This week’s game between Stockbridge and Jones County should have a lot to say about who gets the top seed from Region 4. A loss here will make it more difficult for either team, who both still must face a strong Dutchtown team later in the season.
Jones County (2-2) is the defending region champion and looked good in last week’s 38-22 win over Union Grove. The Greyhounds, who began the season ranked No. 7, were knocked off at home by Northeast Macon 33-28 in the first week, came back to post an impressive road win over Class 7A power North Gwinnett but dropped a 43-42 overtime decision to Veterans.
Stockbridge (2-1) has not faced the same degree of difficulty on its schedule. The Tigers lost at Douglas County 31-20 the second week, but took care of business against winless Locust Grove 36-0 last week.
The Jones County offense is led by quarterback John Alan Richter, who has thrown for 1,088 yards and 11 touchdowns. The senior has completed 66.4 percent of his passes – including a 96-yarder to Zion Ragins – and has only been picked off four times in 119 attempts.
Ragins has 16 catches for a 25.1-yard average and four touchdowns. He’s far from the only option; five different players have caught touchdown passes. Eddren Chester (13 catches, three touchdowns), Tucker Mix (13 catches, one TD) and Javious Bond (11 catches) all have double-digit receptions. Bond is the team’s leading rusher with 269 yards and three touchdowns and Drew Jones has rushed for 191 yards and four touchdowns.
Stockbridge quarterback Cobey Thompkins is a sophomore who has shown great potential. He’s thrown for 315 yards and four touchdowns and run for 175. The Tigers have two outstanding backs in sophomore Jayden Scott (299 yards, two TDs) and Tugan Meggett (110 yards, one TD)
Jones County ended a five-game losing streak to Stockbridge last year when they beat the Tigers 34-6. Stockbridge leads the series 5-2.
In other big games this week:
Dutchtown at Union Grove: Both of these 2-2 teams should be among those battling for a playoff spot out of Region 4. Dutchtown emerged from a two-week offensive slump and scored an impressive 38-6 win over Union County. Union Grove could not follow up its upset win over Starr’s Mill and were beaten 38-22 by Jones County in the region opener.
Arabia Mountain at Decatur: No. 10 Decatur (3-0) may get a test from Arabia Mountain (2-1), which tries to rebound from its first loss. The Bulldogs shined in last week’s 48-14 win over Greater Atlanta Christian and accumulated 426 total yards. Quarterback Harrison Hannah continues to impress; he threw for 109 yards and three touchdowns and didn’t play in the second half. Decatur has two game-changing receivers in Mekhi Lloyd and Kenric Lanier and a two-way standout in Marquis Hood, a breakaway threat at running back and a big hitter on defense. Cameron Wingo, who had five tackles, 3.5 for loss, and two sacks against GAC, and Max Nunnally, who had 4.5 tackles and a sack last week, lead the defense. The Arabia Mountain defense is second in DeKalb County with four interceptions and Jaiden Figaro has caused three fumbles. The Rams are led on offense by Solomon Rayton, who leads DeKalb County with 471 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Decatur prevailed 22-7 when the teams met for the first time a year ago.
Tucker vs Southwest DeKalb, Hallford Stadium, 8 p.m.: No one could have expected two of DeKalb County’s traditional powers to be winless. Tucker (0-3) is coming off a hard-fought 20-14 loss to Class 6A No. 9 Stephenson. Southwest (0-3) lost to Stephenson 22-13 two weeks ago. Both teams are trying to overcome growing pains. Southwest’s Sadir Ryan is the No. 2-ranked quarterback in DeKalb with 432 yards and four touchdowns, running back Billy Johnson has gained 250 yards on the ground, and three of Armond Davis’ catches have been for touchdowns. The SWD defense is led by linebacker Jamel Nelson with 19 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack. Tucker has won the last five meetings, including 29-12 in 2020.
Cherokee at Cartersville: No. 3 Cartersville (3-0) has no letup in its difficult schedule with a contest against Class 7A Cherokee (2-2). Quarterback Jake Parker (456 yards passing, five TDs), running back Malachi Jeffries (136 yards, five TDs) and receiver Collin Fletcher (13 receptions) lead the offense. The Purple Hurricanes are paced on defense by Jake Brasfield (26 tackles), Kace Adams (22 tackles), Jacob Ray (16 tackles) and Jaylen Benham (15 tackles). Cherokee features quarterback A.J. Swann, a Maryland commit who has thrown for 675 yards and eight touchdowns. Cherokee was ranked as high as 10th, but dropped out after losing two straight. Cartersville has a 7-3-1 lead in the series, which dates back to 1956, but Cherokee won 14-12 in 2020.
Blessed Trinity at Eagle’s Landing Christian: This should be an interesting game between a pair of teams accustomed to playing for state championships. No. 9 Blessed Trinity (2-2) got running back Justice Haynes back from an injury last week and he ran for 200 yards against North Carolina champion Charlotte Catholic. ELCA (1-2), the No. 2-ranked school in Class A Private, has played a killer schedule that included losses No. 2 Ware County and No. 5 Woodward Academy before beating Class 3A No. 10 Crisp County. Blessed Trinity won last year’s game 38-14.
Greenbrier at Loganville: The Region 8 opener features a couple of 1-2 teams that should be right in the middle playoff contention. It’s likely to be a showcase for quarterbacks. Loganville’s Cooper Kennedy has taken the reins for the Red Devils and looked good in the win over Forsyth Central. Greenbrier’s Brooks Prangle has already thrown for 408 yards this season after throwing for 2,858 yards and 31 TDs in 2020. Greenbrier won last year’s game 28-20.
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