Here's a look at some of this week's big games in Class AA:
Woodward Academy (No. 5, AAAA) at No. 6 Lovett
Lovett (1-2) has one week left in its brutal nonregion schedule before beginning 6-AA play next Friday, and for the second straight week, the Lions will be taking on one of the top teams in Class AAAA.
Against Woodward Academy, Lovett's defensive focus will be on slowing down four-star running back Elijah Holyfield, son of former boxing great Evander Holyfield. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior has run for 301 yards on just 29 carries through two games and scored a total of seven touchdowns (including an 84-yard kickoff return) in a 45-13 win over Decatur in the season opener. The War Eagles defeated St. Pius X last week, 42-21.
Coming off a 27-7 loss to Marist (No. 4, AAAA), Lovett has managed just 17 total points during its two-game losing skid. The Lions offense is led by senior quarterback Willie Candler, who has thrown for 391 yards and rushed for 116 yards through three games. Jonathan Thomas has been his favorite target (8 receptions, 173 yards, 2 TDs), while junior Jay Harris has led the ground game with 180 yards on 34 carries.
Lovett has won four straight in the series dating back to 2008.
No. 5 Bendictine at Liberty County
After falling to top-ranked Greater Atlanta Christian 24-21 in the final moments of the season opener, Benedictine has endured rare back-to-back weeks off prior to Friday's game at Class AAAA Liberty County.
In the Week 1 loss, the Cadets got a good offensive showing from quarterback Stevie Powers and receiver Brad Stewart, a preseason All-State pick and Division-I prospect. Sophomore John Kennedy also emerged as a threat out of the backfield, rushing for 91 yards on 11 carries and catching three passes for 59 yards and a score.
Liberty County (2-1) won 45-14 last week over McIntosh County Academy, and is led by a defense that has racked up 16 sacks through three games, led by Jacari Roberts with six.
No. 2 Washington-Wilkes at Jefferson County
Washington-Wilkes maintained its No. 2 ranking with a 27-18 win over Wilkinson County last week, but it wasn't always pretty.
After racing to an early 21-6 lead, the Tigers' offense went stagnant and was outgained in the game 357-323. They needed both of Kemble Laguines two interceptions that were returned for long touchdowns to secure the win. Offensively, Jaquavious Blackburn was a bright spot, rushing for 153 yards on 18 carries and catching two passes for 60 yards and a touchdown.
Despite an 0-2 record to start the season, Jefferson County remains dangerous in AA. The Warriors haven't missed a postseason since 2001, and both of their loses have come against Class AAAA teams. Linebacker Daylan Williams, a Troy commit, leads the defense with 36 tackles through two games. The offense, led by quarterback Will Jordan, will be trying to get back on track after being held to less than 100 yards in a 20-7 loss to Burke County two weeks ago.
No. 9 Lamar County at Mary Persons
Lamar County (1-0-1) has had two weeks to prepare Class AAAA Mary Persons (1-1). The Trojans, who advanced to the AA state title game last season, opened 2014 with a 19-19 tie against Howard-Macon, then defeated Pike County 44-16 on Aug. 29. The Trojans have leaned almost exclusively on the running game, and 5-6, 160-pound Noah Eure leads the team with 191 rushing yards on 24 carries.
Mary Persons lost 31-0 last week against Washington County (No. 1, AAA), but showed good offensive balance in the season opener. In a 41-21 win over Jackson on Aug. 29, Jake Johnston threw for four TDs, while Dee High ran 30 times for 216 yards.
UPDATE: High and four other Mary Persons players will reportedly not play in this game as part of disciplinary action resulting from a video posted on Facebook taunting Lamar County players.
Thomasville at Valdosta (No. 8, AAAAAA)
According to Georgia High School Football Historians Association records, Thomasville and Valdosta played 79 times between 1914 and 1985. They haven't played since then, but the 29-year hiatus ends Friday.
The edge seems to belong to the Valdosta defense in this year's contest. The Wildcats (3-0) have posted two shutouts this season, including a 21-0 win over Swainsboro last week in which they yielded just 74 total yards.
Thomasville (0-2) lost to Cairo (No. 9, AAAA) in its last contest, 14-0.
Valdosta leads the all-time series 57-17-5 including the last seven.
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