Sports
Walton-Roswell play for R5 supremacy; R1 starts region play
By Todd Holcomb
Sept 30, 2015It’s getting late early in Region 5-AAAAAA, where third-ranked Roswell and fifth-ranked Walton are headed for a showdown Friday that will determine the presumptive region champion at Roswell’s Ray Manus Stadium.
They are the only undefeated teams remaining, and both are looking to break a region-title drought. Roswell (4-0, 2-0) last won one in 2010, Walton (5-0, 3-0) in 2011.
Roswell has crushed every opponent in its sight, including Lowndes 35-8 in the season opener. Walton has had only one close encounter, a 22-19 victory over Wheeler on Sept. 18.
Both teams have elite running backs - Walton's K.K. Brooks and Roswell's Sheldon Evans.
Other games to watch ...
No. 1 Colquitt County (5-0) at Lowndes (4-1):
This is probably the headliner among three region openers. Colquitt County won 45-27 last season. Lowndes led in total yardage that game, but suffered three turnovers that set up three Colquitt TD drives. Lowndes had a pick six of its own.
No. 9 Camden County (5-0) at Valdosta (4-1): Valdosta won 13-10 last season. Camden had won the previous five meetings dating to 2002. Camden then remarkably finished 0-5 in region play.
Tift County (5-0) at No. 8 Lee County (5-0): These were the teams predicted to finish fifth and sixth last season. Instead, both made the playoffs.
Tucker (3-2) at Newton (4-1):
Region 2 begins region play next week, and these are the two favorites. Tucker beat Newton 57-21 last season and went on the region title. Both teams made the state quarterfinals.
Westlake (3-1) at East Coweta (4-0): Another region that might have its best two teams squaring off in an opener is Region 3. Westlake is the champion, but not looking quite as formidible as the team that won its first region title in nine seasons last year. East Coweta appears on the rise under second-year coach Steve Pardue. The Indians last won a region title in 2001.
Dacula (4-1, 3-0) at Central Gwinnett (3-1, 2-0): The winner of this game will join Grayson (5-0, 3-0) as the only unbeaten teams in Region 8, assuming Grayson beats South Gwinnett.
North Gwinnett (2-3, 0-2) at Norcross (5-0, 2-0): They played for a state title in 2012. Now, North really needs to win to stay in playoff contention in R7.
