Cairo opened its year with a big 45-21 road win over Thomasville and will host defending Class AAAAA state champion Bainbridge this week. The win snapped Cairo’s two-game losing streak to Thomasville and the 45 points are the most-ever scored by the Syrupmakers in this series’ history. Quarterback Robert Matthew Peters ran for two scores and threw two touchdown passes while finishing with 164 rushing yards off of 10 carries and throwing for 152 yards.
Cairo dropped both of its non-region contests last year (Thomasville and Bainbridge) before stringing together a 10-game winning streak and making it to the quarterfinals. Bainbridge defeated Seminole County 47-7 last Friday to open its season. Defensively, the Bearcats limited the Indians to just 86 yards of total offense. Bainbridge’s junior quarterback Queyde Hawkins finished 9-of-12 for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Rashad Broadnax took 10 carries for 100 yards and three touchdowns and sophomore Letrevian Bowie ran in the Bearcats’ final score. Also in the game, Tahari Tate blocked two Seminole County punts and Eric Sanders returned one of them for a touchdown. This matchup will be a tremendous test for Cairo and a victory would validate what I have said this offseason—Cairo is a major state title contender in Class AAAA this year.
Burke County is fresh off a 55-42 Week 1 win over Class AAA Benedictine. The Bears led 42-21 at the end of the first three quarters, in large part to the outstanding production from running back Leon McGee, who finished the game with 206 rushing yards and two touchdowns off of 25 carries. Last year, Ware County won this matchup 25-24 in overtime under Franklin Stephens, who left the program to take over at McEachern. Leading the Class AAAAAA Ware County program now is Jason Strickland. Last year, Strickland guided Pierce County to a school-record 13-1 finish.
Chapel Hill at Class AAAAA Ola is intriguing based off of what Ola was able to do this past week against Eastside. The Mustangs, which finished last season 1-9 exploded to a 58-21 win over the Eagles. Chapel Hill opened its season with an impressive 31-10 win over Newnan. Defensively, 16 different Panthers posted tackles and combined for seven tackles for loss and four sacks. The defense also produced four turnovers. Rasheed Nuriddin (60 yards) and Kamoni Cummings (45 yards) each had interceptions that were returned for touchdowns and Bradyn Swinson and Oka Kouassi recovered Newnan fumbles. As for the offensive output, Imani Davis took 12 carries for 102 yards and a score. Also, kicker Bryan Leggett made a 39-yard field goal.
Marist will open its 2019 season against Class AAA Lovett looking to extend its winning streak over the Lions to three games. Lovett scored a thrilling 30-29 overtime win against Class AAA No. 6 Greater Atlanta Christian to open its season last Friday night. The teams have met in every season since 2012. Marist holds a 5-2 advantage in the all-time series with both of the losses coming in double-overtime games (2016, 2013).
Oconee County will look to snap a two-game losing streak to Class AAAAA No. 9 ranked Clarke Central on the road this Friday night. Oconee County is coming off a 21-20 win over Class AAA Jefferson. As for Clarke Central, the Gladiators defeated Winder-Barrow 44-36 last week. Oconee County will be quarterbacked by LSU-commit senior Max Johnson. Leading the Clarke Central offense will be senior Isaac Ward. In the win over Winder-Barrow, Ward completed 12-of-20 attempts for 254 yards and four touchdowns. O’Brien Barnett racked up 201 of the Gladiators’ 233 rushing yards and also scored a touchdown. Junior receiver Nono Mack had a monster game with seven catches, 199 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
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