Predictions

Last week: 15-6
Within 7 points of margin: 1

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

Dodge County at Dublin
          Dodge County and new head coach Ray Hardin are off the biggest margin of victory in the Toombs County series. Last year, Dublin had to replace some major players and finished 10-2. The Irish are in basically the same spot this year as last, filling some big vacancies, but may take a little longer to reach their normal level.
TSR pick: Dodge County by 3

Jones County at North Gwinnett
          The Greyhounds aren’t quite in the position they expected to be in. Of course, they started 0-3 last year and got rolling, though this first loss was more notable. And now they’re on the road against a 7A power off a 24-point loss to Hoover, Ala.
TSR pick: North Gwinnett by 10

Northeast vs. Central, Henderson
          The question here is simple: Will there be a hangover for Northeast after one of its biggest wins in program history? It’s been a long time since a Bibb County public school team built off a big win. Central is capable of the upset, though at this early point, it’s debatable how much of an upset it would be. Now, will there be a nice crowd paying attention to the game on hand?
TSR pick: Northeast by 3 (upset alert)

Peach County at Northside
          This was a funky game last year, Northside pulling off a shocker, 14-7 in Fort Valley in one of Peach County’s uglier games in awhile. The Eagles were a question mark going in, and kind of stayed that way, and the Trojans straightened out really quick. Northside appears to be more solid early in the season, and Peach County has had a game this year. A coin-flip game, to be sure.
TSR pick: Peach County by 4

Dooly County at Macon County
          Macon County opened eyes with a thrashing of perennial state finals contender Clinch County, handing the Panthers the rare shutout. Dooly County started last year losing 50-0 to Dublin, and this year with a 13-0 win at Marion County. Will this be a better game than expected?
TSR pick: Macon County by 22

 

Notable matchups

Crisp County at Houston County
          The 3A Cougars blanked the 6A Bears 12-0 a year ago, thanks to a half-dozen Houston County turnovers. But the Bears enter with little momentum of the 23-point loss to Perry.
TSR pick: Crisp County by 4

Hawkinsville at Tattnall
          An interesting game with two teams looking to make a little early-season statement. The Trojans won 7-3 on the road last year, but the Red Devils have picked up steam in the weight room.
TSR pick: Hawkinsville by 3

John Milledge at Brentwood
          The Trojans are in a mostly normal situation, while the numbers are down for the War Eagles.
TSR pick: John Milledge by 32

Warner Robins at Archer
          The Demons travel to a 7A that went 7-5 last year, one of the 5 a 42-7 loss to the Demons. Expect a similar Friday night.
TSR pick: Warner Robins by 35

Wilcox County at Bleckley County
          This matchup tends to be hard to pin down. In 2021, it pits No. 6 in A Public at No. 7 in AA. The Royals have some momentum off another win over 4A West Laurens.
TSR pick: Bleckley County by 17

 

The Games

Edmund Burke at Gatewood

TSR pick: Gatewood by 8

Fullington at Flint River

TSR pick: Fullington by 4

GMC at Central Talbotton

TSR pick: GMC by 24

Johnson County at East Laurens

TSR pick: Johnson County by 16

John Hancock at Briarwood

TSR pick: Briarwood by 30

Lamar County at Crawford County

TSR pick: Lamar County by 27

McDonough at Mary Persons

TSR pick: Mary Persons by 27

Putnam County at Morgan County

TSR pick: Putnam County by 5

Southwest vs. Howard, Ed DeFore

TSR pick: Howard by 24

Stratford at George Walton

TSR pick: Stratford by 17

Taylor County at Pike County

TSR pick: Taylor County by 19

Twiggs County at Wilkinson County

TSR pick: Wilkinson County by 20

Westfield at Trinity Christian

TSR pick: Westfield by 11