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 II 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 preview Lowndes-Cedar Grove, Schley County-Macon County, Blessed trinity Calhoun and North Oconee Flowery Branch.
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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 Lowndes Vikings will be back in the friendly confines of Martin Stadium again for the third consecutive week. The Vikings are undefeated at home this season. Dual threat quarterback Jacurri Brown leads the way with 913 yards passing and 409 yards rushing. He has accounted for 17-TDs this season. The Vikings have a balanced attack on offense, averaging 170.2 yards through the air and 173.8 on the ground. The Lowndes defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 15 times with W.C. Fulton leading the way with 7.5. As a team, Lowndes is allowing 24.3 points per game.
The Cedar Grove Saints will take their second trip of the season to South Georgia to face a 7-A opponent. The Saints have won three straight and are winners of their last three games; having shutout two of those opponents. Running back Rashad Dubinion leads the way with 627 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. Janarin Bonner and Bernard Mack are the top receivers for Cedar Grove. We mentioned the defense earlier, they are allowing 9.2 points per game. Adonijah Green leads the team in total tackles, but know that Christen Miller and Carlton Madden will be impact players for the Saints defense.
This is another big road test for Cedar Grove. We believe the Saints will keep it close, but we like Lowndes and their depth at home over the Class 3-A Saints. Vikings by 7.
The Skinny
The Schley County Wildcats have dominated their competition this season. We first took note of the Wildcats when they shutout Wilcox County back in early September. Offensively, Schley County is averaging 46 points per game while the defense is allowing 6.6 points per game. They shutout their first three opponents this season. Quarterback Jay Kanazawa has thrown for 862 yards and 11-TDs. Jalewis Solomon is the primary target with 26 receptions for 468 yards and 6-TDs. Meanwhile, running backs Zayden Walker and Malachi Banks have combined to rush for 968 yards and 18-TDs. The Wildcats have forced 20 turnovers this season.
The Macon County Bulldogs have also been just as dominant as Schley County. The Bulldogs are averaging 41.6 points per game while the defense is allowing a paltry 2.8 points per game. They’ve only given up two touchdowns all season and have shutout out their other four opponents. The defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 29 times with Kenwan Felton leading the way with 10. The defense has forced 22 turnovers this season. Offensively, quarterback Landon Austin has thrown for 655 yards and 11-TDs; he’s also added 7-TDs on the ground.
Neither team’s offense has been tested like they will be on Friday night. Macon County’s defense is about as tough as they come, but we believe home field advantage for Schley will be key…Along with their explosive offense. Don’t expect a runaway. Schley County by 4.
The Skinny
Blessed Trinity has gotten back to their winning ways over the last three weeks. The Titans have run their record to 4-2 and are now in a two game stretch that will most likely decide the region title. Blessed Trinity’s offense is averaging 26 points per game while the defense is allowing 15.3. It should be noted that in both of the Titans losses, they were without star running back Justice Haynes. In his last three games, Haynes has rushed for 689 yards and 7-TDs.
The Calhoun Yellow Jackets have won four consecutive games and have not lost to a team in the state of Georgia this season. The Jackets are averaging 44.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 20 points per game. Over the last two weeks, Quarterback Christian Lewis’ has thrown for 530 yards. Lewis has a bevy of weapons around him on offense including Gage Leonard, Cole Speer, Peyton Law and Quin Smith.
With Justice Haynes in the lineup, Blessed Trinity is always going to have a chance to win. The biggest question is weather or not the Titans can slow down the Jackets explosive offense. We expect a shootout this week. We like Calhoun to get their first win against the Blessed Trinity. Jackets by 3.
The Skinny
The North Oconee Titans have won back to back games to run their region record to 2-0. The victories have helped the Titans keep pace with Jefferson and Cedar Shoals in the region. North Oconee is averaging 28.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 24 points per game. The Titans have been up against some stiff competition this season as their losses have come against highly rated Oconee County, Benedictine and an undefeated Cambridge team. North Oconee’s defense is allowing 24 points per game this season.
The Flowery Branch Falcons were off last week. Prior to the bye week, the Falcons had dropped two of their last three games. Now they are looking for their first region win. The Falcons are averaging 30 points per game while the defense is allowing 18 points per game. Flowery Branch’s best win this season was a 21-14 victory over St. Pius.
The winner of this game keeps their hopes alive to host a first round playoff game. North Oconee may be flying under the radar but we believe David Renard and Flowery Branch breaks through. Falcons by 9.