Top 10 games of Week 9

Last meeting: Thomson won 30-23 in 2020.

Watch the game: On television on WJBF MeTV 6.2 (Augusta).

Things to know: These two Augusta-area schools have shared a region since 2014, each winning two of the seven available titles. They’re both 25 points or more better than every other region rival this season, according to the computer Maxwell Ratings. Burke County has bounced back after an anomalous 3-6 finish in 2020. Burke averages 274.6 yards rushing per game and 124.8 passing. The leading rushers are Charlie Dorsey (454 yards) and Eldrick “Tiger” Williams (442). Marshall Flowers, a 6-foot-5 quarterback, has thrown for 599 yards and rushed for 232. Thomson runs a similar offense and averages 270.0 rushing and 99.3 passing. The rushing leaders are Jontavious Curry (443 yards) and Jordan Lane (423). Each averages more than 10 yards per carry. Tay Martin, who has 553 rushing, passing and receiving yards, is Thomson’s best all-around player. He ran for 165 yards in Thomson’s 2020 victory over Burke and scored the game-winning touchdown with a minute left.

Cambridge at Johns Creek

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, The Colosseum, Johns Creek

Records, rankings: Cambridge is 5-0 overall, 3-0 in Region 7-6A and No. 8; Johns Creek is 5-1, 3-0 and No. 9.

Last meeting: Cambridge won 21-14 in 2020.

Things to know: Cambridge and Johns Creek are the two remaining unbeaten teams in 7-6A. That’s not unusual for Johns Creek, which won region titles three of the past five seasons, but it’s uncharted territory for Cambridge. The Bears, projected in preseason to finish fifth in the region by the computer Maxwell Ratings, are 5-0 for the first time in the school’s 10-year history. Cambridge’s Christian Isibor, the team’s leading rusher, ran for 116 yards in a 28-0 victory over Sequoyah last week. That’s right on his average for the season. Zach Harris was 9-of-14 passing for 110 yards and two touchdowns, putting him over 1,000 yards for the year. The Bears allow just 6.4 points per game, best in Class 6A. Johns Creek is averaged 34.3 points, which ranks sixth in 6A. QB Kyle Durham has passed for 867 yards, rushed for 225 yards and accounted for 14 touchdowns. Tylan Johnson has rushed for 772 yards on 102 carries and has 104 receiving yards on four catches. Offensive lineman Tyler Gibson (committed to Georgia Tech) was a preseason all-state selection.

Cartersville at Blessed Trinity

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Blessed Trinity Stadium, Roswell

Records, rankings: Cartersville is 6-0 overall, 2-0 in Region 7-5A and No. 2; Blessed Trinity is 4-3, 1-1 and No. 9.

Last meeting: Blessed Trinity won 23-9 in the 2018 Class 4A championship game.

Things to know: These are two of three ranked teams in 7-5A. The other is No. 6 Calhoun, which defeated Blessed Trinity 32-27 last week. Cartersville plays Calhoun in two weeks. The 2020 Blessed Trinity-Cartersville game was canceled because of COVID. This is the first time Cartersville and Blessed Trinity have played in the regular season, but they’ve met in three memorable playoff games. Cartersville won 24-23 in the 2012 first round. Blessed Trinity ended Cartersville’s 41-game winning streak in the 2017 second round and beat the Hurricanes in the 2018 Class 4A championship. Cartersville has survived heavy graduation losses this season to re-emerge as a contender. Cartersville has a balanced offense but leans on complementary running backs Amari White (5-7, 180), who has 410 yards rushing, and Malachi Jeffries (5-11, 200), who has 413 yards. Blessed Trinity, under first-year coach Tom Hall, rides workhorse RB Justice Haynes, who has rushed for 1,077 yards and 13 touchdowns on 132 carries (26 per game). Haynes did not play in Blessed Trinity’s losses to Marist and St. Pius.

Carver (Columbus) at Troup

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

Records, rankings: Carver is 6-1 overall, 5-0 in Region 2-4A and No. 4; Troup is 6-1, 5-0 and unranked.

Last meeting: Carver won 32-29 in 2020.

Things to know: The winner of this meeting between the two remaining unbeaten teams in 2-4A will be the front-runner to win the region title, but one-loss teams LaGrange and Hardaway remain factors in the title race. Carver and Troup are run-first teams that average more than 300 yards per game on the ground. Carver is led by Jaiden Credle, who has 978 yards and 12 touchdowns on 88 carries. He ran for 206 yards and three scores in a 42-27 victory over LaGrange two weeks ago. QB Devin Riles has passed for 881 yards and rushed for 362. Troup’s Tanner Glisson became the winningest coach in school history when the Tigers defeated Shaw 37-0 last week. Glisson is 48-28 in seven seasons at the school, surpassing Steve James’ mark of 47-32 from 1983 to 1989. Troup sophomore Javari Fannin has rushed for 630 yards and seven touchdowns on 109 carries. QBs Taeo Todd and Tyson Duncan have combined for 920 passing yards on about 13 attempts per game. Dwartney Wortham has 502 receiving yards and seven TDs, including three last week.

Greenbrier at Clarke Central

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Billy Henderson Stadium/Death Valley, Athens

Records, rankings: Greenbrier is 3-3 overall, 2-1 in Region 8-5A and unranked; Clarke Central is 4-2, 4-0 and unranked.

Last meeting: Clarke Central won 56-21 in 2020.

Things to know: Clarke Central has won 13 consecutive region games. A victory here would open a two-game lead in the standings, virtually clinching the Gladiators’ third straight title. Greenbrier, Clarke’s most viable challenger, is chasing its first region title in history. In the 2020 game between these two, Clarke Central QB William Robinson passed for 314 yards, and RB William Richardson rushed for 124. Those were season highs for the two, who are back this season. Clarke Central’s losses are to No. 1 Buford of 5A and No. 2 Oconee County of 3A. Clarke didn’t score a touchdown in either defeat but has averaged 29.5 points in four victories since. Greenbrier is an outstanding passing team. Brooks Pangle has thrown for 1,385 yard (230.1 per game). Malik Leverett, a 6-foot-3 receiver with three Power 5 offers, has 634 yards receiving and 128 rushing. He’s also thrown two TD passes in three attempts.

North Cobb at Walton

When, where: 8 p.m. Friday, Raider Valley, Marietta

Records, rankings: North Cobb is 5-1 overall, 1-0 in Region 3-7A and No. 3; Walton is 4-1, 1-0 and No. 6.

Last meeting: North Cobb won 35-18 in 2020.

Things to know: These are the two ranked teams in the Region 3-7A. The third team that won its opener is North Paulding (4-2, 1-0). Walton leads the all-time series with North Cobb 11-9. This is the first meeting between the two when both were ranked. In 2020, North Cobb trailed Walton 12-0 at halftime but scored five second-half touchdowns and intercepted five passes in the game. Malachi Singleton passed for 184 yards and rushed for 143. Now a junior, Singleton is back and having a big year. He has passed for 1,374 yards (completing 72.1% of his passes) and rushed for 450 yards. Singleton is one of several major Division I prospects on the Warriors’ roster. They include WR Denylon Morrissette (committed to Georgia), LB Joshua Josephs and CB Marquis Groves-Killebrew (Georgia). Walton averages 37.2 points per game, sixth most in Class 7A. Sutton Smith (committed to Memphis) has 304 yards rushing and 242 receiving in five games and averages 30.2 yards on his eight receptions. Walton plays two quarterbacks. Together, Zak Rozsman and Jeremy Hecklinski are 40-of-67 passing for 913 yards and eight touchdowns.

Northeast at Bleckley County

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Royals Stadium/Shelly Hayes Field, Cochran

Records, rankings: Northeast is 5-1 overall, 2-0 in Region 3-2A and No. 6; Bleckley County is 7-0, 3-0 and No. 4.

Last meeting: Northeast won 37-34 in 2020.

Things to know: Northeast and Bleckley County are the two remaining unbeaten teams in 3-2A play. That was also the case when they met last year, but Dodge County ended up winning the region title. Northeast was the runner-up, and Bleckley County finished fourth. Bleckley County has never won a region title, and Northeast has won just one (2009). Northeast won last year on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Travion Solomon to D’icey Hopkins in the final minute. Solomon passed for 361 yards and five TDs in that game. This year, he has thrown for 779 yards and rushed for 342. Kalik Evans (71 carries, 601 yards) and Tyler Terry (85-578) are the leading rushers for a team averaging 264 on the ground. Bleckley County’s quarterback, two leading rushers and top receiver are all juniors. Eli Mullis is 56-of-94 passing for 772 yards and seven touchdowns. Jahvon Butler has rushed for 897 yards and nine TDs on 146 carries, and T.J. Mays has run for 331 yards and four TDs. Jaden Mobley has 23 receptions for 332 yards and three touchdowns.

Pope at Kennesaw Mountain

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Cobb EMC Mustang Stadium, Kennesaw

Records, rankings: Pope is 5-1 overall, 4-0 in Region 6-6A and unranked; Kennesaw Mountain is 6-1, 4-1 and unranked.

Last meeting: Pope won 38-21 in 2011.

Things to know: These two Region 6-6A rivals didn’t play each other last season because of COVID issues, and that cancellation played a role in Kennesaw Mountain edging out Pope for the fourth playoff berth. It was the Mustangs’ first playoff appearance in school history. Now they’re battling for the region title, and either could win it by running the table. However, a Pope victory this week also opens the door for Allatoona to be in the same position (Pope plays at Allatoona on Nov. 5). Both teams are balanced offensively. Pope averages 194.3 yards rushing, 171.7 passing. Patrick Lowe has passed for 988 yards and completed 63% of his attempts. Phillip Sims Jr. has rushed for 531 yards, and Cam Bleshoy has 376 receiving yards. The Mustangs won a school-record six consecutive games to start the season before being stunned by last-place South Cobb 17-15 last week. The Mustangs average 161.4 yards passing and 156.6 rushing. Cayman Prangley (1,055 passing yards), Jah Welch (424 rushing yards) and Savion Riley (362 receiving yards) are the offensive leaders.

Riverdale at Fayette County

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tiger Stadium, Fayetteville

Records, rankings: Riverdale is 4-0-1 overall, 2-0 in Region 5-4A and unranked; Fayette County is 5-2, 3-0 and unranked.

Last meeting: Riverdale won 32-0 in 2020.

Things to know: Riverdale and Fayette County are two of three unbeaten teams in Region 5-4A play. The other, Luella, plays both in the final two weeks of the regular season. Riverdale won the region in 2020, its first title since 1998. Fayette County won its only region title in 2007. Both teams run the ball about 75 percent of the time. For Riverdale, the workload is shared primarily by Autavius Ison (35 carries, 406 yards, three touchdowns), Jason Stokes (49-370-10) and Marcus Polite (34-195-3). Quarterback Chandler Fogler is 23-of-51 passing for 341 yards and five touchdowns. LB Ian Hackney is the leading tackler for a defense that allows just seven points per game. Fayette County’s Javon Graham (84 carries, 614 yards, five TDs) and Canaan Johnson (80-575-4) have combined for almost 1,200 yards rushing. Graham, a sophomore, also is the team’s leading receiver with 12 catches for 404 yards and four TDs. Sophomore QB Nicholas Taylor has passed for 576 yards. Fayette County allows 15.9 points per game but has three shutouts, including the past two games.

Warner Robins at Ware County

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium, Waycross

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

Last meeting: Warner Robins won 22-19 in 2020.

Things to know: In the 2020 game, Warner Robins drove 89 yards on 13 plays for the winning touchdown, a 1-yard run in the final two minutes. The Demons limited Ware County QB Thomas Castellanos to 58 rushing yards and 11-of-34 passing, Castellanos, a preseason AJC Super 11 pick, has thrown for more than 6,000 yards and rushed for more than 3,000 in his career as a four-year starter. For the first time in the Castellanos era, Ware has a major second weapon in the backfield as Cartevious Norton has rushed for 832 yards (11.6 ypc), never less than 100 in a game. Warner Robins, the reigning state champion, also might have more weapons than it’s had during its run of four straight finals. They include Christon Lane (1,393 yards passing), Malcolm Brown (892 rushing) and Daveon Walker (681 receiving). Averaging 54.8 points, Warner Robins is the highest-scoring team in any classification. Ware County is third in Class 5A at 44.0 points per game. Both have been erratic defensively. Warner Robins has allowed 30 points or more in three victories. Ware County was scorched in a 49-42 loss to Benedictine but then shut down then-No. 4 Coffee 35-3 last week.

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