Sports

FROM THE PREP ZONE BLOGS AT AJC.COM

By Staff
Oct 31, 2013

The high school bloggers at ajc.com include Todd Holcomb (Class AAAAAA), Chip Saye (AAAAA), David Purdum (AAAA), Stan Awtrey (AAA), Adam Krohn (AA) and S. Thomas Coleman (A).

Here’s what to look for during Week 11 of the high school football season.

Class AAAAAA

North Cobb and Alpharetta can clinch region tiles with victories Friday.

In Region 4, North Cobb (7-1, 6-0) and junior quarterback Tyler Queen (1,530 yards passing) are at home against Marietta (6-2, 4-2). North Cobb has won five consecutive in the series. It would be the school’s fifth region title, first since 2007.

In Region 6, Alpharetta (6-2, 5-0) and junior quarterback Austin King (1,568 yards passing) are at Centennial (1-7). Alpharetta is trying to win its second region title, the first since 2011.

Lovejoy (8-1) in Region 2 and Hughes (7-1) in Region 3 also can clinch Friday, but only if their second-place teams lose.

Other things to watch this week in AAAAAA and the other classifications:

Class AAAAA

Class AAAA

Class AAA

St. Pius at Blessed Trinity: Blessed Trinity (5-3, 3-1), led by tailback Chad Manthey, seems to have found its offense. The Titans have scored 150 points in their past five games. St. Pius (6-2, 3-1) had its defense rattled last week for 42 points, a fact that will challenge the unit led by Nick Ruffin and Daniel Crochet. St. Pius has won all five meetings against its fellow Catholic school competitor, including last year's hard-fought 24-17 decision.

Cedar Grove at Woodward Academy: Cedar Grove (6-2, 3-1) had last week off after its loss to St. Pius. The Saints are led by running back Deion Sellers and quarterback James Hartsfield. Woodward Academy (7-2, 4-1) has the skills to match the Saints, particularly with Terry Googer, who ran for 180 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 165 and one touchdown in last week's victory against St. Pius.

White County at West Hall: White County (6-2) will finish no worse than third in Region 7-AAA with a victory this week. Should White County win out and Buford beats North Hall, the Warriors would finish second and get a first-round home game. But West Hall is a dangerous team that's in search of its first playoff appearance since 2002. White County leads the series 9-8 and has won the past seven meetings.

Class AA

Class A

Pace Academy (4-4, 1-3) at No. 1 Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (7-0, 4-0). A victory by ELCA will set up the biggest game in Class A this season, when the Chargers, the defending private-school champs, travel next week to No. 6 Landmark Christian (8-0, 4-0) with the Region 5 title on the line. Pace Academy needs an upset to increase its power rating and bolster its chances of making the playoff field of 16. Currently, the Knights are on the outside looking in.

No. 6 Landmark Christian (8-0, 4-0) at Holy Innocents' (5-4, 3-2). If both Landmark Christian and ELCA stave off upsets, next week will be the biggest game to date for both, as ELCA will go to downtown Fairburn for the Region 5 title game. Holy Innocents', like Pace, needs a victory to fortify its standing in the top 16.

Fellowship Christian (5-3, 2-2) at No. 8 Mount Pisgah Christian (8-0, 4-0). The Patriots can take a huge step toward winning their first region title in the program's history with a victory against rival Fellowship Christian. Mount Pisgah is in the No. 1 spot in the Class A private-school power ratings.

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