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, Calhoun and Cartersville will face off in a battle of Top-10 teams in Class 5A. Calhoun won a thriller last season, will Cartersville return the favor this season? Over in Leesburg, the Lee County Trojans will host the red hot Houston County Bears. Will the Lee County defense find a way to ground the Bears aerial assault?
Down in Ocilla, the Irwin County Indians will look to bounce back against a dangerous Swainsboro Tiger team. Can Irwin County put the brakes on the Swainsboro ground game? Finally, in a non-region battle, the North Paulding Wolfpack will host the Walton Raiders. Are the Wolfpack ready to be a contender amongst the state’s best, or will Walton continue their dominance?
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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
Historical records are provided by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. (ghsfa.org)
The Skinny
The Calhoun Yellow Jackets are winners of their last four games. Since being held to just 7 points in their season opener, the Jackets offense has been lights out. On the season, they are averaging 32.4 points per game. The offense has leaned on big plays from quarterback Trey Townsend, tight end Emareee Winston and running back Caden Williams. Townsend has thrown for 1,025 yards and 13-TDs. Calhoun’s defense has been steady, allowing 17.2 points per game. Keep your eye out for Kristyane Gregory on the defensive line as he has been extremely disruptive in the first half of the season.
The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes start the season 5-0 for the third straight year. The offense is churning out 337.8 yards per game. The Canes have used a trio of backs to get the ground game going as Khristian Lando (259 yards, 7-TDs), Richard Houston (236 yards, 1-TD) and Baylon Long (226 yards, 3-TDs) have all been major contributors to the offense. Sophomore quarterback Nate Russell has thrown for 620 yards and 6-TDs while completing 61.1% of his passes. Jamauri Brice leads all receivers with 10 receptions for 205 yards.
There will be an interesting battle going on in the trenches as Cartersville’s Luke Surrett and Malachi Toliver will battle Calhoun’s Gregory for supremacy along the line of scrimmage. Something tells us this will go down to the wire again. We believe Cartersville edges out Calhoun in a little bit of revenge. Canes by 3.
The Skinny
Lee County got back in the win column last week with a win over Lake Gibson, Florida. The Trojan’s only loss this season came at the hands of Class 7A Colquitt County. Junior running back Ousmane Kromah has rushed for 586 yards and 8-TDs to lead the ground game. Devin Collier has chipped in 282 yards on the ground and 6-TDs. Kromah also leads the team in receiving with 15 catches for 233 yards and 4-TDs. Lee County has relied heavily on the ground game as they are averaging almost 240 yards per game on the ground and 128.2 yards per game through the air. The Trojans defense is allowing 19.2 points per game. They’ve sacked opposing quarterbacks 24 times with Jaydon Cory and Leroy Jackson leading the way with six sacks a piece.
The Houston County Bears continued to light up the scoreboard last week as they scored 41 points in the victory. The Bears are averaging 50 points per game. They have done most of their damage through the air, averaging 269 yards per game through the air and 162.4 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Antwann Hill Jr. has thrown for 1,254 yards and 18-TDs while completing 74.6% of his passes. Ricky Johnson has caught 29 passes for 624 yards and 9-TDs. Fifteen different receivers have caught passes for Houston County. The Bears defense is allowing 16 points per game.
While a win by either team won’t guarantee a region title, it certainly would set the winner up nicely in perhaps the toughest region in Class 6A. Lee County’s defense should be able to slow down Houston County this week. But they won’t be able to stop them. Bears by 6.
The Skinny
The Irwin County Indians will be looking to bounce back after being upset last week by Metter. The Indians have played some of the better competition for a team in their classification. The offense is averaging 22.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 26.4. If you have read any of our previous previews, you know that the Indians will look to control there ground game with running back Shane Marshall and Jaken Thomas. However, Luke Snyder has shown more and more of his passing ability over the last few weeks while Zay Payne has emerged to a go-to receiver for the Indians.
The Swainsboro Tigers have quietly put together an impressive 5-0 start. The Tigers are averaging 31 points per game. Just about all of the offense of the Tigers has come on the ground. They are averaging just under 300 rushing yards per game and just 34 yards per game through the air. Swainsboro has only attempted 25 passes this season. Jordon Williams (434 yards, 8-TDs), Qin Brown (398 yards, 4-TDs), Demello Jones (323 yards, 2-TDs) and Bryson Carver (256 yards, 4-TDs) have been the four headed monster that has powered the ground game this season. Defensively, the Tigers are allowing 6.4 points per game. Jerrod Steward and La’Marqus Webb lead the team in total tackles with 59 and 54 respectively.
Irwin County will have to get back on track offensively, but the problem this week is that they might not get that many possession with the Swainsboro ground game. The Tigers seems to have been more consistent so far this season and we expect that to continue this week. Swainsboro by 11.
The Skinny
The North Paulding Wolfpack have started the season with five straight wins for the first time since 2018. The Wolfpack are outscoring opponents 33-15 at the midway point. North is led offensively by quarterback Tyler Niehr (1,212 yards, 10-TDs) and receiver/athlete Javarius George (14 receptions, 423 yards, 3-TDs). The Wolfpack are averaging 248.8 yards per game through the air and 189.8 yards per game on the ground. North has used a few running backs this season Calvin Scott and Jayden Clayton have shared the load this season. Aidan Maddox leads the defense with 47 total tackles and 5.5 sacks. Speaking of sacks, North has sacked opposing quarterbacks 21 times already this season.
The Walton Raiders look to be laser focus on making a deep playoff run this season. Senior quarterback Jeremy Hecklinksi has continued to rack up the passing yards as he has thrown for 905 yards and 12-TDs. Wyatt Sonderman, (18 receptions, 264 yards, 4-TDs), Cameron Loyd (17 receptions, 334 yards, 3-TDs) and tight end Hunter Teal (12 receptions 155 yards, 1-TD) have led the Raiders receiving corps. Mean while Makari Bodiford and Austin Williams have combined to rush for 584 yards and 11-TDs. Ashton Woods leads the defense with 38 total tackles while Wendell Gregory has recorded 5 sacks. The defense is allowing just 14.2 points per game and have forced 10 turnovers.
The Raiders have yet to be tested in earnest this season, so we will certainly be interested to see if North Paulding is ready to make statement and push Walton this week. This game should be close early, but we expect Walton’s depth at the skill position to take it’s toll and wear down the Wolfpack. Walton by 16.