Central Georgia high school football scouting reports
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
The rankings are from the Georgia High School Football Daily composite.
Come back tonight for Central Georgiaâs only live running scoreboard, and Saturday morning for Central Georgiaâs most complete - names, stats, details - game-night coverage.
Class 5A
No. 4 Houston County, 6-0/1-0, at Northside, 0-6/0-1
The Bears have never been 7-0. The Eagles have never been 0-7, though they were 0-7-1 in 1965 en route to 0-9-1. Houston County broke the losing streak in 2015, and leads the series 6-4 since then, winning three straight. Sophomore Ryan Maxwell is getting 226.5 passing yards a game and Colin Anderson 124 on the ground. Jase Jordan leads Houston Countyâs defense with 9.8 tackles a game. Northside is not posting public stats.
No. 1 Thomas County Central, 6-0/1-0, at Veterans, 0-6/0-1
Former Jones County head coach Justin Rogers is a crazy 44-3 at Thomas County Central, and is an astounding 18-2 against Northside, Houston County, Veterans and Warner Robins in his career. He worked for Veterans head coach Steve DeVoursney at Griffin, when the Bears had a perfect 15-0 season in 2013. This is the first time theyâve coached against each other. Veterans isnât posting public stats.
Class 4A
Jones County, 4-2/3-2, at McDonough, 2-4/2-3
The Greyhounds are seven points away from an undefeated season, both losses coming in region play. A win keeps alive Jones Countyâs chances for a region title, with two teams at 4-1 and three teams at 3-2. The Greyhounds have balance with a variety of rushers to go with QB Cason Taylor (139.8 ypg passing). Jones County doesnât post defensive stats.
Perry, 3-3/1-0, at Wayne County, 1-5/1-0
The Panthers wonât be taking Wayne County seriously after its surprisingly solid win over Warner Robins last week. Perry hasnât been 3-3 since 2020, head coach Kevin Smithâs fourth season. Pery won 56-7 last year, a week after that absurd 80-47 win over New Hampstead. Reid Ginn is passing for 192. Yards a game, and Perryâs defense is led by Janaris Reevesâ 8.2 tackles a game.
Warner Robins, 3-3/0-1, at No. 4 Benedictine, 3-2/1-0
The Demons are in serious danger of being below .500 this late in the season for the first time since 2022, when they started 1-4 before winning nine straight and reaching the state championship game. Benedictine followed 27-24 and 42-14 losses to Colquitt County and Buford with wins over Burke County (41-6), Westminster-Atlanta (56-7), and Ware County (30-27). The Cadets won 35-21 last year. Warner Robins isnât posting public stats.
Class 3A
Dougherty, 2-4/1-0, at No. 2 Peach County, 6-0/1-0
The Trojans have sights set on their first 7-0 start since 2014, when they followed a perfect regular season â during which only three teams passing 10 points and nobody passed 17 points - with a stunning 14-7 loss in the first round of the playoffs to unranked Appling County. Health at quarterback is improving, not good news for Dougherty, which broke a four-game losing streak last week against Monroe, 20-19.
Richmond Academy, 2-4/2-2, at Baldwin, 2-3/1-2
Both teams are in must-win modes from here on out to play an 11th game. The Braves are catching their breath after last weekâs 70-55 loss to West Laurens in which they gave up 615 rushing yards to Ty Cummings. Thereâll be no repeat of 70, 55, or 615 in this one. Baldwin won 28-23 in Game 10 last year as part of a 5-1 regular-season finish.
Trinity Christian, 2-4/1-3, at Mary Persons, 3-2/1-2
The Bulldogs are recovering from a 17-14 overtime loss to Upson-Lee, while the Lions have been outscored 83-38 in their last two games, and are facing their second straight losing season for the first time in program history. Mary Persons isnât publicly updating stats. Trinity Christian averages 367.2 yards a game.
CENTRAL GEORGIAâS BEST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COVERAGE
This week
đ Roundup
đ Scouting Reports: This weekâs GHSA and GIAA games
đ Maxwell Predictions
đ Whoâs going to win this weekâs games
đ Central Georgia state composite rankings
đ Central Georgia rankings
đ Monday Morning Quarterback: Notes, reviews, Loughdmouthings
đ Macon Touchdown Club players of the week
Last week
đ Roundup: West Laurensâ Cummings was going, going, going, gone; Warner Robins, Stratford stunned, OT thriller for Upson-Lee, East Laurens upsets ACE; who scored 50?
đ Scouting Reports: This weekâs GHSA and GIAA games
đ Maxwell Predictions
đ Whoâs going to win this weekâs games
đ Central Georgia state composite rankings
đ Central Georgia rankings
đ Monday Morning Quarterback: The Falcons, well, see ⌠nope, no idea; Loughdmouthings galore (Tech unis, SEC schedule, UAB twit, repping Dodge County, more))e
đ Macon Touchdown Club players of the week
Two weeks ago
đ Roundup: Veterans, Northside battle Warner Robins, Peach County; heartbreaker for Upson-Lee, Northeast aces ACE again; John Milledge-Brentwood thriller, Mount de Salesâ first W, Stratford rolls
đ Scouting Reports: This weekâs GHSA and GIAA games
đ Maxwell Predictions
đ Whoâs going to win this weekâs games
đ Central Georgia state composite rankings
đ Central Georgia rankings
đ Monday Morning Quarterback: Notes, reviews, Loughdmouthings
đ Macon Touchdown Club players of the week
Upson-Lee, 4-2/2-2, at No. 7 Troup, 5-0/3-0
The Knights are off a 17-14 overtime win over Mary Persons, which lost 49-35 to Troup three weeks ago. Troup gets 419 yards a game to 293 for Upson-Lee. Malachi Character (10.7 tpg) and the Knights defense will have a task to pull off the upset.
No. 12T Westside-Augusta, 5-0/3-0, at Howard, 1-5/0-4
Howard has dropped from a playoff contender to working hard to avoid tying the second-worst record in program history, which hasnât happened since 2016. Westside has had more close games (21-12, 17-9, 20-14) than romps (74-0, 34-13), but is still 5-0 for the second straight year. The Patriots won 27-3 in Game 10.
Class AA
No. 3 Morgan County, 6-0/1-0, at Rutland, 0-5/0-1
Rutlandâs hopes to rebound from its worst loss since 62-7 to Lamar County last September face a huge roadblock with No. 3 Morgan County, which is winning by 34 points a game, including a 26 points win over a 4A program and 21-point win over a 3A team. The 44-point margin last week against Jackson was two points less than how much Rutland lost its first four games by.
Class A/Division I
No. 9 Dublin, 4-2/4-1, at ACE, 4-2/3-2 (For more âŚ)
The Gryphons will need to get clicking again and pull off the upset to avoid their first three-game losing streak under head coach Keith Hatcher and since 2020. The Irish, meanwhile, are looking to avoid their first two-game region losing streak since 2016 (28-21 to Dodge County and 48-38 to Southwest) when they still finished 8-3. Dublin had little trouble in the first meeting, rolling 48-3 last year. Both teams are off losses. Dublin outrushes ACE 304.7-136.3, and ACE has a 97.5-31.8 advantage passing.
No. 4 Northeast, 5-1/5-0, at No. 12 Bleckley County, 5-1/4-1 (For more âŚ)
This weekâs playoff-type region battle takes place in Cochran, the Royals home for only the third time this season. Bleckley County is on a run of four straight 40-point games, outscoring their last four opponents 186-42, with a pair of shutouts in there. Linebackers and defensive backs will be tested by Northeast freshman quarterback Jordan Wiggins (219.7 ypg) and Bleckley County sophomore QB Brody Fleming (209.8 ypg)). Northeast, which has four straight shutouts, won 33-30 last year, one of many close Bleckley County losses. The Royals lead the series 6-5.
Southwest, 2-4/1-4, at East Laurens, 2-4/2-3 (For more âŚ)
The winner stays alive, barely, for an at-large playoff spot and the loser is done. Southwest barely made it last year, East Laurens barely didnât. The Patriots won 20-7 last year in the final week of the regular season. East Laurens got its marquee win under Jesse Hicks last week, knocking off ACE. East Laurens has some threats with Sky Snead, Jason Giles, and Major Floyd.
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Towers, 3-2/0-1, at No. 8 Lamar County, 5-0/1-0
The Trojans are a win away from their first 6-0 start since 2019 under new Lamar County principal and then-head coach Jeff Sloan. Head coach Travis Ellington is four wins behind Mark Wilson atop the program list, his 39-12 mark the best by winning percentage of coaches with at least three seasons in charge. Towers, which lost 41-12 in last yearâs meeting, is working toward its first non-losing season since 2013 and first winning year since 2007.
Utopian Academy, 1-5/0-2, at Putnam County, 3-3/1-1
Putnam County battled region co-leader Social Circle well last week. Utopian Academy has been outscored 208-62, a major improvement from last year when the Eagles finished 0-10 and were outscored 498-18, a 69-0 rout by the War Eagles as the biggest spanking.
Washington County, 2-4/2-3, at No. 11 Dodge County, 5-1/4-1
The Golden Hawks need an upset to stay alive on the fringe of the playoff hunt, and theyâll have a little momentum and confidence from last weekâs 46-6 win over Central. But Dodge County is 7-2 at home under second-year head coach Phillip Brown, and canât avoid a loss if it wants to play for a region title. Dodge Countyâs Kain Mincey and Washington Countyâs Mack May are having quality years, Mincey with 244.7 yards a game and May with 198.5
Class A/Division II
GMC Prep, 2-4/1-0, at Glascock County, 1-5/0-1
The Bulldogs have a chance to go 2-0 in region play for the first time since the epic 10-1 season in 2021. Itâd be an accomplishment for a program that hasnât competed in region play 12 times since 1979. GMC is 27-5-1 against Glascock County, which has outscored the Bulldogs 109-34 in the last two meetings.
Hancock Central, 2-4/0-1, at Wilkinson County, 1-5/1-0
The Warriors finally looked more as expected last week in rolling Glascock County 56-32, the offense making up for a lot of points scored. The Bulldogs remain an enigma, scoring 24 and 38 in wins but only 6, 6, 8, and a shutout in losses. Wilkinson County quarterback Quenterrion Stanford has 1,480 yards, 14 TDs, and 4 interceptions on 60.5-percent completions. Myles Cobb has 641 yards and 8 TD catches.
No. 13 Hawkinsville, 4-1/0-1, at No. 11 Wilcox County, 4-2/1-1
A showdown in Rochelle should be similar to last yearâs 19-15 Hawkinsville win. Wilcox Countyâs losses have been by 8 to Clinch County and by 5 to Treutlen. Hawkinsville looks to rebound from last weeksâ 36-18 loss to region leader Wheeler County.
Marion County, 0-6/0-2, at Crawford County, 3-3/1-2
Crawford County took care of business in last weekâs 47-6 romp over Central-Talbotton to break a two-game losing streak. Marin Countyâs closest loss was the season-opening 28-18 loss at Hawkinsville.
Schley County, 4-3/3-0, at Taylor County, 3-2/1-0
Schley County has had Taylor Countyâs number lately, winning six of the last seven meetings, with only last yearâs 26-20 win qualifying as close. The Wildcats have two shutouts in the last three weeks, while the Vikings have given up only 22 points in their last three games.
Twiggs County, 0-6/0-1, at No. 4 Johnson County, 6-0/1-0
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GIAA
Class 4A/3A
FPD, 5-2/1-0, at Stratford, 5-1/0-1
The Vikings are 5-2 and 1-0, eventually taking care of Mount de Sales 42-7 after a mistake-prone 33-22 loss at Westfield. The Eagles are 5-1 and 0-1, following their best game of the year with by far their worst since Paul Carroll took over. Stratford leads 25-23-1, with FPD winning the last two and four of the last six. The schools are less than two miles apart. The Eagles ride the legs of speedy tailback Tyler Stephens, while Tucker Johnston is a first-year starter at quarterback who is maturing weekly. Stephens, who went over 1,000 yards for the season on Friday night, accounts for 67.5 percent of Stratfordâs rushing yards, while Major Simmons and Brady McHugh team for 67.6 percent of FPDâs. Johnston is 46 of 80 for 778 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions, while veteran Simmons is 46 of 81 for 653 yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions. The defenses are led by Aaron Jefferson, Maddox Whitehead, and Travis Dugger for Stratford, and McHugh, Cash Hickman, Simmons, and Harrison Keenan for FPD.
George Walton, 7-0/4-0, at Piedmont, 4-2/1-2
The Cougars are on a solid two-game winning streak, but George Walton is winning by 27 points a game. The Bulldogs cruised 47-6 last year.
Mount de Sales, 1-6/0-1, at Tattnall, 0-6 (For more âŚ)
The Cavaliers will have some confidence, coming off a closer-than-the-margin 42-7 loss to FPD, and having led a stronger Tattnall team 15-2 at halftime and 18-10 entering the fourth quarter. Tattnall finally cracked double digits last week in the 52-13 loss to Bulloch. The Trojans lead the series 37-10 and havenât lost to the Cavs since 24-21 in 2020.
Strong Rock, 5-2/1-0, at Westfield, 4-2
The Hornetsâ district opener is a big one, against another contender. Westfield rolled to a 28-7 road win in last yearâs meeting en route to the district title. The Hornets have won two straight, including an efficient 33-22 win over FPD.
Class AA
Brentwood, 6-1/2-0, at Edmund Burke, 4-2/1-0
The War Eagles are going for their second straight 7-1 start. Of course, they went 11-1 last year, so ⌠That run included a 28-23 win over Edmund Burke, the Spartansâ only loss en route to the AA title. The losses this year have been 3-0 to Trinity Christian and 13-10 to Pinewood Christian.
Gatewood, 2-4/1-0, at Thomas Jefferson, 1-6/0-2
The Gators got back to form last week with a 48-16 romp over Augusta Prep, while TJ lost its fifth straight, the 21-0 shutout the second-closest loss during the stretch.
Windsor, 2-4, at 4A/3A Terrell, 3-3
Both are struggling. Terrell has been outscored 78-7 in the last two games, losses to Deerfield-Windsor and Southland. Windsor broke a four-game losing streak with a 34-15 win over Briarwood.
8-man
Covenant at St. Maryâs