Here are some games of note for Class AA in Week 10.
Fitzgerald at Brooks County*
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Veterans Stadium, Quitman
Records, rankings: Fitzgerald is 7-2 overall, 3-0 in Region 1-AA and unranked; Brooks County is 6-2, 2-0 and No. 7.
Last meeting: Brooks County won 49-17 in 2017.
Maxwell's projection: Fitzgerald by 1
Things to know: The winner of this game will be the champion in Region 1-AA. The teams have combined to win nine of the 13 titles since they were paired in the same region in 2006. The only other teams to break through were Thomasville (2007 and 2017) and Cook (2010). Brooks County trails in the series 13-7 but has won four of the past six meetings. Fitzgerald is averaging 193 yards rushing and 144 passing. QB Justin Reliford is the leading rusher with 669 yards and 11 touchdowns on 114 carries. He had a season-high 235 yards on 19 carries in a 36-21 win over then-No. 10 Thomasville two weeks ago. Reliford also is 75-of-119 passing for 904 yards. Leading receiver Damien Devine (29 catches, 450 yards) has 779 yards of total offense and scored seven touchdowns. Brooks County averages 148.0 yards passing and 132.4 rushing. Ni'tavion Burress (733 yards passing) and Jacolby Brown (461) have thrown for 1,194 yards. Brown also is the team's second-leading receiver with 321 yards. He had 230 yards receiving and 66 passing in a 39-20 victory over Early County last week. Deon Fountain, a three-star recruit, leads the Trojans in rushing (306 yards) and receiving (605).
Hapeville Charter Hornets at Washington Bulldogs
When, where: 3 p.m. Saturday, Lakewood Stadium, Atlanta
Records, rankings: Hapeville Charter is 7-1, 5-0 in 6-AA and No. 1; Washington is 7-2, 5-1 and unranked.
Last meeting: Hapeville Charter won 63-6 in 2017.
Watch the game: Online at NFHS Network.
Maxwell's projection: Hapeville Charter by 25
Notes: As improbable as it would be, should the Bulldogs pull off perhaps the biggest upset of the season — regardless of classification — by beating the Hornets, it would create a three-way tie atop 6-AA, along with Douglass, to possibly force mini-game tiebreakers. Not only are the Hornets heavily favored, but they've yet to allow a point in region play, outscoring 6-AA opponents 238-0. The Bulldogs have played the Hornets twice since joining the region and have lost both times by a combined score of 97-6. However, there's room for the Bulldogs to believe, as they've already clinched their first winning season since 2013, and first under fourth-year coach Derrick Avery, who'd previously guided them to three straight 3-7 seasons. Freshman Quintavious Lockett leads the Bulldogs in rushing with 493 yards and eight touchdowns on 79 carries. They're incredibly efficient in the passing game, throwing 20 touchdowns to two interceptions. Senior Adrien Williams is 64-of-91 passing for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns to one interception, while sophomore Monye' Jones is 28-of-47 with three touchdowns and an interception. Ronald Mason has a team-leading eight touchdown receptions to go with 321 yards on 14 catches, and junior Vachon Raye has 478 yards and five touchdowns on 23 catches.
Berrien Rebels at Early County Bobcats
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Standifer Stadium, Blakely
Records: Berrien is 5-3, 0-2 in 1-AA; Early County is 5-3, 0-2
Last meeting: Berrien won 34-14 in 2017.
Maxwell's projection: Early County by 8
Notes: With 1-AA consisting of just five teams, this matchup likely determines the final playoff spot. Neither team has won a game in league play, with Berrien losing to Thomasville and Fitzgerald by a combined 78-33, and Early County losing to Thomasville and Brooks County by a combined 60-23. These teams have followed an exact win-loss pattern thus far by losing their opener, winning five straight and then dropping their first two region games. Though the schools are located 118 miles and 2.5 hours apart, they've played every season dating back to 2004, with the Bobcats going 10-4 in that span. However, Berrien has won three of the last four. The Rebels are led by junior running back Ken Bennett, who has 774 yards and nine touchdowns on 137 carries. Senior quarterback Tanner Adams is 37-of-71 passing for 836 yards and eight touchdowns to four interceptions. His top target is junior Ja'Marquis Johnson, who has 16 catches for 557 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson is a three-star athlete with an offer from Florida State.
*Courtesy of GHSF Daily
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