Week-9 of the high school football season in Georgia is upon us. Region races are starting to take shape as team continue to jockey for playoff position. This is our weekly feature of eight of the more intriguing matchups this week around the State of Georgia
First up, down in Jesup, the Wayne County Yellow Jackets host the New Hampstead Hornets. Both teams are off to a hot start this season and while we wouldn’t say these teams will challenge for a region title, this game will play a big role in playoff seeding and who may get to host a playoff game. Next up in East Cobb, the Kell Longhorns will host the Cambridge Bears. As with other regions across the state, this game is shaping up to be the de facto region title game. Kell is the traditional power in this region, but Cambridge has put together a nice string of seasons under the last few years. Can the Bears get over the hump and defeat Kell to propel them to their first region crown in school history?
Down in Blakely, the Early County Bobcats have already wrapped up the Class A Division II Region 1 crown. Now they will host one of the top team’s in Class A Division I as Brooks County comes calling. Can the Bobcats find a way to slow down the electric Jamal Sanders or will Brooks County leave Blakely with their 13th consecutive win in this series? Finally, over in Elberton, the Elbert County Blue Devils will host the Rabun County Wildcats. Rabun County sports one of the top receivers in the state in Jaden Gibson. Will the Wildcats arial assault continue to pay dividends or will it be Quan Moss and the Blue Devils ground game that finally derail Rabun?
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
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 Wayne County Yellow Jackets are winners of their last four games. They find themselves ranked in most polls in the state and area averaging 27.8 points per game. Offensively, the Jackets have leaned heavily on the ground, averaging 203.2 yards per game. Matthew Fuller leads the team with 761 yards and 12-TDs. As a team, Wayne County has rushed for over 1,200 yards. Terrione Graves leads the team in receiving with 16 receptions for 213 yards, and 2-TDs. Defensively, Wayne County is allowing 13.1 points per game.
The New Hampstead Phoenix are off to another 5-1 start. They are averaging 36.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 15.6. The Phoenix are averaging 210.2 yards per game through the air and 162 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Pauly Seeley has thrown for 1,031 yards and 15-TDs on the year. There are five Phoenix receivers with over 10 receptions on the season. Jalen Hampton leads the team in receiving yards (262) while running back Kaleb Smith leads the team in total receptions (22) and Malachi Lonnon leads the team in receiving TDs (5).
Even though neither of these teams are not the favorite to win the region, this game will have big implications on playoff seedings. Wayne County will look to establish the rushing attack to keep New Hampstead at bay. This is a game that should come down to the wire We like the Yellow Jackets at home by 6.
The Skinny
The Kell Longhorns are off to their best start since 2013 and are looking to claim their first region crown since 2014. The Longhorns offense is off to a hot start, averaging 38 points per game while the defense is allowing 16.1 per game. Quarterback Bryce Clavon has thrown for 1,422 yards and 14-TDs and also leads the team in rushing with 493 yards and 9-TDs. Clavon’s top receivers are Peyton Zachary and Davion Hampton. The two have combined to catch 48 passes for 671 yards and 7-TDs. At least thirteen different Longhorns have caught passes this season. Defensively, Joshua Barker leads the team in total tackles and sacks. He’s collected a whopping 10.5 sacks already this season.
The Cambridge Bears are looking to build off of their recent success over the past few years as they aim to win their first region football crown in school history. The Bears are averaging 139.4 yards per game through the air and 198.1 yards per game on the ground. Christian Isabor is the team’s leading rusher with 831 yards. He runs behind a very steady offensive line anchored by Cameron Phillips, Gabe Chigwere and sophomore Gabe Smith. Meanwhile first year starter at quarterback Preston Clemmer has thrown for 976 yards and 12-TDs. The Bears area averaging 36.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 17.3 points per game.
The Bears might be flying under many teams radars, but all of Class 5A should take not if they haven’t already. Cambridge is a legitimate threat with their ability to run the ball. While we’ve focused on offense, this game will come down to defense. We believe Kell has a slight edge there. We like the Longhorns at home by 4.
The Skinny
The Early County Bobcats are off to their best season since 2003. The Bobcats have already clinched the Region 1 Division II title. They will close the season with three non region opponents. Early is averaging 30.2 points per game while the defense is allowing just 8.1 points per game. The Bobcats have not played a team outside of their classification this season. They will rely heavily on the run, as they are averaging 248.9 yards per game on the ground. It has been Charles Williams and Jeremiah Hutchinson leading the way for the Bobcats. As a team, Early County has rushed for 1,742 yards.
The Brooks County Trojans will play their first game in almost a month when they travel to Blakely this Friday. The Trojans only loss thus far came at the hands of Class AA Cook. The Trojans are averaging 36.8 points per game on the season, while the defense is allowing 18.8 points per game. The Trojans offense is led by dual threat quarterback Jamal Sanders who really makes the Trojans go. He’s just as dangerous throwing as he is running.
We suspect the Trojans will be chomping at the bit to get back on the field on Friday night. While they might be a tad bit rusty from the long layoff, we expect Sanders and the Brooks County offense to be back to their old tricks. Early County looks overmatched this week. We like the Trojans by 17.
The Skinny
The Elbert County Blue Devils will begin their quest for their first region title since 2013. The last time Elbert started off 7-0 was in 2011. The Blue Devils are averaging 32.8 points per game so far this season. The offense is averaging 165.1 yards per game through the air and 226.7 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Jayvyn Hickman has thrown for 1,030 yards and 9-TDs. Receivers Trustin Allen and Ty’Rikis Jones have been steady for the Blue Devils all season long. They lead the team in receiving. Meanwhile, Quan Moss has rushed for 1,170 yards and 15-TDs to lead the team on the ground. The Blue Devils are holding teams to 19.5 points per game.
The Rabun County Wildcats begin their quest for their 9th consecutive region title this Friday night. The Wildcats have won 16 consecutive games entering this week. Rabun County has done most of their work on offense through the air, averaging 301.1 passing yards per game, while the offense is only averaging 91.6 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Keegan Stover has already thrown for 2,034 yards and 23 TDs, he has not been intercepted yet this season in 192 pass attempts. Jaden Gibson has been his primary target, catching 60 passes for 1,078 yards and 15-TDs. While the Wildcats don’t run the ball much, Lang Windham has rushed for 479 yards and 5-TDs. Defensively, Rabun County has allowed 14.7 points per game.
The winner of this game will have an inside track to the region title. (While both teams still have to face Commerce.) Rabun County certainly has the firepower to outscore Elbert County. However, we believe that Quan Moss can help keep the explosive Wildcats on the sidelines. We like Elbert County in a mild upset. Blue Devils by 2.