Here's a look at this week's top games in Class AA. ...
No. 8 Darlington at No. 10 Model
Region 7-AA supremacy is up for grabs Friday night in Rome as a pair of unlikely top-10 teams do battle. Darlington (4-1, 1-0) was a perennial playoff team in Class A and has quickly asserted itself a contender for a region title in its first season in AA. Meanwhile Model (5-0, 1-0) is ranked for the first time since 1980 after shutting out Dade County last week, 24-0.
The Blue Devils' defense has been complemented by a strong ground game. Nakyle Watkins has rushed for more than 100 yards in four of Model's five game after missing his junior season due to a knee injury. Sophomore Chris Dublin has also emerged as a threat, leading the team in rushing last week.
Darlington is led by RB/DB Trey Edge, who ran for 207 yards in last week's 25-14 win over Gordon Lee, unofficially putting him at 871 rushing yards for the season. Quarterback Carter Dingler (6-1, 187, Jr.) threw for 151 yards last week for the Tigers.
Darlington has won 10 straight in the series and leads the all-time 21-6, but the schools have not met since 2007.
Thomasville at No. 2 Fitzgerald
After a rough start, Thomasville seems to be hitting its stride at the right time. The Bulldogs (2-3, 1-0 Region 1-AA) faced a brutal early season schedule and it gets no easier this week as they visit the Purple Hurricanes (5-0, 1-0) in a pivotal region game.
Fitzgerald, which topped Early County last week, 34-20, is averaging 37 points and 328 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Gerald Morgan is the top threat on the ground, rushing for 787 yards and 12 touchdowns thus far. Sophomore running back JD King as also stepped up lately, rushing for 269 yards in the last two weeks.
Thomasville has won back-to-back games after defeating Seminole County last week, 48-21. The Bulldogs had over 300 rushing yards in the first half, and Jalandin Jones finished the game with a team-high 217 yards.
This series dates back to 1922, but the teams have played only 22 games in that time. After 1955, they didn't meet again until 2000. Thomasville leads the all-time series, 11-9-2.
Jefferson County at Dublin
Even though it's only their second region game, both teams have a lot at stake Friday night. Jefferson County (2-3, 0-1 Region 3-AA) fell to No. 9 Screven County in a heartbreaker last week, 12-7. Dublin (3-2, 1-0) knocked off Metter, 21-7, and needs a win over the Warriors to keep pace with Screven atop the region.
The Warriors' defense has been strong, allowing 15 points per game, and giving up only seven in a win over then-No. 2 Washington-Wilkes three weeks ago. But the offense is still searching for consistency, having scored more than 14 only once (a 53-10 win over Glenn Hills). Linebackers Daylan Williams (6-0, 225) and Jerry Lattimore (5-11, 230) combined for 33 tackles last week and each average double digit tackles per game.
They'll face a Fighting Irish running game that has accumulated more than 240 yards per game this season, led by Larry McGirt (62 carries, 497 yards, 9 TDs) and Johnny Willis (47/403/3).
Chattahoochee County at Heard County
This game could have big ramifications in 5-AA. At the very least, it should help clear up a cloudy picture as we enter region play. Along with Bowdon, Heard County (1-4) opened the season as one of the region favorites, but has been beset by a rash of injuries. The loss of all-state RB Duranta Dunson drew headlines, but the Braves are dealing with absences at all levels on both offense and defense.
Chattahoochee County (3-1) went winless in region play last year, but is off to a solid start under coach Josh Kemp, who is back for a second tenure with the Panthers. In his first stint he guided Chattahoochee County to four Class A playoff appearances in its first four years of varsity football.
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Top 10 schedule
1. Greater Atlanta Christian (5-0) at K.I.P.P. Atlanta Collegiate
2. Fitzgerald (5-0) vs. Thomasville
3. Vidalia (5-0) at Long County
4. Lovett (4-2) OFF
5. Benedictine (3-1) at Wayne County
6. Brooks County (3-2) vs. Berrien
7. Lamar County (3-1-1) OFF
8. Darlington (4-1) at No. 10 Model
9. Screven County (5-0) vs. Harlem
10. Model (5-0) vs. No. 8 Darlington
