This week’s Middle Georgia football capsules
TOP FIVE
NORTHSIDE AT NORTH COBB
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Northside leads 1-0.
Last meeting: Northside won 38-20 in 2014.
Key Eagles: Caleb Kelly (Jr., OL); Desean Dinkins (Sr., RB); Kam Burnett (Sr., LB); Tae Daley (Jr., S).
Key Warriors: Will Lovett (Jr., QB); Chandler Wooten (Jr., LB); Keano Aitken (Sr., DL).
Scouting report: Northside enters with one fewer huge question than a year ago: How would Tobias Oliver do in his third day as starting quarterback? But it still has some uncertainties that match up against some North Cobb strengths. The Warriors have more back on defense, so there will be some adjustments to watch for both teams.
LAMAR COUNTY AT HOWARD
Game time/site: 7:30 p.m./Ed DeFore Sports Complex.
Series history: Tied 0-0-1.
Last meeting: Tied at 19 last year.
Key Trojans: Juan Tucker (Sr., FB); LJ Smith (Sr., QB/DB); Pippin Davis (Sr., LB).
Key Huskies: Courvoisier King (Sr., QB); Tyjae Lockett (Sr., OL/DL); JaQwun Stinson (Sr., RB/OLB).
Scouting report: Howard made a statement in last year’s season-opening meeting, posting a tie against the defending Class AA runner-up after losing its final eight games in 2013. Finishing strong is something Howard is focusing on this year, as the Huskies slipped to a 3-7-1 finish a year ago despite having a chance to win all but two of their games. Both teams have experienced quarterbacks and run games, and both sides have some players returning in the front seven defensively. This meeting has the potential to be as close as last year’s game.
MONROE-ALBANY AT PERRY
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Perry leads 2-1.
Last meeting: Perry won 21-14 in 2014.
Key Tornadoes: Mark Robinson (Jr., RB); Antonio Leroy (Sr., LB); Adrian Rawls (Jr., CB).
Key Panthers: Chris Stewart (Sr., QB/DB); Ashton Strange (Sr., OL/DL); Jhi’Marre Brown (Sr., WR/DB); Damion Bagley (Jr., ATH).
Scouting report: The teams went in opposite directions a year ago after the Panthers’ win in the opener, Perry losing the rest of its games and Monroe going 6-4, barely missing the playoffs. This time around, both teams have new quarterbacks, but the Panthers have made some changes that may fit the team a little better.
WESTFIELD AT SOUTHLAND
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Westfield leads 22-9.
Last meeting: Westfield won 21-7 in 2014.
Key Hornets: Giles Amos (Sr., WR/FS); Ryan Fitzpatrick (Sr., QB); Gavin Edmonson (Sr., LB/TE); Reagan Waller (Sr., CB/RB).
Key Raiders: Taylor Weldon (Sr., DE/TE).
Scouting report: The defending GISA Class AAA champion Hornets return a quality nucleus of players, and the Raiders are in a rebuilding mode.
BETHLEHEM CHRISTIAN AT WINDSOR
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Windsor leads 1-0.
Last meeting: Windsor won 62-32 last year.
Key Bethlehem Christian Knights: Jacob Parker (Sr., QB); Ryan Whiting (Sr., OLB); Dylan Cofer (Sr., RB/OLB).
Key Windsor Knights: Josh Brooks (Sr., TB); Marquise Jackson (Jr., WR); Tavis Malakius (Sr., OL/DL); Jonathan Osborn (Jr., MLB).
Scouting report: Windsor is coming off a strong year in several sports last year. While the football team was just 5-5, the season was a four-win improvement from 2013. Windsor’s basketball team won the GISA Class AA title, and the baseball team was the Class AA runner-up. Bethlehem Christian (1-9) is entering its fourth year of varsity football. The GISA Class AAA program from Berrien County will open an on-campus stadium next Friday when it hosts Piedmont.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
THOMASVILLE AT WEST LAURENS
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Thomasville leads 2-1.
Last meeting: West Laurens won 42-35 in 2014.
Key Bulldogs: J.T. Rice (Soph., QB); Tori Sapp (Jr., RB).
Key Raiders: Darius Bradford (Jr., RB); Trey Mason (Sr., DL); Greg Covin (Sr., RB/DB); Ty Kight (Sr., OL).
CRAWFORD COUNTY AT MOUNT VERNON PRESBYTERIAN
Game time: 4:30 p.m.
Series history: Crawford County leads 1-0
Last meeting: Crawford County won 41-7.
Key Eagles: Tyrick Reeves (Sr., QB); Jamorris Pickard (Soph., OL/DL); Jeremy Dunlap (Sr., DE/TE); Quay Wiggins (Sr., WR).
WORTH COUNTY AT FITZGERALD
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Fitzerald leads 12-10.
Last meeting: Fitzgerald won 27-20.
Key Rams: Gerome Williams (Sr., QB); Jecard Parker (Sr., T); Adrian McCaleb (Sr., S/RB).
Key Purple Hurricane: J.D. King (Jr., RB); Logan Sapp (Sr., DL); Tyler Ball (Sr., DL); Lecitus Smith (Jr., DL).
DUBLIN AT LANEY
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Dublin leads 7-4.
Last meeting: Laney won 22-13 in 2014.
Key Fighting Irish: Robby Allison (Sr., OL/DL); Johnny Willis (Sr., RB); Ramon Pittman (Jr., ATH).
Key Wildcats: Vicen’te Thompkins (Sr., ATH); Bryan Thompkins (Sr., LB); Tyrone Truesdell (Jr., OL/DL).
REST OF THE SCHEDULE
Bleckley County at Dodge County
Brentwood at Westminster
Covenant at Dawson Christian
Jenkins County at Montgomery County
Putnam County at Warren County
Swainsboro at Vidalia
Tiftarea at Crisp Academy
Community Christian at Fullington
Robert Toombs at Pinewood
Trinity Christian-Dublin at John Milledge
Peoples Baptist at Twiggs Academy
Rock Springs at John Hancock
This story was originally published August 20, 2015 at 7:50 PM with the headline "This week’s Middle Georgia football capsules ."