We press on with the GHSA Football season and despite a fe setbacks, we’ve been fortunate to have a season this year. With region play under way, we should begin to get a better idea of the playoff picture. This is part one of our weekly Georgia High School Football Previews.
First up in a Bartow County battle, Cass hosts Cartersville. The Canes have dominated the series but can the upstart Colonels make a big splash in a top heavy region that includes the likes of Blessed Trinity and Calhoun? Meanwhile down in southwest Georgia, Thomasville hosts the resurgent Early County Bobcats. Will the Bobcats rushing attack give Thomasville fits?
Meanwhile Taylor County and Macon County will tangle in a clash of Region 5, Class A-Public Titans. Macon County leads the series, but the Vikings and quarterback Jabin Ford will be looking to turn the tide this season. Finally, the Hapeville Hornets will visit Marist in a big region game. Can the Hornets derail the War Eagles ground game?
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The Skinny
The Cass Colonels might be one of the biggest surprises to people outside of White, GA. as they current sit at 5-0 this season. It’s their first 5-0 start since 2004. Freshman quarterback Devin Henderson has thrown for 802 yards and 6-TDs on the season for the Colonels who are averaging 24.8 points per game. But let’s not forget about the Cass defense who is holding up their end of the bargain. The Colonels are allowing 12.4 points per game this season. They scored three defensive touchdowns their last time out. If they stay on this pace, it will be the best scoring defense for Cass since 1983.
The streak is broken. Now what. Well, the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes still have much to play for this season. They will be on the road again this week to open region play. Prior to the Cherokee Game, the Canes offense is averaging 340.1 yards per game behind a balanced attack. Quarterback Stratton Tripp has thrown for over 800 yards and 7-TDs. But similar to Cass, it’s been the Cartersville defense that has been the most consistent, allowing only 10.4 points per game. The loser of this game will certainly have an uphill battle with regards to hosting a playoff game with games against Calhoun and Blessed Trinity left on both schedules. But on Friday night, we like Cartersville to get back on track. Canes by 12.
The Skinny
After back-to-back losses to Top-10 teams from higher classifications, there is no time for The Thomasville Bulldogs to feel sorry for themselves. Region play starts this week and there is still much to play for. The Bulldogs have been led offensively by quarterback Ronnie Baker, who has now thrown for 753 yards and 4-TDs. Baker continues to lead the team in rushing as well with 174 yards and 4-TDs. Ricardo Johnson, Jay Cody, Taraje Felton are the top receivers for Thomasville coming into this week. The Bulldogs are averaging 19.8 points per game, but are also allowing 19.8 points per game.
The Early County Bobcats are 3-0 for the first time since 2007. The Bobcats Can really ground out yardage behind running backs LaDarius Ceaser, Jay Ealey and BraVeon George. All three backs present difficult challenges to opposing defenses, but Ealey might be the most physical of the three. However, don’t forget about quarterback Landon White, who is a threat throwing the ball as well. The Bobcats are averaging 28 points per game while the defense is allowing 13.6 points per game. We think this game will be the closest contest between the two schools since Thomasville’s one-point victory back in 2011. Early county keeps it close, but we like the Thomasville by 4.
The Skinny
The Taylor County Vikings have not started 4-0 since 2002. The Vikings are currently atop the Region alongside this week’s opponent Macon County, (and Chattahoochee County). The Vikings have been led this season by dual threat quarterback Jabin Ford who’s thrown for 327 yards and 2-TDs and also rushed for 589 yards and 13…that’s right, 13-TDs this season. Nathan Patterson has chipped in 252 yards and 2-TDs as well. As a team, the Vikings are averaging 290.5 yards per game rushing. On defense, the Vikings are only allowing 15.7 points per game. They’ve forced a total of 12 turnovers on the season.
The Macon County Bulldogs will be looking to rebound from their first loss of the season. Yet they are still unblemished in region play. The Bulldogs have used a balanced attack this season. Quarterback Jakalen Williams has thrown for 484 yards and 4-TDs while Davion Clark and Branden Cochran have combined for 395 yards and 7-TDs to lead the way on the ground. Jaden Hayes is tops on the team at receiver with 17 receptions for 292 yards and 3-TDs. The Bulldogs defense is only allowing 10.5 points per game this year, with a shutout to their credit. We know that it’s tough to win on the road, but we really like Macon County’s defense this week. Bulldogs by 4.
The Skinny
The Marist War Eagles return to play this week after consecutive bye weeks. In their first three games, Marist has outscored their opponents 111-3. The War Eagles offense has yet to be challenged. That’s largely in part due to the Marist’s offensive line, which might be the best in the state. Marist has shut out two of their three opponents.
The Hapeville Hornets have been a perennial power in Class 2A, but made the jump to Class 4A this season. The Hornets have not started with two losses since 2016. Quarterback Rashad Render has thrown for over 490 yards and 6-TDs. Last week, Wayne Thompson led the way on the ground with 100 yards rushing. We believe the Hornets face an uphill battle this week on the road. We like Marist to stay hot, despite the layoff. War Eagles by 17.