Top 10 games of high school football week 8

Last meeting: Blessed Trinity won 35-21 in 2020.

Things to know: The winner would be a leading contender, along with No. 2 Cartersville, for the region title, which Blessed Trinity won last year. In the 2020 game between these two, Blessed Trinity’s Justice Haynes rushed for 331 yards and five touchdowns, the final two scores in the fourth quarter to break open what had been a 21-21 game. Now the consensus No. 4 RB recruit nationally among juniors, Haynes has rushed for 843 yards in just four games this season. Blessed Trinity gets almost 75% of its total offense rushing, but QB J.C. French (44-of-77 passing, 481 yards) is a Division I prospect, too. Calhoun is more balanced. Christian Lewis is 83-of-118 passing for 1,349 yards and 15 touchdowns with only one interception. Gage Leonard has rushed for 520 yards. Cole Speer, an all-state receiver committed to Georgia, has 12 receptions for 353 yards and five touchdowns despite being limited by a hand injury early in the season.

Cedar Grove at Lowndes

When, where: 8 p.m. Friday, Martin Stadium, Valdosta

Records, rankings: Cedar Grove is 4-1 and No. 1 in Class 3A; Lowndes is 4-2 and No. 7 in 7A.

Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.

Things to know: Cedar Grove is unafraid of Class 7A opponents. The Saints beat Milton 14-7 last season, though the win was overturned by forfeit because of ineligible players. Lowndes hasn’t lost to a school more than one class below it since 1993 (Waycross). Cedar Grove is rich with major Division I recruits. RB Rashod Dubinion, an Arkansas commit, has rushed for 627 yards and 10 touchdowns. Also committed are WR Janiran Bonner (Georgia Tech), LB Carlton Madden (Georgia), CB Kayin Lee (Georgia) and DL Joshua White (Memphis). DL Christen Miller is a four-star recruit. Junior DL Adonijah Green, who has 10 offers, leads the team in tackles and sacks. Lowndes scores 34.3 points per game by averaging nearly identical yardage numbers rushing and passing. Jacurri Brown, committed to Miami, has thrown for 916 yards and rushed for 409. Lowndes has lost to Walton in overtime and to Lee County by three points. The Vikings allowed 139 points over their first four games but only seven in the past two.

Crisp County at Peach County

When, where: 8 p.m. Friday, Trojan Field at Anderson Stadium, Fort Valley

Records, rankings: Crisp County is 3-3 overall, 3-0 in Region 2-3A and unranked; Peach County is 3-2, 3-0 and No. 6.

Last meeting: Peach County won 14-13 in 2020.

Things to know: These are the only Region 2-3A teams without a region loss. Crisp and Peach are 55-0 in region games since 2016 when not facing each other. They became region rivals last year for the first time since 2009. Peach is 6-0 against Crisp since 1996. In the 2020 game, Crisp scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to get within 14-13 but threw incomplete under heavy rush on the two-point try in the final two minutes. Crisp suffered heavy graduation losses and is rebuilding a bit under first-year coach Miguel Patrick, formerly of Cedar Grove. One building block is four-year starter Marquise Palmer, who has rushed for 3,559 yards and 41 touchdowns in his career. Peach started 0-2 with losses to Phenix City, Ala., and Northside of Warner Robins but has won three games easily since then. Christian Martin has thrown seven TD passes the past two games. LaDaria Leggett had three TD receptions last week against Pike County.

Dougherty at Bainbridge

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Centennial Field, Bainbridge

Records, rankings: Dougherty is 5-0 overall, 1-0 in Region 1-4A and No. 8; Bainbridge is 2-3, 1-0 and unranked.

Last meeting: Bainbridge won 56-7 in 2020.

Things to know: These are two of the three Region 1 teams in the top 15 of the Maxwell Ratings’ Class 4A rankings (Thomas County Central is the other). All three won their region openers last week, and one is likely to emerge as the region champion. Dougherty, which was 0-5 in a COVID-shortened 2020 season, has five wins for the first time since 2008 and is 5-0 for the first time since 1993. The Trojans won a state championship in 1998 but have won just one region title since (2005). They get about two-thirds of their offense from a running game led by sophomore QB Kameron Davis and junior RB Jacob Stallworth. Both have rushed for more than 400 yards in five games. Bainbridge’s 2-3 start is largely attributable to a rugged schedule that led to losses against state powers Coffee, Thomasville and Ware County. Players to watch for the Bearcats are Zion Bouie and Deyon Bouie, who make an impact on offense, defense and special teams. Deyon Bouie is a four-star ATH prospect who originally committed to Georgia but now appears headed to Texas A&M.

Haralson County at Callaway

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Callaway Stadium, LaGrange

Records, rankings: Haralson County is 5-1 overall, 0-0 in Region 5-2A and unranked; Callaway is 4-1, 0-0 and No. 5.

Last meeting: Haralson County won 36-29 in 2020.

Things to know: This 5-2A opener matches the two highest-ranked teams from the region, according to the Maxwell Ratings. Callaway bounced back from its loss to Haralson County last year and won the region for its eighth title in 13 years and went on to claim the first state championship in school history. Haralson County, which finished in a three-way tie for second place but was the No. 4 seed in the playoffs, has never won a region championship. Haralson QB Clay Hyatt rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries in last year’s game. He’s back, and he is averaging 146 yards per game rushing for a team that runs the ball about 92% of the time. The Rebels are allowing just 12.2 points per game with two shutouts. Callaway has played only one game since Sept. 9, and that game was a 24-8 loss to Thomas County Central two weeks ago that ended the Cavaliers’ 11-game winning streak. The Cavaliers are led on offense by sophomore QB Deshun Coleman and RB Amarion Truitt. DB Cam Smith was a preseason all-state selection.

Oconee County at Hart County

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Pete Herndon Stadium, Hartwell

Records, rankings: Oconee County is 6-0 overall, 1-0 in Region 8-3A and No. 2; Hart County is 6-0, 1-0 and No. 9.

Last meeting: Oconee County won 30-7 in 2020.

Things to know: These are two of three 6-0, 1-0, teams in Region 8-3A. The other is eighth-ranked Monroe Area. Hart County has rebounded from its 3-6 finish of 2020 with its first 6-0 start since 2014. The Bulldogs have scored no fewer than 37 points in any game and average 50.0. J.L. Lackey rushed for 225 yards against Franklin County last week, putting him at 1,048 for the season in just five games, as one of Hart’s victories is by forfeit. Oconee County is more of a passing team. Jacob Wright has thrown for 932 yards and 13 touchdowns. Darius Johnson (17-366-5) and Jake Johnson (21-290-4) are the top receivers. Oconee County is the third-best Class 3A team at preventing points when considering strength of schedule, according to the Maxwell Ratings. Hart County had beaten Oconee County 15 consecutive times until 2020, though that was their first meeting since 2015.

Pebblebrook at East Coweta

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Garland Shoemake Memorial Stadium, Sharpsburg

Records, rankings: Pebblebrook is 5-0-1 overall, 0-0 in Region 2-7A and unranked; East Coweta is 5-1, 0-0 and No. 10.

Last meeting: East Coweta won 39-14 in 2020.

Things to know: Pebblebrook and East Coweta, playing their 2-7A opener, are the top two teams in the region, according to the Maxwell Ratings, and the winner will emerge as the favorite to win the title. East Coweta was the champion in 2020, its first region title since 2001. Pebblebrook’s last region title came in 2006. Pebblebrook gets two-thirds of its yardage from a passing game led by Qamar Grant, who is 70-of-132 for 1,162 yards and 15 touchdowns. Versatile players Craig Adams Jr., Briyar Powers and Dwight Phillips Jr. have combined for more than 1,500 all-purpose yards. The Falcons rank No. 2 among Class 7A teams in scoring with 39.4 points per game. East Coweta is more balanced offensively, averaging 136.5 yards per game passing and 117.2 rushing. Daniel Shoch is 66-of-106 passing for 804 yards and four TDs, and Trey Bowles has rushed for 323 yards and five TDs. The Indians were allowing just 7.4 points per game, with three shutouts, until a 34-0 loss to Collins Hill two weeks ago pushed the average up to 11.8.

Prince Avenue at Athens Academy

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Slaughter Field, Athens

Records, rankings: Prince Avenue Christian is 5-1 overall, 0-0 in Region 8-A Private and No. 3; Athens Academy is 4-2, 0-0 and No. 8.

Last meeting: Prince Avenue Christian won 41-7 in 2020.

Things to know: These Athens area rivals, playing their 8-A Private opener, have dominated their region for more than a decade. One or the other has won the past 11 region titles (Prince Avenue six, Athens Academy five), and the winner this week is likely to extend that streak. Prince Avenue won handily last year and went on to claim its first state title behind state player of the year Brock Vandagriff, now at Georgia. Sophomore Aaron Philo has taken over at quarterback, and the Wolverines haven’t missed a beat. Philo is 122-of-182 passing for a state-best 1,904 yards and 21 touchdowns. His top targets are Ethan Christian (20 catches, 582 yards, eight TDs) and Bailey Stockton (35-551-7), who combine for almost 200 yards receiving per game. Athens Academy, which was held to its lowest point total in five years in a 23-2 loss to Wesleyan last week, prefers the running game. Tre Hawkins rushed for a school-record 245 yards and four TDs in a 70-35 victory over Providence Christian on Sept. 10. QB Sam Bush isn’t asked to throw a lot but adds another running threat.

Ware County at Coffee

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jardine Stadium, Douglas

Records, rankings: Ware County is 4-1 overall, 0-0 in Region 1-5A and No. 6; Coffee is 6-0, 0-0 and No. 4.

Last meeting: Ware County won 24-14 in 2020.

Things to know: The winner of this Region 1-5A opener will be the top challenger to top-ranked Warner Robins for the region title. Ware County has won a region championship nine times in the past 18 years and finished second behind Warner Robins last season. The Gators are led by preseason all-state QB Thomas Castellanos, a three-star ATH prospect committed to Central Florida. Castellanos was the leading passer in 5A with 1,300 yards before the Gators had last week off, and is second on the team in rushing with 405 yards, trailing only Cartevious Norton with 708. Like Ware County, Coffee is balanced offensively. QB Justin Swords averages 154.6 yards passing, and Antwain McDuffie (270 yards) and Maurice Turner (213) lead a running game that averages 169 yards per game. Turner also is the team’s leading receiver with 21 catches for 309 yards and four touchdowns. LB Anthony Gaskin was a preseason all-state pick. Ware County is No. 3 in Class 5A in points scored (45.8 per game), and Coffee is No. 2 in fewest points allowed (7.6).

Washington County at Perry

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Herb St. John Stadium, Perry

Records, rankings: Washington County is 3-1 and No. 10 in Class 2A; Perry is 4-1 and No. 10 in 4A.

Last meeting: Perry won 28-27 in 2005.

Things to know: Both teams are coming off heartbreaking defeats. Perry lost to No. 9 Spalding 31-26 after reaching the Spalding 1-yard line in the final two minutes but failing to score. Washington County lost to No. 6 Northeast 27-23 after leading 23-6 with 7:23 left. Washington County averages 33.5 points per game, seventh best in Class 2A, and will come at defenses with the run. Djay Braswell has rushed for 430 yards in four games. DL Darris Smith (committed to Georgia) and OL Faletha Carswell (Miami) are highly recruited, although DL Colton Smith (seven tackles for losses, six sacks) might be the team’s MVP. Perry has allowed 13.0 points per game, eighth-best in Class 4A. Perry gets 76% of its total yards passing. Armar Gordon has completed 68.8% of his passes for 1,321 yards and 13 touchdowns with only one interception. Perry also has a blue-chip recruit, WR/TE Daequan Wright (Virginia Tech).

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