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: 22-9, 71 percent
This season: 103-46, 69.13 percent
Within 7 points of margin: 14, 25 for the season
There are 33 games this week, and not a huge collection of marquee matchups.
Which means we’ll have nailbiters, overtime, and eyebrow-raisers.
Should mean a chance to improve the record a bit. Should.
Games of the Week
No. 7T Crisp County, 3A/3-1, at No. 12T Northside, 2-2
It’s almost a trap game for Northside, off a nifty upset of 7A North Cobb on the road in overtime. But Crisp County is no lower-classification slouch, by any stretch. And if the Eagles walk into McConnell-Talbert thinking otherwise, they could easily walk out with a stunning L.
TSR pick: Northside by 13
No. 8 Warner Robins, 5A/1-3 at No. 8 Houston County, 4-0
COVERAGE
This week
Maxwell Ratings predictions and rankings
Who’s going to win this week’s games?
Macon Touchdown Club players of the week: Westside, Howard, Northeast
Last week
Friday night’s scouting reports
Maxwell Ratings predictions and rankings
For the past several years, these records are reversed, but 2022 is bringing funk to Central Georgia football. A reported change in offensive staff duties for one of these teams will make more of a difference down the line. Warner Robins is again tight on defense, but the Bears – in a transition and rebuilding year – haven’t been slowed down yet, albeit against lower-classification competition.
TSR pick: Houston County by 8
GIAA
Stratford, 3-1, at Brookstone, 3-0
Brookstone – with former Peach County boss Rance Gillespie and ex-Veterans boss David Bruce – is playing steady, and is at home. Look for Stratford to make adjustments from last week’s loss.
TSR pick: Stratford by 4
Games to note
Class 4A
Howard, 4-0, at No. 3 Perry, 3-1
The Huskies desperately need to get rolling on offense, and undefeated or not, this is a tough week to be in that situation. Howard’s defense will have to keep this close for at least a half, a tough week to be in that situation.
TSR pick: Perry by 29
Class AA
Rutland, 3-1, at Spencer, 2-2
In another battle of metro Macon and metro Columbus and teams hungry for any success, this is a big game, the winner improving to 2-0 in region play. Every team behind Northeast needs wins against equal teams for the playoff hunt.
TSR pick: Rutland by 13
Class A
No. 8 Lamar County, 5-0, at Social Circle, 3-1
Look for a score – big – similar to last week against a team with two wins over GIAA teams with two wins total.
TSR pick: Lamar County by 29
No. 6 Schley County, 2-2, at Macon County, 1-3
Can Macon County right the ship with a win over a ranked team that wants to avenge last year’s 54-38 home loss?
TSR pick: Macon County by 9
The Schedule
Class 6A
Veterans, 3-1 at Northgate, 5A/1-4
TSR pick: Veterans by 19
Class 4A
Spalding, 2-2, at Baldwin, 1-3
TSR pick: Baldwin by 3
West Laurens, 1-3, at Griffin, 0-4
TSR pick: Griffin by 3
Class 3A
Columbus, 2-2, at No. 10 Mary Persons, 3-1
TSR pick: Mary Persons by 25
Hardaway, 4A/1-4, at No. 7T Peach County, 2-2, 8 p.m.
TSR pick: Peach County by 31
Mt. Zion, Jonesboro, 4A/0-4, at Upson-Lee, 1-4
TSR pick: Upson-Lee by 27
Class AA
Dodge County, 1-3, at No. 1 Fitzgerald, 4-0
TSR pick: Fitzgerald by 28
Josey, 2-2, at No. 10 Putnam County, 3-1
TSR pick: Putnam County by 32
Kendrick, 0-4, at Central, 0-4, Thompson
TSR pick: Central by 22
Southwest, 1-3, at No. 8 Northeast, 2-2, Henderson, 5:30 p.m.
TSR pick: Northeast by 32
Washington County, 1-3, at Thomson, 2-1
TSR pick: Thomson by 25
Class A
I
No. 5 Bleckley County, 4-0, at Pelham, 2-3
TSR pick: Bleckley County by 29
Crawford County, 1-4, at Twiggs County, 2-2
TSR pick: Crawford County by 19
Jasper County, 2-3, at No. 12T Mt. Zion, Carroll, 3-1
TSR pick: Mt.Zion by 10
II
Taylor County, 1-3, at Central, Talbotton, 0-4
TSR pick: Taylor County by 28
Turner County, 1-4, at No. 8T Dooly County, 1-2
TSR pick: Dooly County by 15
No. 7 Washington-Wilkes, 3-1, at Hancock Central, 1-3
TSR pick: Washington-Wilkes by 30
Wilkinson County, 1-2, at Portal, 3-1
TSR pick: Portal by 23
GIAA
Class AAA
John Milledge, 4-0, at Brookwood, 2-2
TSR pick: John Milledge by 33
Mt. Pisgah Christian GHSA A/3-1, at FPD, 1-3
TSR pick: Mt. Pisgah by 12
Pinewood Christian, 2-2, at Mount de Sales, 2-2
TSR pick: Pinewood by 12
Class AA/A
Brentwood, 1-3, at George Walton, 1-4
TSR pick: Brentwood by 6
Piedmont, 0-4, at CFCA, 4-0
TSR pick: CFCA by 34
St. Anne-Pacelli, 4-1, at Gatewood, 2-2
TSR pick: Pacelli by 28
Trinity Christian, 2-3, at Briarwood, 2-2
TSR pick: Briarwood by 15
Southwest Georgia, 2-3, at Fullington, 3-1
TSR pick: Fullington by 2