Middle Georgia teams stepping up their games for success
Here’s what’s going on in Region 7-1A, a sub-divided region, at the season’s midpoint:
In front so far: Region play begins on both sides of the region this week. FPD (4-0) tops the Class 1A private power ratings and is one of two unbeaten teams on the 7A side, while another 7A team, Twiggs County (3-1) is No. 2 in the Class A public power ratings. Warren County (3-1) is ranked fifth in Class A public, topping the list of teams from the 7B side.
The challengers: In 7A, Tattnall Square (4-0) is unbeaten and has allowed just seven points all season, while Stratford (3-1) just posted an impressive victory over Lincoln County, eighth in Class 1A public and one of the top challengers on the 7B side. Aquinas (2-2), the Class 1A private runner-up last season, is 19th in Class 1A private and is also among the challengers on the 7B side.
Three key players
Dalton Cox, FPD: The junior has shined in his first season as the Vikings’ starting quarterback, completing 69-of-100 passes for 889 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions.
Ja’mon Height, Twiggs County: The senior running back has 655 yards and three touchdowns through four games.
Joseph Douglas, Aquinas: Stepping into the Irish’s top running back role following graduation and transfers, the junior has 437 yards and three touchdowns.
Three key games
FPD at Twiggs County, Friday: With its ground game going strong and its only loss coming to an out-of-state team, Twiggs County can make a huge statement with a win Friday over the unbeaten Vikings.
Stratford at FPD, Oct. 14: Forget that FPD might be 7-0 heading into this game, and forget that Stratford no longer has Quintez Cephus and former Vikings player O’Showen Williams. The only thing that matters in this heated rivalry is that the Eagles are 2-0 in the series since joining the GHSA, and FPD will be really, really hungry.
Region 7-1A championship game, Nov. 4: Aquinas has won the past two Region 7-1A championship games, and the western half of this region is eager to bring the region title to Middle Georgia.
This story was originally published September 29, 2016 at 2:41 PM with the headline "Middle Georgia teams stepping up their games for success."