As we mentioned in Part I, this week marks the official midway point of the season for high school football 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 II features matchups between Rome and Carrollton, Walton and Roswell, Warner Robins and Lee County, and Calhoun and Cedartown.
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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 Rome Wolves find themselves in a relatively unusual situation as they are 0-1 to start region play. After winning their first two games of the season, Rome was given up 34 points in consecutive weeks to fall to 2-2 on the year. Statistically, the Wolves are averaging 20.5 points per game and allowing 20.5 points per game. Certainly the points per game they are allowing is skewed because of Collins Hill, but I doubt many people believed they’d surrender that many points to South Paulding last week. There is a plethora of talent on both sides of the ball for the Wolves, but can they get Martel Height involved on offense this week?
The Carrollton Trojans have a chance to really separate themselves from the pack with a victory over Rome. Early in the season, the Trojans appear to be clicking on all cylinders. The offense is averaging 48.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 15.7. Quarterback M.J. Morris is completing 73.6% of his passes for 1,057 yards and 17-TDs with just one interception in 72 pass attempts. Top receivers for the Trojans include Takere Lipscomb (15 receptions, 331 yards, 4-TDs), Terrell Carmichael (10 receptions, 341 yards, 5-TDs) and Ace Williamson (13 receptions, 183 yards, 4-TDs)
In their prior seven meetings between the two schools, Rome wins when they score 45 points or more in the game. It hasn’t been the same story for Carrollton, but if they can hold Rome to under three touchdowns, we like their chances. Expect a bounce back performance by the Wolves, but we like the Trojans by 10 on the road.
The Skinny
The Walton Raiders are back in action after the bye week. The last time out, the Raiders were upset by West Forsyth. While we didn’t expect that result, this Walton team is still a formidable and dangerous opponent. The Raiders sport two talented quarterbacks in Zak Rozsman and Jeremy Hecklinski. They are surrounded by playmakers like Sutton Smith and Mustafa Hefner. Walton is averaging 34.3 points per game while their defense is allowing 28.6 points per game.
The Roswell Hornets will come calling on Friday night and they’ll bring with them an offense that is averaging 42.7 points per game. The Hornets are led by senior quarterback Robbie Roper who has thrown for 1,425 yards and 19-TDs and is completing 73.5% of his passes. (Roper leads Class 7A in passing yards.) Ethan Nation, Shaun Spence and Ethan Crite lead the Hornets in receiving; combining for 41 receptions for 885 yards and 12-TDs. Roswell’s defense is allowing 17.7 points per game. Hill Plunkett sports a team leading 3 interceptions on the young season.
We expect a bounce back game from Walton and we won’t be surprised if this game is high scoring in the low 40s for both teams. Is Roswell for real this season? We think so. Hornets by a slim 2 point margin on the road.
The Skinny
The Warner Robins Demons have not had any problems putting points on the board this season. They enter this matchup averaging 49 points per game. Offensively, they are led by running back Malcolm Brown who has rushed for 549 yards and 9-TDs. Quarterback Christon Lane has also stepped in nicely this season and through four games has thrown for 762 yards and 10-TDs. The Demons defense is allowing 17.5 points per game. They’ve forced eight turnovers and have sacked opposing quarterbacks 9 times on the year.
The Lee County Trojans have also not had any issues scoring points this season, as they are averaging 47.5 points per game. Three times this season, the Trojans have scored more than 60 points. They have a potent 1-2 punch at running back with Julis McLellan and freshman Ousmane Kromah. Lee County’s defense has been recorded two shutouts on the season and is allowing 11.4 points per game.
While both of these offenses have been pretty stellar, we believe it will be the defense’s time to shine. We don’t expect either team will get to their scoring average this week. Lee County might be a little deeper and that should be the difference this week, even on the road. Trojans by 6.
The Skinny
The Calhoun Yellow Jackets went on the road and continued their winning ways down in Cherokee County last week. It was back to back weeks that the Jackets have crossed the 50 point threshold. In his last two games, quarterback Christian Lewis is now 21 for 21 with 438 yards and 8-TDs. Expect for Cole Speer, Quin Smith, Peyton Law and Gage Leonard to get involved early and often for the Calhoun offense. Calhoun is averaging 43.5 points per game on offense this season while the defense is allowing 24 points per game.
The Cedartown Bulldogs are 3-0 for the first time since 2017. The Bulldogs are certainly run-oriented, averaging 244.7 yards per game on the ground in the young season. They sport a 28 point per game average offensively, but have really lit up the scoreboard in their last two outings. Running backs C.J. Washington, Harlem Diamond and Patrick Gardner lead a stable of backs. Thirteen Cederatown offensive players have logged at least one carry this season. Meanwhile, the Cedartown defense his been very good this season. They are allowing 3.3 points per game. Demarieo Sims leads the defense with five sacks. Overall, Cedartown has sacked opposing quarterbacks 12 times and have intercepted 5 passes in the secondary.
This is a classic battle of offense versus defense as these old rivals square off. Shockingly enough, Cedartown has been one of those teams that has had Calhoun’s number in the past. We don’t expect the Jackets to put up huge numbers this week, but we like Calhoun to hold serve at home. Jackets by 10.