A year ago, Clarke Central beat Eastside in a close game and went on the win the Region 8 championship. The teams play again on Friday in Athens and the same scenario could play out again. This game could go a long way determining the region winner.
Eastside (3-2) was upset last week by previously winless Apalachee 22-21 on a late touchdown and two-point conversion. Clarke Central (2-2) dodged a bullet last week against upset-minded Jackson County and survived 34-30.
Eastside’s powerful running attack is led by all-state candidate Dallas Johnson (849 yards, eight TDs) and Kenai Grier (240 yards, five TDs). Top tacklers for the Eagles are captain Christian Benson (36 tackles, two sacks) and Jean Claude Joseph III (32 tackles, two sacks).
Clarke is led offensively by running back William Richardson (353 yards, three TDs). The defense, expected to be the team’s strength, is led by Dailen Howard (20 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and five hurries) and Jaylon Stone (24 tackles, four tackles for loss).
Clarke prevailed 34-30 against Eastside in 2020 and leads the all-time series 6-0.
In other top games this weekend:
Warner Robins at Camden County: The No. 1-ranked Demons step up in class again this week to play Class 7A Camden County. Coach Marquis Westbrook’s team is really clicking and last week drilled Class 6A No. 1 Lee County 56-30. Warner Robins QB Christon Lane has thrown for 1,043 yards and 15 touchdowns, with Daveon Walker (26 catches, 534 yards, five TDs) and Deuce Petty (14 catches, 331 yards, five TDs) both game-breakers. Running back Malcolm Brown (720 yards, 11 TDs) is having a breakthrough year. Kai Williams has 49 tackles, 14 for loss, and Fred Perry has 35 tackles, six for loss, and two interceptions. Camden County (4-2) was beaten by Region 1 contender Coffee 10-7 last week. The Wildcats were beaten 43-7 by Warner Robins in 2020.
Griffin at Whitewater: The winner of this game will have the leg up on making the playoffs from Region 2, although both must still face Starr’s Mill. Whitewater (4-1) has a strong defense, but will be challenged against Griffin (2-2), which probably has the most speed in the league. Griffin is led by quarterback Khalfani Harps (633 yards passing, six TDs; 109 yards rushing), and running backs R.J. Johnson (356 yards, three TDs) and Jakarri Ponder (198 yards, four TDs). Whitewater will try to control the clock and eat yardage with its wing-T offense. Quarterback Austin Williams (317 yards, five TDs), Braxton Mueller (370 yards, four TDs), Adeoluwa Erinle (231 yards, three TDs) and Dalton Bonner (207 yards, four TDs) lead the way. Griffin leads the series 5-1 and won last year’s game 28-21.
Jonesboro at Woodward Academy: No. 6 Woodward (5-0) is the only unbeaten team in Region 3, but can’t sleep on a solid Jonesboro team that prides itself on playing good defense. Woodward is led by running back Damari Alston, who has rushed for 662 yards and 12 touchdowns, with three 100-yard games. Quarterback Jelani Woods has thrown for 428 yards and three touchdowns. Jonesboro (3-1) has struggled at times on offense. Senior Chadrick Garner has thrown for 442 yards and seven touchdowns, but the Cardinals don’t have an individual with 100 rushing yards and average only 2.3 yards per carry. Woodward leads the all-time series 7-0 and won last year’s game 18-13.
Southwest DeKalb at St. Pius: No. 10 St. Pius (3-2) had its offense in full gear in last week’s win over Northview. The Golden Lions rushed for 558 yards, the school’s second-most all-time, and had 585 total yards, the third-most all-time. Alex Possert (167 yards), Austin Taylor (114 yards), Jack Tchienchou (106 yard) all topped the 100-yard mark. The defense got 14 tackles from Shug Bentley and eigth tackles and three breakups from Liam Whitlark. Southwest DeKalb (2-3) has bounced back from an 0-3 start and seems to be rounding into shape. The Panthers also feature a strong running game behind Billy Johnson (463 yards, three TDs) and have a solid passing attack with quarterback Sadir Ryan (699 yards, seven touchdowns). St. Pius leads the series 5-0 and took a 34-18 win in 2020.
Chamblee vs. Dunwoody (North DeKalb): The Battle for the Golden Spike will be renewed for the 24th time when Chamblee plays Dunwoody. The towns were formerly connected by the railroad and the winner earns possession of the Golden Spike Trophy. Chamblee (4-1) won last year’s game 21-10 to break a six-game losing streak to Dunwoody. The Bulldogs are led by quarterback Fabian Walker (1,152 yards, 19 touchdowns) and receivers Jordan Thornton (26 catches, 441 yards, seven TDs) and Jameel Avery (16 catches, 346 yards, six TDs). Linebacker Ja’Cari Waller-Watkins leads the defense with 47 tackles. Dunwoody (1-4) features quarterback Porter LeDoyen (322 yards rushing, 190 yards passing) and linebacker Rontae Langford (27 tackles, one sack).
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