We have reached Week 5 of the Georgia High School Football season and region play is beginning to get under way for several teams across the state. This is part I of our Georgia High School Football Previews that we call Eight Greats Around the State. Our games this week include Tift County-Irwin County; Oconee County-Thomasville; Kell-Kennesaw Mountain; and ELCA vs Blessed Trinity.
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
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 Tift County Blue Devils will try to get back on track this week after falling to Appling County last week. The Blue Devils are averaging 25 points per game while allowing just 11.5 points per game. The defense is led by 5-star UGA Commit Tyre West who is an absolute disruptor along the defensive line. The Blue Devils defense has forced 13 turnovers already this season, but they will need to get the offense back on track this weekend.
Irwin County had a huge win over Wilkinson County last week. It was the second consecutive victory for the Indians. After being held to 15 points in Week-1, Irwin County has scored 115 points in their last two games. The Indians are a run heavy team averaging over 270 yards per game on the ground. Senior Marcus Edwards leads the team in carries while Demarkus Lundy leads the team in yards with 227. The Indians defense is allowing 14 points per game.
This is a David vs. Goliath matchup in terms of classification 7A-Tift vs 1A-Irwin. But these teams are evenly matched. In Tift County’s three wins in the series, they’ve held Irwin County scoreless so perhaps we can surmise that if Tift is able to do that again this week they will win. We don’t believe that will happen this week, so that means we believe Irwin wins. Close game, but we like Irwin by 4.
The Skinny
The Ocoee County Warriors are 3-0 and seem to be carrying the same momentum they had last season into this season. Quarterback Jacob Wright has thrown for 558 yards and 8-TDs with receiver Darios Johnson (9 receptions, 217 yards, 4-TDs) and tight end Jake Johnson ( 10 receptions, 132 yards, 1-TD), being his primary targets. Linebacker Whit Weeks leads the Warriors in total tackles with 35 while four Warrior defenders have intercepted 4 passes this season.
The Thomasville Bulldogs will make the 4 hour trip to Watkinsville this Friday. Thomasville has played a loaded schedule which includes three teams form larger classifications and a 2020 Class-A Public finalist. Thomasville has done most of their work on the ground this season with Malik Harper and Ricky Fulton leading the way with a combined for 632 yards and 11-TDs. Alternatively, the Bulldogs are only averaging 85 yards per game through the air. Linebacker Ty Anderson leads the team in total tackles (60), tackles for loss (10) and sacks (7). As a team Thomasville has recorded 16 sacks; an average of 4 per game.
This game could turn into a defensive battle as both teams have linebackers that can take over games. Expect the long road trip to have an impact on the Bulldogs. Oconee County should hold serve at home. Warriors by 14.
The Skinny
The Kell Longhorns have dropped two of their first three games to open the season. The Longhorns, a perennial playoff team, are behind the eight ball a bit in the region standings after last week’s loss. Kell is averaging a respectable 21.3 points per game, but the defense is allowing 33 points per game. Offensively, running back T.J. Felix and quarterback Davion Hampton have led the way on the ground. Through the first two games, Hampton has thrown for 381 yards and 4-TDs. If and when David Mbadinga joins them in the backfield, it could make them a very potent trio.
The Kennesaw Mountain Mustangs have already matched their win total from 2020. They have defeated two of the top teams in the region and a win this Friday would put them in the drivers seat to host a home playoff game for the first time in school history. Quarterback Cayman Prangley has thrown for 652 yards and 8-TDs while running backs Jah Welch, Chance Arthur, and Bryan Simpkins have combined for 532 yards and 6-TDs. Senior receiver Savion Riley has caught 19 passes for 362 yards and 5-TDs. The Mustangs are averaging 34.5 points per game while the defense is only allowing 12 points per game.
Kennesaw Mountain is riding high and we believe they are the top team in this region. We like the Mustangs by 24 this week.
The Skinny
The Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy Chargers picked up their first victory of the season after facing their third team from a high classification. No one can say the Chargers are ducking competition. In last week’s victory E.L.C.A. used the ground game to chew up 211 yards on 55 attempts and found the end zone 3 times. Quarterback Charlie Gilliam has thrown for 483 yards and 2-TDs. Brandon Hood leads the ground game with 251 yards and 5-TDs including two last week.
The Blessed Trinity Titans got back to their winning ways last week after dropping two straight games for the first time since 2013. In their two wins the Titans are averaging 31 points per game while in their two losses they are only averaging 15 points per game. Justice Haynes returned back to the lineup last week and one has to believe he was a big reason for the increase in point production. Haynes has rushed for 354 yards and 4-TDs in two games. He isn’t the only offensive weapon for the Titans as quarterback J.C. French provides experience as a three year starter.
Blessed Trinity won this matchup last season by a big margin. Don’t expect another blowout. E.L.C.A. will be up to the challenge, but as long as Haynes is playing, we like Blessed Trinity. Titans by 11.