By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

Division I (5A, 4A, 3A) 12 teams

5. Peach County

The Trojans are a little overrated in the state polls, making big jumps after wins that didn’t merit unranked to top 5 in AAA. Doesn’t mean they won’t deserve it in a few more weeks.

4. Jones County

          The Greyhounds have been consistent, again, but this is a big step up in competition this week.       

3. Perry

          The Panthers were within a possession late before a poor decision led to the late Houston County score. Stunning their run game was so stuffed.

Last week

* Roundup: Rivalry nights go to Houston County, Warner Robins; Dublin starts slow, pulls away; more good D from Jasper County; FPD O quieted, JMA stunned again; Brentwood routs GHSA foe
* Scouting Reports: This week’s GHSA and GIAA games
* Maxwell Predictions
* Central Georgia state composite rankings
* Who’s going to win this week’s games?
* Central Georgia rankings
* Monday Morning Quarterback: Notes, reviews, Loughdmouthings
* Macon Touchdown Club players of the week

 Two weeks ago
* Roundup: Rivalry night for Dodge County-Bleckley County; Perry-Peach County slug it out; Pointsapaloozas for Dublin, Westfield, Stratford, FPD; 67-48 & 6-0 games? Northside sweats out Baldwin
* Scouting Reports: This week’s GHSA and GIAA games
* Maxwell Predictions
* Central Georgia state rankings
* Who’s going to win this week’s games?

2. Warner Robins

          The muscle-flexing in the second half against Northside was impressive, but some special teams cleaning up is needed.

1. Houston County

          Didn’t the Bears have to replace a good collection of quality skill people? The defensive effort against Perry, though, is the Houston County headline from last week.

Division II (2A, A, GIAA) 33 teams

Top 20

(For the weekly regular-season poll, 10 teams will be ranked)

10. Tattnall

          Gutting out a road win against a decent team followed by a running-clock game this week should get the Trojans on a roll.

9. Jasper County

          Two good defensive performances in a row takes pressure off an offense and builds confidence, because defense travels.

7. John Milledge

          Odds are the Trojans are – hold on – going to drop out, since they’re playing a 3-0 GHSA team. Of course, expect the unexpected.

7. Stratford

          No, the Eagles haven’t played a bruising schedule, but they’ve been consistent and dominant, the former of which is relevant.

6. Bleckley County

          The Royals have done a good job with the short memory, and putting the Dodge County loss in the rearview mirror.

5. ACE Charter

          Some competition makes its way to Friends Field with the visit of Dodge County, and one of the best players ACE has faced, period, in Alabama-bound Duke Johnson.   

4. Dodge County

          The Indians are ranked, and hadn’t been in a top 10 since 2021, and ACE is one of two teams in the team in the way of an 9-0 start.   

3. Northeast

          The run game is back, with Nick Woodford and Reginald Glover teaming for more than 200 yards a game, but the passing game needs some steps up.

2. Lamar County

          The Trojans aren’t quick racking up the normal run game numbers yet, but the defense is off to a nice start.

1. Dublin

          Yeah, it’s odd that a staff can find a lot to grumble about in a 22-point road win, but the win over Southwest will make life even tougher for Washington County this week.