Here’s a preview of the top games of Week 4:
No. 2 (private) Athens Academy (2-0) vs. Class AAA Cherokee Bluff (1-2). The Spartans host a second-year AAA program from Hall County. They are coming off of a 49-19 win over Class AAAA Stephens County, where WR/DB Deion Colzie caught six passes for 135 yards and three touchdowns, while grabbing an interception on defense, and RB/LB Kurt Knisely ran for 100 yards on nine carries, including two touchdowns, and had six tackles on defense. Cherokee Bluff picked up the first win in school history last week, 37-7, over Johnson-Gainesville, which defeated the Bears 34-13 last season. Athens Academy was last year's meeting, 35-14.
No. 5 (private) Prince Avenue Christian (2-1) at Providence Christian (1-1). This will be the Wolverines' first game without Player of the Year candidate QB Brock Vandagriff, who suffered a broken fibula in the first series of last week's 24-14 loss to No. 4 Wesleyan. The junior stayed in the game and still completed 30-of-44 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. Providence is attempting to bounce back from a 20-14 loss to Kings Ridge last week. The Wolverines won last year's meeting, 63-7, and have won all five meetings by a combined score of 291-17.
No. 7 (private) Fellowship Christian (2-0) at Walker (1-1). The Paladins beat Pinecrest Academy, 47-14, last week behind an outstanding running game. Fellowship rolled up 402 yards on the ground, with 134 on 11 carries by Murphy Reeves, 89 on six carries by Eli Hildebrandt, and 73 on five carries with two touchdowns by Jayven Hall. Walker fell last week to No. 8 North Cobb Christian, 27-7. Fellowship Christian won last year's meeting, 57-20.
No. 2 (public) Irwin County (2-0) at Mount Paran Christian (1-0). Irwin was off last week, after throttling rival Fitzgerald 35-8 on August 30. Player of the Year candidate senior LB/RB DJ Lundy has not played yet this season, due to injury. Junior LB/RB Kam Ward has picked up the slack in his absence. Also, head coach Buddy Nobles is still teaching and coaching, while battling cancer. Mount Paran dominated Our Lady of Mercy, 63-7, in the Eagles' opener back on August 30. Irwin won last year's meeting, 40-20.
No. 4 (public) Marion County (2-0) vs. Pacelli (3-0). In this battle of Columbus-area teams, Marion has won all 11 of the previous meetings, including a 41-12 decision last season. The Eagles are led by senior QB Trice McCannon, who has completed 70 percent of his passes for almost 600 yards and seven touchdowns and just one interception, and senior RB/LB Brandon Thomas, who has 451 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. Pacelli is 3-0 for the first time since 2015 after shutting out Pataula Charter, 49-0, last week. The Vikings are led by a core of young players. Sophomore QB Caleb Perry has thrown for nearly 300 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. He has also run for 160 yards. Freshman RB Kobe Askew leads the team in rushing with 200 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore WR Radonda Beauchamp Jr. has 180 yards receiving and four touchdowns. Defensively, Pacelli is led by juniors Bridge Pepper and Hunter Walker, and freshman John Thronton.
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