As the regular season winds down, teams are scrambling for their spots in the power ratings. Here are a couple of big games:
Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (1-6, 1-0 in Region 5) at No. 7 Landmark Christian (6-1, 1-0). The early schedule for ELCA, the 2012 private school champions, was nothing short of brutal. The combined record of the Chargers' first six opponents – which included one Class AAAAA team (Stockbridge), two Class AAAA teams (Whitewater and Woodward Academy) and Greater Atlanta Christian, the undefeated and top-ranked team in Class AA – is 34-8. ELCA, in rebuilding mode this season, went 0-6 during the stretch, the longest losing streak for the Chargers since they went 0-9 to start the 2000 season back when they competed in the Georgia Independent Schools Association. Now ELCA sits at No. 19 in the Georgia High Schools Association/MaxPreps private school power ratings. Only the top 16 teams advance to the state playoffs. The Chargers' biggest rival, Landmark, would love nothing more than to give a final death blow to ELCA's post season hopes. The lone blemish on the War Eagles' record the season was a hard-fought 21-7 loss to undefeated Central-Carrollton, the No. 8-ranked team in Class AAA. The last time a team other than ELCA or Landmark won Region 5 was 2009 (Holy Innocents'). Adding to the intensity of the rivalry this season is the fact that Kenny Dallas, who was 88-41 as the head coach of Landmark from 2001 to 2011, the year he led the War Eagles to the state finals, is now the defensive coordinator for ELCA. The Chargers are led this season by DB/WR Jordan Scott and DE/RB Nick Dawson, both Division-1 recruits. Landmark is paced by senior QB Stockton McGuire, perhaps the region's best overall player, who is also being recruited by several Division 1 colleges.
Claxton (6-1, 4-0 in Region 3, Division A) at No. 4 Calvary Day (7-0, 4-0). Claxton is off to its best start since 2001, the last time the Tigers won double-digit games, 11, and won a region championship. Calvary Day, last season's private school runner-up, is in search of its second consecutive region championship. Led by senior RB/LB Robert Heyward, a major college prospect, the Cavaliers are averaging 33 points per game while yielding just eight. The Tigers are led by RB Zach Grant, QB/DB Cornelius Taylor and OLB Marty Chapel, all of whom are beginning to garner attention from college programs. Calvary Day is No. 2 in the private school power ratings while Claxton is No. 5 on the public school side.
Other games of note:
No. 9 Charlton County (6-1, 3-1 in Region 2) at Telfair County (5-2, 2-2)
-- Telfair jumped into the public school power ratings at No. 13 last week.
George Walton Academy (4-3, 3-2 in Region 8) at Hebron Christian Academy (4-3, 2-3)
-- The teams sit at No. 20 and No. 21, respectively, in the private school power ratings. The loser’s post season hopes will be done.
No. 6 Irwin County (5-1-1, 4-0 in Region 2) at Wilcox County (3-4, 2-2)
-- Irwin County’s only loss this season was to the No. 2 team in Class AA, Fitzgerald. Wilcox’s loss to Charlton County last week (22-0) dropped the Patriots out of the public school power ratings Top 16.
Lakeview Academy (3-4, 3-2 in Region 8) at Athens Christian (5-3, 5-1).
-- Lakeview could play the spoiler role by beating the Eagles, who are barely in the Top 16 of the private school power ratings at No. 15.
No. 2 Marion County (7-0, 5-0 in Region 4) at Greenville (4-3, 3-2).
-- Greenville could greatly improve its No. 12 standing in the public school Top 16 with an upset, but the Patriots have dropped the last four meetings with the defending public school state champs.
Pacelli (5-2, 3-2 in Region 4) at Brookstone (4-3, 2-3).
-- Pacelli sits solidly at No. 8 in the private school Top 16. Brookstone sits on the edge at No. 13. The Cougars have the overall lead (27-15-1) in this intense Columbus-based rivalry that dates back to 1972. They had won eight in a row before the Vikings’ 21-14 victory last season.
Pinecrest (5-2, 4-2 in Region 6, Division B) at Fellowship Christian (3-4, 2-2).
-- Pinecrest dropped four spots to No. 7 in the private school Top 16 after a loss to Mt. Pisgah (21-14) last week. A loss to Fellowship could push the Paladins to the brink of post-season contention. Fellowship, at No. 26, needs to win out and then hope the math works in its favor.
Portal (2-5, 0-4 in Region 3, Division A) at No. 10 Savannah Christian (6-1, 3-1).
-- Newly eligible Demetris Robertson will make his debut for Savannah Christian. Portal pulled one of the upsets of the season last year when it ended a five-game losing streak to the Raiders by pulling a 10-7 upset.
Schley County (4-3, 3-3 in Region 4) at No. 5 Hawkinsville (7-1, 5-1).
-- After defeating Dooly County for the first time in school history last week, Schley County will try to end this season’s trend of not being able to put together back-to-back wins. To avoid the upset, Hawkinsville will need to shake off the sadness of last week’s tough 13-6 loss to No. 2 Marion County.
St. Francis (5-2, 3-2 in Region 6, Division B) at Whitefield Academy (4-3, 3-3).
-- St. Francis presently is the last team into the private school playoffs at No. 16 in the power ratings. Whitefield Academy, at No. 18, needs to win out.
Wilkinson County (3-4, 3-1 in Region 7, Division A) at First Presbyterian Day (4-3, 2-3).
-- Wilkinson County need to win to keep its slim post season hopes alive. FPD sits at No. 12 on the private school side, so a loss would be devastating.
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