Northside-Houston County, Tattnall-Stratford headline Middle Georgia football slate
All games at 7:30 p.m. on Friday unless noted.
Top five
Northside at Houston County
Series history: Northside leads 17-1.
Last meeting: Houston County won 34-13 in 2015.
Scouting report: The main question is whether Houston County’s young defense can slow down Northside’s option enough. Second is how well the Bears’ offense counters the Eagles’ speed on defense.
Jones County at Stockbridge
Series history: Tied at 1.
Last meeting: Stockbridge won 56-20 in 2007.
Scouting report: The undefeated Tigers have won all but one game by double digits and haven’t allowed more than 15 points since Lovejoy scored 21 on Sept. 3. The Greyhounds, whose passing game was huge last week, have scored fewer than 43 points in only three games.
Westside vs. Central
Location: Henderson Stadium.
Series history: Westside leads 14-0.
Last meeting: Westside won 24-21 in overtime in 2015.
Scouting report: Westside needed a Blaine Halvorson field goal in overtime to prevail last year, marking just the second time a game in this series was decided by single digits. Central needs to win in order to have any realistic shot at a playoff spot, while Westside clinches a playoff berth with a victory and still has a shot at the postseason with a loss.
Tattnall Square at Stratford
Series history: Tattnall leads 26-22.
Last meeting: Stratford won 41-14.
Scouting report: Tattnall is looking to reach 9-0 for the second time in three seasons. A Stratford win creates a three-way tie for first in Region 7A-1A with Tattnall and Twiggs County. That tie, should it happen, would be resolved by power ratings, with Twiggs County and Stratford both having the chance to prevail and earn a spot in the region title game.
West Laurens at Upson-Lee
Series history: West Laurens leads 2-0.
Last meeting: West Laurens won 33-28 in 2015.
Scouting report: The two meetings have been decided by nine points, and it should be close again. Upson-Lee has won its past two games by a 55-7 margin.
Other games to watch
Perry at Mary Persons
Series history: Mary Persons leads 24-8.
Last meeting: Mary Persons won 42-14 in 2015.
Scouting report: The average margin for the Bulldogs in the past three meetings is 24.6 points.
Peach County at Pike County
Series history: Peach County leads 3-0-1.
Last meeting: Peach County won 38-14 in 2013.
Scouting report: The Trojans look to score a victory heading into next week’s trip to Jackson for the Region 4-3A title.
FPD at Mount de Sales
Series history: FPD leads 19-12-1.
Last meeting: Mount de Sales won 22-21 in 2015.
Scouting report: It’s all about power rating points now for these two teams as the season winds down. FPD sits in 17th, one spot away from being able to host a first-round playoff game, while Mount de Sales is 27th, three spots out of making the playoffs at all.
Twiggs County at Wilkinson County
Series history: Wilkinson County leads 12-8.
Last meeting: Twiggs County won 20-14 in 2015.
Scouting report: The Cobras can reach seven wins for the first time since 2009 with a win over the 1-7 Warriors.
Washington County at Northeast
Location: Thompson Stadium.
Series history: Washington County leads 7-2.
Last meeting: Washington County won 41-21 in 2005.
Scouting report: Washington County clinches the Region 3-2A title with a win, while a loss would eliminate Northeast from playoff contention.
Howard at Spalding
Series history: First meeting.
Scouting report: Howard, whose only victory came against Rutland, is eliminated from playoff contention with a loss. Spalding, meanwhile, is tied with Perry for fourth place in Region 2-4A.
GISA Class 3A Playoffs
Tiftarea at John Milledge
Series history: John Milledge leads 1-0.
Last meeting: John Milledge won 10-7 in 1998.
Scouting report: The Trojans are 10-0, and the visiting Panthers are 5-5.
Westfield at Valwood
Series history: Valwood leads 3-1.
Last meeting: Valwood won 38-0 in 2015.
Scouting report: The defending Class 3A champs are 6-3, while the Hornets are 1-8.
Gatewood at Brookwood
Series history: First meeting.
Scouting report: Gatewood is 8-2, the only losses coming to Augusta Prep and John Milledge. Brookwood is 8-1, losing only to Valwood.
Trinity Christian-Dublin at Loganville Christian
Series history: First meeting.
Scouting report: Trinity Christian (5-4) beat Bulloch Academy in overtime and Edmund Burke to make the playoffs. Loganville Christian is 4-3.
GISA Class 2A Playoffs
Brentwood at Westwood
Series history: Tied at 1.
Last meeting: Westwood won 40-28 in the 2012 Class 2A semifinals.
Scouting report: Both teams have sub-.500 records, Brentwood at 4-6 and Westwood at 4-5.
First Presbyterian Christian at Windsor
Series history: Windsor leads 1-0.
Last meeting: Windsor won 58-22 in the first round of the 2015 Class 2A playoffs.
Scouting report: The Knights and Highlanders meet at Knight Field for the second straight season to open the Class 2A playoffs. The winner heads to Region 3-2A champion Terrell Academy.
Rest of the schedule
Hephzibah at Baldwin
Bleckley County at Dodge County
Lamar County at Heard County
Elbert County at Monticello
Banks County at Putnam County
GMC at Montgomery County
Greene County at Hancock Central
Appling Christian at CFCA
Covenant at Community
This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 7:02 PM with the headline "Northside-Houston County, Tattnall-Stratford headline Middle Georgia football slate."