Area teams could win region titles or sit at home for playoffs

Here’s what’s going on with other Middle Georgia teams at the season’s midpoint.

Playoff contenders

Jones County (Region 4-5A 2-3/2-1): It’s a balanced region with five teams at 2-1 or better in region and 4-1 or better overall. The Greyhounds, however, have a very favorable schedule with Hampton Union Grove and Ola before visiting powerful Stockbridge on Oct. 28.

Playoff challengers

Baldwin (Region 3-4A, 2-3/0-0): It’s a packed region with basically five teams playing for four spots. Cross Creek and Richmond Academy are down from Class 5A, and happily so, while Thomson and Burke County are rankable. So the Braves, off this week amid a three-game losing streak, need upsets.

Lamar County (Region 5-AA, 3-2/0-0): The Trojans are in another packed region, with five teams above .500. Having home games against contenders Callaway, Spencer and Temple is a very good thing.

Four key games

Baldwin at Richmond Academy, Oct. 7: Richmond Academy is 2-2 and losers of two straight. A road win in the region opener is huge for the Braves, who visit undefeated Thomson a week later.

Spencer at Lamar County, Oct. 21: With the Trojans’ final two games against 5-1 Heard County and 4-1 Temple, Lamar County needs a win against another contender to keep playoff hopes intact.

Jones County at Stockbridge, Oct. 28: The list of what will be at stake is lengthy, but it’s a pre-playoff playoff game that may have a title on the line.

Baldwin at Cross Creek, Nov. 4: There’s an outstanding chance this will be for the final playoff spot in the region if the Braves can take care of business.

This story was originally published September 29, 2016 at 3:07 PM with the headline "Area teams could win region titles or sit at home for playoffs."