Contender or Pretender: Time to decide

Scores will be settled and playoff spots will be both secured and frittered away this week. With only three weeks left in the regular season, the Class AAA schedule is loaded with games that will determine the fate of many teams.

Dodge County (7-0) at Cook (6-2) : A contrast of styles is featured, with Cook's frenetic offense matched against the ground game of Dodge County. Cook must win this game to remain in contention for the  Region 1-AAA Div. A title. The Hornets have already lost to Pierce County, also undefeated in the league. No. 8 Dodge County didn't play on Friday, while Cook rolled to a 35-0 win over Appling County. Cook quarterback Connor Hilliard threw three touchdown passes and Brandon Doe scored twice, one running and one receiving. A Dodge County win would set up a showdown for first place against Pierce County on Friday. Cook leads the series 3-0 and won last year's game 13-10.

Jenkins (5-2) at Southeast Bulloch (4-3):

Pepperell (5-2) at Callaway (6-1) : A win by No. 9 Callaway would set up a showdown with unbeaten No. 7 Central Carroll on Nov. 6 to decide the Region 5-AAA championship. Pepperell, which lost to Central Carroll 48-7 on Friday, could gum up the works with a win. The Dragons, led by quarterback Trevor Thomas, got behind early on Friday and had to abandon its run-first game plan. Callaway, with Dylan Johnson taking over at quarterback for injured Braylon Sanders, tuned up with a 37-0 win over Rockmart. The series is tied 1-1. Callaway won last year's game 41-7.

Banks County (5-2) at Dawson County (4-3) : These two are among the five that are tied for first place in Region 7-AAA. Banks is a balanced club led by quarterback Griffin Goodwin (1,038 yards passing, nine TDs), running back Trevae Cain (838 yards, 15 TDs) and receiver Zez Steple (529 yards receiving, seven TDs). Dawson is led by quarterback Coey Watson (1,055 yards passing, eight TDs), running back Hunter Mitchell (553 yards rushing) and receiver Tucker Maxwell (18 catches, seven TDs). Banks County leads the series, which began in 1972, 24-10. The Leopards won last year's game 27-21.

Oconee County (6-1) at Hart County (5-2): Now comes the hard part for Oconee County. The Warriors have successfully navigated through the non-contenders in Region 8-AAA and virtually secured their spot in the playoffs. But if they want to move up in the pecking order, they'll have to beat one of the major domos in the league -- No. 3 Jefferson, No. 5 Elbert County or Hart County. First up is Hart County, a team that's totalled 103 points in its last two games. Hey, no one said it was going to be easy. Hart County has dominated the series; the Bulldogs lead 15-3 and have won 14 straight, including last year's 49-21 game.

Westside Macon (6-1) at Spencer (4-3): Spencer could actually make the playoffs for the first time since 1993, but it will need to upset Westside Macon to make it happen. It isn't an outrageous notion, since the Greenwave upset Jackson two weeks ago. Spencer's defense has three shutouts, but Westside brings the best offensive weapons it has seen this season. The team played for the first time last year, with Westside winning 44-20.

Josey (5-3) at Washington County (2-5): The winner will likely be the No. 2 team in Region 3-AAA. Washington County leads the series 10-5 and has won three straight, including last year's game 73-6.

No. 7 Central Carroll rolls on : The Lions (7-0) overpowered Pepperell, who entered with a five-game winning streak. Central unleashed its powerful running game for 409 yards, with Damarious Owensby and Byron Bell combining for 299 yards and four touchdowns.

No. 5 Peach is beached: After laying an egg the previous week against Spencer, Jackson recovered to knock off the No. 5 Trojans. The Red Devils kept a Peach offense that had averaged 32 points over its last five games out of the end zone. Errors cost the Trojans; two touchdowns were called back because of penalties and they missed a short field goal.

Jefferson calls off the dogs: No. 3 Jefferson scored all its points in the 49-0 win over Jackson County in the first half and played reserves the second half. The Dragons ran for 364 yards and Colby Wood was limited to five carries for 114 yards and one touchdown. Darrien Hill rushed for 80 yards and one touchdown and Zack Boobas scored three touchdowns.