Who's going to win this week's high school football games?
Last week: 19-6
Season: 164-43 (79.2)
Within 6 points of margin: 7
Upset specials: None
Games of the Week
Northside (4-4, 1-1) at Valdosta (5-4, 2-1)
Valdosta’s region loss was by 56 points to Lee County, which only beat Northside by 17. The winner pretty much get second and a home playoff game with a win – Northside has Houston County next week, Valdosta’s done – so it should be a good game. But don’t be surprised if the Eagles come out like they’re a 6-2 team instead of .500 and put it to Valdosta. Not quite to the Lee County level, but pretty solidly.
The Sports Report pick: Northside by 23
Thomas County Central (5-3, 0-2) at Veterans (7-1, 1-1)
TCC is in must-win mode to stay alive for the playoffs, and Veterans wants to win to seal at least second and keep alive the chance to tie Warner Robins for the region title. The Warhawks have had an odd schedule, with a week off followed by two games and another week off. They can be flat, but better note that TCC is 5-3 overall and will probably be hungrier than the home team.
TSR pick: Veterans by 4 (upset alert)
West Laurens (5-3, 1-2) at Upson-Lee (5-3, 2-1)
Logically, it’s easy to think that West Laurens is down after last week’s pasting at home by Mary Persons, dropping the Raiders into a tie for fourth. And Upson-Lee should be in a confident mode after a solid road win last week against Howard, which was on a nice two-game winning streak and had momentum. This being 2-4A, nothing – except predicting Mary Persons - is safe. The Raiders aren’t even done with a loss, since they play Perry next, and Perry has Mary Persons this week.
TSR pick: Upson-Lee by 5
Peach County (6-2, 4-0) at Jackson (5-3, 3-1)
This qualifies as a game of the week only because it’s at Jackson, and the last two games there have been thrillers, including a 3-2 Jackson win in 2015 when the Trojans were a top-6 team. This Jackson team isn’t nearly as good as that one, but will have the confidence of winning five of six. And the Red Devils can hope Peach County is looking ahead to Westside.
TSR pick: Peach County by 26
Westside (6-2, 4-0) at Pike County (6-2, 2-2)
This game pits two statistically even teams, Westside scoring 11 more points and give up 15 fewer points. There’s no real standings suspense, with Westside locked in at 1 or 2 and Pike County at 3 or 4. But Pike County is off a 28-6 loss to Jackson, a year after a 52-14 win.
TSR pick: Westside by 16
The Matchups
Class 6A
Houston County (2-6, 0-2) at Lee County (8-0, 2-0)
Lee County has beaten one Georgia opponents by less than 33.
TSR pick: Lee County by 50
Class 5A
Jones County (7-1, 4-1) at Ola (1-7, 0-5)
The Greyhounds have score more than twice as many points and given up less than half as many points. Backups, get loose.
TSR pick: Jones County by 33
Class 4A
Perry (5-3, 1-2) at Mary Persons (8-0, 3-0)
The Panthers breathed better after breaking a three-game losing streak with a road win. And then saw what Mary Persons did to West Laurens.
TSR pick: Mary Persons by 27
Howard (5-3, 2-1) at Spalding (3-5, 0-3)
Both are off losses, but Howard should have some juice since the Huskies are in the hunt for second and a home game and Spalding’s playoff hopes are done.
TSR pick: Howard by 20
Class 3A
Rutland (0-8, 0-4) at Central (2-7, 1-4), at Ed DeFore
There’s no postseason or winning season in the picture, but Central wants another example to show it’s a little better than its record.
TSR pick: Central by 24
Class AA
Bleckley County (3-5, 1-3) at Dodge County (8-1, 4-1)
After about three minutes, any overlooking by Dodge County will be done with.
TSR pick: Dodge County by 22
Washington County (7-1, 3-1) at Northeast (3-5, 2-2), at Thompson
The Golden Hawks will take the Raiders seriously, despite Northeast’s 32-point loss last week at Dublin.
TSR pick: Washington County by 19
East Laurens (1-7, 0-4) at Southwest (2-6, 0-4), at Henderson
They’ve only played the last two years, Southwest outscoring East Laurens 75-7. It’s likely to be closer than last year’s 36-7 game.
TSR pick: Southwest by 19
Class A
Greenville (2-6, 1-4) at Crawford County (2-6, 0-5)
This year will be a bit closer than last year’s 42-8 Crawford County win.
TSR pick: Crawford County by 12
Manchester (5-3, 3-2) at Dooly County (4-4, 3-2)
Manchester is 18th and Dooly County – rocked by Taylor County last week – is 19th. The Bobcats have the tougher crossover opponent next week in No. 14 Private Brookstone, and more need the win to stay safely in the playoff picture.
TSR pick: Dooly County by 5
Central Talbotton (0-8, 0-5) at Hawkinsville (2-6, 1-4)
Hawkinsville has almost doubled up Central in scoring. Alas, it’s 74-38. THe difference is Hawkinsville respectable defense.
TSR pick: Hawkinsville by 16
Brookstone (6-2, 4-1) at Macon County (4-4, 3-2)
Brookstone has been held to less than 30 points once this season.
TSR pick: Brookstone by 20
Marion County (8-0, 5-0) at Taylor County (4-4, 3-2)
The Vikings have some momentum after thumping Dooly County, but Marion County is a title contender.
TSR pick: Marion County by 29
Tattnall (5-3, 4-0) at FPD (2-6, 2-2)
Tattnall no doubt started slobbering a bit after seeing that Mount de Sales topped the Vikings by 41.
TSR: Tattnall by 24
Lincoln County (3-5, 1-4) at Hancock Central (5-3, 3-2)
Hancock Central will get a battle from Lincoln County, 27th in the public rankings and wanting to get closer to the top 24.
TSR pick: Hancock Central by 17
Stratford (3-5, 2-2) at Twiggs County (0-8, 0-4)
Last week’s scare by Wilkinson County likely woke up the Eagles, who still have a shot at a .500 regular season.
TSR pick: Stratford by 24
Mount de Sales (7-1, 3-1) at Wilkinson County (1-7, 1-3)
The Warriors played Stratford within a point, a point of emphasis for the Cavs to avoid overlooking them.
TSR pick: Mount de Sales by 27
GISA
Pinewood Christian (2-6, 0-2) at Trinity Christian (4-4, 0-2)
TCS won 19-14 last year.
TSR pick: TCS by 11
John Milledge (9-0) at Frederica (6-2)
Frederica has won six straight, and haven’t scored less than 39 in the wins. This first meeting should be pretty interesting, especially with the Trojans traveling.
TSR pick: John Milledge by 14
Flint River (5-4, 1-0) at Gatewood (5-2, 0-0)
Gatewood’s probably still pretty grumpy after last week’s loss.
TSR pick: Gatewood by 17
Edmund Burke (5-3, 2-0) at Brentwood (6-3, 2-0)
A battle of the region’s undefeated, and it’ll be as close as the last four meetings, all Brentwood wins.
TSR pick: Brentwood by 9