This is Part II of our GHSA Football Previews called Eight Greats Around The State. Several games this week will help determine playoff seeding. Our first preview features the two top teams in Region 8-6A as Lanier hosts Dacula. Both teams are highly rated in Class 6A. Can Lanier breakthrough and finally get a win against the Falcons. Next up, The Battle of Hog Mountain will take place in Bogart as North Oconee hosts Oconee County for the 8-4A region title. This game features a great quarterback duel between North Oconee’s Bubba Chandler and Oconee County’s Max Johnson. In Class A Region 6, North Cobb Christian hosts the Darlington Tigers. Darlington has already secured the sub region title, but a perfect record is on the line this week. North Cobb Christian won this tilt last season; can Darlington return the favor? Finally, in Region 7-4A, Marist hosts Blessed Trinity. Blessed Trinity has had Marists’number in the series. The winner of this game will earn the region title. Can the Ware Eagles slow down the Blessed trinity dynamic duo at running back. Or will Connor Cigelske lead the War Eagles to victory? As always, please feel free to share and comment.
Key:
TFR – Turd Ferguson Report
NR – Not Ranked
The Skinny
The Lanier Longhorns are looking for their first win over the Dacula Falcons and their first region title since 2015. Taj Barnes has led the way on the ground for the Longhorns as he’s rushed for 1,108 yards and 13-TDs. Quarterback Andrew Blackford has passed for 1,022 yards and 15-TDs. Cole Thornton has been his primary target with 25 receptions, 478 yards, and 9-TDs. The Longhorns offense is averaging 32.2 points per game while their defense is allowing 11.7 points per game. The Lanier defense has 29 sacks on the season; Phillip Webb leads the way with 10.
The Dacula Falcons are one of the top ranked teams in the state and with a win this week, they will almost certainly lay claim to their 4th consecutive region title. Trenton Jones and Kyle Efford have combined for 1,224 yards rushing and 16-TDs. Quarterback Jarrett Jenkins has passed for 1,395 yards and 10-TDs. Konata Mumpfield leads the team in receiving (26 receptions, 414 yards, 6-TDs) and interceptions (3). The Dacula defense is allowing 9.9 points per game. They’ve shut out four opponents and have not allowed a touchdown in 11 quarters. This game should be closer than the previous three, but we still like the Falcons by 6.
The Skinny
The North Oconee Titans will host the Oconee County Warriors for the Region 8-4A title. The Titans are off to their best start since 2011. They are averaging 38.3 points per game this season. Entering last week’s game, Bubba Chandler has passed for over 1,300 yards. The UGA baseball commit has put up some bug numbers this season. The Titans area allowing 11.5 points per game and have one shutout to their credit.
Meanwhile, the Oconee County Warriors are looking for their first region title since 2015. The Warriors are averaging 28.5 points per game and are led by LSU QB commit, Max Johnson. Ben Noland and Jake Johnson are his two top receivers while Jimmy Boswell and Darius Norman are the teams leading rushers. The Oconee County Defense is allowing 12.6 points per game. We like for Bubba to outduel Max this week. Titans by 9.
The Skinny
The Darlington Tigers have already clinched the sub-region title. The Tigers are outscoring their opponents this season 297-69. They have three shutouts to their credit. Griffin Brewster was very efficient last week completing 10 of his 12 pass attempts for 147 yards and a touchdown. Running back Kolin Rogers has rushed for over 1,000 yards on the season and has the benefit of running behind an OL anchored by Tate Ratledge and Cade Brock.
While North Cobb Christian can’t derail the Tigers sub region title, they can derail their perfect season. Last week, the Eagles were edged by Christian Heritage on a blocked PAT. The Eagles two losses have come at a combined 7 points. Defensively, North Cobb is allowing 11.2 points per game. The big question is whether or not the Eagles can get the ground game moving against Darlington. Last week, the Eagles fumbled the ball three times, so they’ll certainly have to make ball security a priority this weekend if they are going to pull the upset. Even if North Cobb doesn’t turn it over, we still like Darlington to win this one by 10 this week.
The Skinny
The Marist War Eagles will host the Blessed Trinity Titans this week. A War Eagle victory would secure their first region title in two years. The Marist defense has been stifling this season, allowing only 6.8 points per game. They’ve shut out four of their opponents this season. Connor Cigelske had another big game last week as he rushed for 171 yards and passed for 112 yards with 4 total TDs. The Marist defense also forced two turnovers last week in the victory.
The Blessed Trinity Titans are also in search of their second consecutive region title. With a win this week and next, the Titans will have done just that. Similar to the Marist, the Titans have relied heavily on the run. Freshman Justice Haynes has led the way on the ground this season. But the Titans also have a healthy Elijah Green in the backfield as well, which makes for a very dangerous combination for opposing defenses. The Titans offense is averaging 29.6 points per game while their defense is allowing only 14.7 points per game. The largest margin of victory in this series is 9 points. We think this is another defensive battle, but we like Marist by a field goal this week