Here’s what went down Friday night, with a look at a couple of big games next week.
No. 2 Prince Avenue flexes its muscles
The Wolverines, No. 1 in the Georgia High Schools Association/MaxPreps Power Ratings, got a three-touchdown performance from senior RB/DB Kevon Hudson and a big game from Jordan Hightower in a 45-14 win over Athens Academy (5-1, 3-1) in a game matching two unbeaten teams. Hudson scored on runs of 75, 13 and 35 yards, while Hightower had a forced fumble and two interceptions, one of which he returned 40 yards for a touchdown, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.
Savannah Christian makes a statement
The Raiders (5-1, 2-0 in Region 3-Division A) knocked No. 5 Calvary Day (5-1, 1-1) from the ranks of the unbeaten with a huge defensive effort en route to a 14-7 win. Savannah Christian seized control of the sub region race by holding the Cavaliers’ high-powered offense to just 126 yards of total offense, only 56 of which came on the ground. Calvary Day had been averaging nearly 300 yards rushing per game, according to SavannahNow.com.
No. 1 Mt. Paran stays unbeaten
The Eagles (6-0, 1-0 in Region 6-Division A), No. 1 in the AJC Top 10, rolled up more than 500 yards of total offense, most of it by senior RB/DB Taylor Trammell, in a 41-20 win over Walker (3-4, 0-2). Trammell rushed for more than 300 yards and scored four touchdowns. Mt. Paran led 41-7 in the third quarter.
No. 4 Marion County dominates
The Eagles (5-1, 4-0 in Region 4) held Brookstone (3-3, 3-1) to just 22 yards of offense in the second half, and shut out the Cougars 40-0. Senior RB/DB Lorenzo Smothers scored two touchdowns and had an interception on defense, while Quintez Battle and Maurice Carter scored on runs of eight and 60 yards, respectively.
Next week …
Turner County at Clinch County. Turner County (6-0, 3-0 in Region 2) will attempt to continue its magical season with a win over the Panthers (5-1, 2-1) in Homerville. Turner County is 6-0 for the first time since 1976 when the Rebels finished 13-0 and won the program's lone state title. Turner last won a region crown in 2006. The Rebels have not fared well against Clinch as of late, dropping four of the last five meetings, including a 42-30 decision last season. Clinch appears to be back on track after a disappointing 6-5 finish last season. The Panthers last won a region championship in 2013 and won the state title in 2010.
Twiggs County at Stratford Academy. This is the biggest game in quite some time for Twiggs County (3-3, 2-0 in Region 7-Division A) which hasn't won more than three games in a season since 2009, when the Cobras won their last region crown. Twiggs began the season 0-3 but has rebounded to win three in a row, including a 20-12 victory Friday over Wilkinson County, which had won four straight. Stratford (4-2, 2-0) has won three in a row including a 41-14 win over Macon-rival Tattnall Square on Friday. The Eagles began the season 1-2. The winner has the inside track to the sub region title and a match up with either Aquinas or Lincoln County in the region championship game.
