As we reach Week-8 in the GHSA Football season, region play begins to heat up for most teams and we are finding out whether teams are contenders or not. This is Part I of our Eight Greats Around the State which feature some of the top Georgia High School Football matchups across the state this week. In this edition, we look at four games that some might view as de facto region championships when it is all said and done. Games previewed in this edition include Athens Christian-Prince Avenue Christian, Peach County-Crisp County, Coffee-Ware County, and Hart County-Oconee 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 Athens Academy Spartans will look to get back to their winning ways this week after a loss a week ago. Prior to last Friday, the Spartans had won four straight games. Athens Academy is averaging 33.1 points per game while allowing 27.6 points per game. In their four wins, the Spartans are averaging 47.5 points per game. However, in their two losses, they are averaging 4.5 points per game.
The Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines have reeled off five straight wins after falling to Calvary Day on the road in Week-1. The Wolverines are averaging 43.5 points per game. Sophomore quarterback Aaron Philo has now thrown for 1,904 yards and 21-TDs. The Wolverines are averaging 340 yards through the air and a sparse 69.2 yards per game on the ground. The Wolverines defense has forced 19 turnovers this season. They are allowing 11.5 points per game.
Prince Avenue won this game by a wide margin last season. But hat was when Brock Vandagriff was playing quarterback. While the Wolverines don’t have Vandagriff, Aaron Philo should provide plenty of offense to get a win and take charge in region 8 A-Private. We like the Wolverines by four touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Peach County Trojans have won three street games and look to be poised to make another state title run. The Trojans have shut out their last two opponents on the season and are allowing 16 points per game. The defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 21 times already. Thirteen different Trojans have recorded a sack this season. The Peach County offense is averaging 38.6 points per game as they’ve put up big offensive numbers the last two weeks. Quarterback Christian Martin has thrown for 527 yards and 8-TDs and has also rushed for 201 yards and 2-TDs.
The Crisp County Cougars have also won three straight games since starting region play. The Cougars are averaging 24.6 points per game and the defense is allowing 15.1 points per game. Crisp County quarterbacks Jack Carter and Ahmad Brown have combined for 718 yards and 7-TDs. Marquise Palmer leads the team in rushing with 447 yards and 5-TDs. The aforementioned Brown and Trae Walker lead the team in receiving. Senior defensive back Eric Ivory Jr. leads the team with three interceptions.
These teams played a tight game last season and we believe this will be just as competitive. Peach County is a little more explosive on offense this season than Crisp and that’s why we like the Trojans at home. Peach by 10.
The Skinny
The Coffee Trojans are 6-0 for the second time in four years. While one of those wins was by forfeit, the Trojans have been dominating most of their competition. Coffee is averaging 33.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 7.6 points per game. The Trojans are doing it with a balanced attack on offense, averaging 173.4 points through the air and 169 yards per game on the ground. The defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 18 times. Brandon High leads the team with 6 sacks.
The Ware County Gators will look to get back in the win column after a loss their last time out. The Gators are averaging 45.8 points per game. It has been the Thomas Castellanos show again this year as he’s passed for 1,300 yards and 12-TDs and rushed for 405 yards and 7-TDs. Cartevious Norton leads the Gators on the ground with 708 yards and 6-TDs. Ware has been balanced on offense as well with 263.6 yards through the air and 259.8 yards on the ground.
It appears that both of these teams will be chasing Warner Robins, so a win here would go a long way in helping to at least secure a first round home playoff game. We like Coffee’s defense, but don’t believe Coffee’s offense will keep pace this week. Ware by 7.
The Skinny
Hart County is in the midst of a three way tie for first place in Region 8-3A. The Bulldogs recorded their first shutout of the season last week. Overall, they are averaging 50.2 points per game while the defense is allowing 19.8 points per game. The Bulldogs are 6-0 for the first time since 2014. J.L. Lackey has been a touchdown machine for the Bulldogs. Expect them to lean on Lackey in hopes that he can have another multi-touchdown game.
The Oconee County Warriors will continue their region title defense on the road in Hartsville. The Warriors are off to a 6-0 start for the second consecutive season. Oconee County is almost mirroring their offensive production from a season ago, averaging 28.8 points per game. Quarterback Jacob Wright has thrown for over 1,000 yards and 13-TDs on the season while running back C.J. Jones has rushed for 600 yards and 6-TDs. Jake Johnson and Darius Johnson Jr. lead the Warriors in receiving.
Hart County’s offense has been downright dominant this season, but they haven’t faced a defense as strong as Oconee’s this season. Playing at home should give the Bulldogs some momentum, but we like the road Warriors by 4.