Simply put, your humble scribe goofed. When mentioning the top games of the upcoming week in last Saturday’s post, I neglected to include one of the most contested matchups in Class A – Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy vs. Landmark Christian School. So today, we take a quick look at that contest.
Also, we get a brief comment from Lincoln County head coach Kevin Banks after his undefeated team’s near upset last week at the hands of Hancock Central. And finally, we break down the updated Georgia High School Association/MaxPreps Power Ratings.
Landmark at ELCA
It is one of the signature rivalries in any classification, and once again, the game will decide the Region 5 champion. In fact, over the past 13 seasons only two teams not named Landmark or ELCA have won the region title – Whitefield Academy in 2008 and Holy Innocents’ in 2009. Landmark ruled from 2002 to 2007, while ELCA has won the last five consecutive region crowns.
In the series, ELCA holds a 7-5 edge and has won seven of the last eight meetings, including 35-28 last season. That one win by Landmark in the last eight games hit ELCA hard. It was a 14-7 win by the War Eagles over ELCA in the semifinals.
ELCA is led by the running tandem of Trevor Gear and Josh Mays, and a salty defense paced by linebacker Chase Burdette. Landmark is led by one of the state’s top quarterback/running back tandems in senior Stockton McGuire and junior Lofton Tidwell.
Lincoln’s Banks credits Hancock Central
One of the most shocking results from last week was Lincoln County barely holding off struggling Hancock Central (3-5), 7-6. The Red Devils trailed 6-0 going into the fourth quarter, but a short touchdown run by Jamal Norman and Ryan O’Neill’s successful point after kick kept Lincoln County unbeaten.
Red Devil head coach Kevin Banks made no excuses about his team’s performance.
“We came out flat and were missing a couple of players. But give coach [Zachary] Harris and his team some credit. He had them ready to play,” Banks said earlier this week.
While Lincoln County is 7-0 for the first time since 2011, Banks said his young squad still has a lot of growing up to do. “You know, a lot of people think we are back but to be honest, we are still trying to find our way. We are headed in the right direction but still have a lot to do.
Prince Avenue remains, Lincoln County surges to top of Power Ratings
No. 2 Prince Avenue Christian remains in the top spot of the GHSA/MaxPreps Power Ratings on the private side, while Lincoln County jumped into the top spot on the public school side.
Class A Private
Worst Record In: No. 15 Walker (3-4)
Best Record Out: No. 18 Fellowship Christian (4-3)
First Team Out: No. 17 Mt. Pisgah Christian (3-4)
Who Dropped Out: No. 17 Mt. Pisgah Christian (3-4)
Who Jumped In: No. 16 Athens Christian (4-4)
Class A Public
Worst Record In: No. 13 Twiggs County and No. 16 Johnson County (3-4)
Best Record Out: No. 19 Randolph Clay (4-3)
First Team Out: No. 17 Hancock Central (3-5)
Who Dropped Out: No. 18 Miller County (3-4)
Who Jumped In: No. 16. Johnson County (3-4)
