HSFB2018: Who's going to win this week's football games?
Last week: 21-4
Season: 185-47 (79.7)
Within 6 points of margin: 9 (perfect on Hancock Central by 17, off by 1 on Veterans by 4)
Upset specials: None picked
Games of the Week
Veterans (8-1, 2-1) at Warner Robins (7-2, 2-1)
Well, this one got a little more amped up with the region records now matching after Warner Robins’ forfeit. Veterans can now actually smell the real possibility of a region title, an aroma nobody expected the Warhawks to have this year. And Warner Robins wants to show that the Demons are still the Demons, ranked third in 5A and the favorite. The primary question is how well Veterans can defend the pass and avoid big plays. Warner Robins doesn’t make many mistakes or compound ones it does make. Veterans has the special teams edge, so if it comes down to the final minutes …
The Sports Report pick: Warner Robins by 17 (upset alert)
Stockbridge (8-1, 5-1) at Jones County (8-1, 5-1)
Both have lost to Dutchtown, so this is for second place, and that doesn’t lessen things much. Second place gets a first-round home playoff game, and a home game at Jones County is a little more than at most places, which Friday night will likely show again in the top-10 battle. These teams are pretty even statistically, and Stockbridge has won the past two years 35-14 and 27-17.
TSR pick: Jones County by 9
Westside (7-2, 5-0) at Peach County (7-2, 5-0)
Finally, these two are playing each other at the end of the season and nothing atop the region having been decided except, in this case, one of these two wins it. No ties, no debates, just deciding it on the field at the end. In 2014 when that was the case, Peach County won 49-14. Peach County has been banged up the past few weeks, and still has seemingly lost nothing with backups stepping up. There will be athletes galore on the field, but fundamentals will be the difference.
TSR pick: Peach County by 19
Dublin (8-1, 5-0) at Washington County (8-1, 4-1)
It’s a math game. If Washington County wins by 15 or more, it wins the region championship. Otherwise, the Golden Hawk finish third and travel in the first round. Dublin gets five more points a game in region, a wash, but gives up 11 fewer points. How many points is playing at the House of Pain worth?
TSR pick: Dublin by 2 (‘upset’ alert)
The Matchups
Class 4A
Howard (6-3, 3-1) at Mary Persons (9-0, 4-0)
Physically, Howard matches up. But the Huskies have to play smart and disciplined, by far more than they have in any game, to make the Bulldogs sweat in the fourth quarter.
TSR pick: Mary Persons by 22
West Laurens (5-4, 1-3) at Perry (5-4, 1-3)
The playoff for the playoffs pits a good defensive team that has struggled on defense lately. It’s a huge game – the winner keeps going – West Laurens has lost two straight and is on the road again.
TSR pick: Perry by 3
Class A
Tattnall (6-3, 5-0) at Greene County (7-2, 6-0)
Greene County has won six straight, all but one by double figures. Tattnall has won five straight, all but one by double figures. The Tigers’ balance (1,323 yards passing, 1,879 yards rushing) and at home are the difference.
TSR pick: Greene County by 15
Mount de Sales (8-1, 4-1) at Hancock Central (6-3, 4-2)
Both teams are better than expected, and both are in the playoffs. The Cavs have a shot at a first-round bye, are a little more suited to the big-game experience.
TSR pick: Mount de Sales by 11
The Games
Class 6A
Northside (4-5, 1-2) at Houston County (2-7, 0-3)
TSR pick: Northside by 32
Class 4A
Spalding (3-6, 0-4) at Upson-Lee (6-3, 3-1)
TSR pick: Upson-Lee by 13
Baldwin (4-5, 3-0) at Cross Creek (3-5, 0-3)
TSR pick: Baldwin by 19
Class 3A
Jackson (5-4, 3-2) at Rutland (0-9, 0-5)
TSR pick: Jackson by 29
Class AA
Southwest (3-6, 1-4) at Bleckley County (3-6, 1-4)
TSR pick: Bleckley County by 5
Northeast (3-6, 2-3) at East Laurens (1-8, 0-5)
TSR pick: Northeast by 20
Lamar County (3-6, 1-4) at Temple (1-8, 0-5)
TSR pick: Lamar County by 13
Putnam County (2-7, 1-5) at Oglethorpe County (0-9, 0-6)
TSR pick: Putnam County by 22
Monticello (4-5, 3-3) at Social Circle (4-5, 1-5)
TSR pick: Monticello by 3
Class A
Dooly County (5-4, 3-2) at Brookstone (6-3, 4-1)
TSR pick: Brookstone by 5 (upset alert)
Crawford County (2-7, 0-5) at Central Talbotton (0-9, 0-5)
TSR pick: Crawford County by 15
Hawkinsville (3-6, 1-4) at Greenville (3-6, 1-4)
TSR pick: Greenville by 10
Macon County (5-4, 3-2) at Manchester (5-4, 3-2)
TSR pick: Manchester by 11
Taylor County (4-5, 3-2) at Pacelli (4-5, 2-3)
TSR pick: Taylor County by 16
Stratford (4-5, 3-2) at Aquinas (8-1, 5-1)
TSR pick: Aquinas by 23
Walker (0-9) at GMC (3-6)
TSR pick: GMC by 17
Twiggs County (0-9, 0-5) at Lincoln County (3-6, 1-5)
TSR pick: Lincoln County by 24
Wilkinson County (1-8, 1-4) at Warren County (4-5, 2-4)
TSR pick: Warren County by 27
FPD (2-7, 2-3) at Washington-Wilkes (3-6, 3-3)
TSR pick: Washington-Wilkes by 11
GISA
Westfield (3-6, 2-2) at Pinewood (2-7, 0-3)
TSR pick: Westfield by 14
Trinity Christian (5-4, 1-2) at Bethlehem Christian (2-7)
TSR pick: Trinity Christian by 20
Augusta Prep (1-7, 1-1) at John Milledge (9-0, 2-0)
TSR pick: John Milledge by 29
Gatewood (6-2, 1-0) at Piedmont (3-5-1, 0-1)
TSR pick: Gatewood by 26
Brentwood (6-4) at Thomas Jefferson (5-3-1)
TSR pick: Brentwood by 9