A look inside Friday night’s local Region 2-AAAAA showdowns

A year ago, the four teams entered the second round of the GHSA Region 2-AAAAA Middle Georgia round-robin throwdown with a little identity still to be found.

Northside, Houston County and Jones County had one loss, Warner Robins two.

A year ago at this point, the local four teams were a pretty nifty 19-5, with two of the losses coming to teams from the Augusta side of the region. This year, the four teams are a combined 22-2, and they are perfect against the Augusta rivals with only one margin of victory less than 23 points.

So Northside, Warner Robins, Houston County and Jones County have some stored up energy when it’s time for them to play each other. The teams are all fairly even, although Houston County and Northside have a few edges in their matchups.

Throw in the fact that all four were off last week, and Friday can’t get here fast enough.

Houston County at Jones County

Houston County offense vs. Jones County defense: The Bears are bigger up front than a year ago and have become as proficient at run blocking as pass blocking. With running backs Chris Brinson and Jaeven West, Houston County is more balanced than in 2014, but the Bears are just as dangerous.

Jones County tackle Torrez Finney is a tremendous playmaker, but the Bears can avoid him a bit, putting the pressure on the Greyhounds elsewhere to be on point, now against the run as much as the pass.

Reggie Harris moved from offense to cornerback full-time for Jones County, which is solid in the secondary. Of course, that unit recalls Jake Fromm going 25-of-32 for 312 yards a year ago.

Key stat: Houston County is closer to a 50-50 run/pass balance on offense, with two more rush attempts this season than pass attempts.

Jones County offense vs. Houston County defense: The Greyhounds are in some flux on the offensive line, thanks in large part to injuries in a transition year at the spot.

Like the Bears, the Greyhounds are more balanced this year and have added a receiving weapon in Shareez Hamm. But they don’t have the same depth at running back, riding only the escapability of Chandler Ramage on the ground.

Houston County’s defense has stepped up a notch and is forcing more three-and-outs than a year ago. The Bears use multiple formations and are flexible with players -- like Myron Jacobs and Rontravious Byron -- able to move to different spots.

Key stat: The Greyhounds have 15 rushing touchdowns this season, while the Bears have yet to give up a rushing touchdown.

Special teams: Keep an eye on the kicking game with Jordan Strevig of Houston County and Josh Skinner of Jones County, two of the top place-kickers in Middle Georgia.

Fundamentals on returns are huge, because both teams have playmakers bringing back kicks. Good field position puts pressure on defenses, a little more notable in a fast-pace game with offenses owning quick-strike, momentum-grabbing ability.

Intangibles: The atmosphere should be more electric than last year’s Northside-Jones County game, because few saw the Jones County upset -- or that good of a season for the Greyhounds -- coming.

This time, the teams are ranked in the top six, the Greyhounds’ weapons are healthy, and they haven’t forgotten last year’s 45-15 woodshed trip to McConnell-Talbert Stadium.

Jones County needs to match Houston County’s start to avoid any feeling of “here we go again.”

Composure and avoiding ridiculous penalties are bigger keys than usual.

Northside vs. Warner Robins

Northside offense vs. Warner Robins defense: The Eagles don’t have the same size or depth in the backfield as a year ago, but the Demons also had some tackling issues in the meeting, some of which re-emerged in their 20-point loss this season to Houston County.

Northside doesn’t have the same experience on the line as a year ago, but the unit has progressed. Warner Robins, however, is making more plays up front than in 2014 when it held its own in the game despite some fundamental miscues.

The Demons must be disciplined in dealing with quarterback Tobias Oliver on the option and get off the field, or they’ll be playing from behind. Just as important for Northside is Oliver not forcing anything, but he’s off a nice 11-for-13 passing night two weeks ago.

Key stat: Oliver has 99 fewer passing yards but two more touchdown passes than a year ago, but he has 201 more rushing yards and four more rushing touchdowns.

Warner Robins offense vs. Northside defense: The Demons are better this year, but perhaps more predictable, thanks to a bigger and improved offensive line.

Warner Robins quarterback Ivan Corbin will have to be a threat throwing the ball and then make the right decisions, or the Eagles’ defense will load up, as well as take wideout Marquez Callaway out of the game.

The Demons don’t have the same depth at running back as they started the year with, and how effective Terry Harris can be in his first game back is a key. That return comes against a fast defense that is a hair better this year against the run.

Northside’s Isaiah Nelson has three interceptions and has returned two for touchdowns

Key stat: Warner Robins runs 76.2 percent of the time and averages 5.5 yards per run, while Northside gives up 2.9 yards per rush.

Special teams: Northside has an advantage with place-kicker Justin Alonso, but Warner Robins’ Connor Shaw is solid.

Warner Robins’ Michael Bradley is a quality threat on kickoff returns, but both teams have been pretty average on punt returns with about 10 yards per.

Intangibles: Warner Robins seems more prepared to dispense its own power game on offense. The Demons can look at last year’s film and see simple mistakes that played a huge role in their inability to take a lead.

Northside can again be a little patient on offense because of Alonso’s ability to kick field goals. He kicked one in last year’s meeting that turned out pretty important.

Expect one offense to come up with a wrinkle or two, or alter the philosophy for a series or two, to give the defense something to adjust to.

Otherwise, this is a pair of hammers going after each other, but a non-hammer play is likely to change the game.

This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 11:46 PM with the headline "A look inside Friday night’s local Region 2-AAAAA showdowns ."