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

Last week: 16-10, 61.5 percent
This season: 35-18, 66.0 percent
Within 7 points of margin: 4, 8 for the season

Well, that week pretty much sucked.

Didn’t see Northside hammering Peach County. Didn’t see Houston County surviving Perry. Or ACE popping GMC. Or Washington County getting black-and-blued by Swainsboro. So much for the upset pick of Crawford County over Taylor County.

There were some surprises that weren’t surprises, and general logic overtook gut feelings for Putnam County-Baldwin and Upson-Lee vs. Lamar County, and FPD hammering Chambers, Ala.

A forgettable week of “analysis” that puts a major dent in the goal of 80 percent accuracy for the year.

Yessir, going to need at least a couple 80-percent weeks just to get some momentum. Optimism reigns: September is just starting.

Games of the Week

No. 2/5A Warner Robins, 0-1, at No. 10T/6A Northside, 1-1

Just when it seemed Northside might be gaining ground – oddly, starting with a loss that wasn’t a blowout – the Eagles lose a major starter on defense and have a hobbled offensive lineman. The Demons of 2022 aren’t the Demons of the past few years, but they’re still the Demons of the present.

TSR pick: Warner Robins by 17

No. 9/4A Perry, 0-1, at No. 3/5A Jones County, 2-0

Defenders better be on their toes against offenses with balance and multiple weapons. This game will have a lot of yardage and action, and a fair number of points. Jones County, though, is in a better groove and has more momentum, plus a few more weapons. And, of course, is at home.

TSR pick: Jones County by 12

No. 1/AA Fitzgerald, 2-0, at No. 12/AA Northeast, 0-1, (Henderson)

This is a major where-are-we? game for Northeast, taking on the defending state champs who are 18-2 in their last 20 games against AA teams, one a loss by five in the 2020 championship game.

TSR pick: Fitzgerald by 25

No. 11T/4A Trinity Christian, 0-2, at No. 11T/3A Mary Persons, 1-0

Trinity Christian is new to 4A, and the private school is off to a rough start. Mary Persons is off one of its better performances in the last year or two, and this is a chance to get some serious momentum going. A big ‘The Pitt” crowd can make a difference.

TSR pick: Mary Persons by 8

No. 6/AAA Oconee County, 1-1, at No. 7/AA Putnam County, 1-0

Putnam County took care of business in last week’s statement game, against Class 4A Baldwin. Here’s another chance to make a much bigger statement.

TSR pick: Oconee County by 18

Dublin, 1-0, at No. 8/A-I Lamar County, 2-0

If you’re in the northern part of the area, here’s your game. Lamar County’s CJ Allen is among the nation’s best players, and it’s easy to maybe nap on Dublin a little bit after a so-so game against Wilkinson County and then a week off. This is a quality showdown game. A normal Dublin equals a great game. A Dublin of two weeks ago, and the Irish get run.

TSR pick: Lamar County by 10

Games to note

Houston County, 2-0, at West Laurens, 1-0

Suddenly, it feels like a half-dozen years ago on 96, with a playmaking quarterback amid playmakers. The Bears need the same juice as last week, and they can’t take the Raiders lightly. West Laurens is in some transition, but the Raiders will have something for Houston County, especially at home.

TSR pick: Houston County by 16

Pataula Charter, 2-0, at ACE Charter, 2-0

Two young programs off to rare starts hoping for more, and some momentum. And it’s a big game for both, hoping to avoid letdowns or – yes, it’s possible, what with 16-year-olds and all – overconfidence. ACE is more solid.

TSR pick: ACE by 14

Brookstone, 1-0, at FPD, 1-0

A pair of ol’ Central Georgia head coaches come to town, with Brookstone head coach Rance Gillespie (ex of Peach County) and defensive coordinator David Bruce (ex of Veterans). Bruce has a task with Vikings Jakhari Williams and Griffin Green, among others.

TSR pick: FPD by 10

Tattnall, 1-1, at Athens Christian, 1-0

The Trojans venture out into the GHSA world again, and on the road. Tattnall is a 2-0 team with a 1-1 record, and against better competition.

TSR pick: Tattnall by 8

The Schedule

Class 4A

Morrow, 2-0, at Westside, 2-0

TSR pick: Westside by 16

No. 4/5A Ware County, 1-0, at Baldwin, 0-2

TSR pick: Ware County by 28

Class 3A

Upson-Lee, 0-2,at Worth County, 2-0

TSR pick: Worth County by 10

Class AA

Jenkins County, 1-1, at East Laurens, 0-1, Thursday

TSR pick: East Laurens by 4

Southwest, 0-2, at Pike County, 0-2

TSR pick: Pike County by 10

Washington County, 0-1, at Dodge County, 0-2

TSR pick: Dodge County by 2

Class A

GSIC, 0-2, at Twiggs County, 0-1

TSR pick: Twiggs County by 25

Hancock Central, 1-1, at Greene County, 1-1

TSR pick: Greene County by 3

Hawkinsville, 0-2, at Claxton, 1-1

TSR pick: Claxton by 4

Jasper County, 1-1, at Morgan County, 2-0

TSR pick: Morgan County by 26

No. 6/A-II Macon County, 0-2, at Dooly County, 0-2

TSR pick: Macon County by 18

Montgomery County, 1-0, at Taylor County, 1-1

TSR pick: Montgomery County by 15

Wilkinson County, 0-1, at Crawford County, 0-2

TSR pick: Crawford County by 12

GIAA

Class AAA

Riverside Military, 0-1, at Stratford, 1-0, Thursday

TSR pick: Stratford by 30

Westfield, 0-2, at Southland, 2-0

TSR pick: Southland by 11

Class AA/A

Brentwood, 0-2, at GMC Prep, 0-2

TSR pick: GMC by 3

Edmund Burke, 1-0, at Trinity Christian, 1-1

TSR pick: Trinity Christian by 1

Fullington, 1-1, at Georgia Christian, 1-0-1

TSR pick: Georgia Christian by 14

Gatewood, 1-0, at Augusta Prep, 0-1

TSR pick: Gatewood by 33

Tiftarea, 0-2, at Central Fellowship, 2-0

TSR pick: Central Fellowship by 9