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Come back around noon for an update roundup to include records, region and playoff scenarios, and more information.

(Rankings are from Georgia High School Football Daily composite polls)

🏈 Teams: Please email game information – stats (offense and defense), names, big plays, etc. – to centralgasports@gmail.com by 10 a.m. Saturday morning to be in Central Georgia’s most comprehensive game-night coverage - the most names and stats and details - for the Saturday morning update.

Thanks to ACE, Dublin, FPD, Jasper County, John Milledge, Jones County, and Perry County for sending postgame information Friday night.

CENTRAL GEORGIA’S BEST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COVERAGE

This week
* Scouting Reports: This week’s GHSA and GIAA games
* Maxwell Predictions
* Who’s going to win this week’s games?
* Central Georgia state composite rankings
* Central Georgia’s rankings
* Macon Touchdown Club players of the week
* Monday Morning QB: A really good - not epic - win in Austin, with silliness; weekly CFB playoff sermon; Loughdmouthings: Dumb Ho orn (this week) fans, really good HS slate, Falcons are fine, but …
* The schedule

Last week
* Roundup: Perry gets the ‘upset’, HoCo blanked, Baldwin wins on the road; big nights for Upson-Lee, West Laurens, Dublin, Northeast, Stratford, Brentwood; Jasper County gets 3-OT W
* Scouting Reports: This week’s GHSA and GIAA games, coming Friday
* Maxwell Predictions
* Who’s going to win this week’s games
* Central Georgia state composite rankings
* A breakdown of the playoff pictures, the power ratings for A-AAA and others
* Central Georgia rankings
* Monday Morning Quarterback: Which Nation is the most absurd this week?; HS stat stuff, playoffs sermon; Loughdmouthings galore: stats, QB shoving, tackling, Falcons,and Jerry’s happy-for-us birthday
* Macon Touchdown Club players of the week

Two weeks ago
* Roundup: Dublin holds off Northeast, Tattnall handles Stratford; ACE outlasts East Laurens, routs for Baldwin, West Laurens, Lamar County, Taylor County, Westfield; who had big nights?
* Scouting Reports: This week’s GHSA and GIAA games
* Maxwell Predictions
* Central Georgia state composite rankings
* Central Georgia rankings
* Monday Morning Quarterback: A Saturday like most others (really); the new Falcons? They still need O; Loughdmouthings galore (the wit, the wisdom, the sarcasm …)
* Macon Touchdown Club players of the week

Class 5A

Coffee 41, Veterans 7
The Warhawks (0-9/0-4) avoided being shut out for the third time, and of being the Trojans’ third shutout victim.

Lee County 55, Northside 7
The Eagles (2-7/0-4) gave up at least 40 points for the fifth straight game, and 50 for the fourth time in five games. They’ll play Veterans for fifth place and to avoid a winless region season.

Thomas County Central 41, Houston County 31
The battle of top-10 teams was the expected shootout, tied at 21 after a quarter with the Bears (6-3/2-2) taking a 3-point halftime lead on a field goal in the final second of the second quarter after overcoming a 21-7 deficit. Thomas County Central tied it with a 23-yarder in the third quarter, and took the lead right after that with a 36-yard fumble return for a touchdown. A passing touchdown two minutes into the fourth put the Yellow Jackets (8-1/3-1) up 38-24, but the Bears answered quickly to get back within a score. Thomas County Central picked off a pass on the Houston County side of the field and ate up some clock before adding a 34-yard field goal. Houston County turned it over on downs in its final possession. The Bears will finish fourth in Region 2.

Class 4A

Jones County 42, Eagle’s Landing 0
There was no suspense in Gray, Jones County (7-2/6-2) putting up a pair of two-touchdown quarters for a 28-0 halftime lead. Devin Edmonds threw a short pass to Jaivon Solomon, and then two 30-yarders to Zacari Thomas in the first half, Jones County getting rushing scores from Thomas (40 yards). Edmonds was 21 of 28 for 286 yards and 4 TDs, Solomon catching 10 passes for 102 yards and Thomas 4 for 107, 2 TD catches each. Edmonds ran for 2 short scores. Jones County held Eagle’s Landing (3-6/3-5) to 81 yards total offense. The Greyhounds clinched third in Region 2, and can clinch the ninth eighth eight-win season in the last 11.

Perry 31, Benedictine 27
Reid Ginn came up big for the Panthers as Benedictine held Ahmad Gordon to only 31 yards on 10 rushing attempts en route to winning the region 1 top seed, an outright region title coming to town with a win over Warner Robins. Ginn went 17 of 22 for 132 yards to lead Perry, which got a 57-yard pick-6 from DeAshlon Ashley and a 99-yard kickoff return from Decorrion Daniels. The Cadets took a 20-17 lead early in the third quarter, but the pick-6 put Perry back on top five minutes later, the Cadets returning to the lead, 27-24 with two minutes left in the third. So Perry responded quickly with another score immediately after that for the four-point lead, the defense then throwing a fourth-quarter shutout, including a fourth-down stand. The game ended, though, with Benedictine fumbling inside the Perry 40.

Ware County 24, Warner Robins 21
The homestanding Gators (4-4/2-1)held off Warner Robins’ 14-point fourth quarter, having gotten what proved to be the game-winning field goal with 2 minutes left. The Demons (6-3/2-2) made that kick matter with a TD pass right after that, and then getting the 2-point conversion. Ware County, which led after an early second-quarter touchdown, recovered the onside kick. The Demons are tied with Benedictine for third, and lose that tiebreaker if they remain that way after the regular-season finale.

Class AAA

Baldwin 42, Westside-Augusta 14
The Braves (4-3/4-1) were impressive in the tussle between region contenders, handing Westside its second loss in WAT. Baldwin exploded for a 28-7 first-quarter lead that was 28-14 at halftime Jonquavious Russell scored late in the third quarter and Sadur Salahuddin with about four minutes left in the game as the Baldwin defenses stood up to shut out the Patriots in the second half. Baldwin is a half-game out of a first-place tie with West Laurens, as is Harlem. The Braves play West Laurens on Nov. 5.

Harlem 32, Howard 13

The Huskies (4-3/3-2) dropped into fifth place with the road loss.

Mary Persons 37, Sandy Creek 29
The top-ranked Patriots took a 7-0 lead, but it was downhill after holding Mary Persons to a field goal minutes later in the first quarter. Nic Arnold’s 1-yard run put the Bulldogs on top early in the second quarter, Sandy Creek answering four minutes later. A long TD pass put Mary Persons back on top for good, Mac Nelson htting Caden Lavinka for a 27-yard score late in the second quarter, a Bulldog field goal in the final minute putting them up 27-13 at halftime. Nelson and Lavinka hooked up again midway through the third quarter for a 21-point lead. Sandy Creek finally scored again two minutes into the fourth quarter, Mary Persons’ Ryan Bankston hitting a 28-yard field goal five minutes later. Sandy Creek managed a final touchdown in the final three minutes. Nelson completed 19 of 23 for 290 yards and 3 touchdowns with no picks, 126 yards on 5 passes going to freshman Mason Stephens and 6 for 83 to Caden Lavinka. Bankston drilled two more field goals, of 41 and 31 yards. Sandy Creek was without head coach Darius Smiley, serving a mandated suspension for two sideline violations last week by others in the win over Whitewater, as well as a starter (injury).

Peach County 48, Cairo 17
The Trojans steamrolled the Syrupmakers in a battle of ranked teams for the Region 1 top seed and likely title. Peach County led 13-0 after one, but Cairo (6-3/3-1) responded in the second quarter, and Peach County led 20-17 at halftime. But Peach County clicked in all phases in the second half, getting a TD pass in the first four minutes of the third quarter to start the rout.

Upson-Lee 40, Trinity Christian 7
The Knights got off to a good start with Malachi Character’s 89-yard TD run on Upson-Lee’s first possession after a defensive stand. Adam Fletcher added a 3-yard run four minutes later for a 13-0 first-quarter lead. Niko Wells hit Bentavious Reviere for a 31-yard TD pass in the second quarter for a 20-0 halftime lead. The third-place Knights have an outside shot at being in a four-way tie for first – though not for the first seed - with a win over LaGrange and a Troup win over Sandy Creek. A win gets them the second seed and a home game.

West Laurens 48, Aquinas 38

The Raiders (7-1/5-1) cracked 40 points for the fifth time this season and fourth straight game. They’re in first by a half-game over Harlem and Baldwin and one up on Westside-Augusta, which hosts West Laurens next.

Class AA

Westside 57, Rutland 18 (Click here for more)

The Seminoles (4-5/2-2) clinched a playoff spot and at least fourth place, and can move up a spot with a win over Jackson (4-5/2-2).

Class A/Division I

ACE 29, Bleckley County 28, OT
ACE head coach Keith Hatcher rolled the dice, and it came up big, the Gryphons going for two after scoring in overtime after QB Ace Hatcher countered the Royals’ score with a 1-yard run. The ACE connection came through with Hatcher throwing to Brice Whitley for the game-winning conversion. The win came after ACE (6-3/5-3) was down 14-0 after a quarter, finally tying it at 21 on Hatcher’s 20-yard scamper and the PAT from Henry Carter. The Royals (2-6/1-6) outgained the Gryphons 448-328, QB Kam Everett going 20 of 25 for 284 yards. Hatcher ran 23 times for 130 yards and 3 scores, completing 14 of 20 for 182 yards. Whitley caught 8 passes for 101 yards and a score. James Patterson came up with a clutch blocked field goal, and Noah Syme brought it back 78 yards for a touchdown. Sawyer Raugh chipped in an interception. ACE clinched fourth place with a win over Washington County. Bleckley County is a game away from its worst season since going 2-8 in 2016.

Dublin 69, Central 0
Things went as expected on Dublin’s senior night, the Irish scoring 35 in the first quarter and 27 in the second. Willie Batts had a 52-yard run and Trav Bostic a 73-yarder, Micah O’Neal connecting with Sirius Tolbridge for a 50-yard touchdown. Seven Dublin players had at least 2 carries en route to a 351-yard rushing night, led by Trav Bostic’s 89 yards on 3 carries. Tolbridge caught 3 passes for 80 yards. The Irish (9-0/8-0) clinch the top seed and outright region title with a win over Dodge County, which can force a calculator into the mix with a win over the visiting Irish, who are going of their first 10-0 regular season since 2005, the season ending with a second-round 20-14 loss to Cook.

East Laurens 42, Jefferson County 8

The Falcons (3-5/2-5) improved their slim playoff hopes by taking care of business. Jefferson County scored for the second straight game after five shutouts to open the season.

Northeast 40, Dodge County 19 (Click here for more)
Nick Woodford’s 60-yard TD run got the Raiders going toward one of their best wins in the past few years, although Dodge County tied it right after, both missing the PATs. Zahkie Densons run put the Raiders on top again and they converted a fumble recovery into a 5-yard Woodford run for a 19-6 lead that grew on Woodford’s 15-yard in the final 90 seconds of the second quarter for a 27-6 halftime lead. The Raiders defense corralled Darrell Johnson and never led Dodge County rally. Northeast (7-2/7-1) can get its fifth straight eight-win season with a victory over East Laurens, and get second seed with a Dublin win over Dodge County.

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Putnam County 21, Jasper County 14
The Bulldogs (5-5/4-2) dealt the Purple Hurricanes (6-2/3-1) a heartbreaking loss after Jasper County tied it with three minutes left. Putnam County converted a fourth and 3, and scored from the 2 with 20 seconds left for the win. Jasper County is in sole possession of third, half-game behind Lamar County – which it visits next and Social Circle

Social Circle 27, Lamar County 7
A 99-yard scoring drive was not an omen for Lamar County, which led 7-0, and that was it. Social Circle (6-3/4-1) tied it seconds later on an 80-yard pass, and put up passing touchdowns of 80 and 24 yards in the second quarter. The Trojans and Redskins are now tied for first with one game left for each.

Washington County 28, Southwest 26
The visiting Patriots (2-6/2-5) led 20-14 at halftime, Washington County (5-4/4-3) regaining the lead for good a few minutes into the third quarter with a rushing score. Mack May threw 6 yards to Jaden Jackson for another score about three minutes later for a 28-20 lead. Steve Robinson’s 5-yard score got the Patriots within a conversion of tying it with about five minutes left in the game, but the Golden Hawks defense held them out on the 2-point try. Amir Rylan’s interception in the final 2 minutes sealed it. The Golden Hawks unofficially clinched at least an at-large playoff spots and get the automatic slot with a win over ACE. The Patriots are likely on the outside looking in at this point.

Class A/Division II

Hawkinsville 27, Treutlen 12

The Red Devils (6-3/3-2) got the must-win to stay alive for the automatic playoff spot with a fourth-place finish. They currently lose the tie-breaker for third with Wheeler County.

Macon County 19, Central-Talbotton 0
The Bulldogs got all they needed in the first quarter.

Taylor County 44, Crawford County 9
Demarion Parks scored touchdowns in the first and second quarter to get the Vikings rolling. They outscored the Eagles 30-9 in the middle quarters.

Hancock Central 44, Twiggs County 20

The win sets up the Bulldogs (4-5/2-2) to clinch the third seed with a win over Glascock County, which gets third with a win.

Wilkinson County 33, GMC Prep 0

The Warriors (5-4/3-1) are all but assured of second, and can get their second winning season since 2015.

GIAA

Class AAA

FPD 27, Tattnall 20, OT (Click here for more)
Major Simmons rolled right and hit Tinsley Lewis with an 11-yard pass to put FPD up in overtime, and then the Vikings defense swarmed the Trojans offense into a fourth down situation near midfield to win the District 6-AAA title. Tattnall led 20-3 at halftime, but the passing game for FPD started clicking in the second half. Benjamin McElreath had a huge game with several superb sideline catches, with 11 receptions for 220 yards, Simmons passing for 268 yards. Tattnall’s Caden Faulk threw for 165 yards, the Trojans (7-2/3-1) unable to score in the second half against the defending Class AAAA state champs, who improved to 9-1/4-0 and locked in the top seed in the 4A playoffs.

John Milledge 28, Mount de Sales 17
A 14-point third quarter put the homestanding Trojans (2-8/1-3) in some control in a game they never trailed. Jamel Cooper ran 31 yards for a first-quarter score, and Kolt McMichael’s 63-yard TD pass made it 14-10 at halftime. David Todd scored on a run and a 6-yard pass from Asa Wall in that key third quarter. Mount de Sales’ (3-7/0-4) Zavion Deshazier threw for 154 yards on 22 of 32 passing, the Trojans rushing for 224 yards and passing for 215, McMichael accounting for 209 of those yards. Wall rushed for 90 yards..

Piedmont 13, Athens Christian 12

Westfield 26, St. Anne-Pacelli 10

Class AA

Brentwood 45, Gatewood 27
Jonas Sheppard’s TD run midway through the first quarter was followed five minutes laterby Abe Williams’ 11-yarder and the War Eagles rolling. They led 31-13 at halftime.

GAPPS Cherokee Christian 28, CFCA 20

Trinity Christian 21, Robert Toombs 14

Windsor 41, Heritage-Newnan 6
The Knights took a 12-0 lead after a quarter on scores by Dawson Sims and Jay Singleton.