The Week 8 schedule was the first time this season that we have gotten a chance to look at some of the classification’s top programs go head-to-head in region games. The competitiveness and closeness of these matchups showed that the field is going to be deep with contenders once the playoffs roll around. Here are some of the most notable results from Friday night.
In Region 1-AAAA, Cairo and Carver-Columbus met at Kinnett Stadium, each boasting 4-0 region records. The game went back and forth with both programs showing off their offensive firepower, and Carver was victorious 52-46. The Tigers are the only team left in the region with a flawless record, and Cairo now joins one-loss Americus-Sumter and Westover.
Blessed Trinity held on for a 20-19 win over Denmark in Region 7-AAAA. Just like Blessed Trinity’s 13-10 last second loss to Woodward Academy, this was a game that could’ve gone to other team. That being said, Denmark’s loss makes the stakes that much higher when they take a trip to undefeated Marist next Friday.
Marist picked up a 45-7 region win over West Hall this Friday. The War Eagles surged to leads of 21-0 after one quarter, 42-0 at halftime, and 45-0 going into the fourth for a routine road win over West Hall. Connor Cigelske threw three touchdown passes, including two in the first quarter to Derek McDonald and Mitch Owen. Lincoln Parker added a pair of touchdown runs for the War Eagles, while Hayden Richardson also scored on the ground. Ryan MacGinnitie wrapped up Marist’s scoring with a field goal in the third quarter. West Hall finally got on the scoreboard with nine minutes remaining when Solomon Riley delivered a 3-yard touchdown run.
In Region 4-AAAA Woodward Academy defeated defending region champion Eastside 49-7 to remain unbeaten.
Woodward Academy got five total touchdowns from quarterback Mike Wright, who threw for four scores and rushed for one. Wright hit Ambe Caldwell for two touchdowns, both 6-yard passes in the second quarter, and also found Hunter Sellers for a 33-yard touchdown in the first and Alan Wright for a 5-yard touchdown in the second. Wright rushed for a 3-yard score in the third quarter. Damari Alston scored the first and last touchdowns of the game, a 4-yard rush in the first quarter and a 12-yard run with 6:44 remaining in the fourth. Wright was 15-of-20 passing for 292 yards, Caldwell caught four passes for 123 yards and Alston rushed 14 times for 97 yards.
In Region 8-AAAA, North Oconee scored a 33-14 win over Madison County and Oconee County toppled St. Pius 21-7. The Warriors trailed 7-0 after one quarter but took control the rest of the way to overcome visiting St. Pius X. The Warriors tied it with a scoop-and-score off a blocked punt early in the second quarter, leaving the score at 7-7 heading into halftime. Max Johnson threw a touchdown pass to Liam Lewis early in the third quarter to put Oconee County ahead for good. Johnson scored on a quarterback sneak with 4:16 left in the fourth to complete a game-clinching drive that ate up almost eight minutes off the clock.
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