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 II of our Georgia High School Football Previews that we call Eight Greats Around the State. Our games this week include Heard County-Cedartown, Prince Avenue Christian-Wesleyan, West Forsyth-Mill Creek and Westminster-Sandy Creek.
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 Heard County Braves will look to rebound after a somewhat surprising loss to Darlington last week. The Braves should figure as a contender in the Region 5-2A playoff race later this season but up first they will have to defend home turf against Cedartown. The Braves will lean on running backs Isaiah Oneal (315 yards, 4-TDs) and Antwon Carter (281 yards, 2-TDs) to help set the tone on offense. Oneal also leads the team in receiving with 12 receptions for 168 yards and 1-TD. The defense is allowing 12.2 points per game. Chop Swint paces Heard with 36 total tackles while Jonathan Echols paces the team with 3 sacks. Overall the Braves have recorded 12 sacks this season.
The Cedartown Bulldogs will also look to establish the run game this Friday. C.J. Washington has amassed 186 yards and 2-TDs while Patrick Gardner has added 95 yards and 2-TDs. The Bulldogs have defeated two teams from higher classifications thus far. They are allowing 5 points per game. Eli Barrow leads the team with 19 total tackles while Demarieo Sims paces the team with 4 sacks. The Bulldogs secondary has intercepted 4 passes this season.
Which running game will get going this week. We suspect Heard County will have a difficult time tackling the 6’2” 225lb C.J. Washington. It should be close early but we like the Bulldogs by two touchdown.
The Skinny
The Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines have reeled off three straight wins since their opening week loss. In their three wins, the Wolverines are averaging 59 points per game. Quarterback Aaron Philo has now thrown for 1,379 yards and 15 -TDs. Philo has not thrown an interception during the three game win streak. Prince Avenue is only averaging 64.5 yards on the ground each week, so expect the Wolverines air show to continue this week. Defensively, Prince Avenue is allowing 13.2 points per game, and during the win streak that number is down to 10.6 points per game. The secondary has intercepted six passes and forced 13 total turnovers through four games.
The Wesleyan Wolves have been getting it done with defense so far this season. In their three games to date, they have not allowed more than 13 points in a single game and are allowing 6.6 points per game. The Wesleyan secondary has intercepted four passes on the season. Offensively, the Wolves have a balanced attack, averaging 154 yards per game passing and 125.3 yards per game rushing. Quarterback Jett Miller has thrown for 443 yards and 2-TDs while Will Tucker has been the workhorse on the ground with 230 yards and 2-TDs.
While the Wesleyan defense has been really good, we don’t believe they’ve faced an offense as potent as Prince Avenue to date. The Wolverines might not score 59 points this week, but we do like them by three touchdowns.
The Skinny
The West Forsyth Wolverines might have scored one of the biggest upsets of the season when they defeated Walton last week. Junior running back Peyton Streko had his biggest game of the young season, rushing for 267 yards and 6-TDs to lead the way in the victory. Streko has rushed for 465 yards and 8-TDs on the season. Tight end Oscar Delp continues to lead West in receiving with 19 catches for 322 yards and 3-TDs. West Forsyth is averaging a healthy 40 points per game offensively. The one chink in the armor for them this week might be their defense, as they are allowing 27 points per game, but in their last two contests, they have allowed 38 and 35 points respectively.
The Mill Creek Hawks are off to a 3-0 start for the first time in four years. They have been impressive on both sides of the ball, averaging 39.6 points per game will the defense is allowing just 10 points per game. Junior quarterback Hayden Clark has thrown for 551 yards and 4-TDs while running back Donovan Journey has rushed for 191 yards and 5-TDs to help pace the Hawks offense. Defensively, Mill Creek has recorded 12 sacks and 13 quarterback hurries. They’ve also forced 12 turnovers to date.
This game should show whether or not West Forsyth is a contender or a pretender. Playing at home should give them a slight advantage, especially if the “Gulo Gang” comes out in full force Friday night and really gives the Wolverines a home field advantage. But we believe Mill Creek’s defense will have the last word. Hawks by 4.
The Skinny
The Westminster Wildcats are back in action after the bye week and will open up region play at home. Quarterback John Collier leads the offense and he’s got a big time receiver in TE Holden Staes. Collier is joined in the backfield by junior running back Quinton Ezzard who is a physical back with really good speed. Through three games, the Wildcats are averaging 20.6 points per game while allowing 16.3 points per game.
The Sandy Creek Patriots are undefeated thus far this season and have reversed their misfortunes of last season. Sandy Creek is averaging 32 points per game while allowing 17.6 points per game. Quarterback Geimere Latimer has thrown for 749 yards and 7-TDs while Dorian Graham has rushed for 236 yards and 4-TDs. Miles Thornton leads the team in receiving with 12 receptions for 228 yards and 2-TDs.
These two teams did not play last season and have not met in 26 years. The winner of this game will have an inside track to a home playoff game. The big question is if the Wildcats defensive backs can keep the Sandy Creek receivers at bay. We believe it will be close, but we like the Patriots by 6.