Top 10 games of Week 12

Last meeting: Pierce County won 28-21 in 2020.

Things to know: This game is for the region title. Pierce County is the defending champion. Appling County last won a region title in 2013. Pierce County has won the last three meetings between the two. In 2020, D.J. Bell caught a TD pass to break a 21-21 tie in the fourth quarter. Bell, who rushed for 1,521 yards last season as a sophomore, is back, though he’s run for only 511 yards because of an injury that’s limited him to four games. Another Bear to watch is Daytin Baker, whose TD totals include four passing, six rushing, one receiving, one returning a fumble and another returning a punt. Pierce averages 206 yards rushing and completes only about two passes per game. Appling County passes a little more, but not much. Dennis Mims, Jarvis Mims and Jamarion Williams have at least one 100-yard rushing game. DL/LB Darris Smith is the top prospect in the game. He’s committed to Georgia. Pierce’s average score is 29-8 against Class 3A’s 11th-toughest schedule, according to the Maxwell Ratings. Appling’s average is score 39-7, but against the 39th-best schedule.

Buford at Dacula

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Barron Field, Dacula

Records, rankings: Buford is 8-1 overall, 5-0 in Region 8-6A and No. 1; Dacula is 6-3, 5-0 and unranked.

Last meeting: Buford won 35-0 in 2020.

Things to know: The winner of this matchup of the region’s remaining unbeaten teams will be the champion and the loser will be the runner-up. Dacula had won four consecutive region titles and 20 straight region games before Buford moved into the region from Class 5A last season. The winning streak eventually reached 25 games, but both streaks ended when Buford won last year to claim the region title. Dacula’s best-known player is RB/LB Kyle Efford, He ran for two first-half touchdowns in a 42-0 victory over Central Gwinnett last week. Efford, a three-star recruit, is committed to Georgia Tech as a linebacker. Buford is 53-1 in region games since the start of the 2013 season, winning seven region tiles and four state championships during that span. The Wolves have made their mark on defense this season, allowing a Class 6A-best 6.2 points per game. The only points scored on Buford in region play came on a safety in a 38-2 win over Winder-Barrow last week. Linebackers Nathan Norys and Aubrey Smith (committed to Colorado) are the leading tacklers.

Cedar Grove at Sandy Creek

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, The Battlefield, Tyrone

Records, rankings: Cedar Grove is 7-2 overall, 6-0 in Region 5-3A and No. 1; Sandy Creek is 8-1, 5-1 and No. 8.

Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.

Things to know: Cedar Grove is the only unbeaten team in 5-3A and can clinch the outright championship with a victory this week. It would be the Saints’ fifth region title in seven years. A win by Sandy Creek would create a three-way tie for first place that would include Sandy Creek, Cedar Grove and Carver of Atlanta. Sandy Creek last won a title in 2013. Cedar Grove lost games against top-10 Class 7A schools Colquitt County and Lowndes but has rolled through region play, outscoring its opponents 272-18. RB Rashod Dubinion (committed to Arkansas) has rushed for 1,056 yards and 14 touchdowns, and sophomore QB Jamar Graham has passed for 992 yards and nine TDs. The Saints average 185.1 yards rushing and 193.2 passing. Sandy Creek, which suffered its region loss against Carver two weeks ago, gets two-thirds of its offense from the passing game. QB Geimere Latimer has passed for 2,327 yards, run for 134 yards and accounted for 29 TDs. Miles Thornton has 852 receiving yards, and Dorian Graham has 533 yards rushing and 396 receiving.

Creekside at Woodward Academy

When, where: 8 p.m. Friday, Graham Hixon Field at Colquitt Stadium, College Park

Records, rankings: Creekside is 8-1 overall, 6-0 in Region 3-5A and No. 2; Woodward Academy is 9-0, 6-0 and No. 3.

Last meeting: Creekside won 42-17 in 2020.

Things to know: This is for the region title, as it was in 2020, when Creekside won behind two 100-yard rushers and Nyqua Lett’s three first-half TD passes. Lett is back, providing dual a dual threat of 1,365 yards passing and 447 yards rushing. Creekside’s strength is defense. LB/DE Javeon Miller (20 sacks), LB Vincent Hill (team-leading 112 tackles) and top prospects Dainsus Miller and Roderick McCrary in the secondary are among several standouts. Woodward’s marquee player is RB Damari Alston, an Auburn commit who has rushed for 1,312 yards and 21 touchdowns. QB Jalen Woods doesn’t throw much (893 yards passing) but has completed 69% of his attempts without an interception. DE A.J. Hoffler has a team-leading eight sacks and is a top-300 national prospect among juniors. CB Christian Harrison decommitted from Liberty last month and is now favoring Tennessee and Georgia Tech. Woodward’s average score is 34-7 against Class 5A’s 28th schedule, according to the Maxwell Ratings. Creekside’s average score is 38-8 against the 12th-toughest.

Emanuel County Institute at Metter

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tiger Stadium/The Jungle, Metter

Records, rankings: Emanuel County Institute is 8-1 overall, 6-0 in Region 3-A Public and No. 8; Metter is 9-0, 6-0 and No. 4.

Last meeting: Metter won 44-6 in 2020.

Things to know: Metter is chasing its third consecutive region title, which would be a school record. ECI is trying to win its first since 2017. Metter and ECI are run-the-ball/stop-the-run teams. Metter averages 370 yards rushing per game. Josh Kelly has run for 1,077 yards, and Danny Cheley (646 yards) and Antwan Coney (576) each average more than 10 yards per carry and have eight touchdowns apiece behind an offensive line with three three-year starters. Trey Hall is 24-of-45 passing for 556 yards and no interceptions. ECI is a wing-T team with sold backs in P.J. Farnum (915 yards rushing, nine touchdowns) and D.J. Jones (621 yards, 12 touchdowns), but QB Bryce Kearson is more dynamic and essential than suggested by his numbers (570 passing, 250 rushing). ECI’s average score is 28-13; Metter’s is 46-11. The teams have played similar schedules, according to the Maxwell Ratings. This series dates to 1923. ECI leads it 41-40-1.

McEachern at Pebblebrook

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Falcon Stadium, Mableton

Records, rankings: McEachern is 5-4 overall, 3-0 in Region 2-7A and unranked; Pebblebrook is 8-0-1, 3-0 and No. 10.

Last meeting: McEachern won 15-13 in 2020.

Things to know: The winner of this game between Cobb County rivals will be the region champion, and the loser will be the runner-up. McEachern is seeking its seventh region title in 13 years, while Pebblebrook is aiming for its first since 2006. McEachern has won 22 consecutive games in the series and leads it 29-8-2. McEachern was 2-4 after a 42-29 loss to Milton on Sept. 24 but has averaged 41 points in three consecutive region victories. QB Bryce Archie (committed to Coastal Carolina) has passed for 1,725 yards and 21 touchdowns, and Kaleb Webb (East Carolina) leads Class 7A in receiving yards with 1,139, including 183 in a 46-24 victory over East Coweta last week. Webb also is a special-teams threat with 653 kick-return yards. Pebblebrook’s quarterback, leading rusher and top two receivers are juniors or sophomores. QB Qamar Grant is 103-of-195 passing for 1,775 yards and 22 touchdowns passing. Craig Adams (38 catches, 680 yards, seven TDs) and Briyar Powers (21-446-6) are the leading receivers, and Dwight Phillips has run for 519 yards.

Norcross at Archer

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Archer Community Stadium, Lawrenceville

Records, rankings: Norcross is 7-2 overall, 5-0 in Region 7-7A and unranked; Archer is 5-4, 5-0 and unranked.

Last meeting: Norcross won 31-14 in 2020.

Things to know: The winner will be the region champion. Archer started 0-4 against Westlake, Warner Robins, Grayson and North Gwinnett but has won its five region games by an aggregate of 246-7. Norcross’s score is 203-16 against the same lot. Archer and Norcross each allow 12.3 points per game, tied for third-fewest in Class 7A. Norcross is largely rebuilt and younger, especially on offense, from its 2020 state semifinal team. Sophomore QB A.J. Watkins has emerged recently as an offensive threat, throwing for 378 yards and six touchdowns and rushing for 171 yards over the past three games. TE Lawson Luckie is a top-200 national recruit among juniors. LB Zakye Barker, who is committed to East Carolina, is a returning all-state player with more than 30 tackles for losses this season. Archer is led by DB Caleb Wooden (Auburn) and WR D.J. Moore (Georgia Tech). Moore has 32 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns on a balanced team. RB Chase Sellers rushed for a season-high 140 yards in a win over Duluth last week. Norcross leads the series with Archer 4-2, all games since 2014. This is their first meeting when neither was ranked.

Perry at Baldwin

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Braves Stadium, Milledgeville

Records, rankings: Perry is 8-1 overall, 4-1 in Region 4-4A and No. 9; Baldwin is 6-2, 5-0 and No. 7.

Last meeting: Perry won 23-20 in 2020.

Things to know: Baldwin is the only unbeaten team in 4-4A play and can claim the title outright with a victory. A win by Perry likely would create what is essentially a three-way tie for first place with Baldwin and Spalding, with Perry earning the title through tiebreakers, according to the region. Perry won the region last year, its first title since 1959. Baldwin last won a title in 2018. Perry averages 35.0 points scored and 9.9 points allowed, both ranking among the top 10 in Class 4A. Perry gets about 76% of its offense from the passing game, led by Armar Gordon. The junior is 141-of-213 passing for 2,267 yards and 23 touchdowns. His top targets are senior Daequan Wright (42 receptions, 828 yards, nine TDs) and sophomore Dakarai Anderson (37-606-5). Baldwin is more balanced offensively, averaging 180.6 yards rushing and 145.4 passing. Solomon Burney is 50-of-84 passing for 840 yards and seven touchdowns, and Micah Welch has rushed for 909 yards and 19 TDs on 120 carries. Both are sophomores. Junior Shatavious Hogan has 607 receiving yards.

Ringgold at Rockmart

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, The Rock, Rockmart

Records, rankings: Ringgold is 9-0 overall, 7-0 in Region 6-3A and unranked; Rockmart is 8-1, 7-0 and No. 10.

Last meeting: Rockmart won 25-12 in 2020.

Things to know: Ringgold was 0-10 just two seasons ago but now can finish a regular season 10-0 for the first time in history. The Tigers also can win their first region title. They’ve been playing continuously since 1949. Rockmart can win its fifth straight region championship with a win. Rockmart gets 71% of its offense rushing. Sophomore QB J.D. Davis (958 yards passing, 492 rushing, no interceptions) sparks an offense with four rushers and two receivers with more than 300 yards from scrimmage. Ringgold’s top threat is Kori Dumas, the region’s leading rusher at 1,030 yards. Ringgold also passes a bit more than Rockmart as QB Mason Parker has thrown for 1,260 yards. Rockmart’s average score is 42-17 against Class 3A’s 12th-toughest schedule, according to the Maxwell Ratings. Ringgold’s average score is 42-10, but against the 45th-best schedule. These schools, roughly 75 miles apart, have played each other only twice, in 2020 and 1950, with Rockmart winning both.

South Atlanta at Columbia

When, where: 5:15 p.m. Friday, Avondale Stadium, Avondale Estates

Records, rankings: South Atlanta is 8-1 overall, 7-0 in Region 6-2A and unranked; Columbia is 7-2, 6-1 and unranked.

Last meeting: South Atlanta won 12-0 in 2020.

Things to know: The winner of this game will be the region champion. With a loss, South Atlanta would be the No. 2 seed, while Columbia could fall to at least the No. 3 seed. South Atlanta, under first-year coach Michael Woolridge, has won a school-record eight games and is seeking its second consecutive region title. Columbia’s last region title came in 1981. Both teams rely heavily on the run. South Atlanta averages 274.6 yards rushing and 96.6 passing. Junior Keyjuan Brown has run for a state-leading 1,867 yards with 29 touchdowns on 167 carries. He has had at least 215 yards in seven games. QB John Lawton has passed for 848 yards, rushed for 635 yards and accounted for 20 touchdowns. Columbia averages 208 yards rushing and 96 passing. The workload is shared among Royce Tolbert (66 carries, 678 yards, 10 TDs), Roland Edwin (78-571-3), quarterback Elijah Morgan (36-284-2) and Lamaze Williams Jr. (38-244-2). Morgan is 63-of-117 passing for 864 yards and 10 TDs. The Eagles are assured of a winning record for the first time since 2014.

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