Believe it or not, we are halfway through the regular season of high school football here in Georgia. While region play has started to get under way some teams are still in the non-region schedule, which sets up some intriguing matchups. Today, we take a look at Eight Greats Around the State in Georgia High school Football this week. Part I features matchups between Benedictine and Ware County, Collins Hill and East Coweta, Pierce County and Fitzgerald, and Irwin County and Brooks County.
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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 Benedictine Cadets will be back at home and will be looking for their third straight victory. In their two victories on the season they are averaging 49.5 points per game while allowing 12 points per game. Overall the Cadets are averaging 37.2 points per game while allowing 24.7 points per game. Quarterback Holden Geriner has thrown for 764 yards and 7-TDs through four games. The Cadets have a balanced attack, averaging 203.3 yards per game through the air and 228.3 yards on the ground.
The Ware County Gators will also bring a balanced attack into Savannah this week as they average 270 yards through the air while gaining 248.3 per game on the ground. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos is completing 65.7% of his passes for 1,062 yards and 10-TDs, while Cartevious Norton leads the team on the ground with 535 yards and 4-TDs. As a team, the Gators are averaging 46.7 points per game while allowing 17.5 points per game this season.
In their 63 years of existence, the Ware County Gators have never lost a game when scoring more than 40 points. Holden Geriner and the Cadets will present a great test, especially playing at home, but we expect for Ware to cross the 40 point threshold again this week. Ware by 8.
The Skinny
The Collins Hill Eagles have one of the most electric players in Georgia this season, but their defense has been pretty good as well. Since yielding 22 points to Greenville Christian, MS. They have shut out their last two opponents and on the season are averaging 37.2 points per game. Quarterback Sam Horn leads the way with 1,023 yards and 10-TDs and is completing 69.7% of his passes. Travis Hunter has caught 32 passes for 553 yards and 4-TDs. The aforementioned defense has been downright menacing, recorded 32 sacks and 46 QB hurries while forcing 8 turnovers.
The East Coweta Indians may have been flying under the radar for some this season. The Indians are winners of their last 11 regular season games, including a 24-17 overtime win over Collins Hill last season. Through five games, the Indians are averaging 37 points per game while allowing just 7.4, including three shutouts. East Coweta is led by quarterback Daniel Shoch (650 yards, 6-TDs) ,while backs Trey Bowles (305 yards, 5-TDs) and D.J. Reid (230 yards, 5-TDs) help pace the offense. Kaleb Harris and the Indians secondary has intercepted 9 passes already this season.
While East Coweta has been pretty good this season, we don’t believe they’ve faced an offense as potent as Collins Hill. We like the Eagles to avenge last season’s loss. Collins Hill by 13.
The Skinny
The defending Class 3A champion Pierce County Bears are winners of their last three games. Their only loss thus far is to Class 6A Brunswick by a touchdown. Pierce County is run heavy on offense, churning out around 200 yards per game this season. Quarterback Dayton Baker and running backs Donelius Johnson and Danarius Johnson have combined for 529 rushing yards and 8-TDs. 8 backs have carried the ball this season for the Bears. On defense, Pierce County has recorded 9 turnovers and 20 sacks and is allowing 8.2 points per game.
The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes have won 13 consecutive regular season games. The Canes are averaging 24 points per game on offense while the defense is allowing 11.5 points per game. Denorris Goodwin has taken over at quarterback for Fitzgerald but expect them to be a run first team. Coach Pruitt has used a variety of creative formations to keep opposing defenses off balance.
This game might be one of the shortest games around the state with two predominate run offenses. While Fitzgerald has been battle tested, we like Pierce County at home in Blackshear. Bears by 5.
The Skinny
The Irwin County Indians come into this game with a .500 record but are still one of the top teams in Class A-Public. The Indians are averaging 36 points per game and allowing 15 points per game. There two losses are by a combined 5 points to Class 7A Tift County and 2A Fitzgerald. The Indians do most of their damage on the ground on offense. Marcus Edwards, Shane Marshall, Damarcus Lundy, and Matthew Payne have been the primary backs for Irwin County.
The Brooks County Trojans have won their last two games by wide margins. The Trojans are averaging 39.6 points per game While allowing 20.6 points per game. Omari Arnold leads the team in rushing with 311 yards and 4-TDs. But the Trojans aren’t just a one-trick pony. Quarterback Jamal Sanders has thrown for 649 yards and 9-TDs with WIllie Brown as his primary target. He’s hauled in 13 receptions for 303 yards and 2-TDs.
While this is just the region opener for both teams, the winner would likely have an inside track to the Region-2 crown. We believe the scoreboard operator will by busy in Ocilla on Friday night. We like Irwin’s bevy of backs to be the difference on Friday. Irwin County by 4.