We have another week of high profile games across the state. This is Part I of our GHSA Football Previews that we call Eight Greats Around The State. Our first preview features the the Cherokee Warriors and Cartersville Hurricanes. The Canes are looking every bit the part of a title contender in 4A. But the Cherokee defense has been downright stingy. Can the upstart Warriors take down the Canes? A big rivalry takes place in North Fulton as the defending 7A State Champs visit long-time rival, Roswell. Milton has dropped two games in a row; can they get back on track this week? In 5-A Rome travels to Carrollton after surviving Kell at home. A Rome win puts them squarely in poll position for the remainder of the region schedule. Is Carrollton get over the hump? Our last preview keeps us in Carrollton as the Mt. Zion Carroll Eagles face region foe Christian Heritage. The Lions beat Mt. Zion in a see-saw battle last year. Can the Eagles get revenge on their home field? As always, please feel free to share and comment.
Key:
TFR – Turd Ferguson Report
NR – Not Ranked
**The GSWA Poll was not available at the time of publishing so it was not included in this week’s previews.
The Skinny
The Cherokee Warriors defense has been pretty stingy this season. They have recorded two shutouts on the young season and are holding teams to under 80 yards per game rushing. (That includes two teams who were primarily run reams.) The Warriors have also not allowed an offensive touchdown in 12 quarters of play. Leading the way for the Warriors on defense are names like Parker, Dahlen, and Byrd. The Warriors have forced 13 turnovers this season including 8 interceptions. On offense, quarterback A.J. Swann (750 yards passing; 6-TDs) and running back Keith Adams Jr. (366 yards rushing; 6-Total TDs) lead the way for Cherokee. But we suspect the Cartersville will be the most difficult team that Cherokee will face to date.
The Canes were in the 4-A state finals last season. They are led on offense by senior quarterback Tee Webb, who has passed for 502 yards and 7-TDs, and is also completing 71% of his passes. Quante’ Jenning Jr. leads the Canes rushing attack with 228 yards and 4-TDs on just 24 carries. Meanwhile, Sam Phillips (9 receptions, 194 yards, 4-TDs) and Devonte Ross (9 receptions, 158 yards, 2-TDs) are the top receivers for the Canes. The Canes defense also has two shutouts to their credit and are only allowing 4.3 points per game. Amarai Orr, Marquail Coaxum and Marko Dudley make up a very talented secondary. It maybe the most talented unit that A.J. Swann will face this season. In a game like this, we like to take a look at experience. And that favors Cartersville…We like the Canes by 8
The Skinny
The Milton Eagles will travel to face their rival, the Roswell Hornets for the 65th time this Friday night. The first game in this rivalry was played back on September 22, 1950. Last season, it was Roswell who got past the Eagles, but the Eagles made a historic run to win their first 7A state title. Yet the Eagles find themselves one game under .500 after a tough two-week stretch that saw the Eagles fall in two close contests to Buford and JSerra Catholic out in California. The Eagles Ahmad Junearick is the feature back in the Milton offense and has rushed for 344 yards and 4-TDs. Quarterbacks Devin Farrell and Jackson Weaver have combined for 290 passing yards and 3-TDs. Will Stax has been the primary target, catching 10 balls for 108 yards and a touchdown. The Milton defense is allowing a respectable 14 points per game.
The Roswell Hornets have been flying high. Their game against West Forsyth last Friday was cancelled due to weather, but the Hornets come into this game undefeated, having outscored their opponents 84-10 in two games. Quarterback Ethan Roberts has hooked up with Jacob Jarrett for a few touchdown scores while newcomer Nnamdi Orjioke adds depth to the Hornets backfield. Roswell will step up in competition this week. Milton’s record should not fool anyone. But we like the Hornets in a mild upset at home over Milton by a field goal.
The Skinny
Another big game in Region 7-5A as the Carrollton Trojans face the Rome Wolves. The Trojans defense has really stepped up early in the season, while Myles Morris continues to get more comfortable at quarterback on the offensive side of the ball. Morris has passed for 459 yards and 2-TDs. The Trojans also have a stable of running backs led by Brandon Marenco and Mecose Todd. The two have combined for 281 yards rushing. But the big story for Carrollton is their defense. As we mentioned earlier, the Trojans defense has scored three touchdowns already on the season.
Meanwhile the Rome Wolves come into this game looking to take control of the Region after defeating Kell last week by the slimmest of margins. Caleb Ellard passed for 183 yards and two touchdowns in the win. In the last two games, the defense has gotten back in track, giving up a total of 26 points in those two matchups. Perhaps a telling stat for this week is the fact that Carrollton has turned the ball over 11 times already this season. If that trend continues, then Rome should come out on top. But we think the worm will turn this week. We like the Trojans by a field goal this week at home.
The Skinny
To Whom It May Concern, do not be deceived by Mt. Zion Carroll’s record. The Eagle’s have been the class of their region for a few years now. They have two of the best linemen in the region in Ben May and Jarred Morrow. JD Hindsman was on the athlete of the year watchlist in Region 6-A. Meanwhile, Dakota Browning is a playmaker on both sides of the field for the Eagles. He has made several acrobatic plays in the secondary to intercept or breakup passes.
Last season, Christian Heritage might have caught some teams by surprise after a tough 2017 season. But Coach Jay Poag guided the Lions to one of the best seasons in school history and they are again off to a fast start. The Lions return 18 starters from a year ago. Quarterback Christian Thomas is completing 60% of his passes for 452 yards and 4-TDs. Meanwhile, Gage Leonard leads the team in rushing with 335 yards and 4-TDs, while Evan Lester leads the team in receiving 157 yards and 2-TDs. The Lions defense is only surrendering 6.6 points per game. But when we talked to Coach Poag, he mentioned he’d like to see his defense create more turnovers. If they can turn Mt. Zion over, the should be in a great position to be successful. We think the two-hour road trip will have effect the Lions, but we like them to get things together in the second half and win by a touchdown this week.