There were 14 undefeated teams left in Class 4A before the weekend, but now just 10 remain. Baldwin fell 21-16 in a highly competitive game with Griffin, Woodward Academy lost 34-17 to Marist, Richmond Academy fell 27-6 to Greenbrier and Sandy Creek lost 21-6 to Starr’s Mill.
Out of the 10 remaining undefeated teams, no win was bigger than Northside-Columbus’ 23-20 victory over Carver-Columbus Friday night. Not only was it the first time in school history that the Patriots have beaten Carver, but it was a region win that could keep Northside-Columbus in the driver’s seat of Region 1-AAAA.
Northside-Columbus overcame a 20-10 fourth quarter deficit after Carver had already built a 14-0 lead with a Desmond Whitlock touchdown pass to Jarius Thomas and a 6-yard Whitlock touchdown run in the first half. The Patriots used three crucial field goals to keep the game close and then Fred Davis intercepted Carver and returned it to the 5-yard line where and Marcus Smith crossed the plane for the game-winning 5-yard score.
Even more promising for Northside-Columbus' incredible start is that Cairo’s offensive production has steeply declined from last year’s squad that was able to sweep its way through the region slate. After opening region play with a 46-13 win over Hardaway a season ago, a now 2-2 Cairo team had to pull out a 9-7 victory over the Golden Hawks last night.
Outside of Region 1 play, Region 7 was by far the most impressive this weekend. All five teams won and it is getting easy to see just how competitive the playoff race could be, despite it being the smallest region in the classification. Marist had an impressive 34-17 win over Woodward Academy, Blessed Trinity handled Hart County 31-7, West Hall defeated a solid Dawson County team 13-10, White County beat North Hall 28-12 and Chestatee exploded for a 60-32 win over Lumpkin County.
Week 5 Results
Region 1
Northside-Columbus 23, Carver-Columbus 20
Cairo 9, Hardaway 4
Americus-Sumter 21, Westover 0
*Columbus vs. Shaw (Postponed)
Region 2
Howard 25, Veterans 11
Perry 49, Harris County 46
Peach County 35, Mary Persons 14
Callaway 40, Upson-Lee 20
West Laurens 34, South Effingham 2
*Spalding vs. Southwest Macon (Cancelled)
Region 3
Griffin 21, Baldwin 16
Greenbrier 27, Richmond Academy 6
*Burke County, Thomson, Cross Creek, Hephzibah (BYE)
Region 4
Salem 49, Chamblee 6
Lee County 57, Luella 7
Marist 34, Woodward Academy 17
Druid Hills 35, Clarkston 0
Riverdale 53, Henry County 20
*North Clayton, Eastside (BYE)
Region 5
Chapel Hill 21, Whitewater 14 (OT)
Starr's Mill 21, Sandy Creek 6
Heard County 42, Central-Carroll 21
*Cartersville, Cedartown, Troup, LaGrange (BYE)
Region 6
Southeast Whitfield 49, Christian Heritage 10
North Forsyth 58, Pickens 35
Murphy NC 48, Gilmer 0
*Ridgeland, Heritage-Catoosa, Northwest Whitfield, LaFayette (BYE)
Region 7
Marist 34, Woodward Academy 17
Blessed Trinity 31, Hart County 7
West Hall 13, Dawson County 10
White County 28, North Hall 18
Chestatee 60, Lumpkin County 32
Region 8
Jefferson 35, Flowery Branch 29
Monroe Area 38, Madison County 14
Clarke Central 47, North Oconee 20
Greater Atlanta Christian 42, St. Pius 14
Stephens County vs. Habersham Central (Postponed)
*Oconee County (BYE)
