Friday night’s Middle Georgia football capsules
Top five
Northside vs. Warner Robins
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Warner Robins leads 34-24.
Last meeting: Northside won 58-14 in 2015.
Scouting report: Both teams were so-so in scrimmages against smaller programs, Northside against Peach County and Warner Robins against Westside. The Demons scrimmaged in the first week of practice, so they got an earlier look at what needs fixing. But with a new head coach in Mike Chastain, some new assistants and a new offense, Warner Robins is unlikely to look all that sharp just yet. Northside has more key players back, including at quarterback, and should be a bit sharper.
Veterans at Northgate
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: First meeting.
Scouting report: Northgate is less than a decade older than Veterans, going 1-9 in the debut season of 1998. The Vikings are coming off a 12-2 season that ended with a loss to eventual Class 5A champ Allatoona in the semifinals. Northgate hammered Shaw 34-7 in a scrimmage, sparked by the wing-T running game of Ton Evans, Kyle Cater and Kyle McLaren. The Vikings, like the Warhawks, are new up front and have to replace linebacker/back James Skalski, now at Clemson. Veterans had some work to do after expected offensive struggles in the scrimmage against Crisp County.
Westside vs. Howard
Game time/location: 7:30 p.m./Henderson Stadium.
Series history: Westside leads 4-0.
Last meeting: Westside won 34-7 in 2013.
Scouting report: Westside faces a much different Howard program than the one it saw in 2013, the first year of the Barney Hester era. Howard had its first winning season last year, and a matchup with the Huskies isn’t an easy one anymore. Westside has several pieces back from its Class 3A quarterfinal run, but the Seminoles are breaking in a whole new set of receivers for Savion Knowlton to throw to.
Pacelli at Mount de Sales
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Pacelli leads 10-3.
Last meeting: Pacelli won 35-17 in 2015.
Scouting report: Mount de Sales is looking for its first win against its Catholic rival from Columbus since rejoining the GHSA. The Cavaliers played Howard close in a scrimmage last week, losing 25-22 to the Class 4A team after trailing 3-0 at half. Pacelli has gone 7-4 in each of the past three seasons.
Southland at Westfield
Game time: 8 p.m.
Series history: Westfield leads 23-9.
Last meeting: Westfield won 47-14 in 2015.
Scouting report: The Hornets haven’t gone through such a renovation in decades. They have a new coach, and the vast majority of the Hornets are making their starting debuts in this game. Southland is coming off a 28-8 win over Southwest Georgia and is trying to break a 10-game losing streak to Westfield.
Other games to watch
Hancock Central at Baldwin
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Baldwin leads 7-1.
Last meeting: Baldwin won 12-0 in 2015.
Scouting report: This is the teams’ third meeting in three years after not playing since 1983.
Bleckley County at Clinch County
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: First meeting.
Scouting report: The Royals face the defending Class 1A public champion that opens the season as co-No. 1 in Class 1A and returns plenty of experience.
Vidalia at Dodge County
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Vidalia leads 6-5.
Last meeting: Vidalia won 49-36 in 2009.
Scouting report: The No. 3 team in Class 2A visits the No. 4 team in Class 2A, with Vidalia welcoming back linebacker Nate McBride from injury.
Dublin at Tattnall County
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Dublin leads 3-0.
Last meeting: Dublin won 42-6 in 2007.
Scouting report: Tattnall County hasn’t had a winning season since 2010, and the Fighting Irish have some nice pieces back.
Dooly County at Crisp County
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Series history: Crisp County leads 16-6.
Last meeting: Crisp County won 21-0 in 2009.
Scouting report: Dooly County’s defense is ahead of the offense, while Crisp County had a good scrimmage against Class 5A Veterans.
Rest of the schedule
East Laurens at Toombs County
Warren County at Putnam County
Terrell County at Taylor County
Treutlen at GMC
Windsor at Westwood
John Milledge at Trinity Christian
Gatewood at Brentwood
Loganville Christian at Piedmont
CFCA at Hearts Academy
Covenant at Kings Academy
This story was originally published August 18, 2016 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Friday night’s Middle Georgia football capsules."