Here's a look at the top games in Week 9, plus others worth checking out:
No. 2 Marion County (6-0, 4-0 in Region 4) vs. No. 5 Hawkinsville (7-0, 5-0). The Region 4 title will most likely be decided Friday night in Buena Vista, just outside of Columbus. In just its ninth season of football since the school was opened in 2006, Marion County, the defending Class A public school champion, is going for its second consecutive region championship, its fourth overall (2010, 2011 and 2013). The Eagles are propelled by a high-powered offense that is averaging 35 points per game. The unit is led by all-state RB/DB/ATH Lorenzo Smothers, a junior, and senior RB Johnny Royal. Marion County head coach Mike Swaney is looking for his 50th career win (49-7). Hawkinsville is a storied program looking to break back into the championship conversation. The program's last region championships came in 2003 and 2004, seasons in which they went on to win state titles as well. The Red Devils defeated Marion County in the regular season last year (14-10) and went on to advance to the public school semifinals, where they were defeated by the Eagles (40-7). Hawkinsville is led by QB Dakota Sloan, who had two touchdown runs in last week's 28-13 win over Dooly County (4-2).
No. 8 Tattnall Square Academy (6-0, 2-0 in Region 7, Division A) at First Presbyterian Day (4-2, 1-1). The two Macon-area schools had played each other at least once each season since 1976, before FPD left the GISA and joined the GHSA in 2010. Tattnall Square has dominated the series of late, winning 11 of 13 meetings since 2000, including the last five since 2006. The Trojans, in their first season in the GHSA, are 6-0 for the first time since 2008. They are led by seniors FB/LB Jonathan Ward (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) and quarterback Ian Herndon (5-10, 170). This will be the third consecutive game for FPD in which the Vikings have faced a long-time GISA rival. FPD lost a close one to Stratford Academy, 28-21, on Oct. 3, but bounced back to defeat Mount de Sales, 42-21, last week. The Vikings are led by senior QB Will McCormick.
Pinecrest Academy (5-1, 2-0 in Region 6, Division B) at Mt. Pisgah Christian (4-2, 1-1). Mt. Pisgah looks to bounce back from last week's stunning upset loss at Fellowship Christian, 33-28. The Patriots, the defending Region 6 champions who advanced to the private school semi finals last season, led 14-0 after the first quarter but allowed Fellowship to score the next 33 unanswered before a late rally fell short. Mt. Pisgah is led by QB Aaron Winchester and DL Shingirai Chigwere. Pinecrest, located in Cumming, wants to prove it has arrived as a serious contender. The Paladins have struggled since moving to the Georgia High School Association from the Georgia Independent Schools Association in 2010, posting a combined record of 16-23 over those four seasons. But last week Pinecrest overcame a 20-3 fourth quarter deficit to defeat St. Francis 30-27 in two overtimes.
Other games of note:
Athens Christian (4-3, 4-1 in Region 8) at George Walton Academy (4-2, 3-1)
Calhoun County (5-2, 2-0 in Region 1) at Miller County (2-4, 2-0)
No. 9 Charlton County (5-1, 2-1 in Region 2) vs. Wilcox County (3-3, 2-1)
Hancock Central (4-3, 2-2 in Region 7, Division B) at Lincoln County (4-2, 3-0)
Mount de Sales (3-3, 1-1 in Region 7, Division A) at Wilkinson County (2-4, 1-1)
Our Lady of Mercy (5-2, 1-0 in Region 5) at Strong Rock Christian (3-3, 0-1)
No. 10 Savannah Christian (5-1, 2-1) vs. Jenkins County (4-2, 0-2)
Schley County (3-3, 2-3 in Region 4) at Dooly County (4-2, 2-2)
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