GHSF Daily's Chip Saye ranks the most surprising and notable games of the weekend:
1. Clarke Central 44, Gainesville 7: The victory by Clarke Central, projected as a 22-point underdog by the computer Maxwell Ratings, was a surprise, but the margin of victory was a stunner. It was Gainesville's most-lopsided loss in the series since Fran Tarkenton led Clarke Central's predecessor school, Athens High, to a 51-0 victory in 1955.
2. Effingham County 24, Ware County 21: Two weeks ago, Ware County had won 34 consecutive games that counted in region standings. Now the Gators have lost two straight and fallen into fifth place in Region 3-AAAAA, a half-game behind Effingham County. Ware County still has a good shot of making the playoffs but can't afford another loss.
3. Jackson 3, Peach County 2: Jackson has become a regular fixture on this list. Two weeks ago, the Red Devils were recognized after handing Westside (Macon) its first loss. They returned last week after being upset by Spencer. Now they're back after handing Peach County its first loss. Jackson (5-2, 4-1) will win 2-AAA if it wins its final three games.
4. Milton 28, Cherokee 21: Defending 5-AAAAAA champion Milton's playoff hopes were all but dead after starting the season 1-5 overall and 1-3 in region play, but this victory against previous fourth-place team Cherokee keeps the Eagles in the hunt. Milton is tied with Cherokee and Wheeler for the No. 4 spot but plays 10th-ranked Walton this week.
5. Cedartown 42, Haralson County 15: Cedartown picked up its first victory of the season but controls its playoff destiny in six-team Region 5-AAA. The Bulldogs will be big underdogs in their next two games (Central of Carrollton, Pepperell), but a victory in the regular-season finale against 1-6 Rockmart likely would clinch a playoff berth, even with a 2-8 record.
Also of note: Berrien beat Thomasville 35-22 for its first victory in a series that began in 1960, improving its all-time record to 1-20-1 against the Bulldogs. The two teams are tied with Pelham for fourth place in Region 1-AA. ... Brooks County is alone in first place in 1-AA after a 21-17 victory over Fitzgerald, which was ranked No. 2 last week. Brooks County was a 22-point underdog against the defending region champ. ... Douglass is 5-2 for the first time since 2006 after a 19-15 victory against a Decatur team that appeared to be a lock for the 4-AAA play-in games but has faded the past two weeks. Douglass was an 11-point underdog. ... Northside had never scored more than 44 points against cross-town rival Warner Robins in a series that dates to 1964, but the Eagles smashed their previous best with a 58-14 victory. Warner Robins' highest output in the series was 41 points in 1990. ... West Forsyth, a seven-point underdog, kept its hopes for a 6-AAAAAA title alive with a 38-34 victory over South Forsyth, which suffered its first loss. West Forsyth is tied for second place with South Forsyth and plays first-place Lambert this week.
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