As we enter Week-7, Region races are beginning to tighten. This is our weekly feature where we take a look of eight of the more intriguing matchups across the state of Georgia. Here is Part II of our Eight Greats Around the State.
First up, the Grayson Rams have seemingly bounced back from their Week-1 loss and will host the Newton Rams, who have charged onto the scene this season. Is Newton ready to compete for a region title or will Grayson continue its dominance in the series? Next up, in Class 2A, the Pierce County Bears will renew their rivalry with Appling County. The winner of this game will undoubtedly have the inside track to the region crown.
In Roswell, the two prohibitive favorites for the region 7-6A title, Blessed Trinity and Roswell will face off. These rivals are literally just across the street from one another. Will Blessed Trinity defend home turf or will Roswell win the battle of Crossville Road. Finally, in Tiger there’s an intriguing non-region matchup as Rabun County hosts Fellowship Christian. The Paladins make the trip to Northeast Georgia, will their defense be able to slow down Rabun and will they be able to get the ground game going?
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
Historical records are provided by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. (ghsfa.org)
The Skinny
The Grayson Rams have reeled off four straight victories as they enter region play this week. During that win streak, the Rams have shutout three of their four opponents. On the year they are allowing 13.6 points per game while scoring 42.4. Quarterback Jeff Davis has completed 75.2% of his passes for 1,198 yards and 16-TDs. Davis has spread the ball around to several receivers, but his top target has been John Cineas who has caught 22 passes for 336 yards and 4-TDs. Juniors Alex Sanchez and Aiden Taylor have combined to catch 45 passes for 556 yards and 7-TDs. On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore Tyler Atkinson has been a pleasant surprise as he leads the team in solo tackles (35) and sacks (5). As a team, the Rams have sacked opposing quarterbacks 14 times.
The Newton Rams have opened the season with five straight wins for the first time since 1950. They are averaging 37 points per game, but it has been their defense that has made waves this season, allowing just 5.2 points per game. They have recorded two shutouts to date. On offense, the Rams are lead by junior running back Zion Johnson who has tallied 771 yards and 10-TDs, while sophomore quarterback Deron Benson has thrown for 625 yards and 9-TDs. His top receivers have been Marcus Calwise and Keon Davis who have combined for 565 yards and 7-TDs.
Newton has never defeated Grayson and to do so this week their defense is going to have to have another great performance. We believe that is possible, but not probable. Newton makes it close, but we like Grayson by 8.
The Skinny
The Pierce County Bears are off to a 5-0 start for the second consecutive season. The Bears are averaging 48.2 points per game through this streak which is slightly better than their scoring through the same period last year. They are lead by junior quarterback Caden McGatha, who has thrown for 748 yards and 11-TDs and rushed for 445 yards and 7-TDs. The Bears have done more of there damage on the ground as they are averaging over 220 yards per game on the ground and just 149.5 yards per game through the air. McGatha is joined by Marquez Leggett and freshman Jaeveon Williams. Meanwhile expect for receivers Joe Drew and Nigel Brown to have the most targets at receiver.
The Appling County Pirates have won 3 straight games leading into this week’s tilt. The Pirates were off last week and will look to make it back to back wins against their rival. This is a dangerous Pirates team that has an experienced quarterback in Dayson Griffis. He is surrounded by a couple of explosive offensive weapons including running back Jamarion “the truck” Williams, who has a unique combination of power and speed; and Camden Hickox who also has game breaking speed at wide receiver. Appling is averaging 33 points per game and allowing 11.
We know that Pierce has been lighting up the scoreboard this season and still believe they are one of the top teams in Class 2A, Appling looks to be a little more battle tested. We expect that to be the difference this week. Pirates by 6.
The Skinny
The Blessed Trinity Titans opened up region play with a big win over Sprayberry last week. Now they will face the prohibitive favorite to win the region crown. BT is averaging 24.8 points per game. Quarterback Brooks Goodman has thrown for 778 yards and 5-TDs and has not been intercepted this season. Bryce Lewis is the team’s leading receiver with 11 receptions for 156 yards and 2-TDs, however, 12 separate receivers have caught passes so far this season for the Titans. Kameron Betts leads the team in rushing yards with 223 and 2-TDs. Freshmen D.J. Jacobs continues to lead the defense in total tackles. The defense has also recorded 7 sacks on the season and is allowing 11 points per game.
The Roswell Hornets will make the short trek across Crossville Road to face their region rival and the most serious threat to another region crown. The Hornets recorded their second shutout of the season as they blanked Johns Creek last week. Save for their game against Milton, Roswell’s offense has been prolific, averaging 46.6 points per game behind the leadership of senior quarterback K.J. Smith. Smith has thrown for 921 yards and 15-TDs while completing 68.8% of his passes. Senior Nykahi Davenport has rushed for 482 yards and 8-TDs to lead the ground game. He’s been boosted by the blocking of senior lineman Anthonie Knapp and company. Defensively, Roswell is allowing 11 points per game.
As we eluded to early, this game should determine the top two seeds in the region after all of the dust settles. Blessed Trinity will have to find a way to sustain drives and keep Smith and Davenport on the sidelines. Easier said than done. We like Roswell by 10.
The Skinny
The Rabun County Wildcats have won three straight games entering this week’s contest and have seemed to shaken off a loss to Class 3A Stephens County. Quarterback Ty Truelove has now surpassed the 1,000 yard mark passing with 12-TDs on the season. Top receiving targets include Willie Goodwin (21 receptions, 557 yards, 8-TDs) and Paul Picciotti (15 receptions, 205 yards, 1-TD). Reid Giles and Noah English have combined to rush for 587 yards and 7-TDs. English also leads the defense in total tackles with 52 while junior linebacker Elvis Hunt has recorded 48 total tackles.
The Fellowship Christian Paladins are wrapping up their non-region slate of games this week and are looking to run their win streak to three games. On the season, the Paladins area averaging 38.2 points per game while allowing 16.2. The bulk of their offensive production has come on the legs of sophomore running back C.J. Givers, who has rushed for 588 yards and 9-TDs. Givers will run behind a line anchored by highly toughed prospect Joshua Petty.
Despite Rabun’s propensity to put up big numbers, we expect that the Fellowship Christian defense will answer the bell. We beleive the score will be in the 20s, but we do like Rabun by 4.