Week 6 marks the midway point of the high school football season in Georgia. While it seems like the season just got underway, several teams have begun or will begin the all important region play this week Here is Part I of our Eight Greats Around the State.
First up, Rome travels to Carrollton in a game that features perhaps the two favorites to win Region 5. Can Rome get a win down in Grisham Stadium or will Carrollton defeat the Wolves for the second consecutive season?
Down in Valdosta, the Winnersville Classic will be played at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. Is there any way for Valdosta to derail Jacurri Brown and the Vikings this season? Meanwhile, in Leesburg, the Lee County Trojans will host the Warner Robins Demons. Lee County has not lost a regular season home game since October of 2016. Are the Demons a threat to end that streak this week?
Finally, the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes will host the Pierce County Bears. Pierce County was in a dogfight last week. It certainly doesn’t get any easier for them down in Fitzgerald on Friday.
Best of luck to all of the teams competing on Friday night. As always, we welcome any comments or feedback.
All helmet images are courtesy of the Georgia High School Helmet Project. To see all of their work, please visit: http://www.gahelmetproject.com
The Skinny
The Carrollton Trojans broke a string of three consecutive losses to Rome last season. The old region foes find themselves together again after both teams jumped up to Class 6A. Carrollton beat Dalton last week. The Trojans were up big before Dalton attempted to mount a rally with under 4 minutes in the game. James McCauley has passed for 262 yards and 3-TDs while Christian Lett and Keyshawn Ridley have combined for 256 yards and 5-TDs to lead the rushing attack. As mentioned before, the Trojans had limited Dalton to 10 points, until the final four minutes of the game.
The Rome Wolves got Region play off to a good start with a win over South Paulding. Rome had an extremely challenging first three weeks of their schedule with opponents such as Rockmart, Cherokee, and Collins Hill. Rome’s offense will be powered by running back E.J. Lackey, quarterback Caleb Ellard and receiver Jay Wise. Coming into the game last Friday night, Lackey and Freshman Caden Williams had combined for 444 rushing yards, with Lackey responsible for the bulk of them. Jameion Leath leads the Wolves in total tackles and tackles for loss. While some of the star power might be missing on both sides of the ball, this game should go a long way in determining the region champion. Carrollton will be tough to beat at home and James McCauley seems to be settling in at quarterback, but we like Rome in a low scoring defensive battle this week. Wolves by 6.
The Valdosta Wildcats will host the Winnersville Classic this season and will do so with out quarterback Jake Garcia who was ruled ineligible by the GHSA. Amari Jones has stepped in to take the reigns at quarterback and has passed for 360 yards and 4-TDs in his two appearances this season. Tajh Sanders will join Jones in the backfield. Sanders is also a receiving threat and compliments receivers Aalah Brown and Javonte Sherman. The Valdosta defense is allowing 18.6 points per game. Jaylen Alderman and Ty’li Lewis are among the team leaders in tackles. Lewis also leads the ‘Cats in sacks with 4.
Meanwhile, the Lowndes Vikings have put up some dominant performances under new coach Jamey DuBose. The Vikings are averaging 38.7 points per game and are led by dual threat quarterback, Jacurri Brown. The Junior signal caller has thrown for 467 yards and 4-TDs and rushed for 346 yards and 7-TDs. Israel Mitchell (162 yards, 2-TDs) and Justin Lee (295 yards, 5-TDs) usually get the lions share of the carries outside of Brown. Chase Belcher and Dominique Marshall are the top receiving threats for Lowndes. They have combined for 23 receptions, for 507 yards and 6-TDs. Jalon Baker, T.J. Quinn and Matthew Trimble are tops in tackles on a team that allows only 14.2 points per game. Leon Williams has 6 sacks on the season and Tylar Belcher leads the team in interceptions with 3. Last year, Valdosta was shut out for only the 6th time in the series. We believe the ‘Cats will get on the scoreboard this week, but we still like Lowndes big this Friday…Vikings by 20.
The Skinny
The Skinny
Last Week, the Lee County Trojans got back to their winning ways with a big win over Lithia Springs. The Trojans are averaging 44.6 points per game on offense. Smith Pinson led the way at quarterback last week, but we’ve also seen Chauncey Magwood take snaps there as well. The Lee defense is allowing 11 points per game and have shutout two of their four opponents. Last week, they held Lithia Springs to 62 total rushing yards and intercepted two passes.
The Warner Robins Demons have reeled off three consecutive wins and may have begun to hit their stride. The Demons are averaging 39.5 points per game this season. Quarterback Jalen Addie has passed for 695 yards and 7-TDs and rushed for 300 yards and 4-TDs. Meanwhile, Jahlen Rutherford and Malcom Brown have combined to carry the rest of the load on the ground for Warner Robins. Daveon Walker and Armon Porter are the team’s leading receivers. On the opposite side of the ball, the defense is allowing 11.2 points per game. Jay Carter and Vic Burley are tops on the team in tackles. Entering the Houston County game last Friday, Warner Robins had sacked opposing quarterbacks 19 times and forced 6 turnovers. We believe Warner Robins can certainly keep pace with Lee County, but we will take the Trojans at home. Points may be at a premium. Trojans by 4.
The Skinny
The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes are 4-0 for the first time since 2016. The ‘Canes are averaging 24.5 points per game and are led by Mario Clark who leads the team in rushing with 328 yards and accounted for both touchdowns their last time out. Defensively, Fitzgerland is only allowing 10.2 points per game and only surrendered 71 yards rushing to Jefferson County.
The Pierce County Bears have now won 24 consecutive regular season games. Senior quarterback Jermaine Brewton is completing 72.5% of his passes for 495 yards and 7-TDs while sophomore D.J. Bell leads the team in rushing with 511 yards and 5-TDs. Leading receivers for the Bears are Luke Bennett and Maleek Chandel. Pierce County is averaging 26.7 points per game. Perhaps the biggest story is the defense, which is allowing a paltry 5.7 points per game and has recorded two shutouts. Spencer Woodcock continues to lead the team in total tackles while Seth Foster leads the team in tackles for loss with 14. Foster and Austin Jernigan are tied for the team lead in sacks with 4.5. As a team, Pierce County has sacked opposing quarterbacks 20 times and forced 6 turnovers. We expect Fitzgerald to be a force in Class 2A, but we really like the Bears defense. Pierce County by 9.