This week’s Middle Georgia high school football capsules

All games at 7:30 p.m. on Friday unless noted.

Top Five

Houston County at Lee County

Series history: Lee County leads 2-0.

Last meeting: Lee County won 34-31 in overtime in 2011.

Scouting report: The ultimate battle of opposites, the high-scoring offense against the stingy powerful defense. One onus is on Houston County’s offensive line — and protection in general — while another is on Lee County’s ability to defend the pass. So something else probably will decide it.

Northside at Valdosta

Game time: 8 p.m.

Series history: Valdosta leads 7-2.

Last meeting: Northside won 16-13 in 2009.

Scouting report: The defenses have quarterbacks to deal with, the athletic and gritty Tobias Oliver of Northside against the efficient duo of Josh Belton and Hunter Holt, who have teamed for 15 passing touchdowns and only four interceptions. And this is a homecoming game.

Stratford at Twiggs County

Series history: Stratford leads 2-0.

Last meeting: Stratford won 50-0 in 2015.

Scouting report: Twiggs County dares opponents to stop its run game. Stratford dares opponents to run on its defense. We’ll find out which unit is stronger.

Northeast vs. Southwest

Location: Henderson Stadium.

Series history: Tied at 23.

Last meeting: Southwest won 38-32 in 2015.

Scouting report: An already big rivalry takes on playoff implications, with the teams paired up in Region 3-2A. The winner gains an inside track on a playoff spot.

Central at Peach County

Game time: 8 p.m.

Series history: Peach County leads 10-2.

Last meeting: Peach County won 25-14 in 2015.

Scouting report: The Trojans are pretty healthy, and the Chargers are miffed with their performance last week. Central can’t get behind by much too early.

Other games to watch

Veterans at Bainbridge

Series history: First meeting.

Scouting report: Veterans leads Region 1-5A in total defense, which is vital against the region’s No. 2 rusher, Dameon Pierce, who has 704 yards and nine touchdowns in four games.

Thomas County Central at Warner Robins

Series history: Tied at 1.

Last meeting: Warner Robins won 49-28 in 2011.

Scouting report: Thomas County Central has scored eight more touchdowns than Warner Robins and given up 14 fewer scores. Turnovers more than anything are likely to determine the Demons’ fate.

Howard at Perry

Series history: Perry leads 2-0.

Last meeting: Howard won 19-13 in 2014.

Scouting report: Both teams are still figuring themselves out and how to improve to contender status. Worth noting is that both Perry wins have been at home, and the Panthers passed their 2015 point total last week.

Mary Persons at Upson-Lee

Series history: Mary Persons leads 2-0.

Last meeting: Mary Persons won 30-14 in 2015.

Scouting report: There are some Knights players still around from the 42-0 crunching they took from the Bulldogs in 2014 at Mathews Field. The teams are more even this time, but Mary Persons has a consistency edge.

Rutland vs. Westside

Location: Ed DeFore Sports Complex.

Series history: Westside leads 6-0.

Last meeting: Westside won 38-19 in 2015.

Scouting report: Believe it or not, Rutland enters this game with the same record (2-4) as Westside.

Wilkinson County at FPD

Series history: FPD leads 3-1.

Last meeting: FPD won 31-9 in 2015.

Scouting report: FPD is looking to bounce back from its loss at Twiggs County against a winless Wilkinson County squad.

Mount de Sales at Tattnall Square

Series history: Tattnall leads 30-8.

Last meeting: Mount de Sales won 9-7 in 2015.

Scouting report: The Cavaliers broke an 18-game losing streak against the Trojans with their victory last season.

Macon County at Crawford County

Series history: Macon County leads 14-3.

Last meeting: Macon County won 51-0 in 2013.

Scouting report: The Bulldogs will be ready to take names after the turnover-prone visit to Northside.

Rest of the schedule

Spalding at West Laurens

Bleckley County at Washington County

Dodge County at Dublin

Callaway at Lamar County

Monticello at Social Circle

Rabun County at Putnam County

Dooly County at Hawkinsville

Schley County at Taylor County

Hancock Central at Lincoln County

Gatewood at Westfield

Windsor at Piedmont

GMC at John Milledge

Trinity Christian at Pinewood

Brentwood at Thomas Jefferson

Crisp Academy at CFCA

Young Americans at Covenant

This story was originally published October 6, 2016 at 4:30 PM with the headline "This week’s Middle Georgia high school football capsules."