This week’s featured games are common in that they’re projected to be close despite being lopsided last year.
Athens Academy Spartans at Union County Panthers
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
Records, rankings: Athens Academy is 5-3, 2-1 in Region 8 and No. 10; Union County is 6-2, 2-1 and unranked.
Last meeting: Athens Academy won 38-7 in 2022.
Watch the game: NFHS Network
Maxwell’s projection: Athens Academy by 3
Notes: Both the Spartans and Panthers have clinched a playoff spot, and the winner of this game gets the No. 2 seed and home field advantage through at least the first round. Fellowship Christian already beat both the Spartans and Panthers, and have locked up Region 6. Union County beat Banks County and East Jackson, but were stunned on the road two weeks ago by Providence Christian. Because of that, a loss here and next week to Fellowship Christian could leave them stuck with the No. 4 seed. The Spartans rebounded from their loss to Fellowship Christian with a 56-27 win over Banks County last week, their second region win after beating Providence Christian. If the Spartans lose, they’ll play East Jackson in what could determine the final playoff spot.
Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane at Cook Hornets
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Cook Memorial Stadium, Adel
Records, rankings: Fitzgerald is 6-2, 4-0 in Region 1 and No. 7; Cook is 1-7, 1-3 and unranked.
Last meeting: Fitzgerald won 36-14 in 2022.
Watch the game: NFHS Network
Maxwell’s projection: Even
Notes: As Todd Holcomb reported earlier this week, the GHSA ruled the Hornets must forfeit five wins for using an ineligible player. That puts their 22-year playoff streak on life support. As it stands, the Hornets are tied for fifth place in a seven-team region, and they need to leapfrog two teams to grab the final playoff spot. Even if they beat Fitzgerald and Worth County in their finale, they’ll still need other teams to lose. The Purple Hurricane opened the season No. 1, but lost two in a row to Northeast and Madison County (Fla.) to fall outside of the top five, where they remain at No. 7 despite what has become a four-game win streak, all against Region 1 opponents, including 33-24 over Sumter County last week. The Cane are trying to win their second straight Region 1 title and third in the last four seasons.
South Atlanta Hornets vs. Washington Bulldogs
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Lakewood Stadium, Atlanta
Records: South Atlanta is 4-5, 3-2 in Region 6; Washington is 2-6, 2-2.
Last meeting: South Atlanta won 46-12
Watch the game: NFHS Network
Maxwell’s projection: Washington by 1
Notes: This game is for third place in Region 6. The Hornets started 1-4, including a region loss to up-and-coming Therrell. They’re 3-1 since, including a 28-12 win over B.E.S.T. Academy last week, which clinched them a playoff spot for the seventh consecutive season. They’ve won Region 6 in each of the last three seasons, but this year North Cobb Christian has already clinched first place. This is the Hornets’ regular season finale. For the Bulldogs, regardless of its outcome Friday, they will qualify for the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2004-05, as long as Therrell beats Mount Paran Christian as expected. Should Washington and Therrell lose this week, however, then Washington and Mount Paran Christian’s matchup next week in the regular season finale will determine the fourth and final playoff spot.
Sources: Georgia High School Football Historians Association, MaxPreps, GHSF Daily
About the Author
