This week’s Middle Georgia’s top high school football games

Jones County vs. Northside, Thursday, McConnell-Talbert Stadium: Well, it’s a pair of opposite-philosophy GHSA Class AAAAA top-five teams, one established as such and one the new kid on the highly ranked block. Northside will have a Warner Robins-week focus in practice to avoid any repeat of last year’s 45-37 loss in Gray. This is a get-there-early-for-a-seat showdown.

Warner Robins vs. Houston County, Friday, McConnell-Talbert Stadium, Friday: Not that the Demons need to be reminded of last year’s 62-30 loss, but they no doubt are being reminded all week. This, like Thursday’s Jones County-Northside game, is a game pitting teams of opposite philosophies: ground and pound vs. hit and run.

Westside vs. Central, Friday at Henderson Stadium: Those involved have heard this stat way too often, to the point where they probably don’t want it said out loud. Westside never has lost to another Bibb County opponent. This year’s Central team has the tools to pull off such a victory, but Westside is off to a strong start, as well.

LaGrange at Mary Persons, Friday: The Class AAAAA Grangers had a week off after losing 20-9 to Class AAAA Spalding at home and will try to rectify that at Dan Pitts Stadium, where Mary Persons has won eight of their past nine.

Aquinas at Stratford, Friday: Coming off an open week, Stratford hosts last year’s Region 7-A champion. The Eagles squeezed out a win over Savannah Country Day to open the season before losing 48-21 at Wesleyan, ranked sixth in Class AA, two weeks ago.

Brooks County at Perry, Friday: Maintaining momentum with region play up next is big for Perry, entertaining a Class AA power that topped the Panthers 22-3 a year ago.

Chattahoochee County at Crawford County, Friday: The host Eagles are on a defensive roll with consecutive shutouts and welcome a team averaging 33.5 points per game.

Ola at Lamar County, Friday: Hosting a Class AAAAA team is a big deal, but Lamar County knows how to beat Ola, getting a 41-27 win a year ago on the road. And Ola is again 2-1 entering the game.

John Milledge at Piedmont, Friday: Piedmont, last year’s GISA Class AA runner-up, is 3-1 with consecutive shutout wins by a 120-0 margin and hosts a 4-0 team that has outscored its opponents 179-20. Defenders better get a good night’s sleep.

This story was originally published September 14, 2015 at 7:12 PM with the headline "This week’s Middle Georgia’s top high school football games ."