Starr’s Mill Panthers (3-3, 2-2) at Whitewater Wildcats (5-2, 4-1)

Last week: Starr’s Mill was off, Whitewater defeated McIntosh 27-0.

Bad blood still exists from Whitewater’s come-from-behind, 15-14 victory over Starr’s Mill last season. These two Region 2-AAAA and county rivals despise each other, and that’s putting it nicely. Bragging rights are on the line and, more important, an opportunity for the winner to make a significant impact on the region standings. Whitewater is sitting in second place in the region, and Starr’s Mill is tied with Woodward Academy and Westlake for third place in the region.

Whitewater is the second hottest team in the region, having won its last four games. Starr’s Mill, coming off a bye week, has had two weeks to prepare for the red-hot Wildcats. The two teams are evenly matched. Whitewater has averaged 17.3 points per game and allowed an average of 8.7 points per game; Starr’s Mill has averaged 17.2 points per game and allowed an average of 13.7 points per game.

The Wildcats still don’t know which Starr’s Mill quarterback it will face, senior Matt Sweat or sophomore Miles Jaye, who did an admirable job filling in for Sweat, who was out with a leg injury, in Starr’s Mill’s last game, a 27-0 victory over McIntosh.

Linebackers Ryan Hidalgo and Zac Mann, defensive lineman J.C. Jennings, Thomas Richard and Kyle Bowman, cornerback Chris Asbury, running backs Thomas Frierson and Austin Faulkner and quarterback David Byrd are the Whitewater players to keep an eye on.

Linebackers Stephen Roberts, Parker duPont and Chris Sudduth, defensive lineman Blake Debartola and Nate Baker, safety Ken Jackson, running back Spencer Penson, wide receiver Dan Ellis, Sweat and Jaye are key players for Starr’s Mill.

East Coweta Indians (6-1, 3-0) at Mundy’s Mill Tigers (4-1-1, 2-0)

Last week: East Coweta defeated Tri-Cities 37-6, Mundy’s Mill defeated Hiram 27-10.
Both teams are undefeated in Region 4-AAAAA, and they enter this week’s game on winning streaks; East Coweta has won six straight since losing its season opener to Oxford (Ala.), and Mundy’s Mill has won its last three games. East Coweta has the edge in both average points scored per game (35.1 to 22.5) and average points allowed per game (7.6 to 14.2).

Mundy’s Mill’s strength is its experienced offense, which features six senior starters, including dual-threat quarterback Miguel Starks and elusive running back Quintory Braswell.
Tim McGill, Spencer Smith, Mac McKnight, Ryan Gates and Christian Flavin, among others, are looking to remain undefeated in the region and keep East Coweta’s winning streak alive.

Fayette County Tigers (6-0, 4-0) vs. Westlake Lions (4-3, 2-3)

Last week: Fayette defeated Creekside 28-0, Westlake defeated Northgate 19-13.
This is Fayette’s second of three consecutive games against teams in Region 2-AAAA from the Atlanta area. Eighth-ranked Fayette’s victory last week, 28-0 over Creekside, was perhaps its most impressive of the season. Unless Fayette overlooks the Lions, the Tigers should not have many problems controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

Fayette’s potent offense, featuring fullback Matt Daniels, quarterback Brandon Boykin and running back Tim Pettaway, can pile up points in a hurry; Fayette is scoring an average of 24.5 points per game, best in the region. And the Tigers’ defense, led by linebackers Devontae Partridge, Evan Reid, Ed Bexley and Shemar Fletcher, has been stout all year, holding its opponents to 8.3 points per game, second best in the region.

Westlake has scored 16.4 points per game and is allowing 16.9 points per game.

Landmark Christian War Eagles (3-3, 1-0) vs. Fellowship Christian Paladins (6-0, 1-0)

Last week: Landmark defeated Whitefield Academy 31-13, Fellowship Christian defeated Mt. Pisgah 42-21.

Sixth-ranked Fellowship Christian, Eagles Landing Christian Academy and Landmark Christian are all tied for first place in the region with 1-0 records. Landmark would love to break out of that pack and move into sole possession of first place, but the Paladins might be the best team Landmark will face all season.

Both teams’ offenses can score — Fellowship Christian is scoring an average of 34.2 points per game, Landmark, led by quarterback Tanner Bryant, wide receiver Matt Thornton and wide receiver/running back Walter Lenard, is scoring an average of 27.7 points per game — but Fellowship Christian has an advantage on defense, allowing less points per game, 10.2 to 22.2.

McIntosh Chiefs (1-5, 0-4) at Woodward Academy War Eagles (3-4, 2-3)

Last week: McIntosh lost to Whitewater 27-0, Woodward lost to Banneker 22-14.

McIntosh has lost five straight games, and it could use a morale-boosting win. Injuries and mistakes have taken a toll on the Chiefs, but they are not making any excuses. Ben Sims, Jeff Prather, Andrew Graham and Nick Popeil are ready to put an end to McIntosh’s losing streak, which could happen if the team limits its mistakes and finds a way to score; McIntosh hasn’t scored a touchdown since its 27-14 loss to Westlake in mid-September.

Woodward has won two of its last three games against McIntosh.

Northgate Vikings (1-5, 0-4) vs. Banneker Trojans (4-2, 3-1)

Last week: Northgate lost to Westlake 19-13, Banneker defeated Woodward Academy 22-14.

The key match-up is Northgate’s defense, led by linebacker Derrick Brisbane and free safety Austin Morris, vs. Banneker’s elite pass-catch tandem of quarterback Darrell Simmons, who has received scholarship offers from Georgia, Auburn, Ohio State and Florida, among others, and wide receiver Steven Fowlkes, who is being recruited by Tennessee, Purdue, Louisville and Ole Miss, among others.

Banneker is looking to exploit Northgate’s defense, which is giving up 21.7 points per game. Northgate’s offense, which is averaging 8.3 points per game, might have to score early and often to keep up with Banneker.

Our Lady of Mercy Bobcats (3-3, 0-1) at Mt. Pisgah Patriots (3-3, 0-1)

Last week: Our Lady of Mercy lost to Eagles Landing Christian Academy 45-22, Mt. Pisgah lost to Fellowship Christian 42-21.

Mercy’s first-ever three-game winning streak came to an end last week, but it’s eager to begin a new winning streak, starting this week against Mt. Pisgah. Running backs Christian Willis and Dominique McDermott, wide receiver Jarrell Bankhead and quarterback William Pearl give Mercy one of the most explosive offenses in the region. If its defense tightens up and holds down Mt. Pisgah’s offense, Mercy could earn its first region victory of the season.

Sandy Creek Patriots (3-3, 2-1) vs. Carrollton Trojans (6-0, 3-0)

Last week: Sandy Creek defeated Central, Carroll 45-28, Carrollton defeated Cedartown 30-6.
Creek is caught in a three-way tie with Cartersville and Cedartown for second place in Region 6-AAA, behind first-place Carrollton. The Trojans have the edge in average points scored per game (30.8 to 22) and average points allowed per game (9.5 to 14.7). But the Patriots have enough offensive weapons, particularly standout wide receiver Braxton Lane, quarterback Rio Johnson and running backs Ragion Neal and Josh Williams, and a tough, aggressive defense that features two of the top playmaking linebackers in the region in Matt Solomon and Zack Hilton to hand Carrollton its first loss of the season, though it won’t be easy.

The Trojans are led by two of the best players in the region: senior running back Courtney Mabry, who has helped the team score at least 20 points in each game this season, and senior defensive lineman Nick Craig, who is being recruited by a number of SEC schools.

Carrollton shut out Creek 17-0 last season.