We have reached the penultimate week of the Georgia High School Football regular season. This week in our Eight Greats Around the State, we take a look at games that will have a direct impact on region championships.
First up, in Barrow County, Adairsville will host Bremen. Both of these teams are undefeated in region play. Bremen will have to go on the road and slow down the Tigers ground game to win the title. Down in Cochran, The Bleckley County Royals will host the red hot Swainsboro Tigers. Can Bleckley’s defense put a halt to the Swainsboro ground game?
Up in Commerce, the Tigers will host the Rabun County Wildcats. Commerce is riding high after beating Elbert County handily. Will the Wildcats bring the Tigers back to earth or is Commerce set to claim the region 8-DI title outright? Finally, in Norcross, the Norcross Blue Devils will host the Peachtree Ridge Lions. Peachtree Ridge is in the midst of a historic regular season. Can Norcross be the first team to put a scratch on their record in 2023?
As always, thanks for reading. While you’re here, don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss any of our coverage. Please feel free to comment and share.
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 Adairsville Tigers are in search of their second consecutive region title and can clinch that title with a win this week. Adairsville has reeled off five straight games coming into this week. The Tigers get the bulk of their offensive production on the ground, averaging 242.8 yards per game rushing and 135.6 yards per game through the air. Quarterback Jonathan Gough, (555 yards, 10-TDs) and running backs Jamarion Pullum (410 yards, 4-TDs), Ethan Bloom (390 yards, 7-TDs) and Tamarius Wilkey (252 yards, 4-TDs) have helped to power the Tigers’ ground attack. Gough has also thrown for 1,051 yards and 10-TDs. The Tigers defense has forced eight turnovers and sacked opposing quarterbacks 10 times and is allowing 18.6 points per game.
The Bremen Blue Devils have also won five straight games coming into this week. They are in search of their first region title since 2008. The Bremen offense has plenty of weapons of their own and have been able to fin success on the ground and through the air. Running back Parr Folsom has good vision and speed and can run away from defenders once he reaches the second level. Meanwhile Sophomore Justin Faulkner and has proved to be a reliable receiving target for quarterback Carson Kimball. Bremen is averaging 27 points per game and allowing 15.1 points per game.
We expect this to be a back and forth matchup as both teams are growing in confidence on offense. Adairsville’s ability to dominate the ground game should be the difference in this game. Expect another close matchup between these two, but we like the Tigers by 4.
The Skinny
The Bleckley County Royals are winners of their last five ballgames and will have one of their toughest tests to date as Swainsboro pays them a visit. Bleckley’s offense has been effective all season long, averaging 36.7 points per game. They are averaging 208.9 yards per game on the ground and 136 yards per game through the air. Joshua Stanley is tops on the team with 726 rushing yards and 12-TDs. Kam’Ryn Everett has also racked up 518 yards and 6-TDs to help pace the ground game. Marcus Newson (24 receptions 433 yards, 5-TDs) and Markeze Brown (22 receptions, 249 yards, 2-TDs) lead the Royals’ receivers. The Bleckley County secondary has intercepted 10 passes as the aforementioned Brown and Iverson Baker lead the team with three interceptions each.
Swainsboro is in search of their third consecutive region title and can lay claim to it with a win on Friday. Almost all of the Tigers offense will come by way of the ground game. They have rushed for 2,465 yards as a team; which averages just over 308 yards per game. The Tigers have only attempted 36 passes in their eight previous games. It has been running back by committee for the Tigers as Qin Brown (594 yards, 9-TDs), Jordon Williams (650 yards, 12-TDs), Demollo Jones (550 yards, 6-TDs) and Bryson Tarver (325 yards, 5-TDs) have led the way for the ground game. The Tigers defense is allowing 4.8 points per game and has pitched three shutouts this season.
Bleckley County will have their hands full trying to slow down Swainsboro’s punishing ground game. Expect for the Royals to counter with a Newson and Brown, but we just don’t think that’s enough to keep the visitors at bay. Swainsboro by 12.
The Skinny
The Commerce Tigers are riding high after a big win last week over region rival Elbert County. The Tigers celebration over Elbert will be short lived as another juggernaut will pay Commerce a visit. The Tigers get almost all of their yardage from the ground game. Both Jaiden Daniels and TySean Wiggins have eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark this season and have combined to rush for 2,446 yards. Jacari Huff has also been a consistent contributor to the Tigers ground game. The Tigers have won six straight games and are averaging 33.6 points per game. The defense has shutout two opponents this season and is allowing just over 14 points per game this season.
The Rabun County Wildcats bounced back from their last against Elbert County by shutting out Athens Christian. The Wildcats are the defending region champs and have won eight consecutive region titles. They can force a three way tie for the region title with a win this week. The Tigers are averaging 33.4 points per game. The Wildcats have a balanced attack with 176.8 yards per game through the air and 172.4 yards per game on the ground. Sophomore quarterback Ty Truelove has thrown for 1,519 yards and 15-TDs while fellow sophomore Reid Giles leads the team in rushing with 762 yards and 10-TDs. Willie Goodwyn is the team’s top receiver with 34 receptions for 754 yards and 11-TDs.
Commerce has dominated this series but Rabun County has won the last two. For Rabun to win three in a row, they will have to shut down Wiggins and Daniels and the Commerce ground machine. For Commerce, they can’t have a let down from an emotional victory last week. We believe this game is close with Rabun County giving Commerce all they can handle, especially through the air. But we believe too many options on the ground for Commerce. Tigers by 6.
The Skinny
The Norcross Blue Devils come into this week’s matchup winners of their last six games. Norcross’ only loss come at the hands of No. 1 ranked Mill Creek earlier this season. The Blue Devils have quietly put together another outstanding season, averaging 36 points per game and allowing 13 points. Norcross has leaned a little more on the run this season, averaging 208.3 yards per game on the ground and 128.8 yards per game through the air. Dual threat quarterback A.J. Watkins leads the team with 609 rushing yards and 9-TDs, while Kevin Maven-Winchester has added 460 yards and 3-TDs.
The Peachtree Ridge Lions can clinch their first region title since 2008. The Lions have done most of their damage through the air, averaging 231 yards per game passing and 158.8 yards per game on the ground. Sophomore quarterback Darnell Kelly has now thrown for 1,811 yards and 23-TDs. Myles Abernathy has been the big play receiver for the Lions with 33 receptions for 473 yards and 11-TDs. Rhari Thomas and Lamar White have also been top contributors as they’ve combined to catch 80 passes for 834 yards. The Lions defense is allowing 11.6 points per game, and have sacked opposing quarterbacks 18 times and intercepted 15 passes.
This is the Lions’ best team in quite some time. Expect Peachtree Ridge to keep the pressure on Norcross with their ability to move the ball through the air. However, we beleive Norcross’ ability to run the ball might be the difference in a close ball game. Blue Devils by 6.