Who's going to win this week's Central Georgia high school football games?
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
Last week: 22-10
Season: 72-25, 74.2 percent
Within 7 points of margin: 4, 13 for the season
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
Warner Robins (3-0) at Houston County (2-2)
The Demons have done so well in recent years of just ignoring chatter or being favored or on the road. The Bears have yet to determine who they are, and this is a tough week to establish that.
TSR pick: Warner Robins by 29
Peach County (0-2) at Mary Persons (2-1)
No games in two weeks makes Peach County a little harder to figure than normal. Mary Persons hasn’t handled this game well at times, and while the Bulldogs aren’t as strong as a few years ago, there’s a hunch the balance will make a difference. And a big home crowd can’t hurt.
TSR pick: Mary Persons by 4 (upset special 1)
Northeast (2-1) at Monroe (2-2/4A)
Those who thought they had Northeast pegged didn’t, and it’s still hard to figure the Raiders out. Figuring Monroe out is no breeze, either. Neither passing game has been all that sharp, and with expected wet weather, the line of scrimmage and turnovers will be huge.
TSR pick: Northeast by 2 (upset watch)
Swainsboro (2-2) at Dublin (1-1)
This is one of those series you wish involved home and away in the same season. Swainsboro had a 21-8 lead at Washington County and lost by one. Such a game leads to a focused week.
TSR pick: Swainsboro by 10
Notables
Evans (4-0/6A) at Washington County (1-0)
Evans is 4-0, but not against supreme competition. The Golden Hawks play hard, and should be amped to take on a 6A team at home.
TSR pick: Washington County by 9
Hancock Central (0-1) at GMC (3-0)
The Bulldogs have more momentum than in awhile, and are at home. But they haven’t done well against the Bulldogs since 2014.
TSR pick: Hancock Central by 11
Veterans (1-2/5A) at West Laurens (1-2)
The Raiders haven’t had a smooth start in about any form, but appear to be closer to 100 percent, player-wise and coach-wise. The Warhawks didn’t get much momentum from the Jones County upset in following up with a loss to Houston County. OK, yeah, flip a coin.
TSR pick: West Laurens by 4
The Games
(Listing based on classification of home team)
Class 6A
Richmond Hill (0-2/6A) at Northside (3-1)
TSR pick: Northside by 21
Class 5A
Stockbridge (2-1/1-0) at Jones County (2-2/1-0)
TSR pick: Jones County by 17
Class 4A
Effingham County (1-1/6A) at Howard (2-1), Ed DeFore
TSR pick: Effingham County by 3
Class AAA
Pike County (0-2) at Upson-Lee (2-1)
TSR pick: Upson-Lee by 24
Class AA
Greene County (2-1/A Public) at Jasper County (0-3)
TSR pick: Greene County by 9
Putnam County (3-0) at Westside-Augusta (1-1)
TSR pick: Putnam County by 22
Westside (1-1/4A) at Southwest (0-2), canceled
Class A Public
Hawkinsville (1-2/0-1) at Montgomery County (3-0/2-0)
TSR pick: Montgomery County by 14
Rutland (0-3/4A) at ACE (0-1)
TSR pick: Rutland by 9
Wheeler County (2-1/0-1) at Dooly County (1-2/0-1)
TSR pick: Wheeler County by 15
Taylor County (1-2/0-2) at Greenville (2-0)
TSR pick: Greenville by 11
Central Talbotton (0-3/0-1) at Macon County (3-0/1-0)
TSR pick: Macon County by 39
Crawford County (0-3) at Terrell County (2-0)
TSR pick: Terrell County by 24
Twiggs County (0-3) at Glascock County (0-2)
TSR pick: Glascock County by 4
Class A Private
Calvary Day (4-0) at FPD (2-1)
TSR pick: Calvary Day by 10 (upset watch)
Stratford (2-0) at Mount Paran (2-1)
TSR pick: Stratford by 9
Tattnall (2-0) at Savannah Country Day (2-1)
TSR pick: SCD by 4
GISA
John Milledge (3-0) at Bulloch (0-3)
TSR pick: John Milledge by 39
Piedmont (2-1) at Robert Toombs (0-3)
TSR pick: Piedmont by 12
Thomas Jefferson (4-0) at Brentwood (2-1)
TSR pick: Brentwood by 20
Westfield (1-1) at Southland (1-2)
TSR pick: Westfield by 21
Wilkinson County (1-2/GHSA A Public) at Creekside Christian (0-3)
TSR pick: Wilkinson County by 9