Last week was just an appetizer
If Middle Georgia high school football can turn in weeks like that occurred last week in GHSA Region 2-AAAAA, this fall could turn into an adventure.
The area’s traditional big-school powers, Northside and Warner Robins, lost to upstart Jones County and emerging power Houston County. The turn of events, barring any losses to Augusta-area teams, sets up an Oct. 16 showdown between a pair of sophomore quarterbacks: Houston County’s Jake Fromm, a member of Warner Robins American’s Little League World Series team in 2011, against Jones County’s Bradley Hunnicutt, who threw for 359 yards against Northside, the top-ranked team in Class AAAAA until its loss to the Greyhounds.
It’s still early. Seven weeks remain in the regular season, counting Friday night’s slate. But the fight for the top of the region standings could have some new names once things wrap up. While Northside and Warner Robins have combined for five straight region titles, Houston County has never won a region championship, while Jones County has just two: Region 4-AAAA in 2001 and Region 1-C in 1961.
There’s excitement in Bibb County, as well.
We’ll know a lot more as to where Howard stands following its game at West Laurens. It’s the Region 2-AAAA opener for both teams, and Howard is looking for its program-best third win of the season. A win also would place Howard in the postseason conversation, although a playoff spot would by no means be a lock, even with a win in Dexter.
Postseason veterans Peach County and Westside appear headed to a region championship showdown that would take place Oct. 31 in Fort Valley. But the two other playoff spots from Region 2-AAA are up for grabs. With the three Columbus-area schools in the region off to slow starts, those final playoff spots could come down to a battle between Central, Jackson, Rutland and Southwest. The three Bibb County programs in that group are off to 1-1 starts in region play with wins over Columbus schools, while Jackson also has a win over a team from Columbus.
Then there’s the start of Region 7A-A play next week, featuring the first Stratford-FPD football game since 2009. The first season in the GHSA has gone fairly well for Mount de Sales, Stratford and Tattnall Square, with two of the three teams carrying winning records and Stratford going a competitive 1-2 against strong competition. FPD is unbeaten, as well, and that combination should bring about some good games as those teams resume rivalries from their GISA days.
It has been an interesting first month to the season. And it should be interesting to see what’s ahead.
Contact Ron Seibel at 744-4222 or rseibel@macon.com.
This story was originally published September 25, 2014 at 6:18 PM with the headline "Last week was just an appetizer."