By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

GHSA
Class 6A

Northside, 4-5/2-2, at No. 1 Thomas County Central, 9-0/4-0
          Both teams are set for the playoffs, Northside at least fourth and TCC as region champ. The Eagles have had a rocky personnel ride this season, with discipline issues leading to departures of some key players, like DB Ricardo Jones and QB Damien Dee.

Veterans, 3-6/0-4, at Houston County, 7-2/2-2
          The Bears are a solid favorite, and a win locks them into third, regardless if Northside can stun Thomas County Central. Houston County has scored only 26 points in the last two games, all coming in a so-so 26-14 win over two-win Tift County. Injury-plagued Veterans is out of the hunt and looking to avoid third first winless regional season in program history (starting in 2010) and first since 2020.

Class 5A
Locust Grove, 1-8/0-5, at No. 8T Warner Robins, 6-3/5-0
          The region champs will have won at least seven regular-season games for the seventh time in the last eight seasons. They were 6-4 last season, finishing 10-5 with a trip to the state final. Locust Grove’s closest region loss was 26-20 to Eagle’s Landing.

Class 4A
Baldwin, 5-4/2-3, at Griffin, 1-8/1-4
          The Braves were without standout running back Micah Welch (no updated stats available) last week in the 29-22 loss to Westide. Baldwin needs to avoid the upset to make the playoffs. Griffin’s lone win is over last-place West Laurens, and the Bears have been competitive with Westside (29-16) and Howard (28-21).

Howard, 5-4/2-3, at Westside, 7-2/3-2, Ed DeFore
          There’ll be some playmakers on the field in a game that’s still pretty relevant. Howard’s Cam Taylor has completed 56.8 percent of his passes for 1,327 yards and 11 TDs, against 4 INTs, while rushing for 362 yards and 6 scores. Jaylon Johnson has 18 catches for 286 yards and 4 TDs. Mikelle Johnson and Zelin Pollard team for 17.8 tackles a game. Westside’s Jessie Bell is among the more underrated players in the area, passing for 454 yards (with 4 TDs and 4 INTs) and rushing for 1,128 yards and 14 scores. Kadiphius Iverson adds 913 rushing yards, while Jiquavious Marshall leads with 25 catches for 397 yards and 4 TDs. If Howard wins and Baldwin loses, the Huskies make the playoffs. Westside is already locked in to the postseason.

West Laurens, 2-7/0-5, at No. 6T Perry, 7-2/4-1
          The second-place Panthers have been without starting QB Colter Ginn for a few weeks, but backup Cullen McDaniel has been mostly solid, completing 61.3 percent of his passes, but 5 INTs to 2 TDs. Ahmad Gordon has 1,178 yards rushing for Perry. West Laurens’ closest region game was a 27-21 loss to Westside.

Class 3A
Jackson, 2-7/1-2, at Peach County, 3-6/1-2
          This is a battle for third place. Jackson will look to corral QB D.J. Hudson, who accounts for more than 200 yards total offense (stats haven’t been updated in several weeks) a game.
No. 4 Mary Persons, 8-1/3-0, at Pike County, 0-9/0-3
          The Bulldogs are a huge favorite in the regular-season finale to reach their first nine-win regular-season since they went 10-0 in 2018 en route to a 12-1 mark, losing in the quarterfinals to Marist. Mary Persons’ Duke Watson has 1,411 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. Pike County hasn’t had a winless since 2006.

CENTRAL GEORGIA’S BEST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COVERAGE

* Roundup: Coming Saturday morning, after Central Georgia’s lone live scoreboard Friday night
* Scouting Reports: Friday’s GHSA and GIAA games – you’re reading
* Maxwell Ratings picks, Central Georgia state rankings
* Who’s going to win this week’s Central Georgia football games?
* So, you’re wondering aout Central Georgia playoff scenarios … There’s still wondering to be had
* Monday Morning Quarterback: Latest ‘Dear Arthur Smith’ facepalm; upsets & surprises, predictions accuracy, toughest schedules in CGA, more Loughmouthings, Central Georgia rankings
* Macon Touchdown Club players of the week

Last week
* Roundup: Region titles to Warner Robins, Mary Persons, Bleckley County, Lamar County; clutch wins by Westside, Macon County, FPD; some monster smashes, heartbreakers
* Maxwell Ratings picks, Central Georgia state rankings
* Scouting Reports: Friday’s GHSA and GIAA games
* Who’s going to win this week’s Central Georgia football games?
* A look at Thursday’s games
* Big news is bad news for Northeast: Star RB Woodford done for the season
Monday Morning Quarterback: All’s well in Athens, Atlanta; sure were some surprises last week; HS playoff picture clear yet fuzzy; Loughdmouthings galore, Central Georgia’s top teams
* Macon Touchdown Club players of the week

Class AA
Rutland, 3-5/2-3, at Northeast, 7-2/4-2
          Rutland is having another respectable season, and is riding the arm and legs of QB Marquies Lattner, good for 200.8 yards a game. Northeast has a 67-yard advantage in total offense. The Raiders make it official for second place in Region 2.

No. 11 Spencer, 7-2/6-0, at ACE, 7-2/4-2
          Both teams are set for the playoffs, ACE in fourth and Spencer the Region 2 champs. Before the Gryphons’ loss to Southwest, this game would’ve had the top seed riding on it. QB Kaleb Scarbary and RB Aaron Davis lead the ACE offense, David Ruddell a deep defense.

Washington County, 5-4/4-2, at Putnam County, 5-4/4-2
          The hosts will have to deal with QB Cameron Beasley, who passes for 196.6 yards a game and has an 18-4 TD-INT ratio, along with a trio of backs. Rashod Daniel leads the Putnam County (stats haven’t been updated) run game.

Class A/Division I
Crawford County, 1-8/0-2, at Temple, 4-5/0-2
          Thanks to a small four-team region, both are in the playoffs. This game is for third. Crawford County won 38-29 last year, but the Eagles haven’t cracked 30 this season. Crawford County hasn’t input stats to MaxPreps this season.

Dublin, 7-2/2-1, at Swainsboro, 8-1/2-1
          Fans will be able to hear the hitting in a run-heavy showdown for second in the region. Xavier Bostic’s 646 yards lead a five-man rush group for Dublin, he and Kameron Hampton teaming for 17 rushing touchdowns. Demello Jones’ 727 yards lead Swainsboro, while Jordon Williams and Qindarius Brown combining for 23 touchdowns. This is among both teams’ biggest rivalries, Dublin leading 44-26-2, but Swainsboro has won the last two, 28-7 and 39-7.

Heard County,4-5/2-0, at Lamar County, 7-2/2-0
          Heard County gets 58 more yards a game on offense,led by QB Ethan Tisale’s 109.3. The Trojans counter with only 21.1 yards, but they have playmakers in Qua Hughley, Ty Head, and Jordan Glover, among others.

Jasper County, 5-4/0-2, at Oglethorpe County, 3-6/0-2
          The Purple Hurricanes get 26 more yards a game, but have QB Chevy Sands, good for 60.9 yards rushing and 123.7 passing.Brandon Riley tops the D with 11.8 tackles a game.

Jefferson County, 0-9/0-3, at East Laurens, 2-7/0-3
          It’s the battle for fourth in a five-team region. The Falcons won 47-41 last year. Jefferson County has never had a winless season since starting in 1995.

Class A/Division II
Dooly County, 5-4/4-0, Hawkinsville, 6-3/2-2
          Hawkinsville’s Zenard Smith is 192 yards from 1,000, to go with 7 TDs. Landon Johnson tops the Red Devil D with 7.3 tackles a game. Playoff spots are clinched, Dooly County first and Hawkinsville fourth, but both could use some momentum going into the playoffs, a spot the Red Devils haven’t been since winning it all in 2014.

Johnson County, 6-3/4-0, at Hancock Central, 4-5/2-2
          Solomor Battle has 459 yards passing and Dontriel Gabriels 433 yards rushing for Hancock Central, which is out of the playoffs with a loss. Johnson County, a 51-8 winner last year, clinches first outright with a win.

Wilkinson County, 4-4/3-1, at Glascock County, 4-5/2-2
          Both teams are in the playoffs, Wilkinson County turning in a  nice season under first-year head coach Terrell Holt. The Warriors won 47-14 last year in the first meeting.

GIAA
Class AAA
GHSA Class A/II Athens Christian, 0-9, at Mount de Sales, 0-9
          The visiting Eagles get only 153.6 a game on offense, nearly 100 yards less than the Cavs’ 248.1, led in rushing and passing by QB Zavion DeShazier’s 208.8 yards a game.

FPD, 5-3-1/2-1, at Stratford, 5-4/1-2
          Stratford’s D faces one of the area’s most balanced offenses with RB Harrison Aulds (120-705/7), WRs Carter Hays (18-232/6), and Gavin Spillers (13-280/2), and Breck Griffin (13-280/2), plus QB Jakhari Williams (61-97-0/14, 1,058 yards passing, 70-428/6 rushing).

St. Anne-Pacelli, 8-1/3-0, at Westfield, 4-5/1-2
          The defending state AAAA champs have one nine straight since opening the season with a loss. The Vikings have four shutouts. Westfield has lost three of the last four, the losses by 33, 5, and 17. Westfield QB Brayden Gay is 96 of 194 for 1,749 yards, 17 TDs and 6 INTs. Jackson St. Clair and Stone St. Clair each have 405 receiving yards and 3 TDs.

Tattnall, 4-5/2-1, at John Milledge, 9-0//3-0
          Tattnall’s defense will be the key, against QB Kolt McMichael (65-104-3/15, 1,200), and RBs Javian Butts (162-1,561/18), the underrated and versatile Bud Veal (49-620/8 rushing, 20-295/4 receiving).  Tattnall countered with Antone Johnson (120-1,459/22) and a passing game with 63 attempts and 7 INTs to 7 TDs. JMA makes a living on big plays – aided by poor tackling - in flurries.

Class AA
Brentwood, 5-4/1-0, at Gatewood, 7-2/1-0
          The Gators average 296.1 yards offense a game to 207.2 for the War Eagles. Zach Denton is good for 128.6 rushing yards a game for Brentwood.

Piedmont, 2-7, at GHSA/A-II Lake Oconee, 6-3
          Lake Oconee gets 120 more yard a game than Piedmont. Piedmont has won the last two seasons, 34-6 and 48-12.

A/Thomas Jefferson, 1-8, at Central Fellowship, 6-2-1

          Judson Walls is 132 yards and Christian Spielman 181 yards from 1,000 for the season. They’ve teamed for 17 touchdowns on the ground.