Who's going to win this week's Central Georgia high school football games?
Last week: 27-9, 75.5 percent
This season: 81-37, 67.5 percent
Within 7 points of margin: 10, 21 for the season
Things are looking up, but not enough. A 75.5-percent week is sure better than 65 percent, but there’s no overconfidence.
Only a little paranoia.
Does Peach County keep its series control over Perry?
Is Dutchtown catching Warner Robins at the right time?
Has Dublin found an identity?
Does West Laurens come up and get it all together and stun Bleckley County?
Those are among the games the bring a little angst. Until kickoff. Then the list grows, because we can’t trust these youn’ns just yet this season.
Games of the Week
Class 5A
No. 7 Dutchtown, 4-0, at No. 4 Warner Robins, 1-2
Here’s the first round of the Region 2 championship tournament, with two favorites battling. It’d be hard to imagine Warner Robins not making notable strides since last week’s shutout by Valdosta. Neither team is throwing the ball very well (45.1 percent and 47.3 percent for the starters), but it’ll probably be something in the passing game that wins – or loses – this one.
TSR pick: Warner Robins by 6
Class 4A
No. 5 Peach County, 3A/2-1, at No. 4 Perry, 2-1
Wow. A Perry-Peach County game that’s actually huge, that’s a centerpiece game in Central Georgia, and goodness, the state. Both are coming off good games, . This is the longest-running series for both teams, 42 games. It’s not close record-wise, and few games have been close or memorable. That’ll change Friday. The Panthers have the potential to make quite a statement in what should be an overflowing Panther Pit.
TSR pick: Perry by 13
Class AA
No. 8 Northeast, 1-2, at ACE Charter, 4-0
A showdown? The region championship? In September? With ACE in the hunt? Welcome to 2022. Yes, Northeast has played a tough schedule. No, ACE hasn’t, but a young program hammering older programs with pretty much the same players back is very notable. Northeast better not be overconfident, and needs a sharp game that doesn’t come down to PATs and conversions. The Raiders are bigger, but the Gryphons may have something going. If it’s tight at halftime, pay attention.
TSR pick: Northeast by 15 (near-upset watch)
Class A
Dublin, 2-1, at Metter, 2-2
Neither team is ranked, but that shouldn’t prevent a little playoff atmosphere just south of I-16 almost halfway between Dublin and Savannah. Metter is a defending Class A Public semifinalist, suffering its lone loss last year in the semis, to Brooks County. Dublin is looking lately like Dublin, but this game is big to show how consistent the Irish are.
TSR pick: Dublin by 2 (mild upset alert)
No. 8 Lamar County, 4-0, at Jackson, 3A/2-1
The Trojans have won by 13, 1, 1 in overtime, and 13, and have been stuck at No. 8 this season. They’re due for something of a breakout game.
TSR pick: Lamar County by 13
GIAA
St. Anne-Pacelli, 3-1, at Stratford, 3-0
There won’t anything fancy just off Peake Road, with straight up old school run-first football. Pacelli would be undefeated had it held off Tattnall in the final minute. Stratford has to be ready for its first full four-quarter game this season.
TSR pick: Stratford by 9
Games to note
Class 6A
Lakeside Evans, 2-1, at Veterans, 2-1
Veterans avoided a shutout on the last play of the game last week, and that’s actually relevant. Can the Warhawks pick up their first win over a 6A team since stunning Northside 17-7 to start the 2020 season?
TSR pick: Veterans by 19
Northside, 1-2, at North Cobb, No. 5 7A/2-1
The Eagles remain tough to figure out. Here’s a chance for some clarification with at least a solid performance and competitive game.
TSR pick: North Cobb by 20
Class A
West Laurens, 0-3, at No. 4T Bleckley County, 3-0
Will a Class A team be overconfident against a Class 4A team that’s made the playoffs six of the last seven years? Yes. Will that matter? A little early maybe.
TSR pick: Bleckley County by 23
GIAA
Tattnall, 2-2, at Mount Vernon, GHSA A/2-1
The Trojans could be 4-0, with two wins against ranked GHSA teams. This is not a ranked GHSA team.
TSR pick: Tattnall by 15
The Schedule
Class 5A
Locust Grove, 0-3, at No. 12 Jones County, 2-2
TSR pick: Jones County by 30
Class 4A
Pike County, 3A/2-2, at Howard, 3-0, Ed DeFore
TSR pick: Howard by 4
Class 3A
Haralson County, AA/1-2, at Upson-Lee, 0-4
TSR pick: Haralson County by 11
Class AA
Central, 0-3, at Rutland, 2-1, Ed DeFore, Thursday
TSR pick: Rutland by 5
Jordan, 0-3, at Southwest, 0-3, Henderson
TSR pick: Southwest by 18
Washington County, 0-3, at Glenn Hills, 1-3
TSR pick: Washington County by 28
Class A
Chattahoochee County, 1-2, at Taylor County, 1-2
TSR pick: Chattahoochee County by 9
East Laurens, 0-3, at No. 5T Johnson County, 2-0
TSR pick: Johnson County by 32
GSIC, 0-3, at Crawford County, 0-4
TSR pick: Crawford County by 35
Hancock Central, 1-2, at Warren County, 1-2
TSR pick: Warren County by 11
Hawkinsville, 1-3, at Twiggs County, 2-1
TSR pick :Hawkinsville by 24
Lake Oconee, 1-3, at Jasper County, 1-3
TSR pick: Jasper County by 20
Macon County, 0-3, at Greenville, 0-3
TSR pick: Macon County by 35
Riverside Military, GIAA AAA/0-3, at GMC Prep, 0-4
TSR pick: GMC by 15
GIAA
Class AAA
FPD, 1-2, at Pinewood Christian, 1-2
TSR pick: FPD by 10
Frederica, 1-2, at John Milledge, 3-0
TSR pick :John Milledge by 38
Mount de Sales, 2-1, at Westfield, 2-2
TSR pick: Westfield by 8
Class AA/A
Gatewood, 2-1, at Briarwood, 1-2
TSR pick: Gatewood by 13
Piedmont, 0-3, at Edmund Burke, 2-0
TSR pick: Edmund Burke by 24
Trinity Christian, 1-3, at Creekside Christian, GAPPS/1-3
TSR pick: Trinity Christian by 25
Fullington, 2-1, at Lakeside, Ala., 2-2
TSR pick: Lakeside by 4