Region play takes center stage this week with several intriguing matchups featuring teams with plenty on the line. Bleckley County and Dublin battle in a game that could have major implications for the region title, while Fellowship Christian looks to build on its big win over Savannah Christian against a powerful Prince Avenue Christian squad. Lee County and Thomas County Central meet in a highly anticipated clash between two undefeated teams, with both bringing explosive offenses into the matchup. Meanwhile, Worth County will try to end a two-game skid when it hosts a dominant Cairo team. With region races beginning to take shape, these four games should provide plenty of drama Friday night.
Bleckley County vs Dublin – The Bleckley County Royals enter region play undefeated and will face a Dublin team that has dominated the series in recent years. Bleckley County brings a balanced offense and a strong defense into the matchup, while Dublin relies heavily on a powerful rushing attack.
Fellowship Christian vs Prince Avenue Christian – The Fellowship Christian Paladins will look to build on their impressive road win over Savannah Christian when they take on a Prince Avenue Christian team that has won three games this season.
Lee County vs Thomas County Central – This September showdown has all the makings of a state-title caliber matchup, as two undefeated teams collide with plenty of offensive firepower. Lee County enters region play unbeaten and battle-tested, while Thomas County Central has dominated its first four opponents on both sides of the ball.
Worth County vs Cairo – The Worth County Rams will look to snap a two-game losing streak when they host a Cairo team that has been dominant through the first four games of the season. Cairo has been especially impressive defensively, allowing just 6.7 points per game while recording two straight shutouts.
As always, thank you to the Georgia Helmet Project for the artwork. You can find them here: https://www.gahelmetproject.com/ As well as the High School Football Historians Association for all of their historical data. You can find them here: https://hsfha.org/
The Skinny
The Bleckley County Royals completed their non-region schedule unscathed and now turn their sights to Dublin, a team they have not had a lot of success against over the years. The Royals’ defense has been impressive through the first four outings, allowing just 9 points per game. Bleckley County has forced five turnovers and has sacked opposing quarterbacks four times this season.
Junior lineman Cody Register leads the team with 27 total tackles, including three tackles for loss and a team-high two sacks. Landry Nobles has recorded 26 total tackles, including 11 solo stops, while Kelvin Sneed Jr. has a team-high 19 solo tackles from his safety position.
Offensively, the Royals are averaging 34.7 points per game. Brody Fleming has thrown for 773 yards and 10 touchdowns and has yet to be intercepted on 86 pass attempts. Zyion Love leads the ground game with 428 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 7.3 yards per carry.
The Royals have plenty of weapons in the passing game as well. Jason McNulty Jr. leads the way with 17 receptions for 300 yards, while Gage Harris has 18 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown. Octavius Tate has added 10 receptions for 175 yards. Bleckley County has been balanced offensively, with 87 pass attempts compared to 92 rushing attempts.
The Dublin Fighting Irish return from their bye week looking to duplicate last year’s success against the Royals. It should come as no surprise that the Irish have focused heavily on the ground game. Dublin is averaging 336.3 yards per game rushing compared to just 33.5 yards per game through the air. The Irish have attempted just 23 passes while running the ball 170 times.
Four players in particular have carried the load for Dublin. Ja’Marcus Knight leads the way with 33 carries for 453 yards and three touchdowns. Travion Bostic has 38 carries for 353 yards and a touchdown, while Dontavious Cannon has added 173 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries. Quarterback Ryan Yates has rushed 36 times for 197 yards and two touchdowns.
If the Irish do take to the air, William Wallace leads the team with five receptions for 83 yards.
Dublin has also been strong defensively, allowing just 11.7 points per game while recording eight sacks. Ja’Marcus Knight leads the Irish defense with 27 total tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss.
Keys to the Game
Bleckley County
- Find a way to slow down Dublin’s powerful rushing attack.
- Continue to take advantage of a balanced offensive attack.
- Protect the football and avoid giving Dublin extra possessions.
Dublin
- Establish the run and force Bleckley County to commit extra defenders to the box.
- Find a way to create turnovers against the Royals’ passing game.
- Make Bleckley County earn every yard through the air.
The winner of this game will certainly have the inside track to the region title and a home playoff game. The key to this matchup will be Bleckley County’s ability to stop the run. In their only loss this season, Dublin was held to just 105 yards rushing.
Meanwhile, if you are the Dublin defense, the secondary could be busy. The Irish will need to find a way to force a couple of turnovers and prevent Bleckley County from consistently moving the football through the air. Bleckley County has defeated Dublin just twice in 20 contests, but we believe the Royals will make it win number three behind their balanced offensive attack.
Bleckley County by 6.
The Skinny
The Fellowship Christian Paladins graduated most of their offensive production from a season ago, but they have gotten off to a good start under head coach Scott Hamilton, who is in his first year at FCS. The Paladins made some noise their last time out as they traveled down to Savannah and defeated Savannah Christian.
Fellowship Christian is averaging 163.7 yards per game through the air and 153 yards per game on the ground. The Paladins have used two quarterbacks this season, with Davis Ferguson throwing for 276 yards and two touchdowns and freshman Grant Boneventure adding 206 yards and a touchdown.
Brody Bernd is the team’s leading receiver with 15 catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Caleb Nelsonleads the rushing attack with 260 yards and three touchdowns on 61 carries.
The Paladins have also been opportunistic defensively, intercepting six passes and recovering three fumbles. Sophomore Braden Burrows has been a ball hawk, recording a team-high three interceptions. Synir Fields leads the team with 27 total tackles, including two tackles for loss.
The Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines picked up their third win of the season last week. The Wolverines will now play six consecutive games without a bye after having both of their bye weeks within the first five weeks of the season.
The Wolverines were without star running back Andrew Beard in Week 1, but he has since returned with a vengeance. Beard leads the Wolverines’ offense with 401 yards and four touchdowns.
Meanwhile, quarterback Gavin Hollum has thrown for 684 yards and five touchdowns while completing 56 percent of his passes. Hudson Hill leads the team in receptions and receiving yards.
Prince Avenue is averaging 40.6 points per game while allowing 17.6 points per game, giving the Wolverines plenty of firepower on both sides of the ball.
Keys to the Game
Fellowship Christian
- Rally to the football and limit Andrew Beard’s big-play ability.
- Win the battle at the line of scrimmage.
- Force turnovers and create extra possessions.
- Find a way to keep pace with Prince Avenue’s explosive offense.
Prince Avenue Christian
- Establish Andrew Beard early and let him set the tone.
- Take advantage of opportunities in the passing game.
- Avoid turnovers against a Fellowship defense that has already picked off six passes.
Andrew Beard is a game changer, and after his first two games of the season, all eyes will be on him when the Wolverines have the ball. The Paladins will have to rally to the football and win the line of scrimmage. That’s easier said than done.
Perhaps Fellowship Christian can force a turnover or two to keep pace, but we believe Prince Avenue is a little more experienced, and that will be the difference this week.
Prince Avenue Christian by 11.
The Skinny
The Lee County Trojans finished their non-region schedule unblemished and have found ways to win games in a few different ways. The Trojans’ offense has powered its way to 449 yards per game, with 220 yards per game through the air and 229 yards per game on the ground.
Quarterback Cohen Lawson has thrown for 827 yards and five touchdowns while completing 70 percent of his passes. Jaden Upshaw is the Trojans’ top receiver, with 31 receptions for 447 yards and three touchdowns. Carter Blackwelladds depth to the position with 12 catches for 192 yards and a touchdown.
Jordan Bush is the Trojans’ running quarterback and has gained 265 yards on 47 carries with three touchdowns. Quay Sheard leads the team with 321 rushing yards on 35 carries and five touchdowns, while Dominique Ball has chipped in 208 yards on 36 carries and a touchdown.
Lee County is averaging 41.2 points per game while allowing 20.5. The Trojans have forced five turnovers and have recorded eight sacks. Jace Murray leads the defense with 29 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and four sacks.
Thomas County Central has been dominant through its first four games of the season. The Yellow Jackets are averaging 56 points per game while the defense is allowing just 10.5. TCC has overwhelmed its opposition with 435.5 yards of total offense per game.
Quarterback Aidan McPherson has thrown for 549 yards and nine touchdowns while completing 70 percent of his passes. He has also been a major factor on the ground, leading the team with 261 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
The Jackets have also mixed in junior quarterback Roland Waldrop, who has completed 22 of 31 passes for 228 yards. Running backs Jamarion Paytee and Jordan McNeil have helped pace the ground game with 236 and 209 yards, respectively, while each has scored three touchdowns.
TCC has plenty of weapons in the passing game as well. Jabari Watkins has 19 receptions for 291 yards and five touchdowns, while D.J. White has 20 catches for 291 yards and five touchdowns.
Defensively, the Yellow Jackets have forced six turnovers and recorded 8.5 sacks. Gary Pringle leads the team with 29 total tackles, while Prince Che leads the Jackets with five tackles for loss and has 19 total tackles.
Keys to the Game
Lee County
- Avoid a slow start and keep the Yellow Jackets from building an early lead.
- Protect the football, particularly against a TCC defense that has already forced six turnovers.
- Get positive yards on first down and keep the offense in manageable situations.
- Find ways to slow down Aidan McPherson both through the air and on the ground.
Thomas County Central
- Continue to establish the run and put pressure on the Lee County defense.
- Force Cohen Lawson into difficult passing situations.
- Limit Lee County’s explosive plays through the air.
- Avoid giving the Trojans extra possessions through turnovers.
This game has all the makings of a state-title game, even though it is being played in September. Thomas County Central is the prohibitive favorite to win the region, but don’t expect Lee County to lay down at home.
In their two close games, the Trojans got behind and had to battle back. They cannot afford to start slowly against the Yellow Jackets. Meanwhile, Lee County may be a little more battle-tested thanks to its non-region schedule. Cohen Lawson will need to protect the football, while Jordan Bush must consistently get positive yards on first down. Expect a game that comes down to the wire, but we believe Aidan McPherson and the Yellow Jackets will survive the trip to Leesburg.
Thomas County Central by 6.
The Skinny
The Worth County Rams dropped their second straight game last week and are looking to stop the skid as they host Cairo. The Rams are averaging 175 yards per game through the air and 85.8 yards per game on the ground.
Senior quarterback Lyndon Worthy has thrown for 700 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 51 yards on 10 carries. The combination of Kody Crutchfield and Kevarius Tyler has paced the Rams on the ground. Crutchfield has 44 carries for 182 yards and five touchdowns, while Tyler has added 98 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Jaqueveon Nelson leads the Rams’ receivers with 16 receptions for 236 yards and a touchdown, while Keaton Tuckerhas caught 14 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns.
The Rams’ defense has forced seven turnovers through four games. Noah Marlin leads the team with 38 total tackles, while Daylon Smith has recorded 35 total tackles and a team-high 23 solo tackles. Worth County is averaging 29 points per game while allowing 22.5.
The Cairo Syrupmakers have been dominant through their first four games. Cairo is averaging 38.2 points per game while allowing just 6.7 points per game. The defense has been downright stingy and has posted two shutouts in its last two games. The Syrupmakers held a slim 8-0 lead going into halftime in their most recent outing but extended their advantage to 29 points before a late Thomasville touchdown provided the final margin.
Keys to the Game
Worth County
- Protect the football against a stingy Cairo defense.
- Find ways to get the running game going.
- Avoid giving Cairo short fields and extra possessions.
- Force turnovers and capitalize on every opportunity.
Cairo
- Continue to establish the ground game.
- Take advantage of any Worth County turnovers.
- Keep the Rams from creating explosive plays through the air.
- Maintain the defensive intensity that has produced two straight shutouts.
Cairo has dominated this series, but this will be the first time these two teams have faced off in more than 10 years. Both teams are experienced at the quarterback position, making ball security paramount in this game Friday night. Cairo had a couple of turnovers on offense in its last outing, while Worth County has shown an ability to create turnovers defensively. However, the Rams are reeling after two straight losses, and we believe the Syrupmakers will take advantage this week.
Cairo by 11.