Around the state

By Andy Johnston

For the AJC

Clark Atlanta (3-6, 2-6 SIAC) vs. Benedict (7-3, 5-3)

When, where: 2 p.m. today, CSRA Classic, Augusta

Key matchup: Clark RB Winston Thompson might have a tough day against Benedict LBs Michael Thompson and James Graham, who are No. 1 and No. 2 in the SIAC in tackles for loss. Thompson has 16 and Graham has 15½.

Keep an eye on: Benedict QB Pat Riley (Bainbridge) has rushed for 927 yards and 11 TDs to lead the SIAC’s top rushing attack. The Tigers average 239 yards on the ground and have scored 24 rushing TDs.

Quick fact: Benedict has won four consecutive games, and Clark is on a six-game losing streak.

Georgia Southern (4-4, 3-2 Southern) at Samford (3-5, 1-4)

When, where: 3:30 p.m. today, Seibert Stadium

Key matchup: Georgia Southern LB Dion DuBose (Norcross), who leads the team with 91 tackles, will need to stop Samford RB Chris Evans. Evans is on his way to his third consecutive 1,000-yard season. He had a school record 1,284 yards rushing last year and has 700 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

Keep an eye on: Eagles RB Adam Urbano (Calhoun) has the Eagles’ two longest offensive plays of the season, a 45-yard run and a 46-yard reception. He leads the Eagles with 569 yards on the ground.

Quick fact: Georgia Southern leads the Southern Conference in red-zone efficiency, scoring on 89.5 percent of its possessions inside the 20. The Eagles have 10 touchdowns and seven field goals in 19 red-zone trips.

Miles (4-6, 3-5 SIAC) at Morehouse (6-2, 5-2)

When, where: 1 p.m. today, B.T. Harvey Stadium

Key matchup: Morehouse QB William Brack, who missed most of last weekend’s loss at Albany State with an injury, is back. Brack has thrown for 1,129 yards, five touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. He’ll be tested by Miles DBs Justin Hill, who leads the SIAC with five picks, and Darryl Perry, who has four.

Keep an eye on: Morehouse SS Olajawaun Gooch has returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown and a fumble 81 yards for a score this season.

Quick fact: Morehouse has outscored its opponents 97-35 in the second quarter this year.

West Georgia (1-8, 1-6 Gulf South) at Delta State (4-5, 3-4)

When, where: 5 p.m. today, McCool Stadium

Key matchup: FS Trey Wilborn (Etowah) leads West Georgia with three picks, and the Wolves will need him to help stop Delta State QB Garrett DeWitt, who has thrown for 2,162 and 13 touchdowns this year.

Keep an eye on: Delta State LB Lardester Hicks-Green was the Gulf South defensive player of the year in 2008 and leads the Statesmen with 87 tackles, 14½ tackles for loss and four sacks. He is the program’s all-time leading tackler with 336.

Quick fact: West Georgia hasn’t defeated Delta State since a 42-31 victory in 1999.

Around the state

*Albany State (8-1, 7-1 SIAC) leads the nation in scoring defense (11.6 points a game), total defense (215.8 yards), pass-efficiency defense (77.7) and tackles for loss (10.11) heading into today’s game against Fort Valley State at Columbus. … RB Demetrice Johnson (Thomson) is third in the nation in scoring with 19 touchdowns.

*Fort Valley State backup QB Terrance Ransom (Monroe-Albany) played for Albany State before transferring in 2007. Ransom has thrown for 527 yards and four touchdowns for the Wildcats (6-4, 5-3 SIAC) this season.

*Shorter QB Ben Williams (Lassiter) needs 141 yards passing in the final two games to pass the program’s single-season mark of 786 yards. Williams has 646 yards. The Hawks, who will miss the NAIA playoffs, (5-4, 2-2 Mid-South) play at Belhaven (5-4, 4-1) in Jackson, Miss., at 1:30 p.m. today.

*Valdosta State’s season will come to an end today, when the Blazers host Edward Waters (0-9) at 2 p.m. It’s only the second time this decade that Valdosta State (5-4, 5-3 Gulf South) has missed the Division II playoffs. The other season was 2006.