Sunday Morning Quarterback: What we learned

Running game working for West Laurens: A year ago, West Laurens rode the passing game to the GHSA Region 2-AAAA title and a postseason run to the quarterfinals. Following some big graduation losses, the Raiders are focusing on the run, with a good deal of success so far. In the Raiders’ past two games, both played at the Ed DeFore Sports Complex, Darius Bradford has run for 362 yards and four touchdowns. He’s on pace for a 1,200-yard regular season yardage total.

Much closer than last year: Although Howard saw its four-game winning streak come to a close, the Huskies’ 21-14 loss to West Laurens was closer than any of their six previous losses. Last year, West Laurens beat Howard 56-19. Howard does have one win over the Raiders, 45-22 in 2009.

An early leg up: Mary Persons, Upson-Lee and West Laurens claimed the early edge in Region 2-AAAA with wins in the first week of region play. While Mary Persons is off next week, Upson-Lee travels to West Laurens in a key region contest. Veterans opens region play Friday at Baldwin.

Balanced Bears: Granted, Jake Fromm threw for more than 300 yards on only 15 completions, but Houston County’s 39-0 win over Lakeside showed more dimensions for the Bears. It was their first shutout since a 38-0 win over Jones County in late 2013, and they have yet to give up more than 14 points in a game this year.

Halfway there: Westside’s 42-0 win at Kendrick gave the Seminoles a 5-0 record for the second straight year. Up next for the Seminoles is a trip to Jackson, whose only loss came in double-overtime at Mary Persons.

Dandy in Dodge County: The Indians don’t have to put up huge numbers to knock out their opponents. Dodge County had “only” 245 yards in total offense in the 28-0 win over Tattnall County. The Warriors didn’t complete a pass and averaged only 3 yards per play.

Bigger not better: Lamar County is a Class AA program. Alcovy is a Class AAAAAA school. And the smaller Trojans beat the bigger Tigers for the second straight year and have outscored them 65-7 in two games. Lamar County beat Class AAAAA Ola 27-14 a week earlier.

This story was originally published September 26, 2015 at 4:21 PM with the headline "Sunday Morning Quarterback: What we learned ."