Middle Georgia high school football’s midseason report
In front so far
This year is, standings-wise, similar to last year, although this time, Northside is sharing first with Houston County sitting atop the region at 4-0 (5-0 overall). The Eagles and Bears are on a collision course to play for the region title in the regular-season finale, except for two challengers lying in wait to mess up that script, chances which come head-to-head in two weeks.
The challengers
Jones County and Warner Robins (4-1, 3-1) are again right behind Northside and Houston County, although the Demons have the team that seems to have made a clear jump from last season. The Greyhounds lost to Northside, which avenged last year’s upset loss, by 14 and the Demons fell to Houston County, which won the battle up front. But Warner Robins failed to make some plays that could have made the 34-14 loss closer. Still, that was much better than a 62-30 loss of a year ago. Only one Augusta-area team has a winning record, Grovetown. And the Warriors have lost to Houston County and Jones County by 31 and 35 points, respectively. So who will challenge from the other side of the region is again debatable.
Three key players
Tobias Oliver, Northside: His passing numbers are pedestrian, but his ability to control a game and revitalize the Eagles continues to be huge.
Darion Anderson, Houston County: The two-way standout hasn’t been healthy all season, and the Bears haven’t flinched. A healthy Anderson puts pressure on opponents, who already have enough pressure against Houston County’s offense.
Torrez Finney, Jones County: The diminutive yet dominant defensive tackle keeps making plays and disrupting plays, despite no longer being a secret and facing constant double-teams.
Three games to watch
Houston County at Jones County, Oct. 16: The Bears mauled the banged-up Greyhounds by 30 a year ago, making Jones County look very average, thanks in part to quarterback Bradley Hunnicutt being nowhere near 100 percent. Both teams are a little different, but if healthy, the four-quarter battle that didn’t develop a year ago should take place.
Northside vs. Warner Robins, Oct. 16: The underdog Demons gave the Eagles a full battle last year, the game not being sealed until a final-minute interception. Warner Robins is clearly better this year than last year, and whichever team has the better passing game has the better chance to come out on top.
Houston County at Northside, Nov. 6: Last year was for the region title, despite Houston County having a loss. Expect the same this year, even if one team has a loss. And don’t be surprised if this a battle of Nos. 1-2 in the state.
REGION 2-AAAA
In front so far
Mary Persons and Upson-Lee are undefeated overall, with West Laurens and Howard at one loss. The Bulldogs, Knights and Raiders are 1-0 in region, with Baldwin, Howard and Perry 0-1 and Veterans not having played a region game yet. Mary Persons and West Laurens look to be the favorites again, but the region is almost out of room as far as parity.
The challengers
Each week is a version of a playoff week, and nearly every team in the region has shown it has the ability to contend. And those favorites can fall to the challenger level easily. Upson-Lee is a bit untested, although the Knights came up with a huge win over Baldwin, exhibiting a power running game and just enough defense. Baldwin is in a bit of a flux and looking for consistency, but the 3-2 Braves were 2-3 at this point a year ago. Howard has been something of the toast of the town, if not the region. But the fact is the Huskies still need a truly quality win, which will no doubt come. Their effort against West Laurens reiterated how improved Howard is. Veterans is again the wild card, entering region play with only one win yet the talent to do better than last year, when it beat Upson-Lee for the final playoff spot.
Three key players
Courviosier King, Howard: The versatile quarterback is a playmaker with his feet and arm, and the Huskies tend to go as he goes.
Darius Bradford, West Laurens: He’s strong, fast and durable, and teams have struggled to control him. He’ll be even better if the Raiders’ offense increases its balance.
Malik Herring, Mary Persons: One of the few returnees on either side for the Bulldogs, Herring is a force whose ability has opened the door for teammates to make plays.
Three games to watch
Upson-Lee at West Laurens, Friday: Another close game is on tap in Dexter. If the Knights can pull of the road win, the region door widens even more.
Upson-Lee at Mary Persons, Oct. 16: By this point, plenty can have changed in the region, but it’s a statement game. The Bulldogs won 42-0 last year.
Mary Persons at West Laurens, Nov. 6: This could be for the region title again, could be for seeding or could be for a playoff spot. That’s how tight the region is.
REGION 2-AAA
In front so far
Peach County (4-1, 3-0 region) and Westside (5-0, 3-0), the same two teams that finished 1-2 last year, are leading again. Peach County hasn’t allowed a score in 10 quarters and has given up just three touchdowns since a season-opening loss to Warner Robins, while Westside has run the table with close wins over West Laurens and Central.
The challengers
Jackson (3-1, 2-0) and Central (3-2, 2-1) have critical games Friday. The Red Devils, winners of two region games against Columbus programs and a double-overtime loss to Mary Persons short of a 4-0 start, host Westside. Central, which took Westside to overtime before losing and also came within a point of beating a one-loss Howard team, hosts Peach County. Central needs to beat Peach County to have any realistic shot at hosting a first-round playoff game, while Jackson is looking to establish itself as a region title contender. Southwest (2-2, 1-1) is also in the hunt for a playoff spot with a freshman quarterback (Jordan Slocum) who has made some positive contributions early on.
Three key players
Savion Knowlton, Westside: The junior quarterback has meshed well with the Westside offense in his first year as starter, recording 726 yards and 12 touchdowns, with only five interceptions.
Derrick Evans, Central: A leading candidate for region player of the year, the senior quarterback has thrown for 917 yards and 10 touchdowns without an interception. His scrambling ability has kept the Chargers in games against swarming defensive fronts.
Antonio Sanders Jr., Central: The junior running back has run for 607 yards and four touchdowns on 100 carries, giving the Chargers a backfield option to go along with Evans’ passing game.
Three games to watch
Central vs. Southwest, Oct. 16: Central will be marking the 40th anniversary of its 1975 championship team and might still be in the hunt for a home playoff game. Southwest will be looking for the upset as it tries to claim a playoff spot.
Jackson at Central, Oct. 23: Jackson claimed a double-overtime victory last year at Red Devil Hill, so Central will be extremely hungry. This game will mean a lot to the playoff picture, with Central’s high-powered offense facing a Jackson defense that features four-star defensive tackle Michail Carter.
Peach County at Westside, Oct. 30: Unless Central or Jackson get in the way, this game will be for the region championship for the second straight year.
REGION 4-AA
In front so far
Only one region game has been played to date -- Putnam County’s 14-7 win over Monticello a week ago. The War Eagles do have the best overall record in the region at 5-1, with the highlight being a 20-14 win over Oconee County (4-1).
The challengers
Macon County and Lamar County are both 3-2, but both have played strong competition from larger classifications. They finished 1-2 in the region a year ago, and both are expected to be in the hunt when region play begins in earnest next week. The other three teams in the region (Bleckley County, Monticello and Northeast) have just one win between them, but one of those three will make it to the postseason.
Three key players
Torrance Calhoun, Putnam County: Prior to the War Eagles’ win over Monticello, the senior running back had 497 yards and six touchdowns on 75 carries.
K’hari Lane, Macon County: The junior quarterback has thrown for 1,472 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging just shy of 295 yards per game, to put him among state leaders.
Trey Brown, Macon County: The sophomore receiver ranks among state leaders with 523 yards and six touchdowns on 28 receptions.
Three games to watch
Putnam County at Lamar County, Oct. 23: Should Putnam County beat winless Northeast on Oct. 9, the War Eagles will go into the game with at least a share of first place.
Putnam County at Macon County, Oct. 30: Last year, Putnam County went 2-8 and was blown out 65-0 by the Bulldogs. How much difference will the War Eagles’ 5-1 start make?
Macon County at Lamar County, Nov. 6: Macon County won last year’s meeting 36-21 to secure the region title. This year, they’re playing in Barnesville.
REGION 7A-A
In front so far
Sub-region play begins Friday. Overall, Tattnall Square and Wilkinson County lead the way at 3-1, with Wilkinson County’s only loss coming to Class AAA Central. They meet Friday in Irwinton.
The challengers
Just about everybody else in the sub-region. FPD (2-2) appears to have reined in some of its early ball control issues. Stratford (2-2) is the most experienced team in the sub-region and nearly knocked off Aquinas. Twiggs County (1-3) beat Hancock Central 24-6 the week after Hancock Central whipped Tattnall 42-19. Even Mount de Sales (1-3) can’t be overlooked at this point.
Three key players
Destin Mack, Tattnall Square: The sophomore quarterback is in his first year as starter, and he has racked up 393 passing yards and five touchdowns with just one interception through four games. He also has 197 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
O’Showen Williams, Stratford: The senior running back sat out the Eagles’ 68-6 win last week over GMC, but he has 345 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries.
Will McCormick, FPD: The senior quarterback has 367 total yards (147 rush, 220 pass) in four games.
Three games to watch
Tattnall at Wilkinson County, Friday: Wilkinson County was swept by FPD, Stratford and Tattnall last year. A win over the defending sub-region champion Trojans would immediately put the Warriors in the chase for the sub-region title.
FPD at Stratford, Friday: This rivalry is never boring, with last year’s game going down to the wire. The winner gets a leg up in the sub-region race.
Tattnall at Stratford, Oct. 9: This game will go a long way to deciding the sub-region title should both the Trojans and Eagles win their sub-region openers, although just enough interesting things happened in non-region play to cast an air of unpredictability over this sub-region.
OTHER MIDDLE GEORGIA REGIONS
Three teams to watch
Dodge County (Region 1-AAA): The Indians (5-0) entered the 2015 season with an experienced group, and they have not disappointed their fans so far. Only one of their five opponents so far has scored more than a touchdown against Dodge County’s defense.
Fitzgerald (Region 1-AA): The Purple Hurricane (5-0) are tied for second in the Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AA poll. Junior running back J.D. King had 817 rushing yards in his first four games, placing him second in the state at the time according to the Georgia High School Football Daily. Coming up Friday is a game at Thomasville, the only regular season opponent Fitzgerald lost to last season.
East Laurens (Region 3-AA): The strength of schedule hasn’t been strong for the Falcons (4-0), but Buddy Sorrow has the team undefeated in the first year of his second head coaching stint with the program.
Key dates
Nov. 6: Final week of regular season; crossover games in sub-divided regions.
Nov. 11: Class A playoff brackets finalized.
Nov. 13: First round of playoffs, Class AA and larger.
Nov. 20: First round of playoffs, Class A public/private; second round of playoffs, Class AA and larger.
Nov. 27: Quarterfinals.
Dec. 4: Semifinals.
Dec. 11-12: Championship games at the Georgia Dome.
This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 4:30 PM.