Ranked No. 3 in preseason, Archer is 0-2, but all will be forgiven Friday if the Tigers win their Region 8 opener against fourth-ranked Grayson (2-0).
Archer will benefit from the return of quarterback Gabe Tiller, who was limited to punting last week against No. 7 Peachtree Ridge (14-10 loss) because of an injury. Also fully healthy is preseason all-state junior Dylan Singleton, who was limited last week. He's expected to play a fuller role as running back and/or wide receiver against Grayson.
Archer’s other loss came against Sandy Creek (21-13), the No. 2 team in AAAA. Penalties and turnovers proved fatal to Archer in that one.
‘’We have high expectations still,’’ Archer coach Andy Dyer said. “We’re about to start out region schedule, which at the end of the day is what counts. We’re looking forward to the next part of the journey.’’
Grayson has four seniors on defense who will play for Division I schools. Defensive end Justin Young (Georgia), linebacker Mohamed Barry (Wisconsin) and defensive back Jordan Hayes (Duke) are committed. Linebacker Daniel Fennell, the team leader in tackles last year, has more than 20 offers, including one from Georgia Tech.
‘’Grayson is honestly I think they’re the best team we’ve seen defensively on tape yet in terms of speed and good football players,’’ Dyer said. “For an opener in a region, it’s a tough one, but that’s why they work all year long. That’s what you want. You want to compete.’’
In other AAAAAA games of note …
-No. 1 Lovejoy is 2-0, but Hillgrove (2-1) represents the Wildcats’ first major test this season. Lovejoy Super 11 wide receiver Preston Williams had six catches for 150 yards and four touchdowns.
-McEachern, the preseason No. 1, tries to get its first victory in a home game against No. 7 Peachtree Ridge. McEachern’s pre-region schedule – North Gwinnett, Buford, Peachtree Ridge and Lovejoy – is probably as tough as any in state history.
-East Coweta, 2-0 under new coach Steve Pardue, plays at ninth-ranked Whitewater of Class AAAA. East Coweta’s defense dominated Harrison last week in a 24-7 victory that left the Indians 2-0 for the first time since 2011. East Coweta limited Harrison QB Lorenzo Nunez (committed to South Carolina) to 38 yards rushing on 12 carries and 6-for-16 passing for 92 yards. Whitewater has an all-state contender in Jay Ashley (six TD passes in two games).
Here are the games involving AAAAAA teams this week, along with Loren Maxwell’s computer-projected margins of victory. Kinda think that Archer-Grayson game will be closer than that.
Alpharetta vs. Johns Creek -31
Brookwood at Parkview -3
Camden Co. vs. Brunswick -28
Campbell vs. Lakeside, Atlanta -25
Cherokee vs. Wheeler -9
Dacula at Berkmar -35
East Coweta at Whitewater -6
Etowah vs. Pope -32
Evans at Grovetown -14
Grayson at Archer -15
Harrison at Osborne -31
Kennesaw Mtn. vs. Douglas Co. -5
Lambert at Centennial -16
Lassiter vs. Woodstock -5
Lovejoy vs. Hillgrove -3
Lowndes vs. Rockdale Co. -33
Marietta at South Cobb -14
Meadowcreek vs. Clarkston -9
Newton vs. Westlake -2
North Cobb vs. Monroe Area -38
Northview at North Forsyth -4
Peachtree Ridge at McEachern -2
Pebblebrook vs. Alcovy -3
Sandy Creek at Newnan -22
South Forsyth at Habersham -30
S. Gwinnett vs. Cent. Gwinnett -6
Sprayberry at Woodland, Carters. -8
Tift Co. at Baldwin -17
Tucker vs. M. L. King -27
Valdosta vs. Thomasville -34
Walton vs. Roswell -20
West Forsyth at Chattahoochee -9
