By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
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Some rebounding, a mild surprise or two, and taking care of business defined last week.

Baldwin gets a spot with a quality effort in manhandling Westside, and Mary Persons hangs around with a tough loss against a top-3 team.

Stratford moves up, while the top of Division II remains consistent.

In both divisions, though, there are teams on the fringe. Division I has more teams with .500 records or better this late than usual.

This week, we have a boatload of potential poll-shakers: Tift County-Houston County, Mary Persons-Peach County, Bleckley County-Swainsboro, Vidalia-Dodge County, and Taylor County-Macon County.

Division I (Classes 6A, 5A, 4A, 13 teams)

5. Mary Persons, Baldwin
There’s confidence and anger at Mary Persons after losing at home to top-5 Troup on the game’s final play. How much can carry over to a visit to Peach County? Which now knows how capable the Bulldogs are. Baldwin was solid in rebounding from the upset by Howard, getting right back in stride with a trip to Troup in two weeks.

CENTRAL GEORGIA’S BEST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COVERAGE

Last week
🏈 Roundup: Jones County stuns in OT; Warner Robins hammer; Baldwin’s Patterson explodes; Mary Persons falls on final play; Northeast, Dublin, Stratford take showdowns; Taylor County goes off
🏈 Scouting Reports: This week’s GHSA and GIAA games
🏈 Maxwell Predictions
🏈 Who’s going to win this week’s games?
🏈 Central Georgia state Maxwell/composite rankings
🏈 Notebook: A look at some polls, Houston County’s O, who ranks where in state stats?
🏈 Howard’s Poole takes state honor
🏈 Central Georgia rankings
🏈 Macon Touchdown Club players of the week
Two weeks ago
🏈 Roundup:Houston County loses wild shootout (again), Warner Robins, Peach County, Lamar County, Dodge County, Jasper County, Taylor County go off; Howard stuns Baldwin; battle for John Milledge
🏈 Scouting Reports: This week’s GHSA and GIAA games
🏈 Maxwell Predictions
🏈 Who’s going to win this week’s games?
🏈 Central Georgia state composite rankings
🏈 Central Georgia rankings
🏈 Macon Touchdown Club players of the week

4. Veterans
No, the Warhawks aren’t dazzling, but don’t underestimate efficiency and consistency, and the ability to grind and to win in the fourth quarter. Of course, with Thomas County Central this week …

3. Jones County
Beating top-10 Ola was only a very mild upset, because Jones County tends to have the Henry County-area teams’ numbers. But it shows that players are following the plan well.

2. Houston County
Eyes will be on the defense against an improved Tift County team visiting Freedom Field, because the Bears will need defensive momentum and confidence from here on out.

1. Peach County
At least this Friday, Trojan fans should have enough suspense to get back in their seats quickly after a halftime concession-stand visit.

Division II (Classes 3A, AA, A, GIAA, 33 teams

10. Jasper County
The Hurricanes are finding a groove. Winning by 2 on the road at Laney is bigger than it may seem.

9. Dodge County
The Indians remain a team finding itself, to a point. Expect them to find themselves the next two weeks, but Vidalia will be a test.

8. Taylor County
Credit the Vikings for taking advantage of an advantageous schedule and handling their business, with something of a transition with new head coach Jess DeVoursney. Life toughens up this week. Same issue as the opponent: who handles a four-quarter game and some actual pressure better.

7. Stratford
The Eagles are certainly a clear favorite to return to the state championship game, but man, they better clean up the simple stuff. Failing to do so will prevent them from beating John Milledge next week. That’s not a championship, but it’s a burly game.

6. ACE Charter
Winning at Vidalia was bigger than just beating a 2-2 team. Winning at Bleckley County, though, became tougher with the Royals’ loss to Dublin. But certainly possible.
5. Macon County
The schedule picks up toughness this week, but the Bulldogs should be mighty rested and healthy. Same issue as the opponent: who handles a four-quarter game and some actual pressure better.

3. Bleckley County, John Milledge
John Milledge has been challenged more this season, at least the past two games, than usual. Of course, just as one points that out, kaboom. And Bleckley County’s mood isn’t good after letting the Dublin game slip away.

2. Dublin
With the talk always focusing on its offense, some folks might be overlooking the Dublin defense. At their own peril. May not be the best time for a week off, though.

1. Northeast
A short week coming after Sunday morning’s shooting that wounded five players is, well, timely, allowing the team to focus on football deal with the tragedy and play for those teammates. Northeast sure was convincing against Lamar County.