Here’s what went down in Week 4:
Irwin takes Round 1 (?) vs. Clinch
In a battle between the top two teams on the public side, and two of the best programs in all of Class A, No. 2 Irwin County (4-0) traveled to Homerville and knocked off No. 1 Clinch County (3-1), 21-3.
But if recent history is any measure, this game was just a preview. In two of the past three seasons, the teams have met in the regular season and again in the public school finals. On both occasions, 2015 and 2017, Irwin has taken the first game while Clinch has taken the title. Last season, Irwin won the regular season game at home, 21-7, but watched the Panthers and almost the entire town of Homerville celebrate a 21-12 victory in finals, on their home field in Ocilla. Irwin’s win on Friday gave their program a 22-21-1 advantage in the series, which dates back to 1952.
Privates go 4-1 in matchups with publicsFriday night belonged to the private schools as they won three of the four Public vs. Private matchups.
Christian Heritage (4-0) upset Mt. Zion-Carroll, ranked No. 3 in the public Top 10, 30-22. More on that game later.
Meanwhile, No. 7 (Private) Aquinas improved to 4-0 with a 14-7 win over Augusta-area rival Lincoln County (2-2). Tyler Evans’ second touchdown run of the night, a 12-yarder midway through the third quarter, provided the margin of victory for the Irish. Aquinas has now won five of the last six meetings against the Red Devils, after losing 32 consecutive games in the rivalry.
In one of the night’s biggest upsets, unranked North Cobb Christian (4-0) remained unbeaten with a 28-7 win over Trion, ranked No. 8 in the public Top 10. The Eagles took a 21-7 lead into halftime on the strength of three touchdowns from Ryan Pruitt – a 10-yard run and receptions of 29 and 7 yards from quarterback Jake Watson. The win for NCC was the program’s first over Trion in three tries, after being blown out by the Bulldogs the past two seasons, 28-0 and 31-6. The Eagles are now 4-0 for the first time in program history.
George Walton Academy, ranked No. 9 in the private Top 10, rolled over Towns County (2-2), 41-7, on homecoming night. The win helped the Bulldogs improve to 4-0 for the first time since 2010.
Commerce, ranked No. 4 in the public Top 10, claimed the public schools’ lone win in Friday night’s Public vs. Private quintet, with a 56-0 trouncing of Providence Christian. Nate Ray scored two of his three touchdowns on the night in the second quarter to help the Tigers to a 21-0 lead at halftime. Commerce scored 21 more points in the third quarter to put the game away.
Christian Heritage picks up another big win
Last week's 35-point comeback win over Class AAAA LaFayette was huge for Christian Heritage. Friday night's win might have been bigger.
The Lions from Dalton moved to 4-0 for the first time in school history with a 30-22 win over Mt. Zion-Carroll, ranked No. 3 in the public school Top 10. Christian Heritage took a 14-9 lead in the first quarter, but fell behind 22-14 by halftime. However, for the second time in as many weeks, the Lions staged a second-half comeback as quarterback Matthew Neff and receiver Zach Gentry connected for their second scoring pass of the night to give Christian Heritage a 23-22 lead with just four minutes remaining in regulation. Then the defense sealed it when Syd Reece’s forced fumble was scooped up by Will Brumlow, who raced into the end zone.
Pelham, Stratford keep heading in opposite directionsPelham and Stratford Academy are having historic seasons on opposite ends of the spectrum.
For the first time in school history, Pelham, ranked No. 5 in the public school Top 10, is 4-0. But what is more impressive is the fact that the Hornets have yet to allow a single point this season. Four games. Four shutouts. Friday’s victim was Terrell County (0-4 who Pelham blitzed 65-0.
On the flip side, there is Stratford Academy. After snapping a season opening two-game losing streak last week, the Eagles fell to 1-3 for the first time since 1997, when they were competing in the Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA), following a 41-14 loss to Fellowship Christian (4-0), ranked No. 10 in the private Top 10.
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