Who's going to win this week's Central Georgia high school football games?
Last week: 20-1
Season: 222-64, 77.62 pct.
Within 7 points of margin: 7, 65 for the season
Upset specials: none
A note: The Sports Report policy is to max out picks at 39 points although some games could earn a predicted margin of victory in the 40s and 50s.
Northside (R1/3, 4-6) at No. 9 Hughes (R4/2, 9-1)
The Eagles found something the past few weeks, and have looked better in losses. Expect them to be competitive, but âŠ
TSR pick: Hughes by 22
Houston County (R1/4, 5-5) at No. 3 Westlake (R4/1, 8-1)
Few teams have stats as even as Houston County, but a nice defense canât overcome the lack of consistent offense on the road in the playoffs.
TSR pick: Westlake by 21
Wayne County (R1/4, 3-7) at No. 10 Jones County (R4/1, 7-3)
One of those âWe drove more than three hours and all we got was a running-clock lossâ games.
TSR pick: Jones County by 34
Union Grove (R4/4, 6-4) at No. 2 Warner Robins (R1/1, 8-1)
The first trip to the postseason since 2012 will at least be an easy drive home.
TSR pick: Warner Robins by 35
Westover (R1/4, 1-4) at Perry (R4/1, 6-4), Saturday, 6 p.m.
The Panthers have put the-field-goal-that-really-wasnât behind them, and get a team that probably shouldnât still be playing. The result will be Perryâs second straight first-round win, and not far off from last yearâs 38-0 romp over Hampton.
TSR pick: Perry by 35
Thomas County Central (R1/3, 4-5) at No. 9 Baldwin (R4/2, 4-1), Saturday, 3 p.m.
Baldwin has to get over the-field-goal-that-really-wasnât, and Thomas County Central is no pushover by any stretch. If the Braves struggle, the Yellow Jackets can make them pay.
TSR pick: Baldwin by 4
West Laurens (R4/3, 5-4) at Cairo (R1/2, 4-4), Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
The Raiders have been up and down, but stroll into the playoffs with the momentum of 89 points and a shutout in the final two regular-season games.
TSR pick: West Laurens by 22
Westside (R4/4, 5-4) at No. 6 Bainbridge (R1/1, 7-3), Saturday, 6 p.m.
The Seminoles arenât rolling in with a whole lot of mo, off the worst non-Peach County region loss since 2010 (Baldwin, 35-0). The Bearcats, on the other hand, have won six straight, by a minimum of 14 points.
TSR pick: Bainbridge by 24
Johnson-Savannah (R3/4, 3-4) at No. 3 Peach County (R2/1, 7-1)
Sometimes, itâs as if they need to push coffee at the concession stand to keep people awake. Like this one.
TSR pick: Peach County by 39
Central (R2/3, 5-3) at Liberty County (R3/2, 2-3)
Sure, the Chargers have to travel, and itâs a good haul. But Liberty Countyâs two wins? Bradwell Institute, a really not good 6A program, twice, in back to back weeks, to open the season.
TSR pick: Central by 27
Upson-Lee (R2/4, 5-5) at Southeast Bulloch (R3/1, 6-3)
A pretty decent draw for the extremely unpredictable Knights, who know how to keep games close and then, well, find a way to lose them.
TSR pick: Upson-Lee by 3
Swainsboro (R2/4, 4-6) at Dodge County (R3/1, 5-3), Saturday, 6 p.m.
The Indians are a hungry team, and have enough to win a couple games, but Swainsboro is a very tested fourth seed that can bus out of Eastman with a win if Dodge County isnât careful.
TSR pick: Dodge County by 9
Toombs County (R2/3, 7-3) at Northeast (R3/2, 7-2), Saturday, 2 p.m.
The teams are pretty even. A huge key is likely to be what happens after touchdowns, an area that is not a strength for the Raiders. Toombs County is 38 of 41 on PAT kicks. The Raiders better make sure it doesnât come down to that.
TSR pick: Northeast by 3
Washington County (R3/3, 6-4) at Jeff Davis (R2/2, 8-1), Saturday, 6 p.m.
Itâs a reunion of familiarity. Jeff Davis head coach Lance Helton played at Washington County and coached at Dublin, and is high on the list of favorites of those two teamsâ head coaches. For a reason.
TSR pick: Jeff Davis by 15
Bleckley County (R3/4, 6-3) at Vidalia (R2/1, 7-2), Saturday, 1 p.m.
TSR pick: Vidalia by 20
Early County (R1/3, 6-2) at Putnam County (R4/2, 9-1), Saturday, 4 p.m.
TSR pick: Putnam County by 11
Terrell County (R1/4, 4-4) at No. 2 Dublin (R4/1, 9-1)
TSR pick: Dublin by 39
Social Circle (R8/4, 4-6) at No. 6 Macon County (R5/1, 8-1)
TSR pick: Macon County by 31
Taylor County (R5/3, 6-2) at No. 9 Washington-Wilkes (R8/2, 7-1)
TSR pick: Washington-Wilkes by 4
GMC (R7/3 6-4) at Gordon Lee (R6/2, 9-1)
TSR pick: Gordon Lee by 32
Wilkinson County (R7/4, 2-6) at Bowdon (R6/1, 6-4)
TSR pick: Bowdon by 29
BEST (R6/4, 3-5) at Hancock Central (R7/1, 6-0)
TSR pick: Hancock Central by 25
Heritage/Newnan (R4/4, 0-10) at FPD (R1/2, 6-4)
TSR pick: FPD by 29
Pacelli (R4/3, 6-3) at Mount de Sales (R1/2, 6-4)
TSR pick: Mount de Sales by 6
Stratford (R1/3, 7-2) at Brookstone (R4/2, 5-5)
TSR pick: Stratford by 13
Tattnall (R1/4, 4-6) at No. 8 Trinity Christian-Sharpsburg (R4/1, 8-2)
TSR pick: Trinity Christian by 22
GISA
Class AAA
Seed in parentheses with record; rankings through MaxPreps and committee
Creekside Christian (8, 5-3) at John Milledge (1, 8-0)
TSR pick: John Milledge by 35
Brookwood (5, 9-3) at Westfield (4, 6-2-1)
TSR pick: Brookwood by 9
Robert Toombs (8, 1-8) at Gatewood (1, 9-1)
TSR pick: Gatewood by 34
Augusta Prep (7, 3-8) at Brentwood (2, 7-2), 6 p.m.
TSR pick: Brentwood by 30