Welcome to Part-2 of our Eight Greats Across the State – Week-4 of our Georgia High School Football Previews. As mentioned in Part-1 there is a fabulous slate of games on tap all across the state. First up, we look at the battle of Warner Robins as the Warner Robins Demons face the Northside Eagles. Warner Robins offense has been outstanding this far, but will the Eagles have enough to slow them down? Down in Southwest Georgia, the Thomasville Bulldogs will host the Bainbridge Bearcats. Both offenses rely heavily on the run, so the big question is which offense will get the run game rolling this week?
Up in Northwest Georgia, the Rome Wolves will face the Collins Hill Eagles. The Eagles come into Baron Stadium flying high, but will the Rome defense put an end to that on Friday? Finally down in Leesburg, the Lee County Trojans will host the Lowndes Vikings. Expect the scoreboard operator to be very busy this Friday night
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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 Warner Robins Demons offense picked up where they left off last season. In their first two games, they are averaging 49 points per game. They are doing it with a balanced attack, averaging 266 yards through the air and 284 yards on the ground. Quarterback Christon Lane has thrown for 436 yards and 4-TDs, while Malcolm Brown has rushed for 340 yards and 5-TDs through two games. Receivers Deuce Petty and Daveon Walker have combined for 18 receptions, 413 yards and 4-TDs.
The Northside Eagles are 3-0 for the first time since 2016. The Demons have down much of their work defensively, allowing 10.5 points per game through two games. The Eagles have used a combination of quarterbacks Cameron Brown and Damien Dee to help power the offense to an average of 38 points per game.
Warner Robins has a high powered offense. But don’t sell their defense short either. The Demons should have plenty on the defensive side of the ball to keep Northside in check. We like Warner Robins by 16.
The Skinny
The Thomasville Bulldogs are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2017. Through three games, Thomasville is averaging 30.3 points per game while their defense is allowing 23 points per game. Running backs Malik Harper (43 carries; 270 yards, 6-TDs), Ricky Fulton (42 carries; 142 yards, 1-TD) and quarterback Shannen White (31 carries; 114 yards, 2-TDs) help power the Thomasville offense. White has also thrown for 340 yards and 2-TDs. Linebacker Ty Anderson leads the Bulldogs with 43 total tackles including 8 for loss and 5 sacks. Thomasville has recorded 11 sacks on the season.
The Bainbridge Bearcats will be back in action this week after having last week off due to a forfeit by Valdosta. Bainbridge was held to 21 rushing yards in their first game of the season, so expect for a more concerted effort this week from Zion Bouie, Dontavious Broadnax and the rest of the Bearcats offense. A.J. Grant has emerged as a reliable target in the Bainbridge passing attack with 5 receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Thomasville looks to have a good identity in their ground game early in the season. But we expect that Bainbridge will be a little more polished after the impromptu bye week. We like the Bearcats ground game to get rolling this week. Bainbridge by 9.
The Skinny
The Rome Wolves had another dominant defensive performance this past week as they held Cherokee to 134 yards of total offense and just one touchdown last week. The defense is led upfront by Stephylan Green, Jyrine Griffin and Martel Height in the secondary. Meanwhile sophomore quarterback Reece Fountain has thrown for 339 yards and 3-TDs. The Wolves are deep at running back as well, with 4-backs having at least 12 carries. Last week it was bruising back Camron Fleminster helping set the tone for the Rome ground game.
The Collins Hill Eagles have been explosive on offense as most people around the state have expected. The combination of Travis Hunter and Sam Horn is so difficult to contain. Horn has passed for 456 yards and 3-TDs, with Hunter leading the receivers with 17 catches for 260 yards and 2-TDs. Cam Pedro has also added 10 receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles have already recorded 19 sacks on the season with Jaylen George leading the way with 6. Travis Hunter has also recorded an interception as he also patrols the secondary.
It should be fun to watch Rome’s Height and Collins Hill’s Hunter do battle on both sides of the ball this Friday. If Rome’s front four can get pressure on Horn, then the Wolves should be in this game at the end. We just believe Collins Hill is too deep and too explosive. Eagles by 14.
The Skinny
After a narrow three point win in Week-1, the Lee County Trojans have reeled off 124 points in two games while the defense hasn’t allowed a score over that same span. Last week the Trojans gave up a paltry 28 yards of offense to East Ridge, FL. The Defense is led by linebacker Jaron Willis and Quavion Carter. Chris Martin seems to be settling in for the Trojans at quarterback while Julius McClellan and Ousmane Kromah pace the Trojans backfield. They have the benefit of running behind Qae’shon Sapp and fullback Debo Roberts.
The Lowndes Viking won a shootout last week against one of the top teams in Florida’s second highest classification. Jacurri Brown threw for 166 yards and 3-TDs while Jacarre Fleming and Chase Belcher combined for 243 yards rushing and 4-TDs. On the season, Brown has passed for 523 yards and 8-TDs along with a team leading 277 yards rushing. Chris Thomas leads the team in receiving with 15 receptions for 281 yards and 2-TDs. The Vikings defense has recorded 9.5 sacks on the season with W.C. Fulton leading the way with 4.
Lee’s defense has had a great run of two straight shutouts, but we believe that streak comes to an end this week. As a matter of fact, we expect this one to be a shootout. We like Lowndes in a close but high scoring game. Vikings by 6.