The top Class AAA game of this week will match two Region 5 powers, when Lovett (1-3, 0-0) travels to Godfrey Stadium to face last year's region champion, No. 2 Cedar Grove (3-1, 0-0).
Since Jimmy Smith's arrival, Cedar Grove is 2-0 against Lovett – 28-21 in 2016 and 41-14 last season. Lovett leads the series, which dates to 1976, 6-4. The Saints won the inaugural game on Oct. 1, 1976 before Lovett won six consecutive games in a period stretching from 1977 to 1996.
Cedar Grove's offense will pose a serious threat to the Lovett defense. Receiver Jadon Haselwood, a UGA commitment, and backs Robert Jones III and Rashad Dubinion should take advantage of an opponent that allowed 50 points against Mary Persons and 40 points against Marist. Lovett's lone win of the season was a 43-0 thrashing of B.E.S.T. Academy on Aug. 31.
Cedar Grove lost to Class AAAAAAA McEachern (24-17) last week after shutting out Columbia (45-0) in Week 3.
Two of the regions began inter-league play last week. The other six start this weekend. Here are some of the other top games:
-- Savannah (0-3, 0-1) at Benedictine (2-1, 1-0): Last week's weather delays forced Benedictine to play a game on Monday (64-0 victory vs. Groves) and now the Cadets will suit up again as they host Savannah to begin their effort to win the 3-AAA title.
This historic rivalry dates to 1908. Savannah won the inaugural game on Nov. 13, 1908 with an 11-0 victory. Benedictine's first victory in the series came on Nov. 10, 1910 (5-0). Since then the programs have nearly split the series. Benedictine has 47 victories; Savannah has 45. Benedictine has won the past four meetings since Savannah's 15-7 victory in 2003.
Benedictine, which moved up to AAA this season, opened with a 23-22 victory against Burke County before losing to Class AAAA Blessed Trinity 38-7.
-- Morgan County (1-3, 0-0) at No. 4 Monroe Area (4-0, 0-0): Last season, Monroe Area lost to Morgan County (22-21) in mid-October. The loss cost Monroe Area the region title. The Purple Hurricanes, led by quarterback Chandler Byron, have been potent and will be a test for Morgan County.
Monroe Area has defeated Apalachee (35-7), Loganville (52-24), Pace Academy (36-15) and Walnut Grove (28-7). Morgan County lost to Loganville in its opener before defeating Greene County (14-9) in Week 2. The Bulldogs suffered losses to Walnut Grove and Oconee County in the past two weeks.
The series, which played its inaugural game on Oct. 1, 1948 (Monroe Area won 27-6) has gone back and forth during the years with Morgan County holding the 29-19 margin. Monroe Area’s last victory in the series came on Sept. 26, 2003, and it has been since the 1984-85 seasons since Monroe Area won back-to-back games against Morgan.
1. (1 in previous week's rankings) Calhoun (4-0) – Travels to Ringgold for Region 6 matchup.
2. (2) Cedar Grove (3-1) – Plays host to Lovett for Region 5 opener (see above).
3. (4) Monroe Area (4-0) – Plays host to Morgan County for Region 8 opener. (See above).
4. (3) Peach County (2-2) – Plays host to Kendrick (1-3, 0-0) for Region 4 opener.
5. (5) Westminster (2-2) – Traveling to Towers (0-4) for Region 5 opener.
6. (6) Greater Atlanta Christian (2-2) – Plays host to East Hall for Region 7 opener.
7. (7) Benedictine (1-1) – Plays host to Savannah for Region 3 opener. (See above).
8. (9) Jefferson (3-1) – Plays host to East Jackson for Region 8 opener.
9. (8) Pace Academy (2-2) – Plays host to Redan for Region 5 opener.
10. (10) Dawson County (4-0) – Plays host to Lumpkin County for Region 7 opener.
