Before we get to some of the top basketball games this weekend, there’s some news on the football front.
Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy defensive coordinator Kenny Dallas is now the head coach at Trinity Christian in Sharpsburg. The Lions currently compete in the highest classification (AAA) of the Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA), but will be moving to the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) in the fall of 2018, according to Dallas.
Prior to his three-year stint at ELCA, Dallas was the architect of the program at Region 5 rival Landmark Christian. In 11 seasons (2001-2011), Dallas compiled a record of 88-41, won six region titles and took the War Eagles to the state finals in 2011. The next season Dallas returned to his home state of Tennessee to help start a small private school, but returned to Georgia and ELCA two years later. He will bring his son Caleb, a rising senior, with him to Trinity. The linebacker/safety had 110 tackles for the two-time state champion Chargers last season.
“At this point in my career, my desire in going to Trinity is to build the greatest godly manhood-producing high school football program in the state,” Dallas said via text message. “My desire is for us to build this program to compete for region/state championships on the field, but also to be just as intentional in producing young men of godly manhood off the field.”
Ironically, when Trinity makes the move to the GHSA the Lions will most likely end up in the same region as Landmark and ELCA, due to its geographic location in Coweta County.
And now, here’s a look at some of the top games of the final weekend before the Georgia High School Association/Max Preps Power Ratings are announced on Jan. 17.
BOYS
Thursday
No. 1 (Private) Greenforest Christian vs. Memphis East (TN). The Eagles (11-3, 3-0 in Region 5) went 1-1 in last week's Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, WV. Tonight Greenforest will compete in the first round of the Bass Pro Tournament in Springfield, MO, against the No. 1 team in the state of Tennessee. Memphis East is also ranked in the top 10 in several national polls.
Friday
No. 5 (Private) Aquinas vs. Hancock Central. This private-public battle is for first place in Region 7. Aquinas is 12-1, 8-0 in the region while Hancock Central is 8-5, 7-1. A win for the Bulldogs could launch them in to the public school top 10.
Saturday
No. 2 (Private) Treutlen at Montgomery County. This is the first of two games between these Region 3 foes. Both are undefeated in league play – Treutlen is 8-0, 14-0 overall, Montgomery County is 5-0, 10-5 overall. A win by the Eagles will most likely propel them into the top 10, while the Vikings hope to remain the lone unbeaten team on the public side.
GIRLS
Friday
No. 1 (Private) Holy Innocents’ vs. No. 10 (Private) Paideia. Holy Innocents’ (14-1, 4-0 in Region 5) only loss of the season was to Class AAAAAAA No. 3 McEachern back in November (78-71). The Bears have been rolling ever since, including a 74-37 beat down of Paideia on Dec. 2. The Pythons will try to shake off the effects of the 74-28 thrashing they took from No. 3 Wesleyan on Tuesday, and somehow pull the upset on the road.
Saturday
No. 9 Wilcox County at No. 2 Telfair County. Telfair County (12-2, 7-1 in Region 2) lost to the defending public school champs Turner County, 60-56 on Monday, even though the Trojans had easily dispatched the Rebels 69-27 back on Dec. 3. Getting back on the winning track won’t be easy as the Patriots (12-4, 8-1) have won their last six games.
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