Week-10 of the Georgia high school football season might be one of the biggest weeks of the regular season as there are many games that will help determine region seedings and even region titles in some cases. This is Part-I of our Georgia High School Football Previews, in which we look at eight of the more intriguing matchups across the state of Georgia. In this post, we will look at one of the top Class-A matchups in region-8 as Washington-Wilkes hosts Lincoln County and three Class 7-A battles for region supremacy as Roswell hosts Milton, Brookwood hosts Grayson and Lowndes hosts Colquitt County.
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Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Historical records are provided by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. (ghsfa.org)
The Skinny
The Washington-Wilkes Tigers are winners of their last six games. They sport perhaps the best player in Region-8 in Dalen Cobb. Cobb is a dual threat quarterback, throwing for 800 yards and 9-TDs and rushing for 810 yards and 12-TDs. Jamarquez Tyson leads the team in rushing with 856 yards and 12-TDs. Cobb’s primary target at receiver is Quinzabian Jackson with 24 receptions for 310 yards and 4-TDs. Washington Wilkes is averaging 38.2 points per game while allowing 13.1. The defense is led by linebacker Jo’Vares Harden with 65 total tackles. The defense has forced 17 turnovers on the season.
The Lincoln County Red Devils come into this game winners of their last two. The Red Devils are averaging 26 points per game while allowing 19. Similar to Washington-Wilkes, Lincoln County will do most of their damage on offense with the ground game. They are averaging 264.7 yards per game rushing. Tevin Garterll has been the workhorse with 831 yards and 8-TDs on the season. Trey Huff (who is also the starting quarterback) leads the defense with 78 total tackles.
This game is part of a three game round-robin involving these two teams and their games against Commerce over the last three weeks that will decide the region champion. We expect Dalen Cobb to be the difference in this one. Washington-Wilkes by 15.
The Skinny
The Roswell Hornets return from their bye week looking at a chance to win their first region title in three years. The Hornets are led on offense by quarterback Robbie Roper who’s thrown for 1,619 yards and 20-TDs while completing 69.7% of his passes. Ryan Hill has led the team in rushing but his status for this game is up in the air right now. In the event he cannot go, sophomore Nykahi Davenport is more than capable of carrying the load as he proved their last time out. Ethan Nation and Shaun Spence have combined to catch 53 passes for 854 yards and 8-TDs. The defense is led by the aforementioned Nation and Hill Plunkett in the secondary. The Hornets defense has intercepted 6 passes this season.
The Milton Eagles are looking to wrap up their fourth consecutive region title. They are in the midst of a five game win streak and are averaging 39.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 20.7 points per game. The Eagles average 183.4 through the air and 211.1 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Devin Farrell has thrown for 1,186 yards and 15-TDs. His primary targets are Debron Gattling, Adam Freas, and tight-end Jack Nickel. The trio has combined to catch 62 passes for 848 yards and 12-TDs, while Jordan McDonald has rushed for 524 yards and 5-TDs to pace the ground game.
This game went down to the wire last season and we expect another competitive contest between these two rivals. If Roswell can limit turnovers and find success on the ground, we like their chances. That’s easier said than done against Milton’s talent laden defense. We like the Eagles by 9.
The Skinny
The Grayson Rams have will look to extend their string of three straight region titles. Grayson is averaging 22.7 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 16.3 points per game. Grayson has been run heavy this season on offense, averaging 214.5 yards on the ground. Joe Taylor (643 yards, 5-TDs), Dylan Elder (504 yards, 6-TDs) and quarterback Joseph Stone (499 yards, 4-TDs) lead the way on the ground for the Rams. On defense, Derrell Farrar and Jalen Smith lead the team with 90 total tackles each, while Mumu Bin-Wahad leads the secondary with 2 interceptions. The Rams have sacked opposing quarterbacks 17 times.
The Brookwood Broncos have won their last three games coming into this week. The Broncos area averaging 34.1 points per game and allowing 20.5. Quarterback Dylan Lonegran has thrown for 2,031 yards and 18-TDs. His top receiver has been Alex Diggs with 39 receptions for 663 yards and 4-TDs. Diggs also leads the team in rushing with 456 yards and 7-TDs. Junior linebacker Micah McCain leads the team with 47 total tackles. The Broncos have sacked opposing quarterbacks 11 times.
Brookwood’s Lonegran is a big time quarterback prospect but he will be tested by a very talented Grayson secondary. If Grayson can get the run game going they should be in the game late. However, we believe Lonegran passes this test. We like the Broncos by 5.
The Skinny
The Lowndes Vikings have won four straight games entering this week’s matchup. Lowndes is averaging 34.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 23.8. The Vikings have a balanced attack averaging 173.3 yards per game through the air and 181.8 yards per game on the ground. Dual threat quarterback Jacurri Brown has thrown for 1,278 yards and 17-TDs while rushing for 566 yards. Chase Belcher and Jacarre Fleming have combined to rush for 832 yards and 15-TDs. Khris Thomas leads the team in receiving with 31 receptions for 457 yards and 2-TDs.
The Colquitt County Packers have won six straight games coming into this week. They are averaging 40.5 points per game while allowing 21.6. Sophomore quarterback Neko Fann has found his stride, passing for 1,284 yards and 19-TDs. He’s joined in the backfield by Charlie Pace who’s rushed for 685 yards and 8-TDs. Sophomore receivers Ny Carr and Landen Thomas have combined to catch 41 passes for 767 yards and 15-TDs. The Packers have sacked opposing quarterbacks 22 times and forced 14 turnovers.
Both of these defenses will have their hands full this week trying to slow down explosive offenses. We believe Jacurri Brown will out-duel Neko Fann this week, but it won’t be a runaway. Lowndes by 4.