It’s about time we started getting some games that really mattered. This week there are multiple games that will help determine who wins a variety of regions. The playoff pictures in Regions 2, 3, 6 and 8 will be much clearer on Saturday morning.
Jefferson (5-0) at Elbert County (5-0): Another match between two of the Big Three in Region 8-AAA could help determine the regular season winner. A win by No. 4 Elbert County (which beat Hart County on Friday) would put the Blue Devils in great shape. A win by No, 3 Jefferson would mean the Dragons could likely win the league with a win over Hart County. The game features two strong runners in Elbert County's Mecole Hardman, who rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns against Hart County, and Jefferson's Colby Wood, who ran for 162 yards and two touchdowns against Jackson County. Elbert County leads the series 4-2-1, but Jefferson pounded the Devils 52-6 a year ago. It was the worst loss for Elbert County since the 59-3 loss to Stephens County to conclude the 2006 season.
Calhoun (5-0) at Adairsville (4-0): No. 1 Calhoun will try to make it 11 straight wins against No. 9 Adairsville, with the winner the likely champion in Region 6-AAA.. The Yellow Jackets, led by quarterback Kaelan Riley, trounced the Tigers 42-10 last season. In last week's 60-3 homecoming win over Ringgold, Riley threw for 168 yards and four touchdowns and Olico Dennis ran for two more scores. Adairsville is coming off a 22-15 win over Sonoraville, a game that was delayed for more than an hour when the lights went off in the stadium. Adairsville survived five turnovers and won the game when all-state tailback Sidnee Johnson scored on a 15-yard run to end the third quarter.
Peach County (4-1) at Central Macon (3-2): No. 7 Peach County is coming off consecutive shutout wins, but will have its hands full trying to slow down Central and quarterback Derrick Evans. The Peach offense, which averages 317 yards per game, is led by quarterback Tyrique McGhee, who has thrown for 390 yards and rushed for 205. The Peach defense is led by Kyle Nixon (52 tackles) and Kevin Nixon (49 tackles). Peach County has won nine straight games against Central Macon and leads the series 9-2. The Trojans have won the last four games via shutout and won 33-0 in 2014.
Westside Macon (5-0) at Jackson (3-1): The winner of this game will take a big step toward setting up a showdown with Peach County for a possible first-game game in Region 2-AAA. Knowlton is off to a great start for Westside. The quarterback has thrown for 726 yards and 12 touchdowns, 23 of them to Gerimie Mitchell and 20 to Steve Dolphus. The Seminoles can run the ball, too: Donta Pate (300 yards), Lakelvin Clark (270 yards) and Nygel Woodard (261 yards) make up a nice trio. Jackson is led by quarterback Shaderious Crowder and running back Antavius Grier, who is also a game-breaking returner. The two teams met for the first time last year, with Westside prevailing 31-14.
Laney (2-3) at Washington County (1-4): This could determine the winner in Region 3-AAA, which is experiencing a league-wide slump. Laney has been hard to figure out all year; the Wildcats lost 3-0 to Class AA No. 7 Dublin but turned around and whipped then-No. 3 Westminster 10-3, only to lay an egg against Elbert County. Washington County (1-4) finally got a win last week at Glenn Hills.
Other meaningful games this week include: Cook at Tattnall, Pierce County at Brantley County, Coahulla Creek at Murray County, Fannin County at Banks County, Dawson County at East Hall, Morgan County at East Jackson.
Everyone in Region 4 and Region 5 have the week off.
