We have officially reached the half way point of the high school football season in Georgia. As we do each week, we are taking a look at eight intriguing matchups around the state this week. This is Part I of our Eight Greats Around the State Georgia High School Football Previews..
First up, it’s a big matchup of Gwinnett County powers, as undefeated Mill Creek hosts undefeated Parkview. Will Mill Creek’s offense continue to fly high, or while the Parkview ground game be the difference this week? Next up, is a big Region 3-3A tilt, as Calvary Day hosts Savannah Christian . It’s early in the season, but this game has the feel of a region title. Can the Savannah Christian Raiders slow down Calvary’s potent offense?
Our next two games take us back down to Region 4-4A. Up first, is Whitewater and LaGrange. Both of these teams tasted bitter defeat last week and a loss by either team would likely end their hopes of hosting a playoff game this season. Meanwhile the Starr’s Mill Panthers will host the Troup Tigers. The winner of this game should be firmly in the drivers seat for a home playoff spot and the region crown. Can Starr’s Mill keep the explosive Troup Tigers at bay this week or will Taeo Todd run wild again?
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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 Mill Creek Hawk’s continued their offensive onslaught last week as they put up 52 points against Class 3A Cedar Grove. The Hawks have not scored less than 33 points in a game this season and are averaging 45.2 points per game. Senior quarterback Hayden Clark has thrown for 811 yards and 6-TDs. His primary receivers have been Makhail Wood and Caleb Downs who have combined for over 33 receptions for more than 475 yards. Defensively downs leads the team in total tackles and in interceptions. The Hawks are allowing 14.2 points per game.
The Parkview Panthers are off to their first 4-0 start since 2018. Parkview is averaging just under 40 points per game. Junior running back Kyhair Spain leads the way offensively with 771 yards rushing and 4-TDs. Mike Matthews is the leading receiver for the Panthers. Defensively, Parkview is allowing 14.2 points per game. The defensive line is anchored by run-stopping defensive end Nolan Marshall. He has a knack for creating havoc for opposing offenses.
Mill Creek has been scoring points in bunches, but Parkview has plenty of weapons as well on offense. Scoring points won’t be the issue on Friday. We do believe Caleb Downs and Makhail Wood will be the difference this week. We like Mill Creek by 9.
The Skinny
The Calvary Day Cavaliers have won 15 consecutive regular season games. Offensively, the Cavs have a balanced attack this season as they are averaging 154.7 yards per game through the air and 167 yards per game on the ground. Junior quarterback Jake Merklinger, has thrown for 423 yards and 6-TDs while running back Antonion Butts and Trevor Strowbridge have combined to rush for 260 yards and 6-TDs. Calvary Day is averaging 41.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 18 points per game. Butts and Strowbridge also lead the Cavs in total tackles. The defense has forced 6 turnovers so far this season.
The Savannah Christian Raiders have quietly put together an impressive first half of the season. The Raiders have been doing most of their damage offensively on the ground as they are averaging an impressive 311.8 yards per game on the ground. It’s been running back by committee for Savannah Christian, with Zo Smalls leading the backfield with 465 yards and 8-TDs. Kenry Wall and Jayden Hester have also combined to rush for 481 yards and 4-TDs. Quarterback Paul Zittrauer has done enough to keep teams honest, passing for 540 yards and 7-TDs. The Raiders defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 21 times and forced 10 turnovers.
The Cavaliers will get another tough test this week against the upstart Raiders. Expect for Calvary Day quarterback Merklinger to figure in to the decision. We believe Savannah Christian’s defense will do enough to keep them in the game, but we like Calvary Day at home by 10.
The Skinny
The Whitewater Wildcats will be back at home this week as they try to stay in contention for a home playoff game. The Wildcats are averaging almost 300 yards of offense per game with the majority of that coming by way of the ground. They are averaging 206.8 yards per game rushing. It’s been running back by committee for the Wildcats as Xavier Clay-Turner, Logan Griffith and Braxton Mueller have combined for 497 yards and 8-TDs. Defensively, the Wildcats are led by Popo Aguirre with 45 total tackles. Whitewater has sacked opposing quarterbacks 13 times this season and are allowing 23.2 points per game.
The LaGrange Grangers find themselves in a similar position this week as their opponent, as they also try to stay in contention for a home playoff game. The Grangers lost a heartbreaker to Starr’s Mill last week. Last week was the lowest scoring output for the Grangers this season. LaGrange is still averaging 42.7 points per game while the defense is allowing 21.7 yards per game. The big question this week as can the offense show up again and slow down Whitewater’s rushing attack.
TAs we mentioned, the Grangers will need to find a way to slow down the Wildcats ground game. That’s easier said than done. Meanwhile, Aguirre and the Wildcats will have their hands full trying to slow down Malachi Fannin-Render and Jonathan Keys for LaGrange. Expect another close game, but we like Whitewater to edge LaGrange. Wildcats by 4.
The Skinny
The Starr’s Mill Panthers will face their second consecutive team from Troup County as the Troup Tigers pay them a visit this week. Last week, the Panthers needed overtime to edge LaGrange on the road. Sophomore quarterback Logan Inagawa has done a good job leading the team as he has shown an ability to move the ball through the air, although Starr’s Mill is a run first team. That paired alongside backs Greigh Joseph and Anderson Cardoza has made for a formidable offense that can beat defenses a few different ways.
The Troup Tigers have won their first four games of the season for the first time since 2018. The Tigers offense is on fire as they are averaging 37 points per game. The engine that drives the Tigers is Taeo Todd. Todd was up to his old tricks last week as he rushed for 247 yards and threw for 169 yards. He accounted for five touchdowns in the win. That brings Todds totals to 696 rushing yards, 10 rushing TDs and passed for 630 yards and 8-TDs. While Todd leads the offense, expect for the Tigers to lean on Qua Birdsong to help slow down Starr’s Mill.
The winner of this game will be in the catbird seat in the region. Starr’s Mill will have their hands full trying to slow down the Troup. If the Panthers run game can get going, they might be able to keep Taeo Todd on the sidelines which might be the best way to slow him down. We still like Troup by 4 on the road.