For a preview of Northeast at Bleckley County, check out the GHSF Daily’s top 10 games.
Washington Bulldogs vs. South Atlanta Hornets
When, where: 4 p.m. Saturday, Lakewood Stadium, Atlanta
Records: Washington is 3-2, 2-2 in Region 6; South Atlanta is 5-1, 4-0.
Last meeting: South Atlanta beat Washington 20-19 in 2020.
Watch the game: NFHS Network
Maxwell’s projection: South Atlanta by 14
Notes: Last year’s game didn’t count toward the region standings because it didn’t fall within either team’s final six region games, per an agreement reached by the nine-team league after DeKalb Schools postponed fall sports through September. The Bulldogs need this win to stay above the fray among the three other teams — Pace Academy, Lovett and Towers — that head into the week with two region losses. Lovett hosted and beat the Bulldogs 32-6 on Sept. 3, but the Bulldogs played first-place Columbia (6-1, 5-0) close, falling short 28-20 on Oct. 1. They’re coming off a 20-6 win over Therrell. Senior Niejay Gaston has 57 carries for 490 yards and seven touchdowns. The Hornets are playing for a second straight 6-2A title under first-year coach Michael Woolridge. They’ve already beaten Lovett and Pace Academy and play Columbia in the Nov. 5 finale. Hornets junior Keyjaun Brown is one of the state’s leading rushers with 1,327 yards and 18 touchdowns on 114 carries, adding a receiving and kick return touchdown. Junior Cevan Edwards leads the team with 22 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Callaway Cavaliers at Bremen Blue Devils
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Bremen Athletic Field, Bremen
Records: Callaway is 4-2, 0-1 in Region 5; Bremen is 4-2, 0-0.
Last meeting: Callaway won 26-16 in 2020.
Watch the game: NFHS Network
Maxwell’s projection: Callaway by 7
Notes: The defending-champion Cavaliers opened the season on a tear, going 4-0 with wins over Opelika (Ala.), Troup, Hardaway and Douglass, climbing from No. 3 to No. 1 in the polls. Averaging 32.25 points, it appeared as though they hadn’t lost a beat from last year despite losing numerous playmakers at all key positions. However, they lost 24-8 to 4A’s Thomas County Central on Sept. 24, then 42-14 to Haralson County in their region opener last week. Both teams were unranked. As GHSF Daily pointed out, Callaway has a two-game losing streak in one season for the first time since 2014. They haven’t lost three in a row since 2006. The Cavs still won 7-2A last year after losing to Haralson County. The Blue Devils are the only team yet to play a 5-2A contest. Their two losses were close, and came at the hands of 1A Public’s No. 10 Bowden, 32-28 on Aug. 27, and 1A Public’s unranked Darlington, which won 40-33. The Blue Devils are coming off a quarterfinals campaign — their best finish since 2011 — and have won at least seven games a season since Davis Russell arrived in 2016, reaching the playoffs years. However, they haven’t won a region title since taking 6-1A Public in 2008.
Dade County Wolverines at Chattooga Indians
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Little Big Horn Stadium, Summerville
Records: Dade County is 5-1, 2-0 in Region 7; Chattooga is 4-2, 3-0.
Last meeting: Dade County won 19-14 in 2020.
Watch the game: NFHS Network
Maxwell’s projection: Chattooga by 1
Notes: The winner of this game will likely play the Fannin County Rebels for the region title. The defending 7-2A champion Rebels (6-1, 2-0) are the only other team with an undefeated region record. The Indians play the Rebels the next week, and the Wolverines play them in the regular season finale on Nov. 5. Last year, the Indians represented Dade County’s lone region win, with the Wolverines finishing 2-8 for the second year in a row — they went 1-9 in 2018. This year has been different under second-year coach Jeff Poston. They’ve matched their win total of the previous three seasons combined, and a win over the Indians will give the program its most wins since 2015, when they went 6-5 and reached the playoffs for the last time. They’ve never won a region title dating back to 1975. Senior Cayden Cooper has rushed for 695 yards and eight touchdowns on 118 carries, and senior Cody Williams has 64 tackles, nine for loss. A pair of sophomores, Landon Williams and Kaden Moore, lead the team with three sacks apiece. The Indians have also surpassed their previous season’s win total with a second-year coach. Shawn Peek took over last year and the Indians went 3-8 for their worst season since going 2-8 in 2013, snapping a streak of seven straight playoff appearances. The Indians started 0-2, losing to 3A’s Adairsville and 4A’s Northwest Whitfield a combined 63-21. Since then, they’re averaging 46.25 points in wins over Heritage and 7-2A’s Model, Gordon Central and Coosa. Sophomore Nic Hester leads the team with 622 yards and 10 touchdowns on 42 carries. Senior Zander Cook leads the team with 66 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, three caused fumbles and three hurries.
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