Last week: 22-5, 81.5 percent
This season: 295-91, 76.42 percent
Within 7 points of margin: 7, 93 for the season

Rankings are compiled by the Georgia High School Football Daily, and are composite rankings from from AJC, GPB, ScoreAtlanta, 680 The Fan, Maxwell, and MaxPreps. These are final regular season rankings.

Maximum Sports Report spread is 39 points.

Class 6A

No. 8 Houston County, R1/4, 9-2, at North Atlanta, R4/3, 8-3
          Neither team is much of a playoff veteran the past few years, but the Bears sure are playing like one. There can be a little hangover from a thrilling OT win and then facing a team that’s even more of  a surprise – based on August guessing – to be here.
TSR pick: Houston County by 13

This week

* Roundup:
* Scouting Reports: This week’s GHSA and GIAA games
* Maxwell Ratings picks, Central Georgia state rankings
* Who’s going to win this week’s Central Georgia football games?
* Monday Morning Quarterback: Northeast’s Woodford is No. 1 in the state, and legit (with video); surprises/upsets, Loughdmouthings (brackets, John Milledge, state QBs, Falcons, more)
* Macon Touchdown Club players of the week: Northeast duo

Last week
* Scouting Reports: Saturday’s GHSA games
* Roundup: Bleckley County with big road win, Woodford leads Northeast, Houston County wins OT thriller, Wilkinson County tops Macon County, and more
* Scouting Reports: Friday’s GHSA and GIAA games
* Maxwell Ratings picks, Central Georgia state rankings
* Who’s going to win this week’s Central Georgia football games?
* Monday Morning Quarterback: Only one lock in the College Football Playoff; upsets, surprises, Loughdmouthings (Central Georgia GHSA bracket watching, Falcons, more), Central Georgia polls
* GIAA playoffs
* Macon Touchdown Club players of the week
*Central Georgia’s GHSA first-round playoff pairings

Two weeks ago
* Roundup: Coverage of John Milledge-Tattnall, FPD-Stratford, Jones County, Northside, Dublin, Baldwin, Westfield, and Brentwood, with plenty more
* The latest GHSA playoff scenarios for Central Georgia
* Notebook: John Milledge ignores streak; Hardy finally has a team; Greg Moore celebration; playoff picture update
* Scouting Reports: all GHSA and GIAA games
* Maxwell Ratings picks, Central Georgia state rankings
* Who’s going to win this week’s Central Georgia high school football games
* Monday Morning Quarterback: Harsin’s costume should have had a big smile; Loughdmouthings (Falcons, high schools, Deion Sanders, Northside, Dublin, Warner Robins, Bo Nix, CFP rankings), CGA polls”
* Macon Touchdown Club players of the week: Howard, ACE, Northeast

No. 11 Northside, R1/2, 7-4, at No. 8 Marist, R4/1, 9-2
          The Eagles are playing for all public schools that have zones to deal with, and for Mary Persons, which lost to Marist in the 2018 and 2015 postseason. A good crowd on the road sure would help the Eagles, who are a little more battle-tested than the War Eagles but need an efficient QB game.
TSR pick: Northside by 4 

Class 5A

No. 8T Warner Robins, R1/2, 7-4, at Northside-Columbus, R3/1, 10-1
          Ah, a test for the Demons. Northside has a nice record, having a great year. But this is very new for the home team. This is not very new for the visitors.
TSR pick: Warner Robins by 15

Class 4A

No. 8T Wayne County, R3/2, 9-2, at No. 3 Perry, R2/1, 10-1
          Wayne County hasn’t faced quite the defense Perry will present. The Yellow Jackets have a little momentum, but aren’t nearly as playoff-tested as the Panthers.
TSR pick: Perry by 20

Class 3A

Savannah Christian, R3/2, 9-2, at No. 7 Peach County, R2/1, 8-3
          The Trojans have won five straight games, and last week’s 23-0 win was the second-closest game, and the second shutout of the season. Savannah Christian was in Class A Private last year, soooo …
TSR pick: Peach County by 15

Class AA

Northeast, R2/2, 8-3, at No. 2 Appling County, R3/1, 9-1
          It comes down to what the Raiders can do that does not involves Nick Woodford, and does involve getting points after touchdowns. The Pirates are solid, and will make the Raiders pay for mistakes. Every play, especially early, is big.
TSR pick: Appling County by 7(upset watch)

No. 13 Putnam County, R4/2, 9-2, at No. 1 Fitzgerald, R1/1, 9-1
          Fitzgerald is the No. 1 in the state least likely, it seems, to win a state title this year. Is Putnam County the team that does the derailing? The lack of a steady passing game says “no.”
TSR pick: Fitzgerald by 21

Class A/Division I

No. 9T Bleckley County, R2/3, 9-2, at No. 11 Lamar County, R4/1, 10-1
          Now, here’s a nifty showdown, with a good chunk of upper-level players. Lamar County’s success relies so heavily on CJ Allen, while Bleckley County has more balance, and has an edge on defense.
TSR pick: Bleckley County by 4

Dublin, R2/2, 7-3, at No. 8 Metter, R3/1, 8-3
          Metter won at home 12-0 on Sept. 16 in a runfest: 93 percent of the snaps were runs. Dublin was still in search of things back then, and is a much better team. So is Metter. Somebody will have to have some success with the ball in the air. Thrown in the air.
TSR pick: Dublin by 3 (upset special)

Class A/Division II

Wilkinson County, R5/2, 7-4, at No. 8 Lincoln County, R8/1, 8-2
          Lincoln County in 2022 sure doesn’t mean what it did in 2012, which was the last time the Red Devils won a playoff game before a week ago. Expect that feeling to be back in Lincolnton.
TSR pick: Lincoln County by 22

Dooly County, R4/3, 6-5, at No. 3 Charlton County, R2/1, 8-2
          The Bobcats pulled it out in the final seconds last week, and Charlton County cruised. One is more likely to happen than the other.
TSR pick: Charlton County by 23

GIAA

Postseason seedings listed

Class AAAA

No. 7 George Walton, 6-5, at No. 2 Stratford, 7-3
          The Eagles are just better, and may crack 40 for the sixth time this year.
TSR pick: Stratford by 30

No. 6 Westfield, 5-5, at No. 3 Tattnall, 6-4
          Both teams have playmakers on both sides of the ball, and with a nice, dry track, there should be loads of action in this one, something of a slugfest. But the Trojans have more momentum.
TSR pick: Tattnall by 17

No. 5 FPD, 2-8, at No. 4 Brookstone, 7-3
          The odds are this being the final game as head coach for Greg Moore, since the Vikings haven’t had a spark pretty much all season. The September 34-28 Brookstone win in Macon was one of many games that slipped through the Vikings’ fingers.
TSR pick: Brookstone by 20

Class AAA

No. 8 Heritage, 8-3, at No. 1 John Milledge, 10-0
          John Milledge breaks the mark for consecutive wins against one of the better teams – which, well … - the Trojans have faced in the playoffs in awhile, but one that’s slumping. Another running clock.
TSR pick: John Milledge by 37

Class AA

No. 8 Piedmont, 4-7, at No. 1 Central Fellowship, 10-0
          CFCA has way too many weapons for the Cougars to handle.
TSR pick: Central Fellowship by 38

No. 7 Edmund Burke, 5-6, at No. 2 Brentwood, 7-3
          There’s a decent chance at a running clock, although the War Eagles haven’t knocked too many teams out. They’re due.
TSR pick: Brentwood by 28

No. 5 Gatewood, 4-6, at No. 4 Augusta Prep, 5-5
          The hosts are playing better right now than the Gators.
TSR pick: Augusta Prep by 7

Class A

No. 3 Fullington, 8-3, at No. 2 Robert Toombs, 6-4
          Defense travels, and the Trojans have a good one.
TSR pick: Fullington by 3 (upset special)

By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com

Class AAAA  

Westside, 7-3, R2/3, at Cairo, 7-3, R1/2
          The Seminole are extremely fortunate to still be playing, but that had to have been filed away by Saturday afternoon. Cairo comes in with less momentum, after a spanking by Bainbridge in the region championship. Defense makes the difference.
TSR pick: Cairo by 17

Class AA

No. 11 Worth County, 8-2, R1/3, at Northeast, 7-3, R2/2
The Raiders will have a burly battle against a solid that that didn’t finish all that well, 2-2 down the stretch with losses of 42 and 24. Northeast’s defense better bow up, and the Raiders can’t make mistakes or miss post-TD conversions.
TSR pick: Northeast by 2

ACE, 8-2, R2/3, at No. 8 Cook, 7-3, R1/2
          Cook survived back-to-back losses to get in, but the Hornets can give up some points. ACE scoring only six last week? Expect the Gryphons to make up for it, but the defense has to travel well.
TSR pick: ACE by 4 (upset special)

Class A/Division I

No. 9T Bleckley County, 8-2, R2/3, at No. 5 Brooks County, 7-2, R1/2
          It should be an action-packed showdown in Quitman.

TSR pick: Brooks County by 11

Macon County, 5-5, R6/3, at Wilkinson County, 6-4, R5/2
          The rare battle of Central Georgia teams comes with one team happy and one team a little angry, one used to the 11th game and one that’s been in a slump. Macon County finished strong.
TSR pick: Macon County by 23

The Schedule

Class 6A

Glynn Academy, 6-4, R2/3 at No. 11 Northside, 6-4, R1/2
          This may not be all that pretty, and if so, it’s a good time to Northside to sharpen up the passing game.
TSR pick: Northside by 27

Class 5A

Jenkins, 3-6, R1/3, at No. 8 Warner Robins, R2/2, Saturday
          This won’t take long, thanks to a running clock. The Demons are rolling.
TSR pick: Warner Robins by 31

Jones County, 6-4, R2/4, at No. 1 Ware County, 9-0, R1/1, Saturday
          The Greyhounds can win by 7 or lose by 27. Figuring out who’s healthy and in uniform is the weekly game. The Gators’ defense is playing pretty brutal ball lately, and the Greyhounds haven’t been consistent on O, but they’re capable.
TSR pick: Ware County by 18

Class 4A

Shaw, 4-6, R1/4 at No. 3 Perry, 9-1, R2/1
          Thanks for coming, watch out for the deer on the ride home.
TSR pick: Perry by 37

Baldwin, 4-6, R2/4, at 6-4, No. 5T Bainbridge, 6-4, R1/1
          See “Jones County.” No idea what Baldwin will do on any given Friday. The problem? The Braves’ only consistency was amid the three-game losing streak to open the season. They can beat Bainbridge, they can be rolled. Is this when they get a streak going?
TSR pick: Bainbidge by 17 (upset watch)

 Class 3A

Crisp County, 5-5, R1/4, at No. 7 Peach County, 7-3, R2/1, Saturday
          They know each other well as region mates for two seasons, and Crisp County has a 27-14 win and 14-13 loss. The Trojans are playing pretty well, and the Cougars are seeking consistency.
TSR pick: Peach County by 24

Dougherty, 8-2, R1/3, at Mary Persons, 6-4, R2/2, Saturday
          The Bulldogs have yet to find much consistency, and the Trojans went from consistent to a two-game losing streak and on the road. Dan Pitts Stadium has to feel and sound like Dan Pitts Stadium, or it can be locked up for the year on Saturday.
TSR pick: Dougherty by 9

Upson-Lee, 4-6, R2/3, at No. 8T Carver-Columbus, 7-2, R2/2, Saturday
          The Knights got a team on a bit of a roll, that’s two points from being 9-1 and is the state runner-up in 4A.
TSR pick: Carver by 25

Class AA

Central, 3-7, R2/4, at No. 1 Fitzgerald, 10-0, R1/1
          Fitzgerald may be the least dominant No. 1 team in the state, with five wins by two touchdowns or less. Nevertheless, it’s also the defending state champ.
TSR pick: Fitzgerald by 36

Toombs County, 6-4, R3/3, at No. 13 Putnam County, 8-2, R4/2
          The War Eagles better take seriously a team coming n on a two-game win streak with two straight shutouts.
TSR pick: Putnam County by 8

Washington County, 4-6, R4/4, at No. 2 Appling County, 8-1, R3/1
          Don’t discount the inconsistent Golden Hawks just yet. But the Pirates are on a roll, and have a quality defense, holding four teams to 7 or less.
TSR pick: Appling County by 24

Class A/Division I

Pelham, 3-7, R1/3, at Dublin, 6-3, R2/2
          The Irish, while working on the passing game, will likely be ready to shed all tastes of last week’s loss, and fine-tune on some things.
TSR pick: Dublin by 32

Claxton, 4-6, R3/4, at No. 11 Lamar County, 9-1, R4/1
          A good night, second half, for the Trojans to spread things around and give CJ Allen a rest.
TSR pick: Lamar County by 29

Crawford County, 3-7, R4/3, at Screven County, 8-1, R3/2
          A 44-0 loss last week aside, Screven County has a super defense with four shutouts on the resume.
TSR pick: Screven County by 28

Jasper County, 4-6, R5/3, at Mt. Pisgah, 7-3, R6/2
          It’s too much to predict the upset, but don’t be surprised if the Purple Hurricanes turn in a fairly competitive game.
TSR pick: Mt. Pisgah by 25

Class AA/Division II

Dooly County, 5-5, R4/3, at Jenkins County, 7-3, R3/2
          One team finished strong, the other one, not so much.
TSR pick: Jenkins County by 22

Hancock Central, 4-6, R5/3, at No. 10 Manchester, 6-3, R6/2
          The Blue Devils are off a closer-than-expected win, and are likely to re-flex muscles.
TSR pick: Manchester by 29

GMC, 4-6, R5/4, at No. 4 Schley County, 8-2, R6/1
          A mighty different first round for GMC than a year ago.
TSR pick: Schley County by 28 

GIAA

The GIAA split up what is Class AAA for the regular season into to playoff divisions, based on enrollment

“Play-in” round
Class AAAA

No. 9 Mount de Sales, 2-8, at No. 8 Bethlehem Christian, 9-1
TSR pick: Bethlehem Christian by 12

Class AA

No. 9 Trinity Christian, 3-7, at No. 8 Piedmont, 3-7
TSR pick: Trinity Christian by 2

Class A

(Regular first round)

No. 6 Grace Christian at No. 3 Fullington
TSR pick: Fullington by 28