Week 7 of the GHSA football season marks a pivotal point on the calendar as teams across Georgia dive deeper into region play. Contenders are beginning to separate themselves from the pack while others fight to keep their postseason hopes alive. Signature matchups and long-running rivalries dot the schedule this week, with region titles, playoff seeding, and bragging rights all on the line. Here is a look at some of the more intriguing matchups throughout the state of Georgia.
Northeast Macon Raiders vs. Dublin Fighting Irish
Two unbeaten streaks collide as explosive Northeast Macon faces a punishing ground attack from Dublin. Can freshman QB Jordan Wiggins keep the Raiders rolling, or will Dublin’s clock-controlling offense prevail? Expect a nail-biter down to the final possession.
Thomasville Bulldogs vs. Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets
Thomasville’s balanced attack meets Jeff Davis’ dominant ground game in a clash of region contenders. The Bulldogs’ playmakers could pull away late, but the Jackets’ run-heavy style will keep it close through three quarters.
Camden County Wildcats vs. Valdosta Wildcats
Undefeated teams, heavy rushing attacks, and a region opener full of stakes. Camden County and Valdosta both thrive on the ground, but the Cats from Valdosta could make a defensive stop the difference in a tight finish.
Colquitt County Packers vs. Lowndes Vikings
Region play kicks off with a showdown between Colquitt County’s balanced offense and Lowndes’ punishing ground attack. Home-field advantage may tip the scales, but expect a close, hard-fought battle from start to finish.
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 Northeast Macon Raiders have been one of the hottest teams in their classification since dropping their opener to Class 3A power Peach County. Since that Week 1 loss, the Raiders have reeled off four straight wins and have been suffocating on defense, allowing just eight total points during that stretch and posting three consecutive shutouts.
Offensively, Northeast has leaned on a potent passing attack, averaging 211.2 yards through the air and 121.8 yards on the ground. Freshman quarterback Jordan Wiggins has been sensational, throwing for 1,051 yards and 16 touchdownswhile completing 66.7% of his passes. Wiggins also leads the team in rushing with 159 yards and a score. His top weapons include Reggie Glover (22 catches, 283 yards, 2 TDs) and Tavares Tinsley Jr. (14 catches, 219 yards, 5 TDs), while Scottavian Thomas and Keandre Jackson have combined for 25 receptions, 395 yards, and seven scores.
Defensively, the Raiders have been just as impressive, surrendering 8.2 points per game on the season. Tailen Samplesand Tayvian Shivers have combined for 93 total tackles, and Isaiah Stubbs leads the pass rush with four of the team’s 10 sacks. The Raiders are also opportunistic, forcing 18 turnovers, with Kortnei Williams snagging a team-high five interceptions.
Across the field, the Dublin Fighting Irish have also strung together four consecutive wins entering this week. Dublin’s formula has been no secret — pound the football and control the clock. The Irish average a dominant 322.4 rushing yards per game compared to just 36.8 yards passing, and they’re scoring 31 points per contest.
Travion Bostic leads the ground game with 462 yards and five touchdowns, while Dontavious Cannon (446 yards, 5 TDs) and Jamarcus Knight (240 yards, 4 TDs) provide additional punch. Dublin has attempted only 24 passes all season, with half of those coming in a Week 1 one-point loss to Swainsboro.
On defense, the Irish have been stout as well, giving up only 10.8 points per game, forcing 11 turnovers, and recording 13 sacks. Kye Young leads the team with 21 total tackles, while Jalen Dardy (4 sacks) and Jakarian Jones (3 interceptions) anchor a disruptive front and secondary, respectively.
Keys to the Game
For Northeast Macon:
Contain Dublin’s triple-headed rushing attack and force the Irish into passing downs.
Keep Wiggins upright and let him attack downfield early to loosen up the Irish defense.
Protect the football — Dublin thrives on long drives and extra possessions.
For Dublin:
Stick to the formula — long, sustained drives on the ground to control the clock.
Pressure the freshman quarterback and disrupt his timing with Glover and Tinsley Jr.
Win field position; make Northeast drive the length of the field.
This game feels like a region title preview. Dublin’s ground game can shorten the contest and keep Wiggins on the sideline, but Northeast’s balance and opportunistic defense have been tested and proven. Expect a back-and-forth battle that comes down to the final minutes.
Prediction: Northeast Macon by 2.
The Skinny
The Thomasville Bulldogs opened region play last week in emphatic fashion, putting up 74 points on Bacon County, their most explosive output of the season. Thomasville is averaging 42.2 points per game, and their only loss came against Class 5A rival Thomas County Central. The Bulldogs have handled all other opponents with ease, showing balance on offense with 153.8 passing yards and 142 rushing yards per game.
Quarterback Cam Hill has been productive both through the air and on the ground, passing for 744 yards, rushing for 154 yards, and accounting for 14 total touchdowns. Lavonte Cole leads the rushing attack with 352 yards on 52 carries and 8 TDs, while Nigel Pittman tops the receiving corps with 13 catches for 295 yards and 5 TDs. D.J. Sawyer and Jabarri Robinson have added 16 and 10 receptions, respectively, contributing big plays for the Bulldogs.
Defensively, Thomasville is anchored by linebacker Joe Douglass (56 tackles, 5 TFL) and senior defensive end Zay Clark, who leads the team with 7 sacks. The Bulldogs have recorded 12 sacks, forced 10 turnovers, and are allowing 21 points per game.
The Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets have also gotten off to a strong start, winning their first four games for the second consecutive season. Nearly all of their offensive firepower comes on the ground, as the team averages 367.3 rushing yards per game and just 27.3 passing yards per contest, having attempted only 10 passes all season.
Quarterback Mark Durden has made the most of those limited attempts, completing 8-of-10 passes for 109 yards, 2 TDs, and no interceptions. He is also third on the team in rushing with 235 yards and 4 TDs. The backfield duo of Kobe Hill (38 carries, 482 yards, 5 TDs) and Ian Griffin (15 carries, 264 yards, 4 TDs) has set the tempo for Jeff Davis’ ground attack, which is approaching 1,500 total rushing yards in just four games.
Defensively, Jeff Davis has forced 3 turnovers, tallied 5 sacks, and allows 16.7 points per game, with Kobe Hill leading the team with 21 total tackles.
Keys to the Game
For Thomasville:
Neutralize Jeff Davis’ dominant rushing attack at the line of scrimmage.
Use balanced offense to exploit the Jackets’ defense and create mismatches in the passing game.
Protect the football and limit big plays on special teams.
For Jeff Davis:
Control the clock and dictate tempo with the ground game.
Minimize passing attempts to stay within their comfort zone and limit turnovers.
Win the battle at the line of scrimmage to keep Thomasville off balance.
Jeff Davis’ ground game should keep the contest close through three quarters, but Thomasville’s balance and explosive playmakers give them the edge late. Expect the Bulldogs to pull away in the final frame.
Prediction: Thomasville by 13.
The Skinny
Both the Camden County Wildcats and the Valdosta Wildcats enter this week unbeaten, setting the stage for a high-stakes region opener in one of Georgia’s most competitive areas.
Camden County has started 5-0 for the second straight season, averaging 45.2 points per game. The Wildcats have leaned on a balanced attack, with 235 rushing yards per game complementing a sharp passing game. Antwan Williamsleads the ground game with 469 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Julian Dailey has added 409 yards and 3 scores. Quarterback William Jackson has been efficient through the air, throwing for 855 yards and 14 touchdowns while completing 70.2% of his passes with just one interception. Top receiving threats include Sean Green (19 catches, 289 yards, 6 TDs), David Coleman (7 catches, 250 yards, 3 TDs), and Trenton Hamilton (14 catches, 180 yards, 2 TDs).
Defensively, Camden County has been stout, with Xavier Brown leading the team in tackles (43 total, 7 TFL) and Dequan Edwards adding 8 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. The Wildcats have racked up 13 sacks and forced 7 turnovers on the season.
Valdosta enters on a similar roll, also 5-0 for the second year in a row, averaging 47.4 points per game. Their offense is heavily ground-based, averaging 303.2 rushing yards per game. Deron Foster leads the charge with 663 yards and 11 TDs, while Marquis Fennell has added 538 yards and 12 scores. The passing game complements the run, with quarterbacks Tripp Perry and Tyrieke Wade combining for 688 yards and 3 touchdowns, completing 78.7% of their passes. Fennell (18 catches, 212 yards, 1 TD) and Prince Jean (17 catches, 273 yards, 1 TD) provide key receiving options.
Valdosta’s defense has been stingy, allowing just 10.6 points per game while recording 17 sacks and forcing 9 turnovers. Corey Howard and Zambian Williams lead the team with 3 sacks each.
Keys to the Game
For Camden County:
Establish the run early and control the line of scrimmage.
Spread the ball to Jackson’s top receivers to loosen up Valdosta’s defensive front.
Win the turnover battle and limit big plays on special teams.
For Valdosta:
Lean on the ground game with Foster and Fennell to control tempo.
Pressure William Jackson to disrupt Camden County’s passing attack.
Play disciplined defense to force Camden County into third-and-long situations.
Both teams rely heavily on the run, making the line of scrimmage the key battleground. Valdosta’s defense should make the difference in a tightly contested matchup, giving the road Wildcats a narrow victory.
Prediction: Valdosta by 4.
The Skinny
The Colquitt County Packers enter the opening week of region play on a three-game winning streak, averaging 30.6 points per game while churning out just over 309 yards of total offense. The Packers have been balanced this season, passing for 145.8 yards per game and rushing for 163.8 yards per game.
Junior running back Jae Lamar leads the ground attack with 524 yards and 8 touchdowns, adding 55 yards and 2 scores receiving. Sophomore quarterback Cohen Lawson has thrown for 670 yards and 8 touchdowns, while Antwan Locket (15 catches, 267 yards, 4 TDs) and A’zhiyen Aldridge (12 catches, 146 yards, 1 TD) are key targets in the passing game.
Defensively, Colquitt has been led by Brayden Ruis, who tops the team with 55 tackles, while Ty’mhyr Moore and Kamdon Gay are tied for the team lead with 6 tackles for loss each. The Packers have also recorded 13 sacks and are allowing 22 points per game.
The Lowndes Vikings enter this week winners of five straight games, dominating their opposition with 43.2 points per game while allowing just 8 points per contest. The Vikings rely heavily on the run, averaging 309 rushing yards per game compared to 76 passing yards. Mason Woods leads the ground game with 606 yards, 7 touchdowns, and an impressive 8.3 yards per carry.
Quarterback Jayce Johnson has attempted only 23 passes, completing 73.9% for 315 yards and 5 touchdowns. Ar’Tavian Brown leads the receiving corps with 4 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Lowndes has forced 9 turnovers and tallied 15.5 sacks. Senior linebacker Garrick Harris anchors the defense, leading the team in sacks (7), tackles (21), and tackles for loss (10).
Keys to the Game
For Colquitt County:
Find a way to contain Mason Woods and limit big rushing plays.
Protect Lawson to keep the passing game effective.
Win the turnover battle and take advantage of home-field momentum.
For Lowndes:
Establish the run early with Woods to control the clock and pace of play.
Pressure Lawson to disrupt Colquitt’s passing game.
Tackle well in space to slow Lamar and the rest of the Colquitt backfield.
Prediction:
Both teams face their toughest test of the season this week. With the Vikings at home, that might be with a narrow edge, but expect a close, hard-fought matchup.
Pick: Lowndes by 2.