For the second week in a row, the No. 2-ranked Rabun County Wildcats will travel to play a newly-scheduled, out-of-state opponent and this time it’s Saluda (S.C.).
More on that matchup below, but first...
This week’s AJC high school football sports feature is on the Wildcats as quarterback Gunner Stockton chases state records. You can read it here. For more, listen to Episode 29 of The Class 2A Blogcast, which includes interviews with Stockton, his father and Wildcats defensive coordinator Rob Stockton, Wildcats coach Jaybo Shaw and offensive lineman Bear Old.
For a preview of the Evans-Washington County, Lovett-South Atlanta and Thomasville-Oconee County games, check out the GHSF Daily’s top 10 games here.
Rabun County Wildcats at Saluda (S.C.) Tigers
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Bettis Herlong Stadium, Saluda, S.C.
Records, rankings: Rabun County is 2-1 and No. 2 in 2A, Saluda is 3-0 and No. 3 in South Carolina’s 2A.
Last meeting: First meeting
Maxwell’s projection: N/A
Notes: It was supposed to be a bye week for the Wildcats, but instead it’s the second week in a row they’ve scheduled an out-of-state opponent on the fly after COVID-19 wiped out two games. They defeated North Carolina’s 1A defending champions Murphy 59-14 last week. The Tigers won the 2A in 2019, their first title since 1963. This year, they’ve outscored opponents 147-45, including 1A’s No. 9 Ridge Spring-Monetta 43-6 on Aug. 27.
Cairo Syrupmakers at Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jaycee Stadium, Fitzgerald
Records, rankings: Cairo is 1-1 and unranked in 4A, Fitzgerald is 3-0 and No. 3 in 2A.
Last meeting: Fitzgerald won 21-17 in 2020.
Maxwell’s projection: Fitzgerald 15
Notes: The Purple Hurricane are coming off a 15-6 win over No. 8 Dodge County, their 12th-straight regular season win. When these teams met last year, it was the first time since 2003. The Syrupmakers lead the all-time series, which dates back to 1930, 15-14-1. The Syrupmakers started the season ranked No. 10, but Covid cancelled their opener with 1A Public’s No. 2 Brooks County, then they lost 26-21 to Thomasville on Sept. 3. They rebounded to beat Escambia (Fla.), 21-7 last week. Each team has a preseason all-state selection at linebacker — E.J. Lightsey for Fitzgerald and Gary Davis for Cairo.
Dublin Fighting Irish at Swainsboro Tigers
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tiger Field, Swainsboro
Records, rankings: Dublin is 1-1 and No. 7 in 1A Public, Swainsboro is 2-2 and unranked in 2A.
Last meeting: Dublin won 42-14 in 2020.
Maxwell’s projection: Dublin by 2
Notes: These teams have played every year dating back to 2008, and the last three contests have gone to Dublin by a wide margin, with the Fighting Irish winning all three by a combined 97-40. The Fighting Irish lead the all-time series 44-24-2. The Tigers lost their opener 31-20 to 3A’s No. 8 Metter, rebounded with a pair of wins over Jefferson County (7-0) and Statesboro (15-10) and would likely hold Washington County’s No. 10 spot in the rankings had they won last week’s matchup with the Golden Hawks, but they lost 22-21. The Fighting Irish started No. 4, lost their opener 27-7 to Dodge County, then, after a week off, they beat Wheeler County 30-22. They’ll play the Tigers after taking last week off as well.
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