It seems like just yesterday we were in August just getting the season underway, but as we look a the calendar, we are now entering the final quarter of the regular season for Georgia High School Football. Region races continue to get a little clearer. As we do each week, we take a look at some of the more intriguing matchups around the state. This is Part II of our weekly feature, Eight Greats Around the State.
First up, the Grayson Rams will host the Brookwood Broncos. These two teams are part of a trio of teams that are log jammed atop Region 4-7A. The winner will put themselves in prime position to host a state playoff game. Can Bronco’s QB Dylan Lonergan guide the Bronco’s to another victory over the Rams or will Grayson’s defense slow down the Bronco Express? Next, over in Carrollton, the Carrollton Trojans will host the Westlake Lions. Westlake is seemingly the only thing standing between Carrollton and a region title. Can the Lions go on the road and upset the Trojans or will Carrollton’s Juju Lewis and Co. continue to score points in bunches?
Meanwhile, the Marist War Eagles look to be flying high this week as they hope to take another step closer to a region title. North Atlanta will visit Marist this week as the Warriors look to stay in contention for a home playoff game in the state tournament. Will the Warriors team speed give Marist fits, or is this Marist team the real deal? Finally, over in Kennesaw, the Kennesaw Mountain Mustangs will look to bounce back from their first loss of the season. They will host the North Cobb Warriors. North Cobb has really been impressive on the ground lately. Can Kennesaw Mountain’s defense step up to the challenge and slow down North Cobb?
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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 Grayson Rams are winners of their last three games and find themselves in a three way tie for first place in Region 4. The Rams are averaging 32.7 points per game. They are averaging 180 yards per game through the air and 145.4 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Jeff Davis has thrown for 1,156 yards and 10-TDs while completing 70.4% of his passes. His top receivers are Caden High (19 receptions, 347 yards, 3-TDs), John Cineas (19 receptions, 285 yards, 1-TD) and Joseph Stone (17 receptions, 289 yards, 4-TDs). Joe Taylor has rushed for a team high 525 yards and 8-TDs. Defensively, Grayson is allowing 11.8 points per game. They have sacked opposing quarterbacks 23 times this season. Jalen Smith leads the Rams defense with 83 total tackles.
The Brookwood Broncos have bounced back from a three-game skid early this season to record a three game win streak of their own. Like, Grayson, the Broncos are part of that three way tie for first place in Region 4. Brookwood is led offensively by quarterback Dylan Lonergan. The senior signal caller has thrown for 1,260 yards and 11-TDs. Lonergan also leads the team in rushing with 321 yards and 4-TDs. Four Bronco receivers have caught at least 20 passes this season including Myles Massengil, Bryce Dopson, Jumal Prothro and Lee Niles. Defensively, Brookwood is led by senior linebacker Malcolm McCain who leads the team in total tackles (76) and sacks (6).
This game could turn into a defensive battle on Friday night. If Grayson is to win, we suspect they will need to have success on the ground with Taylor. If Brookwood is to win, they will need to have solid play from the quarterback. We believe Grayson has the edge at home this week. Rams by a touchdown.
The Skinny
The Westlake Lions have jumped back into Class 7A this season and have had a relatively successful season as they jump back into the largest classification in the state. The Lions are winners of their last four games. They are averaging 32.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 15.7 points per game. Westlake is averaging 157.4 yards per game through the air and 136.9 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback R.J. Johnson has thrown for 1,022 yards and 10-TDs. Meanwhile Jae’Den Thomas has rushed for 764 yards and 8-TDs.
The Carrollton Trojans have managed their jump to Class 7A with the same success that they’ve had historically. The Trojans have won their first 8-games and have done it with some prolific offensive numbers. Carrollton is averaging 44.5 points per game this season. Freshman quarterback Julian Lewis has thrown for 2,181 yards and 30-TDs. He’s also completing 68.8% of his passes. Lewis’ top targets include Takare Libscomb (26 receptions, 476 yards, 6-TDs), Caleb Odom (30 receptions, 456 yards, 7-TDs) and running back Bryce Hicks (39 receptions, 380 yards, 5-TDs). Hicks also leads the team in rushing with 867 yards and 10-TDs. The Trojans defense is allowing 12.7 points per game.
It looks like Westlake is the only thing standing in between Carrollton and a region title. The Lions have enough experience on both sides of the ball to keep the game close. However, we don’t believe they can keep the Trojans in check for four quarters. We like Carrolton by 13 on the road.
The Skinny
The Marist War Eagles have won their last three games and are in position to challenge for yet another region title. The War Eagles are replacing a relatively experienced team from a year ago. They seem to be finding their stride at the right time. The War Eagles have used two quarterbacks in their offensive attack, with D.J. Mazzone and Jack Euart. The Ware Eagles also have a duo of versatile tight-ends, in Ripp Perez and Luke Harpring. this season. Marist is averaging 34.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 18.1.
The North Atlanta Warriors stopped a two game skid with their first region win last week. The Warriors still have hopes of hosting a first round playoff game, but they have their work cut out for them this week. Look for the Warriors to try to exploit their advantage with their team speed to help give them the edge this Friday. The Warriors will also use two quarterbacks in Lorenza Lennon and Ian Reynolds. Lennon is a dual threat signal caller who can beat teams with both his arm and his legs. The Warriors are averaging 30.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 14.2.
On paper these teams look relatively similar, at least with regards to their points scored and points allowed. The Marist secondary has been up to the task this season intercepting passes, we believe that will be the difference this week. We like Marist by two touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Kennesaw Mountain Mustangs look to bounce back this week after their potent offense was held to just 14 points last week. The loss also snapped their 6 game win streak. Kennesaw Mountain is averaging 236.3 yards per game through the air and 146.6 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Cayman Prangley has thrown for 1,624 yards and 19-TDs. He’s also added 309 yards per game on the ground with 7-TDs. Tyshon Jenkins leads the team in rushing with 420 yards. Cayden Lee is the teams leading receiver with 53 receptions for 775 yards and 10-TDs. The Mustangs defense has forced 10 turnovers on the season. Hayden McDougal leads the team in total tackles.
The North Cobb Warriors are winners of their last three games. The Warriors have also won two region games, which we believe will be enough to guarantee a playoff spot come November. North Cobb is averaging 26.5 points per game and allowing 15.1. In the last three games, the Warriors are allowing just 9 points per game. Sophomore quarterback Nick Grimstead has filled in nicely for the Warriors during the current win streak. He’s done enough through the air to keep teams off balance. Grimstead has also had her from running backs Benjamin Hall and David Mbadinga.
This game is a must win for Kennesaw Mountain if they want a shot of a home playoff game. The Mustangs will have to find away to slow down the North Cobb rushing attack. We believe that’s easier said than done. We like the visiting Warriors by 9.