Four intriguing matchups highlight this week’s region action, with eight teams looking to make an early statement. Marist and Blessed Trinity square off in a defensive battle between two of the state’s stingiest units, while Toombs County and Pierce County meet in a showdown featuring two explosive rushing attacks. Hart County puts its unbeaten record on the line against a Lumpkin County team that has been dominant on the ground, while Fitzgerald and Jeff Davis meet in another battle of undefeated teams that should be decided in the trenches. With undefeated records and region positioning on the line, all four games should provide plenty of excitement Friday night.
Fitzgerald vs Jeff Davis – Fitzgerald and Jeff Davis bring undefeated records into a matchup that should be decided in the trenches. Both teams have relied heavily on the ground game to power their success, with Fitzgerald leaning on the workhorse running of Latavis “LJ” Devine and Jeff Davis using a trio of rushing threats.
Hart County vs Lumpkin County – Hart County and Lumpkin County bring undefeated records into a matchup featuring two of the better rushing attacks in the region. The Bulldogs are off to their first 5-0 start since 2021 and have been led by a high-powered passing attack, while Lumpkin County has opened 4-0 behind a ground game averaging more than 300 yards per game.
Marist vs Blessed Trinity – Two of the state’s strongest defensive teams square off in a matchup that could come down to which offense can find a way to create enough big plays. Marist is coming off a 53-0 shutout and has allowed just 7.5 points per game, while Blessed Trinity is off to its first 4-0 start since 2020 and has seen significant improvement on offense.
Toombs County vs Pierce County – Two of the state’s most dominant programs meet in a region showdown that could have major implications for the region title. Toombs County has won 41 games since 2023, including two state championship appearances, while Pierce County has been nearly as impressive.
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 Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes held off Worth County last week to remain undefeated. The Canes now begin one of the toughest region schedules in Class 2A.
The Purple Hurricanes have rushed for more than 1,200 yards on the season. Latavis “LJ” Devine has led the way with more than 760 yards rushing and, as we mentioned last week, has been an absolute workhorse for the Canes.
On the season, Fitzgerald is averaging 25.7 points per game while the defense is allowing 11.7 points per game. Prior to last week’s game, the Purple Hurricanes had completed just five passes all season, so it’s safe to say they will rely primarily on the ground game—and primarily on the legs of Devine.
The Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets are off to their third straight 4-0 start. Similar to Fitzgerald, it has been the ground game that has powered the Jackets.
Quarterback Mark Durden has rushed for 390 yards, while Kobe Hill has added 314 yards and Jacob Laney has contributed 200 yards. Hill also leads the team with nine rushing touchdowns this season.
Offensively, Jeff Davis is averaging 38.7 points per game. Josh Worthington has been one of the defensive standouts for the Jackets, recording a team-high 32 total tackles. Durden, who also plays defensive back, has a team-high two interceptions.
The Jackets’ defense has been stingy this season, surrendering just 14 total points while already recording two shutouts.
Keys to the Game
Fitzgerald
- Establish LJ Devine and control the line of scrimmage.
- Limit Jeff Davis’ multiple rushing threats.
- Avoid falling behind early and being forced to throw the football.
- Win the field-position battle.
Jeff Davis
- Find a way to slow down LJ Devine.
- Continue to establish the ground game with Durden, Hill and Laney.
- Force Fitzgerald into obvious passing situations.
- Create turnovers and take advantage of extra possessions.
This game will certainly be a trench battle, as the team that is able to impose its will at the line of scrimmage should have the advantage. Because both of these teams rely so heavily on the ground game, this could be one of the quickest games played across the state.
Jeff Davis has been stout defensively, but the Jackets have not been challenged quite like Fitzgerald has early in the season. We believe that experience, along with the home-field advantage and a steady dose of LJ Devine, will be enough for the Canes.
Fitzgerald by 9.
The Skinny
The Hart County Bulldogs outlasted Hebron Christian last week to run their record to 5-0 for the first time since 2021. The Bulldogs are averaging 223.4 yards per game through the air and 173.6 yards per game on the ground.
Quarterback Tucker Parson has thrown for 1,020 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has thrown just one interception on 127 pass attempts. Kurt Curry leads the team with 31 receptions for 370 yards and three touchdowns, while P.J. Johnson has caught 19 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns. In all, 12 different receivers have caught passes for the Bulldogs this season.
The ground game is paced by Za’braeylin Harper, who has 49 carries for 267 yards and two touchdowns, Xavier Allen, who has 22 carries for 282 yards and three touchdowns, and Ian Sheppard, who has added 152 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries. The Bulldogs are averaging 41.8 points per game while allowing just 11.6.
The Lumpkin County Indians have opened the season with four straight wins for the first time since 2023, when they won their last region title and went undefeated during the regular season.
The Indians are averaging just over 400 yards per game, with the bulk of that production coming on the ground. Lumpkin is averaging 328 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Kolson Howell leads the ground game with 473 yards and 11 touchdowns. Joseph Alvarez has added 465 yards and four touchdowns on 52 carries, while Weston Veator has 203 yards and two touchdowns on 44 carries.
Howell has also thrown for 331 yards and three touchdowns. His primary receivers have been Martin Hulsey and Mac Powell, who have combined to catch all but two of the Indians’ receptions this season.
Defensively, Lumpkin is allowing 23.5 points per game. The Indians have recorded three sacks and forced three turnovers. Gannon Melanson leads the team with 36 total tackles and four tackles for loss, while Cohen Carden has 29 total tackles.
Keys to the Game
Hart County
- Take advantage of the passing game against Lumpkin’s defense.
- Force the Indians to throw the football.
- Limit Lumpkin’s rushing attack and prevent long, clock-eating drives.
- Protect the football and avoid giving the Indians extra possessions.
Lumpkin County
- Establish the running game and control the clock.
- Keep Hart’s explosive passing attack off the field.
- Take advantage of opportunities in the passing game with Hulsey and Powell.
- Create turnovers and make Hart earn every possession.
The Bulldogs’ offense has been high-powered, and with the strength of the passing attack, the Indians’ secondary will face its biggest test of the season. While Lumpkin County relies more heavily on the ground game, the Indians do have two capable receivers who could cause Hart some issues.
We believe Lumpkin County’s ability to run the football will keep this game close, but we like the Bulldogs to hang on for a close victory Friday night.
Hart County by 6.
The Skinny
Two of the state’s strongest defensive teams square off in a matchup that could come down to which offense can find a way to create enough big plays. Marist is coming off a 53-0 shutout and has allowed just 7.5 points per game, while Blessed Trinity is off to its first 4-0 start since 2020 and has seen significant improvement on offense. Expect a physical battle, with Marist looking to control the clock on the ground and the Titans trying to use their balanced attack to create opportunities.
The Marist War Eagles picked up their second shutout victory of the season as they downed Campbell 53-0 last week. On the season, the War Eagles are averaging 34.2 points per game.
Quarterback Hayes Rollauer has led the team in rushing this season, but the War Eagles have also gotten help from several backs, including Cullen O’Leary, Hudson Kalb, Dylan Chiok and Ferdi Ngando.
As is typical for Marist, the War Eagles have not thrown the ball much this season, instead relying heavily on their option attack and ground game. The Marist defense has been stingy, allowing just 7.5 points per game and recording two shutouts.
The Blessed Trinity Titans are off to their first 4-0 start since 2020. While most will gush over the Titans’ defense, and rightfully so, it has been the offense that has made significant strides this season. Blessed Trinity is averaging 39.2 points per game, its highest scoring average since that 2020 season.
The Titans are averaging 212.5 yards per game through the air and 165.3 yards per game on the ground. M.J. Craft has led the rushing attack with 506 yards and seven touchdowns on 75 carries. Meanwhile, the Titans have used two quarterbacks successfully. Ty Page has thrown for 586 yards and six touchdowns, while freshman Luke Rayhas added 264 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Quinn Smith leads the Titans with 16 receptions for 361 yards and four touchdowns, while Andrew Cochran has 14 catches for 263 yards and four touchdowns.
Defensively, D.J. Jacobs and Brayden Oblas have been game wreckers. The two are tied for the team lead with 23 total tackles and five sacks each. The Titans have recorded 15 sacks and forced seven turnovers this season.
Keys to the Game
Marist
- Establish the option attack and control the clock.
- Wear down the Blessed Trinity defense with a physical rushing attack.
- Avoid turnovers and stay ahead of the chains.
- Keep the Titans’ explosive passing attack on the sideline.
Blessed Trinity
- Slow down Marist’s option attack and win the battle at the line of scrimmage.
- Get D.J. Jacobs and the defensive front into the backfield.
- Take advantage of opportunities in the passing game.
- Establish M.J. Craft and the ground game to keep Marist’s defense honest.
Blessed Trinity might have arguably one of the top defenses in the state, led by D.J. Jacobs, who is widely regarded as one of the top edge rushers in the country in the Class of 2027. The Titans will certainly need his best effort, along with a strong performance from the rest of the defense, to slow down the Marist option attack.
Expect the War Eagles to try to wear down Blessed Trinity with a punishing ground game. Meanwhile, Blessed Trinity has a bruising running back of its own in M.J. Craft, who has the ability to take the wind out of an opponent’s sails. We expect points to be at a premium this week, but like the Titans to escape with a close victory on the road.
Blessed Trinity by 3.
The Skinny
Lyons, Georgia, has become home to one of the best high school football programs in the state. Since 2023, the Toombs County Bulldogs have won 41 games and lost just five. Two of those losses came in the state championship game.
This year, the Bulldogs are off to another fast start, averaging 56.7 points per game and 475.8 yards per game on offense.
Quarterback Joseph Owens has thrown for 752 yards and three touchdowns. Brandon Stevens has caught 21 passes for 409 yards and a touchdown, while Nick Carroll has added 15 receptions for 225 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Bulldog receivers. Donterrius Mincey has had an outstanding season to date, rushing for 858 yards and 19 touchdowns.
The Bulldogs are allowing just 13.7 points per game defensively. They have recorded 11 sacks and forced nine turnovers. Alex Scott has 19 total tackles and four tackles for loss, while Hayden Bullard has 16 tackles and seven tackles for loss. Slade McDonald has also recorded 16 total tackles and six tackles for loss.
The Pierce County Bears have been dominant as well. Pierce is averaging 46.2 points per game while allowing just 9.7.
Similar to Toombs County, Pierce has been dominant on the ground, averaging 392.8 rushing yards per game while gaining just 14.5 yards per game through the air. The Bears have attempted just 14 passes this season.
Jaeveon Williams has been outstanding, rushing for 1,184 yards and 16 touchdowns while providing the bulk of the Bears’ offensive production. Dylan Johnson has added 154 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries, while Colton McCook has contributed 170 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
Keys to the Game
Toombs County
- Slow down Jaeveon Williams and force Pierce County to find other ways to move the football.
- Establish Donterrius Mincey early and often.
- Take advantage of the passing game when Pierce loads the box.
- Avoid giving the Bears extra possessions through turnovers.
Pierce County
- Find a way to contain Donterrius Mincey.
- Control the line of scrimmage and keep Toombs County’s offense on the sideline.
- Continue to establish the rushing attack.
- Force Toombs County into third-and-long situations.
This game has the makings of a region title matchup in Week 1, with the winner gaining the inside track to the title, although both teams will still have to deal with highly rated Appling County.
Ultimately, this game could come down to which defense is able to slow down the opposing ground game. We believe this will be a high-scoring affair, with both Donterrius Mincey and Jaeveon Williams putting up big numbers once again. In the end, we believe the home team strikes last to edge the Bears.
Toombs County by 4.