Who's going to win this week's Central Georgia high school football games?
Last week
27-3, 90 percent
This season
102-40, 71.8 percent
Within 7 points of margin
12, 35 for the season
Upset specials/Perfect spread
0-1; 1 (Ed Burke over Piedmont by 15)
Classification listing based on home team when both are Central Georgia teams. Next week, records and rankings will be added
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
Finally.
This is what Iâm talkinâ about, a sizzling record, boosted by a pretty daggum sharp 12 games within a touchdown (and about three more a point off of that).
So â got to brag some while bragging is possible, for weâre all a week away from humility and frustration â that means I was pretty close on 40 percent of last weekâs schedule.
And this week can easily be such a week, with the vast majority pitting fairly evenly matched teams. There are very few easy calls.
Thus, one must enjoy a good week while one can.
There are good games, near and far, and region play getting going more will make for some showdowns.
Games of the week
Class 5A
6A No. 4 Houston County, 4-0, at No. 7 Warner Robins, 2-2
One team is still tough to decipher, the other one simple. Warner Robins wonât be able to turn it on in the second half and win, as it has done twice this season. The Bears have too many weapons, and know that consistency is important, whether itâs a non-region game or not. Itâll be a test, but the Demons will have to have their best game in awhile, dating back to last year, or more.
TSR pick: Houston County by 23
Class 4A
No. 12 Baldwin, 3-1, at No. 7 Spalding, 4-0
The run game for both teams is pretty good, with Baldwinâs Micah Welch and Spalding QB Curt Clark. If Baldwin canât slow him down and avoid the mistakes of each week and get more plays from more players, itâll be a rugged ride home from Griffin.
TSR pick: Spalding by 9
No. 4 Perry, 3-1, at Howard, 3-1, Thompson
The scores of the last three meetings: 49-0, 35-0, 21-14. This will be somewhere in the middle, if Howard can throw some and just be sound, and avoid an early big hole. The Panthers do a nice job of avoiding letdowns or looking ahead, but this is a bit of a statement game for Howard.
TSR pick: Perry by 30
Class A/II
No. 2 Macon County, 4-0/1-0, at No. 1 Schley County, 4-0/1-0
Schley County trails in the series 6-3, and won 2-7 last year, joining the long list of teams Macon County has in crosshairs. And the Bulldogs as a homecoming opponent? This will be a noisy game, from pads poppinâ to jaws yappinâ. Composure will be the difference.
TSR pick: Schley County by 9
Games of note
No. 7 Fitzgerald, 2-2, at Dodge County, 1-3
A new coaching staff hasnât lessened Dodge Countyâs competitiveness as an underdog, and the table is set for the Indiansâ first win over Fitzgerald in the last five tries, four losses by 8, 9, 9, and 3.
TSR pick: Dodge County by 3 (upset special)
Southwest, 2-2/1-0, at No. 5 Northeast, 3-1/1-0, Thursday, 7 p.m., Ed DeFore
Northeast was sharp and efficient last week, and has to avoid slipping in a rivalry game with issues that may keep it closer than it should be.
TSR pick: Northeast by 34
The Schedule
GHSA
Class 6A
5A Northgate, 3-2, at Veterans, 3-1
TSR pick: Veterans by 4
Northside, 2-2, at 3A Crisp County, 2-2
TSR pick: Northside by 10
Class 4A
Griffin, 0-4, at West Laurens, 2-2
TSR pick: West Laurens by 15
Class 3A
Columbus, 1-3, at No. 6 Mary Persons, 3-1
TSR pick: Mary Persons by 30
4A Hardaway, 0-5, at Peach County, 0-4
TSR pick: Peach County by 28
Upson-Lee, 4-1, at Mt. Zion-Jonesboro, 0-4
TSR pick: Upson-Lee by 32
Class AA
Central, 0-4/0-1, at Kendrick, 2-2/1-0, Thursday, 7 p.m.
TSR pick: Kendrick by 17
Putnam County, 2-2/1-0, at Josey, 1-3/0-2
TSR pick: Putnam County by 29
Spencer, 1-3/0-1, at Rutland, 2-2/1-0, Ed DeFore
TSR pick: Spencer by 24
Thomson, 3-1/1-0, at Washington County, 2-2/1-0
TSR pick: Thomson by 15
Class A/Division I
Mt. Zion-Carroll, 3-1, at Jasper County, 3-2
TSR pick: Jasper County by 16
Pelham, 2-3, at No. 11 Bleckley County, 2-2
TSR pick: Bleckley County by 28
Social Circle, 1-3, at No. 12 Lamar County 3-2
TSR pick: Lamar County by 25
Twiggs County, 0-3, at Crawford County, 0-4
TSR pick: Crawford County by 9
Class A/Division II
Central-Talbotton, 1-3/0-1, at Taylor County, 3-1/1-0
TSR pick: Taylor County by 29
Portal, 2-2, at Wilkinson County, 1-2
TSR pick: Portal by 31
Washington-Wilkes, 2-2, at Hancock Central, 2-2
TSR pick: Washington-Wilkes by 3
GIAA
Class AAA
Brookwood, 2-2, at John Milledge, 4-0
TSR pick: John Milledge by 29
FPD, 2-1-1, at GHSA A/I Mt. Pisgah, 2-2
TSR pick: FPD by 17
Mount de Sales, 0-4, at Pinewood, 1-3
TSR pick: Pinewood by 12
Stratford, 3-1, at Brookstone, 1-2
TSR pick: Stratford by 10
Class AA
Briarwood, 1-2, at Trinity Christian, 1-4
TSR pick: Briarwood by 9
Central Fellowship, 3-0-1, at Piedmont, 1-3
TSR pick: CFCA by 28
Gatewood, 4-0, at 3A St. Anne-Pacelli, 4-1
TSR pick: Pacelli by 24
3A George Walton, 2-3, at Brentwood, 2-1
TSR pick: Brentwood by 4