For a preview of the South Atlanta at Columbia game, which will decide the Region 6 champion, see GHSF Daily’s Top 10 games. Standings and tiebreaker scenarios for all eight regions can be found in Tuesday’s 2A blog post.
Laney Wildcats at Jefferson County Warriors
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Warrior Field, Louisville
Records: Laney is 6-3, 4-2 in Region 4; Jefferson County is 5-4, 4-2.
Last meeting: Jefferson County won 28-20 in 2020.
Maxwell’s projection: Jefferson County by 1
Notes: The winner takes the region’s No. 3 seed and the loser takes the No. 4 seed. Jefferson County won by a slim margin last year and this game is projected to be even closer. The Warriors are in a rebuilding year after reaching the quarterfinals in 2020, and this will be the first season since 2017 they aren’t 4-2A champions. They’re currently mired in a two-game skid, losing 28-21 to No. 7 Putnam County and 14-12 to Westside. The Putnam County loss snapped a region winning streak of 27 that dated back to Sept. 2018. They hadn’t lost two consecutive region games since 2013, part of a three-game skid as members of 3-3A. Senior Keyshawn Vaughner is the Warriors’ offensive cog, leading the team with 825 yards and nine touchdowns on 183 carries, and passing for 352 yards and four touchdowns to three interceptions on 11-for-31 passing. Senior Marques Whigham accounts for nearly all of Vaughner’s passing output with 10 receptions, 340 yards and all four touchdowns. Under first-year coach Ronnie Baker, Laney has already clinched its first winning season since 2015 and secured a playoff spot for the first time since 2016. They hung tough with Putnam County, losing 13-6 on Sept. 24, but second-place Westside beat them 28-6 three weeks ago. Their four region wins matches the previous two seasons combined. The last time they won five region games was 2016.
Callaway Cavaliers at Heard County Braves
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Staples Stadium, Franklin
Records, rankings: Callaway is 6-2, 2-1 in Region 5 and No. 8; Heard County is 5-4, 2-1.
Last meeting: Callaway won 30-17 in 2021.
Watch the game: NFHS Network
Maxwell’s projection: Callaway by 7
Notes: Home-field advantage through at least the first round is at stake, with the winner taking the No. 2 seed and the loser hitting the road with the No. 3 seed. Since losing 42-14 to region champions Haralson County on Oct. 8, the Cavs have outscored Bremen and Temple a combined 91-26. The defending champs haven’t had two region losses since 2010, which was also they last time they weren’t at least a No. 2 seed. Their streak of playoff appearances dates to 2006. The Braves lost 21-0 to Haralson County on Oct. 22 and barely edged Bremen, 25-23, last week. They have a first-year coach in Shane Lasseter and are three seasons removed from their only state title. If the Braves are going to win, it will likely have to be on the ground, as they had thrown just two touchdowns to six interceptions through their first eight games. Isaiah O’Neal had seven touchdowns and 565 yards on 79 carries, followed by Maurice French (335-5-66) heading into last week’s game. Both are seniors.
Dade County Wolverines at Fannin County Rebels
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge
Records: Dade County is 7-2, 4-1 in Region 7; Fannin County is 8-1, 5-0.
Last meeting: Fannin County won 55-7 in 2020.
Maxwell’s projection: Fannin County by 20.
Notes: The winner of this game is region champion, with the loser taking second place. The Rebels, who won 7-2A last year, are eyeing back-to-back region titles for the first time in a program that dates to 1976. Their region win streak is at 10, the longest in school history. Since coming to 2A in 2020, they’re 18-2, reaching the quarterfinals last season for just the second time. They’re still winning despite a reloading year that saw them lose 20 seniors, including quarterback Luke Holloway. His replacement, senior Seth Reece, is 49 of 84 passing with 597 yards and 10 touchdowns to three interceptions, and he’s rushed 131 times for 961 yards and nine touchdowns. Reece also has four touchdowns and 141 yards on 12 receptions. Junior David Mashburn splits reps with Reece and has completed 48 of his 75 passes for 480 yards and four touchdowns to four interceptions. The Wolverines, under second-year coach Jeff Poston, are gunning for the first region title in a program that dates to 1975. They’re in the playoffs for the first time since 2015 and just the fifth time in school history. Their win total is the highest since going 7-4 in 2013 and a victory Friday will give them the most since they went 10-2 in 2010. Since losing 28-13 to Chattooga on Oct. 15, they’ve beaten Coosa and Gordon Central 97-6, including a 62-0 shutout of Gordon Central — their second shutout of the season. That’s the most shutouts they’ve had in a season since posting five in 2010. Junior Brody Cooper is 84 of 116 passing for eight touchdowns to three interceptions, and he’s rushed for six more touchdowns and 280 yards on 85 carries. Senior Cayden Cooper leads the team with 821 yards and 12 touchdowns on 141 carries. Sophomore twin sisters Caroline and Abigail Tremmier are a combined 34-of-37 on extra point attempts, while Caroline Tremmier is 2-for-3 on field goal attempts.
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