Class AAAA’s most interesting Week 2 matchups

This is the freshest matchup of the season as first-year programs Cherokee Bluff and Denmark square off. The Class AAA-placed Cherokee Bluff Bears are led by former Dacula head coach Tommy Jones and opened the season last weekend with a 31-0 loss to Whitfield Academy. Denmark had to wait one more week and will be hosting the 0-1 Bears in the program’s first-ever game this Friday night. Leading the program is former Chattahoochee and Creekview head coach Terry Crowder. This matchup will show how competitive Denmark will be in Class AAAA, which is interesting considering the Danes’ stay in Class AAAA may be limited; they are being projected to have a Class AAAAAAA sized-enrollment by the next reclassification cycle in 2020. Denmark will have to take on a loaded Region 7 this season with Blessed Trinity, Marist and Flowery Branch and its inaugural roster includes Ze’Vian Capers, a massive 6-foot-4, 200 pound 3-star junior wide receiver that started for Class AAAAAAA’s South Forsyth last season.

Clarke Central at Oconee County

Clarke Central defeated Oconee County in its season opener for the first time in four tries last season 27-11. Oconee County ended up grabbing the No. 3 seed out of Region 8 after falling to Jefferson 28-21 in the final game of the regular season. Jefferson got classed down to AAA in the offseason and Oconee County’s 2018 season got off to a promising start last Friday night as the two former region opponents squared off this past week in their season openers. The Warriors held off Jefferson and prevailed 20-13. Scoring the big win over Jefferson to open this season begs the question as to whether or not Oconee County can be a serious contender this season. One thing, however, is already certain with this team: Their success is going to depend on 4-star junior quarterback Max Johnson. Johnson completed 11-of-26 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown without any interceptions and was the team’s leading rusher with 41 yards and a score in last week’s win over the Dragons.

Newton vs. Eastside

Eastside quarterback Noah Cook was a sophomore last season when he got hurt in the season opener against Luella and was forced to the sidelines. In his absence, Eagles head coach Troy Hoff had to move wide receiver/linebacker Brayden Harper under center to operate his RPO (run pass option) offense. Harper was understandably a less equipped passer than Cook, and so the team’s run to the No. 2 seed in Region 4 demanded that the offense both rely on and discover the ground game. With Cook back in 2018 for his junior season, combined with all the success they had running the ball last season, there was clear potential surrounding this Eastside offense heading into the season. Sure enough, Eastside exploded for 572 yards and dominated Ola 42-17 last Friday night to open the year with a bang. Cook completed 21-of-28 passes (75 percent) for 255 yards and two touchdowns, while accounting for 103 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Eastside and Newton tied 41-41 in 2016, but last year was the first game after Cook’s injury and Newton ran away with a 40-0 win. This is year’s matchup is one of the weekend’s most intriguing games and Eastside should be playing with plenty of confidence.

Troup at Ridgeland

Ridgeland had its hands full last week, opening the season against Class AAA defending state champion Calhoun in Game 1 of the MetroPCS Corky Kell Classic. The Panthers defense was fast and physical and produced three turnovers in the first half action, but the 14-14 game got away from Ridgeland as it gave up 31 points in the third quarter and Calhoun ran away with a 45-21 victory. There are not many teams that execute the spread offense as well as Calhoun does, and that proved to be the anecdote in the second half to Ridgeland’s speed advantage. Short pass, after short pass after short pass, wore down Ridgeland’s defense and kept them running sideline to sideline until the it looked as if the whole field had opened up for Calhoun’s offense in the second half (Calhoun attempted 52 passes in the game). On the offensive side, Ridgeland definitely has some real weapons. Jordan Blackwell is a big-time playmaker at the running back position and his 24-yard touchdown reception to open the game and 42-yard touchdown run in the second quarter showcased versatility, elite speed and playmaking ability. Troup opened last season 7-0, but dropped 2-of-3 to close the regular season and fell in a 43-35 shootout to St. Pius in the second round. Eight offensive starters and nine defensive starters are back from that team this season and Ridgeland will be an early opportunity to get the pieces moving again. Troup’s vertical attack features receivers Jamar Thrash (1,410 yards, 13 touchdowns) and Kobe Hudson (896 yards, 13 touchdowns), but the question remains whether or not a suitable replacement for graduated quarterback Montez Crowe can be found, and if the defense can mature into a more consistent group in 2018.

Heritage-Catoosa at Ringgold

Heritage-Catoosa’s 13-11 win over Ringgold last season marked the Generals’ first-ever victory over the rival Tigers in 10 tries. The program didn’t slow down, building off that momentum to produce a school-record 9-2 finish and back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in program history. Last week, senior Jeffrey Curtis took 22 carries for 174 yards and ran in three touchdowns to give Heritage-Catoosa a 41-27 win over Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe to open the season. Ringgold opened its season at Class AAAAAA’s Dalton and fell 42-24, but should be battle tested after taking on a very talented Catamounts team.