We have made it to the final week of the Georgia High School Football regular season schedule. All of the games that we are previewing this week in our Eight Greats Across the State will feature teams competing for a region title. Without any further ado, here is Part 2 of our Georgia High School Football previews.
First up, the Cherokee Warriors find themselves in a position to win a region title for the first time since 2002. This game features two of the better junior running backs in the state. Will it be Cherokee and Keith Adams Jr. asserting their will or will Jordan McDonald and the Milton Eagles run wild again this week? Next up, the Buford Wolves will look to dethrone the reigning Region 8-6A champions on Friday night. Which rushing attack will have the upper hand in this matchup?
The East Coweta Indians and Newnan Cougars have been on a crash course all season. It’s been 19 years since the Indians have won a region title while Newnan will be playing for their first region title in 11 years. Finally, the Wesleyan Wolves will host Mt. Vernon Presbyterian on Friday night. Wesleyan has never lost to Mt. Vernon, but can the Wolves slow down the Mustangs pass happy offense?
Best of luck to all of the teams competing on Friday night. As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to comment and share.
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The Skinny
The Cherokee Warriors can claim their first region title since 2002 with a win on Friday night against Milton. The Warriors have been led by athree-headed monster on offense led by quarterback A.J. Swann (1,757 yards, 18-TDs), running back Keith Adams, Jr. (1,246 yards, 14-TDs), and receiver Adarrius Harshaw, (658 yards and 6-TDs). Brady Bocherer and Hayden Shockley have also combined for 52 receptions for 718 yards and 10-TDs. The Warriors have forced 17 turnovers this season and are allowing 14.4 points per game. Braesen Parker has been all over the field with a team high 112 total tackles.
The Milton Eagles are looking for their third consecutive region title this Friday night if they can win on the road. Last week, Jordan McDonald led the way with 204 yards on just 13 carries and also scored a game high 4-TDs. The junior running back is now up to 785 yards and 16-TDs on the season. Quarterback Devin Farrell has completed 65.8% of his passes for 1,418 yards and 12-TDs and has only thrown one interception this season. Freshmen Debron Gattling and junior Adam Freas lead the team in receiving with a combined 35 receptions for 508 yards and 3-TDs. Twelve different receivers have caught passes for the Eagles this season. Milton is allowing 11.2 points per game. Sophomore sensation L.T. Overton has a team high 24.5 tackles for loss on the season to go along with 12 sacks. This should be a physical contest with two well coached, athletic teams. We like Cherokee to keep it close, but believe that Milton and Overton will do just enough to slow down the Warriors. Milton by 4.
The Skinny
The Buford Wolves have won seven consecutive games since their week-1 loss to North Cobb. During that stretch, the Wolves defense has shutout three opponents and is only allowing 4.2 points per game. As a matter of fact, the Wolves have only allowed 58 points all season. Meanwhile, the offense is averaging 40.2 points per game for the season.
The Dacula Falcons had to hold off Central Gwinett’s upset bid last week for a chance to play for their 5th consecutive region title. The Falcons themselves are winners of their last six games. Their two losses both comae at the hands of 7A programs. The offense has been powered by running back Kyle Efford this season. Dacula is averaging 35.7 points per game while the defense is allowing 18.7 points per game. Efford is a great talent for the Falcons, but Buford has a few more weapons. We like the Wolves by 10.
The Skinny
The East Coweta Indians are looking for their first region title since 2001. The Indians have reeled off 5 consecutive wins including an overtime victory over Collins Hill earlier this season. Running back Jayden Bolton leads the team with 1,110 yards and 12-TDs while Trey Bowles has rushed for 497 yards and 8-TDs. Amariyon Moss is the leading receiver with 33 receptions for 569 yards and 7-TDs. The Indians area averaging 34.5 points per game while allowing 19.6 points on defense. Chase Lewis leads the team in total tackles (91) and tackles for loss (13). East Coweta has recorded 19.5 sacks on the season.
The Newnan Cougars can win their first region title since 2009 with a win this Friday night. That was also the last time the Cougars were 9-0. If East Coweta leans a little more to the run, the Newnan Cougars are the converse, as they lean a little more on the passing game. Quarterback Michael Maginnis has thrown for 1,895 tards and 18-TDs with only one interception. Josh Harris (35 receptions, 649 yards, 4-TDs) and Reid Brass (21 receptions, 464 yards, 8-TDs) lead the Cougars in receiving. Meanwhile it has been Bryson Moss (607 yards, 15-TDs) and Aubrey Carter (448 yards, 7-TDs) leading the way for the rushing attack. The Cougars are averaging 38 points per game and allowing 15.7 points per game. Newnan has been red hot, but we like East Coweta at home this week. Indians by 4.
The Skinny
The Wesleyan Wolves will be looking for their first region title in 11 years. The Wolves are winners of their last three games with their only two losses coming to two of the top teams in Class A-Private. Quarterback Ryan Rose has thrown for 1,532 yards and 9-TDs. His top receiver this season has been Wyatt Hodges (33 receptions, 565 yards, 1-TD) while junior running back Griffin Caldwell has rushed for 906 yards and 10-TDs. J.D. Chipman leads the team in total tackles while Tanner Bivins leads the team in tackles for loss with 16.
The Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Mustangs are also winners of their last three games. The Mustangs have never won a region title in program history, but this season they hope to change their fortunes. Blake Kytle is the leading passer in Class A with 2,219 yards passing and 21-TDs. His top receiver is Andrew Douglas, who’s caught 49 passes for 952 yards and 8-TDs. In their last three games, Mt. Vernon Presbyterian is averaging 51.3 points per game while the defense is allowing 5.6 points in that same stretch. Mt. Vernon has never beaten Wesleyan, but with Kytle having such a great season, we believe this just might be the year. We like Mt. Vernon in an upset on the road. Mustangs by 7.