By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

Come back tonight for Central Georgia’s only live running scoreboard, and Saturday morning for Central Georgia’s most complete - names, stats, details - game-night coverage.

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Included: Region/region finish or PSR ranking, and rankings from Georgia HS Football Daily composites, through regular season

Class AAA
4. No. 8 West Laurens, 13-0, at 1. No. 2T Jefferson, 12-1

They’re not twins, but there are a number of similarities with the Raiders and Dragons, and it’ll come down to defense, and who can get off the field the best on third down.

Considering that West Laurens runs 83 percent of the time and Jefferson 80 percent of the time, this game comes down more than usual to the line of scrimmage.

Both teams have a variety of playmakers on defense, and it’ll show in a physical game. Avoiding big plays is more important than usual, since there are likely to be few.

That puts pressure on Jefferson’s defense against Ty Cummings, who’s good for a few big runs – or a return – each game.

Despite the numbers, keep an eye on the passing games. Jefferson’s Colton Grant is 55 of 93 (59.1 percent) for 849 yards, with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. West Laurens’ Cason Pollock is 49 of 84 (57.6 percent) for 742 yards, 14 touchdowns, and no interceptions.

The Raiders have some receivers with skills more suited to more balanced team, especially with Juvon Hill.

So far, West Laurens has shown a composure and maturity rare in a program that’s never been this far, and rarely been in the quarterfinals, let alone one with a senior class that started off 1-9 and 2-8 as freshmen and sophomores.

Jefferson? This stage is old hat, have been in 10 Elite Eights in the last 14 years and championship games in 2024 and 2020. The Dragons have missed the playoffs once this century, and gone out in the first round 10 times, including the year before winning the 2012 AA title.

If anything, there’s a slight chance that the Dragons – players, not coaches – may take West Laurens a hair lightly because of the history. Then again, a program that has 13 10-win seasons since 2008 doesn’t look past many teams.

Responding to a turnover or mistake are keys. Note that Jefferson showed a quality ability to do so after trailing 21-0 last week to visiting Cairo, with 30 unanswered points in a 47-28 win.

With these styles, it’s doubtful either team will overcome a 21-0 deficit without a lot of help.

Georgia HS Football Daily Maxwell prediction: Jefferson 24, West Laurens 17

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The Sports Report prediction

Last week
2-0, 100 percent
Season
305-74, 80.47 percent
Within 7 of the spread
1; 125 for the season, 33 percent
Upset specials/perfect spread
None
Upset watches
Northeast at Toombs County, Toombs County won 24-6

Fans better make one concession stand trip, because this game won’t go too terribly long, unless there’s overtime, always a possibility late in the season with evenly matched teams.

In a world where football coaches do their best to complicate the game of football beyond logic and common sense, West Laurens and Kip Burdette have kept it fairly simple, in the big picture.

For all of the changing terminology and expanding playbooks and desire to impress, well, whoever, the Raiders do their thing, do it well, and now do it with confidence, and just about the right amount of swagger.

West Laurens’ consistency has been impressive for a program used to 10-win seasons.

It appears weather may cooperate, outside of an early-afternoon shower. But a still-wet field means an occasionally damp ball. The Raiders have been very good at not coughing it up, and that’ll be at a premium on the road, and if weather emerges as a player.

Jefferson has a definite edge at kicker, with five more field goals than West Laurens, and that can very easily be the difference.

So can who passes the ball well. Yes, in some form or fashion, the passing game will be the difference. In a game where both are fairly predictable, something unpredictable is huge.

The TSR pick: West Laurens by 5