Vidalia Indians at Swainsboro Tigers*
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tiger Field, Swainsboro
Records, rankings: Vidalia is 6-1 overall, 3-0 in Region 2 and unranked; Swainsboro is 6-1, 3-0 and No. 6.
Last meeting: Swainsboro won 15-8 in 2018.
Maxwell's projection: Swainsboro by 16
Notes: The winner of this matchup between the two remaining unbeaten teams in 2-AA will move into sole possession of first place, but each has a game remaining against one of the region's two one-loss teams, Jeff Davis (Nov. 1 vs. Swainsboro) and Metter (Nov. 1 vs. Vidalia). Last year, Swainsboro's victory over Vidalia decided the title, as neither lost to another region opponent. Vidalia's Jaedyn Stanley has run for 100 yards or more in five consecutive games and has a season total of 795 yards, including 167 on 25 carries in a 17-14 victory over Toombs County last week. quarterback Bryce Davis passed for 87 yards and rushed for 74 against a Toombs team that came in allowing just 154 total yards per game. Brennan Dooley kicked a school-record 46-yard field goal that proved to be the difference. Swainsboro's balanced offense averages 173.9 yards passing and 169.4 rushing. The offensive leaders are Kade Youmans (1,186 yards, 17 touchdowns passing), Robert Allen (592 yards, six touchdowns rushing) and Cedric Seabrough (459 yards, nine touchdowns receiving). Defensive tackle Ka'yun Davis has six sacks and 26 tackles for losses.
*Courtesy of GHSF Daily
Heard County Braves at Callaway Cavaliers
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Callaway Stadium, Hogansville
Records, rankings: Heard County is 3-4, 3-0 in Region 5 and unranked; Callaway is 7-1, 4-0 and No. 2.
Last meeting: Heard County won 13-10 in 2018.
Watch the game: Online at NFHS Network.
Maxwell's projection: Callaway by 31
Notes: Last year's contest was a thriller, as the Cavaliers led with 10 seconds to go before Braves quarterback Alijah Huzzie tossed a 27-yard touchdown pass to LeQuincey Shephard to win the game, which ultimately decided the Region 5 champion. This year's Braves are different, having graduated seven key starters including all-state selection Aaron Beasley, Huzzie, Shepherd and others. As a result, they started the season 0-4 after entering the preseason polls ranked No. 5. The losses (LaGrange, Hapeville Charter, Rockmart, Central-Carrollton) were brutal, all coming by double digits. However, they haven't lost since entering region play on Sept. 26, ripping off double-digit wins over Spencer (34-8), Temple (41-13) and Jordan (49-14). They again find themselves playing for what could decide Region 5, as the Braves and Cavs are the only two teams left with undefeated 5-AA records. The problem for Heard County is the Cavs are still loaded with next-level talent, led by one of the country's top running backs in Auburn commit Tank Bigsby. The Cavs are on a seven-game win streak after losing to Alabama's Opelika — ranked No. 6 in the state's highest classification (AAAAAA) — in their opener and are coming off a 40-0 shutout of Spencer.
Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets at Toombs County Bulldogs
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Booster Stadium (The Pit), Lyons
Records, rankings: Jeff Davis is 6-1, 2-1 in Region 2 and unranked; Toombs County is 5-2, 2-2 and unranked
Last meeting: Jeff Davis won 35-14 in 2018.
Maxwell's projection: Toombs County by 3
Notes: This is a key region game in which five teams are fighting for four playoff spots. Swainsboro and Vidalia (both 3-0) would appear to be a lock for the postseason, while Metter (2-1), Jeff Davis and Toombs County are jockeying for the final two seeds. Metter already beat Toombs County and plays Jeff Davis in the season finale. The Yellow Jackets started 7-0 but were jolted back to earth with a sound 35-17 defeat at the hands of Vidalia on Oct. 11 before heading into a bye last week. Their final contests are Toombs County, Swainsboro and Metter, so one would figure the Jackets need to win two of those games to ensure a playoff berth. They're currently in fourth place. Their win over Toombs County last year snapped an eight-game losing streak in the series, a skid that dated back to 2001. The Bulldogs, with their loss to Metter, currently find themselves on the outside looking in — they're in fifth place — but with a win they're back in the hunt. A loss would pretty much mean the end of their postseason hopes, and they've qualified for the state tournament three years running. If they were to lose, not only would they have the daunting task of beating Swainsboro in their finale, but they'd need a lot of games out of their control to go their way.
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