, but have done better with ball control as the offense found an identity and consistency. And FPD’s defense, led by Coleman Cauley, is stout, giving up only 49 points in the last six games. Aquinas finished last in its four-team region, has lost two straight, including 44-0 last week to Calvary Day, the first time it’s been blanked since the middle of the 2009 season. Aquinas hasn’t finished under .500 since 2008. Griffin Green is 135 yards from 1,000 for the season for the Vikings, and he’s second with 243 receiving yards. QB Jakhari Williams has completed 64.3 percent for 1,387 yards, 13 TDs and 5 picks.
Next: Mount Vernon or Mt. Paran Christian
Savannah Christian (R3/3, 4-6) at Tattnall (R1/2, 8-1), Saturday, 7 p.m.
The Trojans are a team on a roll, scoring 144 points in three games since FPD’s 20-0 win. One was an OT win over Stratford, but the last two have been routs. Clay Rowland is up to 60.3 percent completions, for 760 yards, 9 TDs and 5 INTs. Demario Wilmore leads a balanced run game with 737 yards on 86 carries and 11 TDs. Savannah Christian gave powerful Calvary Day a game in a 21-0 loss, which came a few weeks after losing 23-14 to FPD and after beating Mount de Sales 14-7.
Next: Hebron Christian or Darlington
Stratford (R1/3, 7-3) at Savannah Country Day (R3/2, 3-6), Saturday, 6 p.m.
Stratford stopped a two-game slide with, as expected, a 30-point win over Deerfield-Windsor last week. SCD ended a six-game losing streak at the same time with a 31-24 win over Savannah Christian. Part of that losing streak was Stratford’s 27-20 win on Sept. 24, a week after SCD lost 23-14 to Tattnall. The Hornets have been outscored by only 40 points.
Next: North Cobb Christian or Holy Innocents
Mount de Sales (R1/4, 5-5) at Calvary Day (R3/1, 10-0), Saturday, 1 p.m.
The task is huge for Mount de Sales against a team winning by 24 points a game and that has given up 13 points in its last four games, including 42-6 over Stratford. The Cavaliers are off a semifinal trip last year, and they’ve given up only 89 points this season. Mount de Sales has been without A’Khori Jones for a few weeks, but Fernando Washington has stepped up, and has 1,345 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. The Cavs’ lack of a passing game will allow some feasting by Calvary Day
Next: Christian Heritage or Wesleyan