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: 24-6, 80 percent
This season: 180-62, 74.38 percent
Within 7 points of margin: 11 (3 perfect picks), 56 for the season
Maximum Sports Report spread is 39 points.

Games of the week

Class 5A

Jones County, 4-3/2-1, at No. 2 Dutchtown, 6-0/2-0

          The Bulldogs have been so close in region races the past several years, and have just one trophy, in 2018. That included an 18-10 win over No. 8/9 Jones County. The Greyhounds aren’t quite healthy enough yet.

TSR pick: Dutchtown by 17

Class AAA

Jackson, 4-3/1-0, at Upson-Lee, 3-4/1-0

          The Knights’ best bet is that Jackson is still giddy about how it stormed back to beat rival Mary Persons. But Upson-Lee is a different team than a month ago, and remembers last year’s 29-point loss. If the Knights’ fan base shows up …

TSR pick: Upson-Lee by 4 (upset)

Mary Persons, 4-3/0-1, at No. 8 Peach County, 3-3

          Neither team is showing its expected level of play, in pretty much every area. The Bulldogs are off two thumpings, and the Trojans were idle, a chance to regroup and motivate.

TSR pick: Peach County by 11

GIAA

Class AAA

John Milledge, 6-0, at Stratford, 5-2

          The timing of being the first of the Big Four to face the Trojans isn’t good. John Milledge is rested, had a week off, and got to scout. The Eagles are miffed at the Tattnall loss. Stratford can win, JMA can win by three touchdowns … this week.

TSR pick: John Milledge by 12

Heritage-Newnan, 6-0, at Westfield, 4-3/1-0

          The Hornets have a strength of schedule advantage, and a Hunter Kirkley advantage.

TSR pick: Westfield by  6

Games of note

Class 4A

No. 3 Perry, 6-1/3-0, at Baldwin, 2-4/1-1

          What was expected to be almost a region championship game isn’t. But Baldwin showed up well against Howard, playing like we expected the Braves to play earlier. If the Braves … no, it won’t be enough, but Baldwin can get momentum with a productive night.

TSR pick: Perry by 24

Class A-II

No. 9/A-I Dublin, 3-2, at No.7 Dooly County, 4-2

          It’s a non-region game, but it’s still big, because the winner gets confidence and momentum when it returns to region play. And the loser needs to play well and avoid bad habits or pouting.

TSR pick: Dublin by 5

The Schedule

Class 4A

Spalding (4-3/2-1) at West Laurens, 1-5/0-2
TSR pick: Spalding by 20

Griffin, 1-6/1-2, at Westside, 5-1/1-1
TSR pick: Westside by 29

Class AA

Sumter County, 1-5/0-2, at Dodge County, 2-5/1-2
TSR pick: Dodge County by 24

Class A-I
Bleckley County, 6-1/0-1, at Jefferson County, 1-6/0-1
TSR pick: Bleckley County by 32

GIAA AAA Brookstone, 3-3, at Crawford County, 2-5
TSR pick: Brookstone by 13

Temple, 4-3, at Lamar County, 6-1
TSR pick: Lamar County by 19

No. 2 Swainsboro, 6-0/1-0, at East Laurens, 1-5
TSR pick: Swainsboro by 38

II

GMC, 2-5/1-1, at Hancock Central, 2-4/1-0
TSR pick: GMC by 4

GSIC, 0-7, at Wilkinson County, 3-3
TSR pick: Wilkinson County by 28

Central-Talbotton, 0-6/0-3, at Macon County, 1-5/1-2
TSR pick: Macon County by 29

No. 6 Schley County, 4-2/3-0, at Taylor County, 2-4/1-2
TSR pick: Schley County by 29

GIAA

Class AAA

Tattnall, 4-3/1-0, at Mount de Sales, 2-4/0-1
TSR pick: Tattnall by 28

AA/A

Central Fellowship, 6-0, at Trinity Christian, 3-5
TSR pick: CFCA by 34

Gatewood, 2-4, at St. Mary’s, 1-5
TSR pick: Gatewood by 24

Briarwood, 4-3, at Piedmont, 1-5
TSR pick: Briarwood by 18