While Westside-Macon's football team will take I-75 from Macon to Peach County, it's likely that the fans from Westside will take the 30-minute ride down Knoxville Road, a backwoods cut between Macon and Peach County. Their destination? The Region 4 title game against Peach County at Anderson Field in Fort Valley.
It's a journey that Westside fans know all too well, but in recent years the ride back hasn't always been a good one.
"It would mean a lot to us," Westside-Macon coach Sheddrick "Spoon" Risper said of a Westside victory Friday. "The last couple of years we have been playing second-fiddle to them, and the last time we won a region title was in 2012 when we were in the region with Mary Persons, West Laurens and Perry. So we are hungry to get a region championship around here."
Knoxville Road turns to Marshall Mill road just past Echeconnee Creek and then, after crossing Ga. Hwy. 42, it morphs again, this time to Taylors Mill Road. The slow, winding ride through the unabashed countryside filled with rolling hills, fields of crops and a silo or two is welcoming, yet it is a stark contrast from what awaits at Anderson Field.
"We haven't beaten them in a long time," said Risper. "And a lot of people haven't beaten them, so we aren't the only ones in that boat."
The programs have played eight times, and since 2010 in Risper's first season, Peach County, led by head coach Chad Campbell, has owned the series and won six consecutive games. Westside won the first two contests in 2006 (35-21) and 2007 (32-0).
"Chad Campbell ... he and I are good friends, and we have a lot of respect for each other. They have a great football program," Risper said. "A lot of tradition down there."
Peach County has had a lock on Region 4 three of the past four years, missing out only when Jackson defeated the Trojans 3-2 in 2015. From 2003-2011, Peach won seven region titles and three state titles, including back-to-back championships in 2005 and '06 and another state title in 2009.
The Trojans have not really been challenged since losing to Mary Persons in Week 4 (35-21). Since then, Peach has destroyed every bit of its region competition with defense being a large part of the success. Sergio Allen, a 6-foot-1 linebacker, is rated a four-star prospect and has committed to Clemson. He leads a Peach defense that has allowed 31 points in five region games.
"We are getting the offense prepared to get hit hard," Risper laughed. "They're physical on defense. They are very fast. I think that's their strong point. They are disciplined and super fast on defense. It's hard to get to the edges and the outside on them. A lot of times, with teams like that, sometimes it's best to just run right at them."
A glance at Westside's region record leads to several numbers jumping out. The Seminoles have allowed 29 points in the region. Against Rutland, Peach County gave up two touchdowns on defense, while scoring 73 points on offense. Also against Rutland, Westside only gave up one touchdown on defense but managed 42 points of offense.
"Defensively, Peach doesn't give up a lot of points or a lot of big plays," Risper said. "So we have got to be patient and just work our way downfield."
Here is a look at the other teams in the top 10:
1. (1) Calhoun (9-0, 7-0) – Plays at home against Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (7-2, 6-1) in Region 6 title game.
2. (2) Cedar Grove (8-1, 5-0) – Region 5 champion. Will face Stone Mountain on Friday.
3. (3) Monroe Area (9-0, 5-0) – Region 8 champion. Plays at home against Franklin County (3-6, 2-3) on Friday.
4. (4) Peach County (7-2, 5-0) – Plays at home against Westside-Macon for Region 4 title. (See above.)
5. (5) Westminster (6-3, 4-1) – Plays at home against Lovett (4-5, 3-2) in Region 5 game.
6. (6) Greater Atlanta Christian (7-2, 5-0) – Region 7 champion. Plays at home against Fannin County (4-5, 3-2) for Region 7 game.
7. (7) Benedictine (8-1, 7-0) – Travels to Jenkins (7-2, 6-1) for a Region 3 game. Needs to win to avoid tie-breaker mini-game scenario on Monday.
8. (8) Dawson County (8-1, 4-1) – Plays at home against North Hall (8-1, 4-1) in a Region 7 game.
9. (9) Jefferson (8-2, 5-1) – No. 2 seed from Region 8. Regular-season complete.
10. (10) Pace Academy (6-4, 4-2) – No. 3 seed from Region 5, currently. Regular-season complete.
About the Author
