A look at this week’s top Middle Georgia high school games

Northeast vs. Rutland (Thursday, Ed DeFore Sports Complex): Both teams are looking to avoid 0-2 starts. Northeast was involved in a very competitive game in its opener against rival Southwest, while Rutland had some solid moments against Westside despite giving up 28 points in the second quarter.

Central vs. Howard (Friday, Ed DeFore Sports Complex): After a tie and an overtime loss last year to start the season, Howard broke through with a 16-8 win over the Chargers. Both teams return plenty of talent at the skill positions, and both teams have strong defensive lines. Howard is 2-0 with a nine-point win over Lamar County and a comfortable victory over FPD, while Central recorded its first season-opening shutout in 14 years Thursday in a win over Wilkinson County. Both teams are on the rise, and both have good shots at reaching the postseason.

Westside at Harris County: Westside edged Harris County 35-29 at Five Star Stadium last year, and both teams went on long winning streaks after that. Harris County, coached by former Jones County head coach Dwight Jones, is the defending GHSA Region 1-AAAAA champion, while Westside was the Region 2-AAA runner-up last year.

Washington County at Mary Persons: It’s the “Rebuilding Bowl,” although the Bulldogs got off to a nice start with a double-overtime win over rival Jackson. The Golden Hawks haven’t been 0-2 since 2007 and will face a home team remembering last year’s 31-0 loss at the House of Pain.

Macon County at Veterans: Few knew how good the Bulldogs would end up being a year ago, but a 27-7 road win over Veterans was a clue. The Warhawks probably will do a better job of putting their season-opening loss to Houston County in the rearview mirror, and the Bulldogs lost some talent to graduation and transfers.

Perry at Peach County: Perry has had a week off to fine-tune its special teams, which were brutal in its season-opening loss to Monroe. Peach County struggled against a quality Warner Robins team and doesn’t want its seven-game winning streak (and 20 wins in the past 21 meetings) against the Panthers to end.

Montgomery County at Crawford County: The battle of the Eagles pits a team that has yet to play (Montgomery County) against a team that making its home debut coming after a loss, meaning the hosts won’t be happy. That, and Montgomery County won by a touchdown last season.

Toombs County at Vidalia: The hosts have given up only 33 points in the past six meetings, not exactly news to the Bulldogs, who haven’t been 2-0 since 2012. Vidalia was in a physical game at West Laurens, and also knows about that streak in this series.

Fitzgerald at Irwin County: Ocillla will host a good old south Georgia football game between good teams. Fitzgerald is No. 2 in Class AA and Irwin County is No. 9 in Class A, after playing in the Class A public school title game last year.

This story was originally published August 31, 2015 at 9:50 PM.