East Coweta Indians (7-1, 4-0) vs. Hiram Hornets (4-3, 2-1)

Last week: East Coweta defeated Mundy’s Mill 29-17, Hiram was off.

East Coweta has a significant edge over Region 4-AAAAA rival Hiram in both average points scored per game (34.4 to 18) and average points allowed per game (8.8 to 18.3). Plus, East Coweta has been near unstoppable since losing its season opener, having won seven consecutive games. The first-place Indians have been led by Tim McGill, Mac McKnight, Christian Flavin and Ryan Gates.

Fayette County Tigers (7-0, 5-0) at Banneker Trojans (5-2, 4-1)

Last week: Fayette defeated Westlake 37-6, Banneker defeated Northgate 18-0.

The fourth-ranked Tigers have scored at least 21 points in their last four games and have allowed only six in their last two games. They are scoring an average of 26.3 points per game, best in Region 2-AAAA, and allowing an average of eight points per game, second best in the region. Banneker, which is in third place in the region, is looking to move up the region rankings and become the first team this season to beat Fayette.

The most well-rounded team in the region, Fayette features a bevy of talent on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Brand Boykin and his teammates in the backfield, Matt Daniels, Tim Pettaway and Marquis Dixon, have been shredding defenses all season. Fayette’s tenacious defense is led by its active linebacker corps — Devontae Partridge, Evan Reid, Edward Bexley, Shemar Fletcher and Josh Parker, all of whom are sideline-to-sideline playmakers.

Landmark Christian War Eagles (3-4, 1-1) vs. Mt. Pisgah Patriots (3-4, 0-2)

Last week: Landmark defeated lost to Fellowship Christian 24-17, Mt. Pisgah lost to Our Lady of Mercy 63-62.

Both teams are coming off heartbreaking losses. Landmark has a slight edge over Region 5-A rival Mt. Pisgah in average points scored per game (26.1 to 25) and a significant edge in average points allowed per game (22.4 to 34.6). Landmark’s pass-happy offense has a dual-purpose quarterback in Tanner Bryant and a multitude of weapons, including wide receiver Matt Thornton and running back Walter Lenard. Defensively, the War Eagles have two of the best players in Region 5-A in linebacker Andrew Glaize and defensive back Blake Wyatt.

McIntosh Chiefs (1-6, 0-5) vs. Northgate Vikings (1-6, 0-5)

Last week: McIntosh lost to Woodward Academy 35-0, Northgate lost to Banneker 18-0.

McIntosh and Northgate have identical records, and both are in last place in Region 2-AAAA. Somebody has to win this game. The two teams are similar — they both are scoring an average of less than 10 points per game, and both are allowing an average of slightly over 20 points per game. It’s homecoming night for the Chiefs, which could be enough motivation for them to grab their first win since their season opener.

Andrew Graham, Nick Popeil, Nick Nelson, Matt Miller and the rest of the Chiefs will attempt to end Northgate’s three-game winning streak against McIntosh.

Our Lady of Mercy Bobcats (4-3, 1-1) vs. Whitefield Academy (3-4, 1-1)

Last week: Our Lady of Mercy defeated Mt. Pisgah 63-62, Whitefield Academy defeated Eagles Landing Christian Academy 30-29.

Mercy is coming off its first Region 5-A victory in school history. Mercy and Whitefield are among four teams tied for second place in the region. Quarterback William Pearl, running backs Christian Willis and Dominique McDermott and wide receiver Jarrell Bankhead are the top playmakers for a Mercy offense that is scoring a whopping 33.4 points per game. Mercy can almost score at will, but its defense has been a problem, giving up 37.9 points per game.

If Mercy continues to rack points —and there is no reason it shouldn’t — and its defense can slow down Whitefield’s offense, which is scoring an average of 18.6 points per game, the Bobcats could beat Whitefield, which is coming off a victory over ELCA, a team that beat Mercy 45-22 two weeks ago.

Sandy Creek Patriots (4-3, 3-1) at Haralson County Rebels (5-2, 2-2)

Last week: Sandy Creek defeated Carrollton 28-14, Haralson County defeated Villa Rica 44-41.

Creek is coming off its biggest win of the season, but things don’t get any easier for the Patriots this week. Region 6-AAA rival Haralson County is known for its athleticism, especially on offense, where it’s scoring an average of 33.4 points per game. Creek’s defense is one of the best the Rebels will face all year. Linebackers Matt Solomon and Zack Hilton, defensive lineman Jeremy Holt, Brandon Putnam and James Hervey, and defensive backs Jordan Griffin, Russell Bonner and Isaiah Johnson are the leaders of a Creek defense that is allowing 14.6 points per game.

If Creek receives a repeat performance from dynamic wide receiver Braxton Lane, who caught eight passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns against Carrollton last week, it could be a long night for the Rebels.

Starr’s Mill Panthers (3-4, 2-3) vs. Woodward Academy War Eagles (4-4, 3-3)

Last week: Starr’s Mill lost to Whitewater 35-7, Woodward Academy defeated McIntosh 35-0.

Region 2-AAAA rivals Starr’s Mill and Woodward both have won three games following losses this season. Starr’s Mill has a more productive offense — it’s scoring 15.7 points per game, Woodward is scoring 14.3 points per game — but Woodward has a stingier defense, yielding 12.1 points per game while Starr’s Mill is giving up 16.7.

Quarterback Miles Jaye, running backs Parker duPont and Spencer Penson and wide receivers Terrell Tripp and Dan Ellis are eager to put last week behind them and jump-start the Panthers’ offense. Linebackers Chris Sudduth, Matt Sweat and Stephen Roberts and defensive lineman Nate Baker are the key players on a Starr’s Mill defense that must keep Woodward’s option offense in check.