Here’s a look at some of what went down Friday night.
Watch out for Manchester. Of the teams that dropped down back into Class A after reclassification last winter, Manchester might be the team to watch. The Blue Devils, No. 9 (Public), scored 19-unanswered points and blew open a close game with Class AA Jordan, 38-12. Manchester (4-0) got 138 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Tre Gamble, two touchdown passes by Garrett Brown – one to Ashton Bell, who added a 40-yard touchdown run, one to Tra McGruder – and a 2-yard run by Tre Gamble's brother, Denizio. The Blue Devils will open their Region 4 schedule next week at Marion County. And speaking of the Eagles …
Marion gets blanked. Lamar County quarterback Malik Collier was too much for No. 5 (Public) Marion County (3-1), as he passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third en route to leading the Trojans to a 27-0 win over the previously undefeated Eagles. It was the first time Marion had been shut out since the 2009 regular season finale against Greenville. The score: 27-0.
Mount de Sales sneaky good? Of the three Macon-area teams – Mount de Sales, Stratford Academy and Tattnall Square – that made the step up from the Georgia Independent School Association to the Georgia High School Association two years ago, Mount de Sales has had the least amount of success. But the Cavaliers may be on the right track this season. Though they fell at home to Aquinas (2-2) on Friday, 27-14, the game was tied 7-7 at the half. Mount de Sales' other loss this season was to Class AAA Central-Macon (48-14), a team that is now 4-0. The Cavs (2-2) get a week off before opening their Region 7 schedule at crosstown rival Stratford, which has defeated them the last five meetings.
Warren County improving, too. Coming into this season, Warren County was a lowly 6-34 since 2012, including going winless in 2013, the first season for head coach Cherard Freeman. But things are turning around in Warrenton, located about 30 miles west of Augusta. The Screaming Eagles suffered their first loss of the season Friday night, 13-6, to No. 9 (Private) First Presbyterian Day. Warren County dominated the Vikings in first downs earned (16-9) and rushing yards (185-61), but racked up 100 yards worth of penalties and turned the ball over twice, the last of which was the most costly – a 48-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Other results:
No. 1 (Private) Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy 49, Holy Innocents’ 0
No. 3 (Public) Clinch County 39, No. 6 (Public) Irwin County 19
No. 4 (Public) Emanuel County Institute 59, Claxton 7
No. 2 (Private) Wesleyan 59, Our Lady of Mercy 14
No. 3 (Private) Landmark Christian 34, Strong Rock Christian 12
No. 6 (Private) Darlington 42, Gordon Lee 20
