No. 2 (Private) Holy Innocents' (7-0, 5-0 in Region 5) vs. Trinity Christian (6-1, 3-1). This appears to be the only possible stumbling block preventing Holy Innocents' from the first undefeated regular season in program history and its second region title (2009). The Bears are having a historic season fueled by their power running game, led by senior FB/LB Michael Cox, and physical defense, which has yielded just 76 points all season and pitched four shutouts. After Trinity Christian, Holy Innocents' final two games of the regular season are at Landmark Christian (2-5, 2-2) next week and home against winless Our Lady of Mercy, Nov. 8. Trinity's only loss of the season was to four-time defending private state champ Eagle's Landing Christian (56-10, September 27). The Lions are a young team led by sophomore QB David Dallas (1,463 yards passing, 17 touchdowns; 190 yards rushing, 5 touchdowns) and his twin brother WR/DB Joshua Dallas (29 receptions, 368 yards, 3 touchdowns; 5 interceptions). Trinity won last season's match up, 17-14.
No. 4. (Private) Darlington (7-0, 4-0 in Region 6-Division A) vs. No. 6 (Public) Bowdon (6-1, 3-1). This is another slugfest in one of the toughest subregions in the state. Six of the seven teams in the league would be in the state playoffs, if they started today. Darlington is battling for its first undefeated regular season and region title since 2015. The Tigers are coming off of a 38-6 win over Trion, a game in which they led 31-0 in the second quarter. Griffin Brewster was 12-of-19 passing for 225 yards, and Kolin Rogers rushed for 149 yards. Bowdon needs to win to remain in contention among the subregion leaders after falling last week to Christian Heritage, 28-14. The Red Devils fell behind 14-0 at halftime and 21-0 midway through the third quarter and could not recover. Darlington won last season's match up, 17-7.
No. 1 (Public) Irwin County (6-0, 4-0 in Region 2) vs. No. 4 (Public) Wilcox County (6-1, 3-1). (Preview courtesy Georgia High School Football Daily.) Irwin County, the region champion four of the past five seasons, would take firm control of the region with a victory. Wilcox County could force a potential four-way tie with an upset. No. 2 Clinch County (6-1, 3-1) is also in the region. Irwin beat Clinch 14-0, scoring on two long plays, one on defense. Wilcox lost to Clinch 28-22 after failing to hold a 22-13 led in the fourth quarter. Wilcox is led by LB/RB Desmond Tisdol, a Division I recruit who has rushed for 470 yards, made five tackles for losses and intercepted two passes. Noah Hollingsworth is 53-of-92 passing for 768 yards and 12 touchdowns with just one interception. He has rushed for 527 yards, twice going for 140 or more in a game. Irwin has allowed only three touchdowns in six games. Zach Smith was 8-of-9 passing for 196 yards and three touchdowns against Telfair County last week. Irwin RB/LB D.J. Lundy, who made all-state last year, is near 100 percent after missing three games with a leg injury. He had two tackles for losses last week. Irwin has won the past six games in this series. Wilcox won the previous six. Irwin County won last season's meeting, 48-0.
Other top games:
No. 8 (Private) Christian Heritage (6-1, 3-1 in Region 6-Division A) at No. 9 (Private) North Cobb Christian (6-1, 3-1)
No. 10 (Private) Hebron Christian (5-2, 3-0 in Region 8-Division B) vs. Riverside Military (4-3, 1-1)
No. 5 (Public) Mitchell County (6-1, 6-0 in Region 1) vs. Terrell County (5-2, 5-1)
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