Friday's Middle Georgia high school football capsules
HOUSTON COUNTY VS. NORTHSIDE
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Northside leads 17-0.
Last meeting: Northside won 34-33 in 2014.
Key Bears: Chris Brinson (Sr., RB); Tucker Coody (Jr., OL); Myron Jacobs (Sr., LB); QB Jake Fromm (Jr., QB); Jordan Strevig (Sr., PK).
Key Eagles: Desean Dinkins (Jr., RB); Caleb Kelly (Jr., OL); Kam Burnett (Jr., LB); QB Tobias Oliver (Jr., QB); Justin Alonso (Sr., PK).
Scouting report: Last year's game was an instant classic where the difference was, stunningly, a missed extra point. Stunningly, because each team has a place-kicker of all-state ability. Some weapons have changed, but there's no reason to expect anything other than a basic rerun of last year's game.
MARY PERSONS AT WEST LAURENS
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Mary Persons leads 10-2.
Last meeting: West Laurens won 21-14 in 2014.
Key Bulldogs: Jake Johnston (Sr., QB); Dan O'Neal (Jr., DL); Malik Herring (Jr., DE); Zach Harvey (Jr., RB);
Key Raiders: Trey Mason (Sr., DL); Jacob Clark (Sr., OL); Jarett Henry (Sr., LB); Shundrekus Smith (Jr., DL); Isaiah Morman (Jr., RB); Greg Covin (Sr., RB/DB)
Scouting report: Old-school ground games with some efficient passing and physical defenses battle for the Region 2-AAAA title for the second straight year. The Raiders seem to have adjusted to the loss of running back Darius Bradford (knee), but depth at that spot -- which Mary Persons has -- in a physical game can be a difference maker.
UPSON-LEE AT VETERANS
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Veterans leads 1-0.
Last meeting: Veterans won 28-26 in 2014
Key Knights: Kalen Puckett (Jr., QB/P); David Marshall (Sr., DL); Quay Reviere (Sr., RB); Erik Foster (Sr., DB); C.J. Barron (Jr., DL).
Key Warhawks: Isaiah Gray (Sr., WR/CB); Logan Hurless (Sr., OL/DL); BJ Brown (Sr., C); Desjuan Harris (Sr., RB); Logan Byrd (Sr., QB/P).
Scouting report: The natural question regards how much energy and intensity Veterans will have after last week's loss to Howard. On the other hand, Upson-Lee is locked into the playoffs, so how much will the Knights hold back to stay healthy and not use too much scheme-wise entering the playoffs? Then again, carrying momentum into the postseason is vital.
AQUINAS AT STRATFORD
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Aquinas leads 2-0.
Last meeting: Aquinas won 35-28 on Sept. 18.
Key Irish: Liam Welch (Sr., QB); D'Angelo Durham (Soph., RB/WR/CB); Chris Gates (Sr., RB/CB).
Key Eagles: Quintez Cephus (Sr., SE/DB); O'Showen Williams (Sr., RB/DB); Sim Patrick (Sr., QB).
Scouting report: Aquinas has won all but three of its regular-season games the past two years by 10 points or more. Two of the three close finishes during that stretch came against Stratford, with both games decided in the final two minutes. Stratford has won six straight since its Sept. 18 loss to Aquinas, outscoring opponents by more than 37 points each during that stretch. Aquinas isn't putting up spectacular numbers, but Welch is an experienced quarterback who is committed to Samford. Stratford, meanwhile, has three running backs (Williams, Kasey Sanders, Tyler Jordan) who have combined for 2,241 yards and 28 touchdowns and a receiver (Cephus) who has taken official visits to Wisconsin and Georgia Tech.
MONTICELLO AT NORTHEAST
Game time/site: 7:30 p.m./Thompson Stadium.
Series history: Northeast leads 6-1.
Last meeting: Monticello won 53-37 in 2014.
Key Hurricanes: Thomas Deraney (Sr., QB); Jordan Stone (Sr., RB/LB); Chris Anglin (Sr., OL/DL).
Key Raiders: Nolan Ussery (Fr., QB); Jerome Grayer (Jr., RB/OLB); Rontravious Williams (Soph., ATH).
Scouting report: Northeast hadn't won a game all season until last week, when it beat Bleckley County 32-12. But with three teams at 1-8 overall in six-team Region 4-AA, it will only take two region victories to make the playoffs. A similar situation played out last year, with Northeast traveling to Monticello to close the regular season with a playoff spot on the line, but the Raiders went into that game with a three-game losing streak and wound up giving up 53 points to the Hurricanes in a loss.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
SOUTHWEST VS. WESTSIDE
Game time/site: 7:30 p.m./Ed DeFore Sports Complex.
Series history: Westside leads 5-0.
Last meeting: Westside won 49-20 in 2014.
Key Patriots: Jaquavious Solomon (Jr., WR); Jordan Slocum (Fr., QB); Sedaran Scott (Jr., RB).
Key Seminoles: Gerimie Mitchell (Sr., WR); Steve Dolphus (Sr., WR); Kareem Warren (Sr., DT).
CENTRAL AT KENDRICK
Game time/site: 5 p.m./Kinnett Stadium.
Series history: Central leads 3-1.
Last meeting: Central won 14-2 in 2014.
Key Chargers: Derrick Evans (Sr., QB); Ivory Childers (Sr., WR/DB); Chandler King (Sr., DE).
Key Cherokees: Walter Boze (Sr., RB); Kayleen Bonds (Soph., RB); Terry Dawson (Fr., QB).
HOWARD AT BALDWIN
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Baldwin leads 5-0.
Last meeting: Baldwin won 21-14.
Key Huskies: Martin Flowers (Sr., LB): Courviosier King (Sr., QB); Sean Walker (Sr., LB); Tyjae Lockett (Sr., DL); Alphonso Stephens (Sr., WR).
Key Braves: James Walker (Sr., DL); Latravious Saulsberry (Sr., RB); Torez Hicks (Fr., QB); Malik Clark (Jr., DE).
HANCOCK CENTRAL AT FPD
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: FPD leads 2-0.
Last meeting: FPD won 41-8 in 2013.
Key Bulldogs: Ravenell Hill (Sr., LB); Montorious Hall (Jr., LB)
Key Vikings: Will McCormick (Sr., QB); Daniel Weaver (Sr., WR/DE/P); Dontrez Johnson (Sr., RB/OLB).
GMC AT MOUNT DE SALES
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Mount de Sales leads 14-2.
Last meeting: Mount de Sales won 31-7 on Sept. 11.
Key Bulldogs: Devin Hill (Sr., OL/DL); Tyler MacCartee (Sr., QB/LB); Michael Skinner (Jr., FB/LB).
Key Cavaliers: Pinkney Gilchrist (Jr., QB); Adrian Hardwick (Soph., RB/WR/CB); Tres Hattaway (Sr., WR).
GLASCOCK COUNTY AT TATTNALL SQUARE
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: First meeting.
Key Trojans: Miles Morris (Fr., QB); Jimmy Marshall (Jr., WR/SS); Ahmad Barron (Jr., RB/DB); Aubrien Kemp (Sr., WR/FS).
RUTLAND AT JACKSON
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Jackson leads 6-0.
Last meeting: Jackson won 38-20.
Key Hurricanes: Ladarian Womack (Sr., RB/FS); K'vian Fuller (Soph., QB); Anthony Whitehead (Sr., WR).
Key Red Devils: Michail Carter (Sr., DL): Juwan Watkins (Sr., DE); Shaderious Crowder (Jr., QB).
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN AT WINDSOR
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: First meeting.
Key Highlanders: Dylan Stewart (Jr., QB/FS); Jamison Golson (Jr., FB/DT); Josh Armour (Sr., WR/DT).
Key Knights: Josh Brooks (Sr. RB/OLB); Jonathan Osborn (Jr., FB/MLB); Marquise Jackson (Jr., RB/WR/CB).
LINCOLN COUNTY AT TWIGGS COUNTY
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Lincoln County leads 9-2.
Last meeting: Lincoln County won 47-8 on Sep. 18.
Key Red Devils: Quay Hartfield (Jr., RB/CB); Xavier Gartell (Jr., WR/DB); Marquis Leverett (Sr., DB).
Key Cobras: Ja'mon Height (Jr., RB); Neddrick Nichols (Sr., OL); Nate Freeny (Jr., DL); Kelvin Jenkins (Sr., LB).
WARREN COUNTY AT WILKINSON COUNTY
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Wilkinson County leads 10-4.
Last meeting: Wilkinson County won 38-6 on Sept. 18.
Key Screaming Devils: Jermaine Berry (Sr., QB); Timothy Seals (Jr., RB); Jarkevin Clark (Jr., LB).
Key Warriors: Akeem Jackson (Jr., RB); Tylan Grable (Soph., QB); Jai Boyd (Sr., RB).
TRINITY CHRISTIAN AT WESTFIELD
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Westfield leads 3-0.
Last meeting: Westfield won 55-19 in 2011.
Key Crusaders: Tyler Fennell (Sr., RB/DL); Whit Mason (Soph., WR/LB).
Key Hornets: Austin Doyle (Sr., OL/DL) ; John Walker Moore (Sr., DT); Giles Amos (Sr., SE/S/P); Reagan Waller (Sr., RB/CB)
REST OF THE SCHEDULE
Macon County at Lamar County
Life Christian at Covenant
Bleckley County at Putnam County
Clinch County at Telfair County
Vidalia at Bryan County
Atkinson County at Wilcox County
Dooly County at Greenville
Pacelli at Taylor County
Westside-Augusta at Washington County
Seminole County at Fitzgerald
Groves at Jeff Davis
East Laurens at Harlem
Westside Christian at CFCA
Fullington at Unity
Strong Rock at Twiggs Academy
John Hancock at Solid Rock
This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 9:06 PM with the headline "Friday's Middle Georgia high school football capsules ."