Who's going to win this week's Central Georgia high school football games?
Last week: 24-8, 75 percent
This season: 223-73, 75.34 percent
Within 7 points of margin: 10 (2 perfect picks), 73 for the season (24.7 percent within 7 points of margin)
Games of the week
Class 6A
Veterans, 5-3/1-2, at No. 11 Northside, 5-3/2-1
As big a program win was over Lee County, the TCOB mentality – taking care of business – is just as important for Northside. That kind of game can inspire other teams. Like Veterans.
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
TSR pick: Northside by 21
Class 5A
No. 9 Warner Robins, 4-4/3-1, at No. 7 Jones County, 5-3/3-1
Who knows? A change here and there, and Warner Robins looks like Warner Robins. Get some people back and get some others inspired, and Jones County looks like Jones County. Throw in that this could be the difference between first and fourth. It’s a little more must-win for Jones County, which has a tougher 10th opponent than Warner Robins.
TSR pick: Warner Robins by 9
Class 4A
Spalding, 6-3/4-1, at No. 3 Perry, 7-1/4-0
Let’s see. Perry is ranked high, is at home, and can clinch its third straight region title, a phrase unheard of a decade ago – certainly for football – down on Park Ave. The Panthers might start off amped but not so sharp, and finish strong.
TSR pick: Perry by 24
This week
* Roundup
* Scouting Reports: all GHSA and GIAA games
* So, you’re wondering about Central Georgia’s GHSA standings and playoff picture?
* Maxwell Ratings picks, Central Georgia state rankings
* MMQB: We all thought we’d seen most anything, and then Lee County … Loughdmouthngs, upsets/surprises, Central Georgia polls
* Macon Touchdown Club players of the week: CFCA, Howard, Rutland
* 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: Surprises, upsets, Loughdmouthings (Bama-Tennessee, Fromm, area 1,000-yard rushers, passers, more), Central Georgia polls
* Macon Touchdown Club players of the week: Jones County, Northeast
Class AAA
Upson-Lee, 4-5/2-1, at Mary Persons, 4-4/0-2
A Mary Persons alum could put his alma mater in must-win mode in Game 10 to make the playoffs. The Knights are off a major spanking – and humbler – from Peach County, and the Bulldogs were off after a more competitive manhandling by Peach County.
TSR pick: Mary Persons by 11
Class A/I
Bleckley County, 8-1/2-1, at Swainsboro, 7-0/2-0
The Royals can sure make an already-interest region race a bigger traffic jam with a win, but Swainsboro has won 12 of its last 13 at home. And the Tigers have given up all of 19 points this season.
TSR pick: Swainsboro by 14
Games of note
Class 4A
Baldwin, 3-5/2-2, at Westside, 5-3/1-3
Another meeting from the flip-a-coin crowd. Westside’s postseason hopes are done with a loss, and Baldwin with a win has an outside shot at third and a loss could sit home in two weeks.
TSR pick: Baldwin by 9
Class AA
Berrien, 5-3/2-2, at Dodge County, 4-5/3-2
The Indians clinch third with a win, and that’d be a nice finish for a team that was 1-5 not long ago. The Indians may be a playoff pest if they keep things going.
Laney, 7-1/4-1, at No. 12 Putnam County, 6-2/4-1
The Bulldogs were bruised last week, but now have to bow up with second-place on the line. Should be something of a playoff atmosphere in Eatonton.
TSR pick: Putnam County by 6
Class A/II
Wilcox County, 5-3/3-0, at Hawkinsville, 3-5/1-2
The Big Red should have some folks on hand, since Hawkinsville could get third with two wins, a nifty accomplishment after a frustrating start. Hawkinsville’s defense will determine its fate against a beatable team that’s won five straight and scores a lot.
TSR pick: Hawkinsville by 4 (upset special)
GIAA
Tattnall, 5-3/2-0, at FPD, 2-6/1-1
Can FPD muster up some momentum in a season that’s fallen apart, and do so in Greg Moore’s next-to-last home game?
TSR pick: Tattnall by 20
The Schedule
Class 6A
Tift County, 1-7, 0-3, at No. 10 Houston County, 6-2/1-2
TSR pick: Houston County by 31
Class 5A
Class 4A
West Laurens, 1-7/0-4, at Howard, 5-3/0-3, Thursday
TSR pick: Howard by 8
Class AAA
No. 6T Peach County, 5-3/2-0, at Pike County, 2-6/0-2
TSR pick: Peach County by 32
Class AA
Southwest, 3-5/3-2, at ACE, 7-1/4-1
TSR pick: ACE by 25
Spencer, 6-2/5-0, at Central, 2-6/2-3
TSR pick: Spencer by 20
Rutland, 4-4/2-3, at Kendrick, 0-8/0-5
TSR pick: Rutland by 31
Jordan, 0-8/0-5, at Northeast, 5-3/4-1
TSR pick: Northeast by 32
Washington County, 3-5/3-2, at Josey, 2-6/1-4
TSR pick: Washington County by 16
Class A/I
Dublin, 5-2/2-0, at East Laurens, 1-7/0-2
TSR pick: Dublin by 33
Crawford County, 2-6/0-1, at Lamar County, 7-1/1-0
TSR pick: Lamar County by 28
Jasper County, 3-5/0-1, at No. 1 Prince Avenue, 7-0/1-0
TSR pick: Prince Avenue by 34
II
Dooly County, 4-4/2-1, at Telfair County, 6-2/2-1
TSR pick: Telfair County by 17
Wilkinson County, 4-4/1-2, at Hancock Central, 4-4/3-0
TSR pick: Hancock Central by 27
Twiggs County, 2-6/0-3, at No. 3 Johnson County, 8-0/3-0
TSR pick: Johnson County by 38
Macon County, 3-5/3-2, at Taylor County, 2-6/1-4
TSR pick: Macon County by 21
GIAA
Class AAA
Mount de Sales, 2-6/0-3, at John Milledge, 8-0/2-0
TSR pick: John MIlledge by 38
AA/A
Brentwood, 5-3, at Trinity Christian, 3-6
TSR pick: Brentwood by 24
Piedmont, 1-7/0-1, at Gatewood, 4-4
TSR pick: Gatewood by 22
Central Fellowship, 8-0, at Harvester Christian, 2-6
TSR pick: CFCA by 35
Fullington, 5-3/2-0, at Grace Christian, 1-5/1-1
TSR pick: Fullington by 22