The stakes continue to get higher as teams across the state of Georgia fight for playoff position. Week-9 gives us more great action across the state of Georgia. This is our weekly feature in which we take a look at eight of some intriguing matchups from around the state.
First up in Tiger, the Rabun County Wildcats host the Elbert County Blue Devils. Rabun is rounding into playoff form, but they will have their hands full with an Elbert County team that is dynamic on offense. Can the Blue Devils get their first win ever against Rabun. Over in Athens, the Athens Academy Spartans host the Fellowship Christian Paladins. Athens Academy has a budding star at quarterback and a great duo at running back. Will they be able to have success against a usually stingy Fellowship Christian defense?
Over in Ellaville, Schley County takes on another challenger for their region crown as the Taylor County Vikings come calling. Taylor County is playing with a lot of confidence and is on a five game win streak coming into this game. Do they have enough weapons to neutralize Schley County? Finally, the Temple Tigers will host the Lamar County Trojans. Both teams run the ball very well. Which teams rushing attack will shine brightest with a region title on the line?
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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 Rabun County Wildcats are winners of their last five games. During that stretch, the Wildcats are averaging 41.8 points per game and allowing 16.2 per game. Rabun has used a relatively balanced attack on offense this season, averaging 191.7 yards per game through the air and 209.6 yards per game on the ground. Sophomore signal caller Ty Truelove has thrown for 1,270 yards and 14-TDs. Willie Goodwin continues to lead the team with 27 reception for 647 yards and 10-TDs. Reid Giles has run for 722 yards and 10-TDs. Giles is a speedy back that is also dangerous as a punt returner and on defense as he leads the team in tackles for loss.
The Elbert County Blue Devils have also won their last five games. The Blue Devils feature an offense that has been prolific through the air, as they are averaging 240.1 yards per game passing and 175.4 yards per game on the ground. Jayven Hickman and Brayden Scarborough have combined to throw for 1,654 yards and 15-TDs. Jacari Barnett leads the ground game with 855 yards and 12-TDs. Brady Dickerson, Dahkovin Winn, Eli Harris and Ty’Rikkis Jones have all posted double digit receptions on the season. The Elbert County defense has intercepted 11 passes, with sophomore Jose Rodriguez collecting 4 of those picks.
Both of these teams have shown explosiveness to this point in the season. The Blue Devils seem to have a few more weapons on offense, but don’t discount the young Wildcats stars. Rabun’s offense should be up to the task. Elbert County has never defeated Rabun County. We don’t believe that happens this week. Wildcats by 11.
The Skinny
Athens Academy has won their last three games and got a big region win last week. In their four victories this season, the Spartans have scored over 40 points and in their two defeats, they’ve not scored more than 21 points. The offense is averaging 258.8 yards per game through the air and 204.3 yards per game on the ground. Jamari Welch and Jeremiah Wingfield have combined to rush for 1,165 yards and 15-TDs, while junior quarterback Hampton Johnson has thrown for 1,493 yards and 14-TDs. Freshman Keyon Stander leads the team in receiving with 14 receptions for 429 yards and 4-TDs.
The Fellowship Christian Paladins have won three of their last four games. The Paladins have won all of their games in which they’ve scored more than 30 points. Overall, the Paladins are averaging 39.3 points per game. Running back C.J. Givers has rushed for 688 yards to lead the Paladins on the ground. Al Thompson had big game last week for the Paladins on the ground, going over the century mark. The duo benefits from running behind the talented Joshua Petty on the offensive line. Quarterback Jonathan Granby has shown an ability to beat teams as a passer or as a runner.
The winner of this game should be in the poll position for the region title and at minimum, we expect the winner of this game to host a playoff game come post-season. Fellowship Christian will need to find a way to slow down the prolific Athens Academy offense. We expect the Paladins to limit the Spartans, but we believe the Spartans won’t be held in check all night. Athens Academy by 7.
The Skinny
Schley County has won 13 consecutive region games dating back to 2021. They have also won 13 consecutive regular season games. They offense has done most of their damage through the air as quarterback Jay Kanazawa has thrown for 1,411 yards and 19-TDs, completing 64.2% of his passes. Jalewis Solomon has caught 28 passes for 588 yards and 8-TDs, as he’s been Kanazawa’s main target. Jeremyah Rogers paces the rushing attack with 512 yards and 5-TDs. The Wildcats defense is allowing 15 points per game, have sacked opposing quarterbacks 17 times and forced 24 turnovers. Carson Westbrook has accounted for 5 interceptions thus far.
The Taylor County Vikings have won five straight games entering this week. They are off to their best start in four seasons. During their win streak, Taylor is averaging 35 points per game while the defense is allowing 9.8 points per game. Overall, they are averaging 30.5 and allowing 10.8. Quarterback Cameron Lawson has shown his versatility as a runner and passer and also continues to show his versatility making big tackles as a safety on defense.
Taylor County is the next team that gets an opportunity to take down the prohibitive favorite to win the region title and state title. Lawhorn is an impressive player for the Vikings, but we don’t believe Taylor County has the depth the pull off the upset this week. We like Schley by 17.
The Skinny
The Temple Tigers come into this game looking to reverse some of their fortunes as they have dropped 3 of their last four games coming into this week Despite the last few games, Temple is still averaging 32.7 points per game while the defense is allowing 20.4 points per game. The Tigers have rushed for 1,824 yards in the first seven games and just 359 total yards through the air. Statistically C.J. Gray has rushed for 775 yards and 4-TDs while Carson McAnalllen has chipped in 384 yards and 6-TDs. Quarterback Jackson Gribbon has only attempted 52 passes this season.
The Lamar County Trojans have won their last four games and similar to Temple, the also have been effective running the football. As a team, they’ve run for 1,807 yards and have thrown for 169 yards. Quarterback Ty Head has only attempted 14 passes this season, but he’s also tallied 239 rushing yards and 6-TDs. It has been running back by committee for the Trojans as Jordan Glover (585 yards, 4-TDs), ZyQuavius Hughley (440 yards, 4-TDs) and Kaden Carter (262 yards, 5-TDs) have all been big contributors this season.
It should be evident that the team that has more success running the ball should win this game. Our thoughts are that this game goes down to the wire this week and in those close games, we like the home team. Temple by 2 in a mild upset.