The next two weeks of games marks the midpoint of the 2019 regular season. Based off of what we have seen so far, as well as what storylines wait ahead, here are my top 5 games to watch on the Week 5 slate.
Troup vs. Callaway
Troup takes a perfect 3-0 record into its cross-classification battle with Class AA Callaway. The Tigers defeated Callaway 37-20 in last year’s meeting, and moved to 5-4 in the all-time series against the Cavs. This is a matchup that Auburn fans especially will be interested in. Callaway is paced by Auburn-commit and running back Cartavious “Tank” Bigby. As for Troup, quarterback and Auburn-commit Kobe Hudson continues leading the Tigers’ offense and putting up prolific numbers. Hudson dominated this matchup last year accounting for 338 passing yards and four touchdowns to go with his 63 rushing yards and rushing score. Hudson accounted for all of the team’s touchdowns and the Troup defense added a third quarter safety to mark the final tally.
Cartersville at Cherokee
Cartersville opened the year with a hard-fought 14-13 win over Allatoona and hasn’t allowed a single point in its two games since, defeating Luella 47-0 and McNair 51-0. Class AAAAAAA Cherokee is also undefeated and takes an impressive 4-0 record into the matchup. The Warriors have defeated North Forsyth (29-14) and North Hall (24-7) while shutting out Sequoyah (14-0) and Kennesaw Mountain (38-0). So between the two teams, they have closed out a combined four shutouts this season and only given up 5.0 ppg.
Denmark at Dawson County
Denmark is 2-0 and playing outstanding football in the program’s second all-time season. Last year, Denmark took a 3-0 record into its non-region matchup with the Class AAA Tigers, and was defeated 38-21—making it the first-ever loss in Danes history. The Danes will be looking to avenge that loss, and are coming in with a 104-0 margin of victory through its first two games after defeating Cherokee Bluff (41-0) and North Springs (63-0). A win over Dawson County would be telling sign that the Danes are ready to make history this season and earn the program’s first-ever playoff berth out of the talent-packed Region 7-AAAA.
Marist at St. Pius
Marist will face rival St. Pius, its first Class AAAA opponent of the season this Friday Night. The War Eagles opened the year with a 49-0 win over Class AA Lovett, a 45-8 win over Nevada’s Canyon Springs and a 14-0 win over Westminster—a game that was called in the first half due to weather. Marist won last year’s meeting 24-8 and has a 34-18-3 edge in the all-time series. St. Pius is 2-2 entering the matchup with losses to Blessed Trinity (28-10) and Westminster (42-14) and wins over Dunwoody (10-8) and Decatur (21-0).
Americus-Sumter vs. Shaw
This is the only region matchup on my top 5 list and I am especially interested in seeing how this one plays out. Shaw already has two Region 1-AAAA victories (48-14 over Kendrick and 20-7 over Dougherty) heading into its visit to Americus-Sumter this Friday. Americus-Sumter went 0-2 in non-region play, but defeated Dougherty (19-12) in its region opener. Last year, Americus-Sumter scored a 21-0 win over Shaw. This is the first 3-0 start for Shaw since the 2004 season.
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