By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com

Last week
5-3, 62.5 percent
Within 7 of the spread
1; Perfect: Westfield by 5 over Brookstone, won 33-28
Last year
306-74, 80.53 percent
Within 7 of the spread
126 for the season, 33.2 percent

After matching the yearly goal of 80 percent accuracy last year, this year is off to a little bit of a slow start with predictions.

Of course, eight games isn’t much to start off with.

Did we learn anything last week?

Tattnall and Mount de Sales might be better than some of us thought, but this week is huge for both to build some very needed momentum.

Brentwood losing by 24 doesn’t mean much in the long term, nor does FPD losing late at home.

The new ranking system in the GHSA has led to do more new matchups this season, like the third meeting between neighbors Upson-Lee and Lamar County.

Confidence for a superb full opening week is not strong. Hopeful, though.

CENTRAL GEORGIA’S BEST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COVERAGE

🏈 Central Georgians earn preseason all-state honors, some more than one

🏈 Who are the top players back in Central Georgia? Check out the area’s returning GHSA all-region performers

🏈 Preseason Maxwell computer ratings and Georgia High School Football daily polls, and Central Georgia’s place in each

🏈 Who are the longevity leaders in Central Georgia high school football coaching?

🏈 GIAA football, opening-week report: Commentary, 5 questions and answers, players to watch, playoff analysis

🏈 GIAA: Who might end the season at Georgia Southern?

🏈 Remember, it’s a new collection of classifications and regions for GHSA and GIAA

GHSA

Games of the Week

Peach County at Perry

Perry had sort of turned things around for a bit with the rivalry, until last year. The Trojans are fairly loaded, and the Panthers are still doing a little rebuilding.

TSR pick: Peach County by 16

Bleckley County at West Laurens

The Raiders lost a massive offensive weapon in Ty Cummings. The Royals don’t return any individual on that level, but they have weapons back. How do the state 3A semifinalists do with a target on the back?

TSR pick: West Laurens by 4

Lamar County at Upson-Lee

Upson-Lee has a new head coach, one with loads of Knights history. Starting a freshman quarterback is a notable way to get things going.

TSR pick: Upson-Lee by 5

Stratford at St. Anne-Pacelli

Pacelli is off a big win over FPD. Stratford is likely do some humbling.

TSR pick: Stratford by 10

The schedule

Houston County vs. West Forsyth

TSR pick: Houston County by 11

Valdosta at Jones County

TSR pick: Valdosta by 22

Warner Robins at Veterans

TSR pick: Warner Robins by 14

Eagle’s Landing at Northside

TSR pick: Northside by 2

Southwest at Howard (Thompson, 8 p.m.)

TSR pick: Howard by 16

Mary Persons at Jackson

TSR pick: Mary Persons by 19

Greenville at Central (Thompson, 5 p.m.)

TSR pick: Greenville by 14

Washington County at Baldwin

TSR pick: Baldwin by 15

Wilkinson County at ACE

TSR pick: ACE by 9

Dublin at Jasper County

TSR pick: Dublin by 16

Johnston County at East Laurens

TSR pick: Johnson County by 4

Putnam County at Greene County

TSR pick: Putnam County by 6

Dooly County at Macon County

TSR pick: Macon County by 3

GMC at Atkinson County

TSR pick: Atkinson County by 20

Hawkinsville at Marion County

TSR pick: Hawkinsville by 16

Pike County at Taylor County

TSR pick: Taylor County by 8

Claxton at Twiggs County

TSR pick: Claxton by 15

Idle: Dodge County

GIAA

Brentwood at Bulloch

TSR pick: Brentwood by 4

Creekside Christian at Mount de Sales

TSR pick: Mount de Sales by 9

FPD at Deerfield-Windsor

TSR pick: FPD by 4

John Milledge at Tiftarea

TSR pick: John Milledge by 20

Piedmont at Tattnall

TSR pick: Tattnall by 14

Sherwood Christian at Central Fellowship

TSR pick: Sherwood Christian by 5

Strong Rock at Westfield

TSR pick: Westfield by 11

Trinity Christian at Robert Toombs

TSR pick: Robert Toombs by 10

Windsor at Thomas Jefferson

TSR pick: Thomas Jefferson by 3

Saturday

Crawford County at Rutland (Thompson, 5 p.m.)

TSR pick: Rutland by 4

Northeast vs. Westside (Thompson, 8 p.m.)

TSR pick: Northeast by 20