Class AAAAAA No. 2 McEachern at Class AAAAAA No. 8 North Cobb (underdog)
North Cobb has reeled off four straight after a Week 2 loss at Walton. The Warriors looked impressive in beating Hillgrove last week 27-17, a score that surprised many.
This week, however, the Hawks will host a different sort of beast in arch-rival McEachern, a program that has not lost a Region 4 game since losing to Hillgrove on Oct. 7, 2011. That loss is the Indians’ lone region blemish since 2008. McEachern can match any team in the state in offensive talent with QB Ty Clemons and RB Taj Griffin. The Indians have scored at least 41 points in each game since their 31-10 win over Brookwood in the Metro PCS Corky Kell Classic.
North Cobb looked solid defensively last week in its upset of Hillgrove. The Warriors’ offense is formidable, with Auburn commitment Tyler Queen at quarterback. But can North Cobb play solid defense like it did last week? Or will McEachern roll past the Warriors like it did last year when coach Kyle Hockman’s team beat North Cobb 49-27?
Pick – McEachern 31, North Cobb 24
Lee County (underdog) at Class AAAAA No. 5 Thomas County Central
Thomas County Central enters this Region 1-AAAAA matchup riding high, at 6-1 with wins over Thomasville, Marist, Cairo and Tift County. The Yellow Jackets’ lone loss was to Valdosta. Clemson commitment Adam Choice leads a run-heavy TCC offense from the quarterback position. Coach Bill Shavers’ squad relies on Choice more for running than passing, as his star signal-caller has rushed for 1,141 yards this year.
Lee County, meanwhile, comes in 6-0 but relatively untested. The Trojans have beaten the likes of Dougherty, Albany, Westover, Morrow, Dodge County and Hardaway. Ohio State commitment Stephen Collier quarterbacks coach Dean Fabrizio’s offense.
Thomas County Central leads the series 20-1, but barely escaped last season’s meeting 41-35.
Pick – Thomas County Central 38, Lee County 34
Whitewater (underdog) at Class AAAAA No. 8 Creekside
Coach Amos McCreary has built a consistent winner at Whitewater, going 76-29 in 10 years with the school (according to GHSFHA.org), the only seasons in school history. Last year, the Wildcats won 12 games while in 2010, Whitewater upset Northside-Warner Robins in the playoffs.
Creekside, meanwhile, is 7-0 and cruising behind the Berry twins, two elite athletes who could join older bother Eric in the NFL some day. Last year, Whitewater won this matchup 17-7. But this year, the Wildcats come in with losses to Coffee and McIntosh.
With a win, Creekside takes control of Region 4, Division B, while Whitewater needs an upset to keep its region title hopes alive.
Pick – Whitewater 21, Creekside 20
Cook (underdog) at Class AAA No. 7 Jefferson County
A perennial power in Class AA, Cook has been known to pull an upset or two against teams from higher classifications. But the Hornets (3-3) have their work cut out for them this week. Jefferson County opened eyes over the summer in 7-on-7 camps with their high-powered passing offense. The Warriors lived up to the hype until last week’s blowout loss to Washington County.
But JeffCo can’t feel sorry for themselves this week with Cook coming to town. Despite their record, the Hornets pose a legitimate threat. Cook beat Jefferson County last year 20-6. The same result could occur this year if the host Warriors can’t get over last week’s defeat.
Jefferson County 17, Cook 14
Pace Academy (underdog) at Class A-Private No. 2 Landmark Christian
Landmark Christian has had a storybook year thus far. The War Eagles have won big games against Wilkinson County, Our Lady of Mercy, Mount Paran and Calvary Day as QB Stockton McGuire has run the show. McGuire does about everything for the War Eagles but drive the bus. He has thrown for and run for touchdowns while also kicking field goals.
Meanwhile, Pace Academy is lurking on the outskirts of the A-Private title picture. The Knights are 4-2 with competitive losses to First Presbyterian and Our Lady of Mercy. QB Kevin Johnson will light it up on offense with WR Kameron Uter and RB Malik Staples.
This game could turn into a shoot out. A win by Pace would shake up the Region 5 standings behind No. 1 ELCA.
Pick – Landmark Chr. 24, Pace Aca. 20
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