Fayette County Tigers (9-0, 7-0) at Starr’s Mill Panthers (5-4, 4-3)

Last week: Fayette County defeated McIntosh 41-3, Starr’s Mill defeated Northgate 37-0.

Fayette won its first region title in, by some reports, 50 years and moved to 9-0 for the first time since 1980 with a win over McIntosh last week. This week, Fayette will attempt to accomplish a feat it has never accomplished before — defeating one of its biggest rivals, Starr’s Mill. Fayette has the highest-scoring offense in Region 2-AAAA, and its defense is allowing the least amount of points per game in the region.

The Tigers have a significant edge in average points scored per game (29.2 to 19.4) and average points allowed per game (7.9 to 14.3), but Starr’s Mill is 4-0 at home this season and is on a two-game winning streak. Plus, the Panthers are fighting for their playoff lives; they need to beat Fayette and have McIntosh defeat Creekside to secure a playoff spot.

Fayette has a wealth of playmakers on offense, including the most explosive trio in the region in quarterback Brandon Boykin, fullback Matt Daniels and wingback Tim Pettaway, all of whom have benefitted from running behind an experienced, senior-laden offensive line. Starr’s Mill has some of the most talented linebackers in the region — Chris Sudduth, Parker duPont, Stephen Roberts and Matt Sweat — but they haven’t played against a triumvirate as dynamic as Boykin, Daniels and Pettaway.

The Starr’s Mill offense, led by sophomore quarterback Miles Jaye, faces a Fayette defense that is one of the best in school history. Linebackers Devontae Partridge, Evan Reid, Edward Bexley and Darrin Fields are the leaders of Fayette’s stingy defense.

Landmark Christian War Eagles (5-4, 3-1) vs. Our Lady of Mercy Bobcats (4-5, 1-3)

Last week: Landmark defeated Eagles Landing Christian 35-30, Our Lady of Mercy lost to Fellowship Christian 43-18.

If Landmark beats Mercy, it wraps up second place in Region 5-A and a home game in the first round of the state playoffs. If Landmark beats Mercy and Fellowship Christian loses to Whitefield Academy, Landmark would win the region title. Landmark has won two straight, Mercy has lost two straight. Both teams have high-scoring offenses; Landmark is averaging 30.4 points per game, and Mercy is averaging 30.7 points per game.

Landmark running back Walter Lenard and quarterback Tanner Bryant and Mercy quarterback William Pearl, running back Dominique McDermott and wide receiver Jarrell Bankhead will most likely figure prominently in what should be a shootout.

McIntosh Chiefs (2-7, 1-6) vs. Creekside Seminoles (6-3, 4-3)

Last week: McIntosh lost to Fayette County 41-3, Creekside lost to Banneker 14-6

McIntosh has been struggling mightily both offensively and defensively, and it has a history of problems against Creekside, having lost its last three games against the Seminoles. Creekside scored at least 41 points in two of those wins, and it allowed only 21 total points in the three wins.

Fullback Nick Popeil, quarterback Ben Sims and defensive lineman Matt Miller will attempt to knock off the Seminoles, currently fourth in the region, and ruin their playoff chances.

Newnan Cougars (8-1, 5-0) vs. East Coweta Indians (9-0, 5-0)

Last week: East Coweta was off, Newnan defeated Hiram 35-3

This bitter rivalry is one of the best Georgia has to offer. And this season, both teams enter the contest undefeated in Region 4-AAAAA. The winner wins the region title. Newnan has won its last four against East Coweta, but the two teams are evenly matched; Newnan has scored more points per game (36.7 to 32.7), but East Coweta has yielded less points per game (6.6 to 9.4). That said, you can throw out all the stats and records when Newnan and East Coweta square off.

The game features two of the top offensive players in the region — Newnan quarterback Russell Powell and East Coweta running back Tim McGill.

Whitewater Wildcats (7-2, 6-1) vs. Northgate Vikings (1-8, 0-7)

Last week: Whitewater defeated Woodward Academy 24-7, Northgate lost to Starr’s Mill 37-0
Whitewater and Northgate are two teams that are headed in completely opposite directions. Whitewater has already secured second place in Region 2-AAAA and a home game in the first round of the playoffs, and it has won its last six games; Northgate sits in last place in the region and is still looking for its first region win of the season.

A key matchup in this game is Whitewater’s defense, which is allowing only 8.3 points per game, vs. Northgate’s offense, which is scoring only 6.8 points per game. Northgate’s injury-riddled offense should find it difficult to move the ball against a Whitewater defense that features two of the region’s best linebackers, Ryan Hidalgo and Zac Mann, one of the best defensive lineman, Thomas Richard, and one of the top shutdown cornerbacks, Chris Asbury.

Offensively, wingback Thomas Frierson has been terrific running the ball, particularly outside the tackles, where he has utilized his blazing speed. Fullback Collin Woody has paved the way for Frierson and Whitewater’s other wingback, Austin Faulkner.

In the first-ever varsity game between the two region rivals last season, Whitewater beat Northgate 41-27.

Sandy Creek Patriots (5-4, 4-2) vs. Cedartown Bulldogs (5-4, 4-2)

Last week: Sandy Creek defeated Cass 31-14, Cedartown lost to Haralson County 28-17

Sandy Creek and Cedartown are currently tied with Haralson County for second place in Region 6-AAA.
If Creek beats Cedartown, it would wrap up third place in the region and a trip to the state playoffs. If Creek wins and first-place Carrollton loses, Creek would finish first and earn a home game in the first round of the state playoffs.
If Creek wins, Carrollton wins and Haralson loses, Creek finishes second in the region and a secures a home game in the first round of the playoffs.

Creek has a higher scoring offense — its averaging 22.8 points scored per game, Cedartown is averaging 18.6 points scored per game — and it has allowed less points per game (15.6 to 20.4). Plus, Creek walloped Cedartown 41-13 last season.
Linebackers Matt Solomon, a tackling machine, and Zack Hilton, a sideline-to-sideline playmaker, are the leaders of a Patriots defense that has carried the team all season. Creek’s offense has been up and down, but when quarterback Rio Johnson has time to throw and find his favorite target, standout wide receiver Braxton Lane, defenses have difficulty keeping the Patriots out of the end zone.