East Coweta Indians (5-1, 2-0) vs. Tri-Cities Bulldogs (0-6, 0-2)

Last week: East Coweta defeated Morrow 58-7, Tri-Cities lost to Hiram 5-0.

East Coweta has won five straight games, and it’s scoring in bunches; in its last two games, East Coweta has scored 103 total points. There is no reason why East Coweta’s hot streak should come to an end on homecoming night against the struggling Bulldogs. The Indians will be looking to avenge last season’s 49-42 loss to the Bulldogs.

Running backs Tim McGill and Spencer Smith, quarterback Mac McKnight and kicker Ryan Gates have each played big roles in East Coweta’s offensive outburst.

Fayette County Tigers (5-0, 3-0) at Creekside Seminoles (5-1, 3-1)

Last week: Fayette was off, Creekside defeated Northgate 18-0.

This is the first of undefeated Fayette’s three games against Atlanta-area teams from within Region 2-AAAA. Fayette sits atop the region, but Creekside is only one game back, tied for second with Whitewater, a team Fayette beat earlier this season. Creekside has won three straight against the Tigers, but this is Fayette’s best team by far in recent memory. And Fayette, coming off a bye week, has had two weeks to prepare for the Seminoles, who have won two straight.

Fayette’s Big Two on offense, fullback Matt Daniels and quarterback Brandon Boykin, have been the most lethal 1-2 punch in the region this year, running through gaping holes created by their senior-laden offensive line. Creekside’s defense, which is allowing only 4.2 points per game, best in the region, might be the toughest Fayette will face all season.

A deciding factor could be Fayette’s defense, which has almost been as stingy as Creekside’s; Fayette has given up only 10 points per game.

Landmark Christian War Eagles (2-3, 0-0) at Whitefield Academy Wolfpack (2-3, 0-0)

Last week: Landmark defeated Bowdon 38-0, Whitefield lost to Athens Academy 14-7.

This is the Region 5-A opener for both teams, and each team has the same record. The two teams are evenly matched — Landmark is averaging more points per game, 27 to 17.4, but Whitefield is allowing less points per game, 11.8 to 24. Landmark has a history of beating Whitefield, winning its last five games against the Wolfpack, and all but one of those wins were by at least one touchdown.

Quarterback Tanner Bryant and the senior wide receiver duo of Matt Thornton and Jimmy Eden, along with running back Walt Leonard, will be looking to keep Landmark’s winning streak against the Wolfpack alive.

Landmark’s defense is led by linebacker Andrew Glaize and and defensive back Blake Wyatt.

McIntosh Chiefs (1-4, 0-3) vs. Whitewater Wildcats (4-2, 3-1)

Last week: McIntosh lost to Starr’s Mill 27-0, Whitewater defeated Banneker 20-12.

McIntosh and Whitewater are headed in opposite directions. The Chiefs have lost four consecutive games since a season-opening victory over Sandy Creek and are tied for last in the region with Northgate; Whitewater has won three in a row and is tied for second in the region with Creekside.

Whitewater has been strong in all three facets of the game — offense, defense and special teams — in each of its victories during its winning streak. Running back Thomas Frierson, fullback Collin Wooddy, linebackers Ryan Hidalgo and Zac Mann, defensive end Thomas Richard, defensive tackle/kicker J.C. Jennings and cornerback Chris Asbury have consistently stood out for Whitewater.

Northgate Vikings (1-4, 0-3) at Westlake Lions (3-3, 1-3).

Last week: Northgate lost to Creekside 18-0, Westlake lost to Woodward Academy 17-13.

Both teams are caught in a downward spiral; Northgate has lost four consecutive games after opening the season with a victory over Central Carroll, and Westlake has lost its last three after winning its first three to start the season. Somebody’s losing streak must come to an end.

Westlake has the edge in both average points scored per game (16 to 7.4) and average points allowed per game (17. 5 to 22.2). Running back/quarterback Malcolm Poindexter and wide receiver Jake Copeland will lead Northgate’s offense, and Joey Poropatic, Derrick Brisbane and James Searcy are the leaders of the Vikings’ defense.

Our Lady of Mercy Bobcats (3-2, 0-0) vs. Eagles Landing Christian Academy Chargers (4-1, 0-0)

Last week: Mercy defeated Glascock County 44-34, ELCA defeated Bremen 33-25.

Mercy is on a three-game winning streak, but getting its fourth straight win will be difficult, to say the least. ELCA has beaten Mercy three straight times by at least 21 points. The Chargers’ high-scoring offense is averaging 36.6 points per game, which doesn’t bode well for a Mercy defense that has given up 31.6 points per game.

Mercy’s offense, particularly running backs Christian Willis and Dominique McDermott, wide receiver Jarrell Bankhead and quarterback William Pearl, all might have to play the best game of the careers to get past the surging Chargers. ELCA’s defense is giving up 24 points per game, so this could be an offensive shootout.

Sandy Creek Patriots (2-3, 1-1) at Central Carroll Lions (0-5, 0-2)

Last week: Sandy Creek lost to Cartersville 17-16, Central Carroll lost to Haralson County 33-21.

This should be the week Creek gets back to .500. Creek has the offensive (quarterback Rio Johnson, wide receiver Braxton Lane and running backs Josh Williams and Ragion Neal) and defensive (defensive lineman Jeremy Holt and Brandon Putnam, linebackers Zach Hilton and Matt Solomon and cornerback Jordan Griffin) playmakers to turn the game into a blowout.

When comparing each team’s offense and defense, Creek has a significant edge; Creek has allowed less points per game (12 to 25) and is averaging more points per game (17.4 to 9). Creek pounded Central, Carroll 37-14 last year.

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