Around the state

By Andy Johnston

For the AJC

Albany State (7-1, 6-1 SIAC)

Next game: vs. Morehouse (6-2, 5-2), 2 p.m. Saturday

Albany State is ranked third behind North Alabama (9-0) and Carson-Newman (7-2) in the Division II Super Regional 2. The top six teams from each of the four regions advance to the national playoffs, with the top two teams receiving byes. ... The Rams fell from No. 8 to 14 in the Division II poll after Saturday’s loss to Tuskegee. ... QB A.J. McKenna has thrown only two interceptions in 175 attempts.

Clark Atlanta (3-5, 2-5 SIAC)

Next game: vs. North Greenville (1-7), 2 p.m. Saturday

William Hollis has a hold on the SIAC newcomer of the week award. The linebacker, who transferred from El Camino Community College, was honored for the fourth time this season and second consecutive week after making 10 tackles (1½ for loss), a sack and an interception in the loss to Morehouse. Teammate Zimier McCloud leads the SIAC in tackles at 10.6 a game, followed by Hollis at 101/2 a game.

Fort Valley State (5-4, 4-3 SIAC)

Next game: vs. Kentucky State (5-4, 3-4), 1 p.m. Saturday

Justin Rosenbaum, a freshman, set his career best on consecutive field goal attempts on Saturday. He kicked a 42-yarder in the third quarter and then hit a 45-yarder in the fourth quarter. ... QB Nathaniel Samas (Americus-Sumter) leads the SIAC in passing yards (1,505) and attempts (209). ... Saturday’s loss to Benedict most likely ended the Wildcats’ chances at the playoffs. They fell from seventh to 10th in the Super Regional 2 rankings. The top six from each region make the playoffs.

Georgia Southern (4-4, 3-2 Southern)

Next game: at Samford, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 7

DB Hudson Presume, who was taken off the field on a stretcher after being injured while making a tackle in Saturday’s 52-16 loss to Appalachian State on Saturday, suffered a concussion, according to an athletic department spokesman. ... DT Markeith Wylie (Washington-Wilkes) has three of the Eagles’ 11 fumble recoveries, which is tied for sixth in the nation. Georgia Southern has 17 takeaways, 19th nationally and more than the Eagles had in all of 2008. ... The Eagles gave up a school-record 712 yards to Appalachian State.

Morehouse (6-2, 5-2 SIAC)

Next game: at Albany State (7-1, 6-1), 2 p.m. Saturday

LB Charlie Wilson, a sophomore from Montgomery, is putting together an outstanding season. He is eighth in the SIAC with 7.1 tackles a game (57 total), is tied for second in both interceptions (four) and sacks (7½) and has broken up eight passes, seventh in the SIAC. He’s returned two picks for touchdowns and recovered a fumble for another score. ... Ian Mullen is the SIAC special teams player of the week after averaging 39.6 yards on seven punts and kicking a 26-yard field goal and three extra points.

Savannah State (1-6)

Next game: vs. Edward Waters (0-8), 2 p.m. Saturday

Savannah State, which dropped its sixth consecutive game, has no chance to reach .500 after losing to Old Dominion on Saturday. Hence the Tigers are assured of their 11th straight losing season. ... A.J. DeFilippis (Benedictine) started at QB for the third consecutive game but Kurvin Curry (Hart County) replaced him and led the Tigers with 185 yards passing and two TDs, and rushed for 50 yards, despite four sacks.

Valdosta State (4-4, 4-3 Gulf South)

Next game: vs. West Georgia (1-7, 1-4), 7 p.m. Thursday

Valdosta State gave up a school record 62 points in last Thursday’s loss to No. 1 North Alabama. ... Backup QB Russ Callaway (Oconee County) threw his first career TD pass on a fake field goal, connecting with WR Gerald Ford (Gainesville) on an 18-yard pass. ... QB Kellen Lewis is 12th nationally in total offense with 294.6 yards a game. ... Thursday’s game at West Georgia will be shown on CSS at 8 p.m.

West Georgia (1-7, 1-4 Gulf South)

Next game: vs. Valdosta State (4-4, 4-3), 7 p.m. Thursday

West Georgia’s losing streak was halted at 21 games with a 10-9 victory over West Alabama on Saturday, thanks in part to an interception by Trey Wilborn (Etowah) at the WGU 7-yard line with 2:58 left in the game. ... Thursday’s game against Valdosta State begins at 7 p.m., but will be shown from the beginning at 8 p.m. on CSS. School officials are encouraging fans to wear blue as part of “Paint It Blue Night.”

Other state schools

* Shorter RB A.J. Cooley is the Mid-South Conference offensive player of the week after rushing for 206 yards and three TDs in a 56-41 win over Union (Ky.). Cooley leads the conference with 974 yards and scoring (15 TDs). The Hawks, who returned to the NAIA poll at No. 25, host Cumberland (Tenn.) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

* Four consecutive victories have made a memory of an earlier three-game losing streak for LaGrange (5-3), which plays at Huntingdon (Ala.) at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Panthers gave up 341 yards passing in last week’s win over Westminster College, but Tim Hill, Joe Frye (Blessed Trinity) and Kenny Pickens each had an interception.

* Eight players scored in Georgia Military College’s 55-3 victory over Louisburg College. GMC (5-3) is off this week and plays at Erie Community College in Buffalo, N.Y., at 1 p.m. Nov. 7.