HSFB 2018: This week's high school football scouting reports
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
Region action – except in 2-4A, which takes this week off, and with a few other contenders – picks up steam, but may not really clarify much in most regions, although several needs wins to keep alive – mathematically, anyway – playoff hopes. Some Class A teams are trying to maintain decent playoff positions, and some others need winning streaks to have a chance to sneak in.
Game of the week
Washington County (6-0, 2-0) at Dodge County (6-1, 2-1)
Slobberknocker football at its finest with the Golden Hawks, who don’t throw, and the Indians, who don’t throw. Washington County’s offensive line leads the single-wing, in front of Dylan Bloodsaw and Preston Daniels. Dodge County’s R.J. Carr and Erin Pitts get about six yards a carry, but the Indians were without Pitts in last week’s loss to Dublin. He’s back, but Carr is hurt. A loss puts Dodge County in a playing-for-seeding position – the Indians have East Laurens and Bleckley County left – while a win keeps alive the Golden Hawks hopes for their fourth region title since 2013. A series oddity: it’s 5-5, with a gap of no games from 2000-2011, and the average spread in the past four games (2012, 2013, 2016, 2017) is 31 points.
Games of the week
Lee County (6-0) at Northside (4-3, 1-0), 4 p.m., Saturday
Not that anybody actually overlooks Northside, but the Eagles certainly got Lee County’s attention with a convincing win over then-No. 2 Coffee last week at The Mac. The Eagles again have a strength-of-schedule advantage, which showed last week. The Eagles defense must deal with a 1,000-yard passer and a collection of receivers. Lee County knows what to expect from Northside and QB Jadin Daniels, and that the Eagles have a weapon in PK Cory Munson, who drilled a game-tying FG last year to force overtime.
Warner Robins (6-1, 1-0) at Thomas County Central (5-1). Saturday, 5 p.m.
TCC is somewhat revitalized under new head coach Ashley Henderson, and succeeding in a year of changed offenses. But the Yellow Jackets’ defense will be under the spotlight against the state’s top yardage passer (Dylan Fromm, 2,272 yards) and top yardage receiver (Marcayll Jones) and a respectable rushing attack. Again, keep an eye on special teams, all facets.
Dublin (6-1, 3-0) at Southwest (2-4, 0-2), Henderson
The Irish are clicking in all phases, and the Patriots are last in the region with 12.3 points a game. Dublin’s D? Leads the region with 8.3 points allowed a game. But Southwest is now in the habit of giving Dublin fits, winning here two years ago and losing 22-14 last year in the Shamrock Bowl. If the Patriots can get over last week’s double-overtime loss to Northeast and play over their heads, then this might be another pretty interesting evening. But if Conteveyas Mitchell, Rodriguez Martin, Greg Jones, and the offensive line, et al are clicking …
The matchups
Class 5A
Harris County (2-5, 0-1) at Veterans (6-1, 0-1)
Harris County enters with the same win total as Bainbridge did last week, and the Bearcats pulled off the home upset, holding Veterans to its second-lowest point total of the season. Cyrus Zuell is among Class 5A’s top 10 rushers, and QB Sebastian Verger is in the top 30. Harris County’s Cal’von Harris is sixth with 754 yards.
Class 4A
Baldwin (2-5, 1-0) at Thomson (2-4)
The Braves haven’t had much success, and now they’ll try to put last week’s superb win over previously undefeated Richmond Academy in the rearview mirror and all but clinch a playoff spot with a win.
Class 3A
Rutland (0-7, 0-3) at Peach County (4-2, 2-0)
This is Peach County’s first game since the tragic visit to Pike County.
Central (2-5, 1-2) at Pike County (5-1, 1-1)
Pike County’s read-option offense is a trouble-maker. Central, which has given up only two more points than it’s scored, can make things interesting for the last two playoff spots with a win.
Class AA
East Laurens (1-5, 0-2) at Bleckley County (2-5, 0-3), Monday, 7 p.m.
It’s homecoming weekend for the Royals, who have won five straight in this series.
Monticello (2-4, 1-2) at Oglethorpe County (0-6, 0-3)
Dylan Jackson averages more than 90 yards a game on the ground for Monticello, which still has slim playoff hopes.
Social Circle (4-2, 1-2) at Putnam County (1-5, 0-3)
Social Circle has outscored Putnam County 194-91 this season.
Class A
Crawford County (2-4, 0-3) at Dooly County (3-3, 2-1)
Dooly County wants to maintain its No. 15 power ranking and remain in the region title hunt. Nice QB show tonight with Bo Lawson (33-66-2, 11 TDs, 757 yards) and Crawford County’s Cody Guidry (84-170-11, 12 TDs, 1,342 yards)
Taylor County (2-4, 1-2) at Hawkinsville (2-4, 1-2)
Taylor County has almost outscored Hawkinsville 2-1, 138-71, this season.
Macon County (3-3, 2-1) at Schley County (5-1, 3-0)
Macon County QB Desahwn Cumby is 42 of 72 for 655 yards with 12 TDs and one pick. Schley County gets nearly 300 yards a game rushing.
Hancock Central (4-2, 2-1) at Aquinas (6-0, 3-0)
A win over No. 8 would be huge, almost a playoff clincher for the No. 16 Bulldogs and LB Jaquan Harden and RB Keveon Robbins.
Stratford (1-5, 0-2) at FPD (2-4, 2-0)
Records aside, Stratford is legitimately in the playoff hunt, rankings wise, and FPD stays alive with a win. Records aside, there’ll be some popping.
Mount de Sales (6-0, 2-0) at Tattnall (4-3, 3-0)
MdS broke an 18-game losing streak to Tattnall with 2015’s 9-7 win, and have lost two straight since then. That win, though? At Tattnall, which looks to stop QB Dexter Williams (1,062 yards and eight TDs rushing, 570 yards and eight TDs passing).
GMC (3-4, 0-4) at Washington-Wilkes (2-5, 2-2)
This pits No. 32 hosting No. 35 in the Class A Public ratings.
Twiggs County (0-7, 0-3) at Wilkinson County (0-6, 0-2)
The visiting Cobras are trying to reach double digits in scoring, and the hosts are trying to avoid their first winless season since 1987.
Johnson County (3-3) at ACE (4-4)
ACE has some momentum after a 47-10 win over Glascock County.
GISA
Community Christian at John Milledge (6-0)
Community Christian of the GICAA is 5-1, while the Trojans are off handing Bulloch its first loss of the year.
Bethlehem Christian (2-4, 0-1) at Westfield (1-6, 0-1)
Both teams have lost four straight.
Trinity Christian (4-2) at Frederica (5-2, 0-1)
Frederica leads the series 3-1, with three straight wins.
Piedmont (2-3-1) at Flint River (3-4)
Flint River outscores Piedmont 22-15 on average.
SW Ga. (6-1) at Gatewood (5-1), cancelled