Who's going to win this week's Central Georgia high school football games?
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
Ever so slowly, the accuracy improved, toward the season goal of 80 percent, thanks to going 80.6 percent the last two weeks.
With about 30 games a week – didn’t used to be so many, it seems – that 80 percent is looking tougher and tougher. Then again, a fair number of teams have settled into what they are, which is good for some and bad for some.
And better for me, trying simply to be right.
Last week: 28-7, 80 percent
The season: 71-27, 72.5 percent
Within 7: 8, 25 for season
Upsets/perfect spread: None
Maximum spread prediction of 39 points
Games of the week
4A Warner Robins, 2-1, at 5A Houston County, 3-0
From one big rivalry win right into another game, for both teams. Both teams have multiple weapons, so who has the better defense? A 2-1 crowd difference favors Houston County, but Warner Robins is used to that.
TSR pick: Houston County by 14
Jones County, 3-0/2-0, at Ola, 3-0/2-0
A big game in Henry County means a good night for the visitors’ side concession stand? There’s little reason this shouldn’t be a four-quarter game, but Jones County is too balanced.
TSR pick: Jones County by 8
This week
* Scouting Reports: This week’s GHSA and GIAA games
* Thursday’s roundup
* Maxwell Predictions
* Who’s going to win this week’s games
* Central Georgia state composite rankings
* Central Georgia rankings
* Monday Morning Quarterback: Notes, reviews, Loughdmouthings
* Macon Touchdown Club players of the week
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
Dodge County, 2-0/2-0 at ACE Charter, 2-0/2-0
The most highly recruited player the Gryphons have faced in program history comes to the new turf, with Dodge County’s Duke Johnson, who plays all over and will be in Tuscaloosa in less than four months. Fundamental and group tackling are ACE’s keys to staying in it.
TSR pick: Dodge County by 16
Wilkinson County, 2-1, at GIAA Stratford, 3-0
The Eagles haven’t played the toughest competition yet, and the Warriors will bring some athleticism to town. Stratford’s not exactly immobile, and is playing solid in all phases.
TSR pick: Stratford by 21
Brookstone, 1-1, at First Presbyterian, 2-1
The rematch of last year’s GIAA 4A championship game has a chance to be similar to that 44-24 FPD win. Sounds odd, considering the Vikings were smothered on the ground last week. FPD adjusts, while Brookstone’s game against Mount Vernon was cancelled because of weather, which may lead to a little lack of sharpness.
TSR pick: FPD by 11
The Schedule
Class AAA
Baldwin, 0-2, at Cross Creek, 1-1
TSR pick: Baldwin by 25
Fayette County, 0-2, at No. 5 Mary Persons, 2-0
TSR pick: Mary Persons by 21
Howard, 1-1, at West Laurens, 2-0
TSR pick: West Laurens by 14
Many thanks last week to ACE, Central Fellowship, Dublin, FPD, Jasper County, Northside, Perry, and Stratford for sending in postgame information and/or stats on Friday night, and to Jones County, Lamar County, and Tattnall for information on Saturday.
🏈 Teams: Please email game information – stats (offense and defense), names, big plays, etc. – to centralgasports@gmail.com by 2 a.m. Saturday morning to be in Central Georgia’s most comprehensive game-night coverage - the most names and stats and details - for the first roundup, and by 10:30 a.m. Saturday to be added.
3A No. 3 Peach County, 2-1, at AA Crisp County, 0-3
TSR pick: Peach County by 27
No. 13T Upson-Lee, 1-1, at Spalding, 0-2
TSR pick: Spalding by 12
Class AA
AA Westside, 1-2, at A Bowdon, 2-1
TSR pick: Bowdon by 24
A No. 6 Lamar County, 2-0, at AA Rutland 0-3
TSR pick: Lamar County by 29
Class A
East Laurens, 1-2/0-2, at Central 0-3/0-2
TSR pick: East Laurens by 15
Jefferson County, 0-3/0-2, at No. 13T Northeast 2-1/2-0
TSR pick: Northeast by 25
Haralson County, 1-2, at Putnam County, 0-3
TSR pick: Putnam County by 11
AA Josey, 0-2, at A Hancock Central, 1-2
TSR pick: Hancock Central by 30
Manchester, 1-1, at Macon County, 1-2
TSR pick: Manchester by 7
Southwest, 0-3/0-2, at No. 10 Bleckley County, 2-1/1-1
TSR pick: Bleckley County by 28
Taylor County, 1-1, at GMC Prep, 0-3
TSR pick: Taylor County by 23
Twiggs County, 0-3, at Wheeler County, 1-1
TSR pick: Wheeler County by 28
Washington County, 1-2/1-1, at No. 3 Dublin, 3-0/2-0
TSR pick: Dublin by 32
GIAA
Class AAA
GHSA A Athens Academy, 3-0, at John Milledge, 1-2
TSR pick: Athens Academy by 17
Calvary Christian, 0-3, at Tattnall Square, 2-1
TSR pick: Tattnall by 30
Lakeview Academy, 3-0, at Piedmont, 2-0
TSR pick: Lakeview by 7
Mount de Sales, 2-1, at Terrell, 1-1
TSR pick: Terrell by 10
Class AA
Brentwood, 3-0, at Lake Oconee, 3-0
TSR pick: Brentwood by 4
Central Fellowship, 1-2, at Flint River, 3-0
TSR pick: Central Fellowship by 2 (Upset special)
Southland, 0-3, at Gatewood, 1-2
TSR pick: Gatewood by 14
Trinity Christian, 1-2, at Augusta Prep, 2-1
TSR pick: Augusta Prep by 20