Who's going to win this week's Central Georgia high school football games?
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Last week
26-2, 92.9 percent
This Season
294-85, 77.6 percent
Within 7 points of margin
9, 77 for the season
Upset specials/perfect spread
0-1/0
Maximum spread for The Sports Report predictions is 39 points.
The good news is clearly hitting 93 percent of the game last week. Hurt the shoulder with the self-backpat.
The bad news was that nobody in Central Georgia managed an upset. Some losses were by a whole lot more than expected, some teams looking ahead to the end of the season, no doubt.
Not a lot of mojo from a lot of teams.
“But hey, we made the playoffs.” Uh huh.
The second round brings some quality showdowns, and the GIAA picks up some action with some tight battles expected. To counter John Milledge.
And, hey, folks, go do a dang game. If your team is playing, go. If it’s a doable road trip, consider going. If at home, go and yell. Support isn’t what it should be for a lot of teams, including a lot of quality programs.
Class 6A
No. 9 Houston County, 9-2, R1/3, at No. 11 Woodward Academy, 9-2, R3/1, 9-2
The Bears will need a better defensive game to advance. Houston County does have a strength-of-schedule advantage, but Woodward is a very playoff-tested program. Somebody’s mistake before the fourth quarter will dig a hole, and an error in the fourth quarter will seal it or bring somebody back, for a thrilling final few minutes.
TSR pick: Houston County by 8
Class 5A
No. 6 Ware County, 8-3, R1/2, at No. 8 Warner Robins, 8-3, R2/1
Hoo boy, this has the makings of a classic between regular state contenders. This is Ware County’s “worst” season since 8-4 in 2019, a season that ended in the second round against Buford. The Demons’ defense will need its best game of the season, against a balanced offense.
TSR pick: Warner Robins by 3
Jones County, 8-3, R2/2, at No. 1 Coffee, 11-0, R1/1
The Greyhounds are a pretty hefty underdog, and face a serious defense that hasn’t given up but 54 points all year. Five two weeks ago to Ware. If the Greyhounds get a run game going and can get off the field against the Trojans’ run game in the first half, this could be interesting.
TSR pick: Coffee by 19
Class 4A
No. 5T Perry, 9-2, R2/2, at No. 2T Bainbridge, 1/1
Both teams can throw, and both teams can run. Bainbridge comes from a stronger region, and had a tougher schedule. Both teams can get to the quarterback. Whoever comes up with the clutch play on defense wins.
TSR pick: Bainbridge by 9 (upset watch)
Class 3A
No. 10T Crisp County, R1/2, 7-4, at No. 3 Mary Persons, 10-1, R2/1
Composure will be big for Mary Persons, because, well, Crisp County is a composure-testing program anymore. The Cougars are also good enough to humble an overconfident team, three weeks after humbling No. 10 Thomasville 61-22.
TSR pick: Mary Persons by 15
Upson-Lee, 8-3, R2/2, at No. 9 Carver-Columbus, 8-3, R1/1
Being on the road without a huge crowd of support won’t be a problem for the Knights, who better be better than last week and not get into a huge hole. A miracle comeback won’t happen two weeks in a row, so just playing fundamental football is the key.
TSR pick: Carver by 11
Class A/Division I
Irwin County, R1/2, at No. 3T Bleckley County, 9-2, R2/1
Mediocre record aside, Irwin County is a regular title contender, with championships in 2019 and 2020. The Royals have more balance, and should have a solid crowd helping push Bleckley County to a second straight quarterfinal.
TSR pick: Bleckley County by 15
No. 6 Dublin, 9-2, R2/2, at No. 11 Brooks County, R1-1, 6-5
Four of the Trojans’ losses have been to ranked teams, and their defense is on a run. But Dublin is on a run in all three phases, especially the last two weeks.
TSR pick: Dublin by 13
No. 8 Swainsboro, R2/3, 9-2, at No. 9 Lamar County, 9-2, R4/1
The visitors have an edge having played in a stronger region, as well as in last year’s final and the semis two years ago. Both are run, run, run, so somebody completing the clutch pass is likely to be huge, or the difference. An offensive lineman’s dream game.
TSR pick: Lamar County by 2
Class A/Division II
No. 5 Macon County, 9-2, R6/3, at No. 7 Aquinas, 9-2, R8/1
The Bulldogs’ pass defense will get a huge test, biggest of the year, against the top passing O in the class. Schley County isn’t far behind, and topped Macon County 34-7. Can Macon County play composed and fundamental on the road?
TSR pick: Aquinas by 3
GIAA
Class 4A
No. 5 Tattnall, 4-6, at No. 4 Bethlehem Christian, 10-0
The Trojans turned into something of a Six Flags ride, tough to figure out. Nevertheless …
TSR pick: Tattnall by 4 (upset special)
No. 9 Strong Rock, 8-3 at No. 1 FPD, 6-3-1
FPD hosts a team that has some some confidence. But the Vikings are healthier than in weeks.
TSR pick: FPD by 21
Class 3A
Tiftarea, 3-7-1, at No. 1 John Milledge, 10-0
*Yawn*.
TSR pick: John Milledge by 39
Class AA
No. 6 Brentwood, 5-5, at No. 3 Briarwood, 7-3
TSR pick: Briarwood by 9
No. 5 SW Georgia, 7-3, at No. 4 Central Fellowship, 7-2-1
TSR pick: Central Fellowship by 12
No. 8 Piedmont, 3-8, at No. 1 Edmund Burke, 9-1
TSR pick: Edmund Burke by 31
No. 7 Augusta Prep, 3-9, at No. 2 Gatewood, 8-2
TSR pick: Gatewood by 29