Class AA blog: What to watch in Week 4

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Dodge County Indians at Appling County Pirates*

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jimmy Swain Stadium, Baxley

Records, rankings: Dodge County is 1-1 and No. 10; Appling County is 2-0 and No. 9 in AAA.

Last meeting: Dodge County won 14-7 in 2018.

Things to know: Appling County won seven consecutive games in this series between 1990 and 2013, but Dodge County has won three of the past four, including last year's defensive battle. Dodge County gets about two-thirds of its offense from a running game that's led by junior Daylon Gordon, who rushed for 322 yards and four TDs on 13 carries in a season-opening 49-37 victory over Bradwell Institute. He was held to 47 yards in a 42-28 loss to West Laurens last week, when the Indians had just 86 yards on 29 carries as a team. Dodge County led that game 28-14 early in the fourth quarter but couldn't hold on. Dodge's Keldrick Beck returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Sophomore QB Kade Harpe is 20-of-48 passing for 242 yards and two TDs. Appling County, in its second season under head coach Rick Tomberlin, is 2-0 for the first time since 2011 and has its highest ranking since 2013. The Pirates have run the ball 93 times for 732 yards while attempting just 13 passes. Sharode Roberts, QB Jeremiah Holmes and Keyshawn Walker have more than 100 rushing yards each. All are juniors. Holmes is 5-of-12 passing for 86 yards and a touchdown.

*Courtesy of GHSA

Rockmart Yellow Jackets at Heard County Braves

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Staples Stadium, Franklin

Records, rankings: Rockmart is 2-0 and ranked No. 1; Heard County is 0-2 and unranked.

Last meeting: Heard County won 27-6 in the 2018 AA title game.

Maxwell's projection: Rockmart by 22

Notes: This marks the third time in a year these teams have met. Last year, Rockmart crushed them 33-0 in the regular season, with the road-team Braves quitting at halftime and blaming inclement weather. They also kept their best player, all-state running back/defensive back Aaron Beasley — now at Tennessee — back in Franklin. As fate would have it, that game basically served as a scouting report for the Braves, who went on an 11-game win-streak to rematch the 14-0 Yellow Jackets in the AA title game. The Braves, then at full-strength and playing in the weather-friendly confines of Mercedes-Benz Stadium — and with Beasley playing — won convincingly for their first state title in a program that dates back to 1974. This year, the Braves are in full rebuilding mode and have already been bumped from the rankings after entering the season at No. 5. The Jackets, on the other hand, have picked up right where they left off despite losing six starters on each side of the ball. Jackets junior quarterback Javin Whatley is the heartbeat of their run-first offense, leading the team with 323 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries, and going 5-for-24 for 202 yards and a touchdown to no interceptions in the passing game.

Brooks County Trojans at Bainbridge Bearcats

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Centennial Field, Bainbridge

Records, rankings: Brooks County is 1-1 and No. 7; Bainbridge is 3-0 and No. 1 in AAAAA.

Last meeting: Brooks County won 15-13 in 2018.

Maxwell's projection: Bainbridge by 14

Notes: Last season was the first-ever meeting between the two South Georgia schools located 60 miles apart. The Trojans' win in last year's game was part of a four-game skid for the Bearcats who, in all, lost five of six during that run. However, the Bearcats finished 3-1 in their region to earn a No. 2 seed and ran with it all the way to an AAAAA state title with a 47-41 triple-overtime win over Warner Robins — their second state title; the first came in 1982. The Bearcats are coming off a 37-0 shutout of North Miami Beach (Fla.) in which the defense forced seven turnovers and Rashad Broadnax rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. The Trojans are coming off a crushing defeat at the hands of A-Public No. 1 Clinch County in a game they led 17-14 heading into the fourth quarter before imploding and losing 38-14. The Trojans' spot in the rankings likely depends on beating the Bearcats, or at least keeping the game close.

Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane at Upson-Lee Knights

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Thomaston

Records, rankings: Fitzgerald is 2-1 and ranked No. 9; Upson-Lee is 2-1 and unranked in AAAA.

Last meeting: Fitzgerald won 28-24 in 2018.

Watch the game: Online at NFHS Network.

Maxwell's projection: Even

Notes: These teams are so evenly matched in the world of analytics that even Maxwell's projections can't produce a favorite. Last year was the first time the two met and they were led by quarterback Justin Reliford's three touchdowns — two passing, one rushing. Reliford graduated but now the Purple Hurricane have running back Mario Clark to depend on. It's worth noting that in last year's game, Upson-Lee was without its star player, four-star defensive end Travon Walker, who had suffered a broken thumb the week prior. Walker is at Georgia now. Last week, the Purple Hurricane bounced back from a 35-8 loss to A-Public No. 2 Irwin County to beat Dooly County 30-0. The loss to Irwin County knocked the Purple Hurricane from the rankings, though they re-entered this week after Heard County lost. If the Purple Hurricane lose this game, they could leave the rankings once again. The Knights dropped their season opener to Veterans, 48-13, but have since won two straight over East Paulding (28-27) and Harris County (27-14), respectively. Knights running back Milique Smith rushed for 158 yards and two touchdown in last week's win.