Week 9 of the GHSA Football season features four marquee matchups packed with talent and playoff implications. Marietta and North Cobb will battle in a physical slugfest, with the Blue Devils trying to slow a powerful Warriors rushing attack. Undefeated Sumter County faces a tough test against Carver-Columbus’ balanced and opportunistic squad, while Greater Atlanta Christian meets North Hall in a matchup defined by explosive plays and quarterback skill. Finally, Northwest Whitfield hosts Calhoun in a high-scoring contest where dual-threat quarterbacks and deep receiving corps could dictate the outcome. Each game promises drama and key performances that could shape the postseason picture. Here is Part II of our look at eight of the more intriguing matchups around the state.
Marietta vs. North Cobb – Marietta’s late-season momentum meets North Cobb’s punishing ground game in a clash of region heavyweights, where every yard and turnover could decide the winner.
Sumter County vs. Carver-Columbus – Undefeated Sumter County tries to topple a 19-game winning streak as Carver-Columbus brings a high-powered offense and relentless defense to a showdown of state-title caliber teams.
Greater Atlanta Christian vs. North Hall – GAC’s balanced attack and dual-threat quarterback face a North Hall team that can light up the scoreboard in a matchup that could swing on a few explosive plays.
Northwest Whitfield vs. Calhoun – High-flying offenses collide as Gavin Nuckolls leads the Bruins against Calhoun’s aerial assault, promising a fast-paced, high-scoring thriller under the Friday night lights.
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
Since opening the season with four straight losses, the Marietta Blue Devils have turned things around, winning their last three games to climb into a tie for the region lead. Last week, Marietta survived an overtime thriller against Walton and now turns its attention to another region contender in North Cobb. The Blue Devils have been balanced offensively, averaging 142.6 passing yards and 135 rushing yards per game, with those numbers jumping to 239 passing yards and 188.6 rushing yards over the last three games.
The ground game has been a committee effort, led by Titus Grant (63 carries, 261 yards, 9 TDs) and Landon Mannery(41 carries, 192 yards, 1 TD). At quarterback, Jayden Whiteside has thrown for 988 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Semaj Anderson leads the receiving corps with 22 receptions for 354 yards and five scores. Defensively, Alec Huffleads the team with 54 tackles, and Merrick Ham has 9 tackles for loss and a team-high 5 sacks. Marietta has totaled 9 sacks and forced 6 turnovers on the season.
The North Cobb Warriors enter fresh off a bye week and are riding a two-game win streak. Their offense relies heavily on the ground attack, averaging 186.5 rushing yards per game. Zach Belyeu (657 yards, 9 TDs) and Quevy Echols(362 yards, 6 TDs) lead the backfield, while quarterback Teddy Jarrard has thrown for 925 yards and six touchdowns. Micah Billingsley (31 receptions, 298 yards) and Sebastian Easley (20 receptions, 238 yards) are North Cobb’s top receiving threats.
Defensively, the Warriors allow 19.6 points per game. Jayden Harris leads with 35 tackles, and Jayden Hamlette has 22 solo stops. In the secondary, Marcus Singleton has 4 interceptions while Trey Shaw has 2. North Cobb has recorded 7 sacks and forced 12 turnovers this season.
Keys to the Game – Marietta Blue Devils
- Limit North Cobb’s rushing attack and force the Warriors to pass.
- Stay balanced offensively and sustain drives to control the clock.
- Protect the football against a defense that thrives on takeaways.
Keys to the Game – North Cobb Warriors
- Lean on the run behind Belyeu and Echols to control tempo.
- Stay disciplined defensively against Marietta’s balanced attack.
- Win the turnover battle to create short fields for the offense.
Marietta has been in a groove lately and will make this a close game, but North Cobb’s physicality and running game should prevail in a hard-fought contest.
Prediction: North Cobb by 5.
The Skinny
The Sumter County Panthers come into this matchup undefeated at 7-0 for the second consecutive season, averaging 175 rushing yards and 148 passing yards per game while scoring a staggering 47.5 points per game during their win streak. Running backs Aaron Kearse (493 yards, 10 TDs) and Quay’shaun Tatum (328 yards, 3 TDs) lead a balanced ground attack, while senior quarterback Ishmael Jones has thrown for 1,014 yards and 14 touchdowns and added 196 rushing yards with 7 scores. The receiving corps is led by Omari Woodard (15 receptions, 314 yards, 6 TDs) and Ayden Robinson (16 receptions, 246 yards, 4 TDs).
Defensively, the Panthers have been stingy, allowing just 7 points per game, recording three shutouts, and never surrendering more than 15 points. Kendall Thomas leads the defense with 41 total tackles and 11 tackles for loss, while Jaquaveus McKenzie has tallied 4 sacks. Sumter has combined for 18 sacks and 11 turnovers forced this season.
The Carver-Columbus Tigers enter with a 19-game winning streak, boasting a dominant offense that averages 50.1 points per game. The Tigers generate 364.5 yards per game, including 246.4 on the ground. Seniors Kelston Tarver(840 yards, 13 TDs) and Jakobe Caslin (479 yards, 10 TDs) lead the rushing attack, while freshman Zach Watts has added 379 yards and 8 touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Sebastian Heard has thrown for 1,061 yards and 11 TDs, connecting often with Caslin (15 receptions, 247 yards, 2 TDs) and Keimaurri Miles (9 receptions, 309 yards, 3 TDs).
Carver’s defense has been equally dominant, allowing only 6.2 points per game with four shutouts. Jadean Taylorleads the team with 70 tackles, while Taylor, Nic’quayvion Simmons, and Tristian Givens share the team lead with 5 sacks each. The Tigers have totaled 27 sacks and forced 18 turnovers on the season.
Keys to the Game – Sumter County Panthers
- Protect the football against an opportunistic Carver defense.
- Establish the run to control the clock and keep Carver’s offense off the field.
- Stay composed and patient against a talented, high-scoring opponent.
Keys to the Game – Carver-Columbus Tigers
- Force Sumter into passing situations to create turnovers.
- Maintain offensive balance and exploit mismatches on both lines of scrimmage.
- Stay disciplined on defense to prevent big plays from Jones and the Panthers’ receiving corps.
Sumter County is battle-tested and should make this a close contest, but Carver-Columbus’ balance, depth, and defensive dominance should allow them to escape with a tight win.
Prediction: Carver by 3.
The Skinny
The Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans have won their last five games and are averaging 31.6 points per contest. GAC boasts a balanced offense, producing 199 yards per game on the ground and 186.2 through the air. Running back Pierce Wilson leads the rushing attack with 492 yards and 7 touchdowns, while quarterback Michael Miller has thrown for 1,122 yards, rushed for 479 yards, and accounted for 14 total touchdowns. Eleven different receivers have contributed this season, with Adrian Hughes (25 receptions, 369 yards, 4 TDs), Pierce Wilson (23 receptions, 294 yards), and Jack Griggs (13 receptions, 85 yards) leading the way.
Defensively, C.J. Ohuabunwa anchors the Spartans with 43 tackles and an interception, while Connor Carothers and Denzell Watkins each have 23 solo stops. GAC is allowing 24 points per game and has forced 7 turnovers.
The North Hall Trojans have been nearly unstoppable, scoring 46.4 points per game and never less than 38 in a contest. Their offense is led by junior quarterback Alex Schleiman, who has thrown for 1,788 yards and 13 touchdowns while completing 72.1% of his passes. Receivers Ty Kemp (39 receptions, 702 yards, 8 TDs) and Cole Cable (32 receptions, 539 yards, 2 TDs) have been the primary targets, while the running game has been a committee effort. Wyatt Tumlin leads the backs with 334 yards and 3 TDs.
Defensively, the Trojans allow 18 points per game and recorded their first shutout in their last outing. Buddy Clark leads the defense with 56 tackles, and North Hall has tallied 14 sacks while forcing 7 turnovers.
Keys to the Game – Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans
- Pressure Schleiman and disrupt North Hall’s passing game.
- Stay balanced offensively to control the clock and keep the Trojans’ offense off the field.
- Win key third-down situations to extend drives and sustain momentum.
Keys to the Game – North Hall Trojans
- Protect Schleiman and maintain a clean pocket for their high-powered passing attack.
- Lean on the running game to complement the passing attack and keep GAC’s defense honest.
- Continue forcing turnovers and capitalize on mistakes to widen the gap.
The game may hinge on whether GAC’s front seven can get consistent pressure on Schleiman. If the quarterback has time, North Hall’s explosive offense will likely dominate.
Prediction: North Hall by 12.
The Skinny
The Northwest Whitfield Bruins have been on a tear, winning five straight games and scoring at least 42 points in each of those victories. Over the season, Northwest Whitfield is averaging 42.8 points per game, gaining 235.1 yards through the air and 202.3 yards on the ground, making them one of the most balanced and explosive teams in the region. Senior quarterback Gavin Nuckolls has been outstanding, throwing for 1,616 yards and 21 touchdowns while completing 61% of his passes with only two interceptions. Nuckolls also leads the team in rushing with 644 yards and 9 TDs, giving Northwest Whitfield a dual-threat weapon who can hurt defenses both in the air and on the ground. Gage Parker has added 576 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns, and the Bruins’ running game has been complemented by a diverse group of backs.
At receiver, Kade Mitchell has been the go-to target, catching 30 passes for 704 yards and 11 touchdowns, while ten other players have contributed to the passing attack, keeping opposing defenses off balance. Defensively, the Bruins have been solid, allowing 16.8 points per game and recording one shutout. Their defense has done a good job limiting big plays, though they will face a major challenge against Calhoun’s high-flying offense.
The Calhoun Yellow Jackets have been equally impressive this season, winning their last two games after dropping two straight earlier in the year. The Jackets average 37.6 points per game, with their offense heavily skewed toward the passing attack, producing 258.5 passing yards and 177 rushing yards per game. Sophomore quarterback Trace Hawkins has emerged as one of the region’s top signal-callers, throwing for 1,371 yards and 14 touchdowns while completing 68.8% of his passes and throwing just one interception.
Calhoun’s receiving corps is led by Justin Beasley, who has caught 43 passes for 912 yards and 9 touchdowns, and a total of thirteen players have caught passes for the Jackets this season. The running game has been a committee effort, with Hudson Chadwick leading with 367 yards and 7 TDs, while Isaiah Nalls has added 300 yards and 4 touchdowns, but did not play last week due to an injury. Calhoun’s offense has the potential to stretch the field both vertically and horizontally, making them a dangerous matchup for any defense.
Defensively, Calhoun allows 18.3 points per game and is anchored by Blake Hammett, who has 48 tackles, and Sager Quinn, who has been disruptive in the backfield. Hudson Chadwick, Ayden Parrish, and Jaden Perkins also play key roles in both stopping the run and defending against the pass. The Jackets have 14 sacks and 7 turnovers forced this season, and they’ll need to bring consistent pressure to contain Nuckolls and the Northwest Whitfield offense.
Keys to the Game – Northwest Whitfield Bruins
- Utilize Nuckolls’ dual-threat ability: Keep Calhoun off balance with a mix of passing and rushing plays.
- Control the clock with the run game: Rushing behind Nuckolls and Parker will limit Calhoun’s offensive opportunities.
- Protect the football: Avoid turnovers against a Jackets defense capable of generating game-changing plays.
Keys to the Game – Calhoun Yellow Jackets
- Pressure Nuckolls: Disrupt his rhythm in both the passing and rushing game.
- Exploit the secondary: Use Hawkins’ accuracy and a deep receiving corps to challenge the Bruins’ defensive backs.
- Balance the offense: Keep Northwest Whitfield’s defense guessing with a combination of run and pass.
Both teams enter this game with strong offenses and capable defenses, making a high-scoring, fast-paced game likely. Northwest Whitfield will fight hard at home and can keep the game close, but Calhoun’s balanced attack, efficient passing game, and ability to pressure the quarterback give the Jackets a slight edge.
Prediction: Calhoun by 3.