If you asked alumni from these Westminster and Lovett whether they’d prefer to win a state championship or win the “Battle of Buckhead,” the results might be closer than you think. The rivalry goes that deep.
Credit: Stan Awtrey
Credit: Stan Awtrey
Last year Westminster won the game 13-10 and wound up reaching the Class AAA semifinals.
No. 3 Westminster opens the season this week. Class AA No. 9 Lovett was beaten 24-0 by Lovett in its opener last week.
The game promises to be a showdown of two outstanding running backs. Wesminster’s Zay Malcome rushed for 1,642 yards and 16 touchdowns last year, scored once on a punt returns, twice on pass receptions and once on a kickoff return. Lovett’s Jay Harris, who also excels at outside linebacker, ran for 826 yards and seven touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass.
Westminster leads the series 17-10, but last year’s victory snapped a two-year Lovett winning streak.
Warner Robins at No. 7 Peach County: This appears to be a battle of Warner Robin's offense, which returns key personnel in quarterback Ivan Corbin and running back Marquez Callaway, and Peach County's defense, led by Georgia commitment Tyrique McGhee. Since the two regional rivals began playing again in 2010, Peach County has won five of six meetings. The Trojans lead the series 4-3 and won 19-0 in 2015.
St. Pius at No. 2 Blessed Trinity: The Titans, which reached the semifinals last year, returns some exciting offensive players in running back Milton Shelton (1,356 yards rushing in 2014), quarterback Conor Davis and receiver Matthew Higgins. Plus they have a monster lineman in Matthew Castner. Blessed Trinity beat their Catholic-school rival 42-20 last year.
Credit: Stan Awtrey
Credit: Stan Awtrey
No. 4 Elbert County at Cedar Shoals: Elbert County quarterback Mecole Hardman is healthy again and ready to go. The multi-talented senior, a four-year starter, ran for 1,672 yards as a sophomore, but saw that number fall to 983 yards and 14 TDs last year when he was limited to five games. Cedar Goals leads the series 7-3-1, but Elbert County has won the last two meetings, including 42-20 in 2014.
No. 8 Washington County at Thomson: Washington County gets to see how life is without the state's best player. The Golden Hawks, who were second in the state last year, start without GHSA Player of the Year A.J. Gray, and have numerous holes to fill. The two rivals have played every season since 2005 after not playing for 16 years. Washington County has won the last two games, including 41-14 in 2014, and leads the series 27-12.
Dalton at No. 1 Calhoun: The defending state champions could have their hands full with a speedy group of Catamounts, who have already played a game and defeated Scottsboro (Ala.) 35-21. Calhoun is led by quarterback Kaelen Riley, one of four preseason all-state players on the team. The defense is led by lineman Landon Rice, linebacker Jireh Wilson and junior safety Baylon Spector (cousin of former UGA receiver Kris Durham), who has already committed to Clemson.
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