Fayette County Tigers (0-2) at Douglas County Tigers (0-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Both teams are winless heading into Week 3. Defense has been a problem for Fayette and Douglas County; Douglas County is allowing 29.5 points per game, and Fayette has been slightly better, giving up 29 points per game. Fayette is coming off one of its worst games in two years, a 31-0 loss to Houston County in which it committed seven turnovers. Both of Douglas County’s losses have come against solid teams, 10th-ranked Whitewater and Carrollton.

Douglas County’s Anthony Caldwell will be one of the top quarterbacks Fayette faces all season. Caldwell has a trio of talented senior receivers with which to work: Derrick Woodford, Quiton Lewis and Darrell Asberry.

Fayette’s defense, led by linebackers Evan Reid and Andre Columbus, will be busy attempting to contain Douglas County’s offense, which is averaging 15.5 points scored per game.

Fayette must limit its turnovers and find running room for standout running back Tim Pettaway, who is running behind an inexperienced offensive line that still is developing.

McIntosh Chiefs (1-1) vs. Lithia Springs Lions (0-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

McIntosh and Lithia Springs are two programs facing the same problem — battling a long history of losing. Both consistently finish each year under .500 — Lithia Springs hasn’t had a winning season since 1999 — but enthusiasm is high this year at McIntosh under new coach Glenn Griffin. The Chiefs are one victory away from matching last year’s total.

Their offense in particular has been productive — sophomore quarterback Cam Porter has directed the Chiefs to 21.5 points per game. Porter and his favorite target, wide receiver Bradley Larson, to whom Porter has throw three touchdown passes, have been McIntosh’s most reliable playmakers thus far.

Lithia Springs’ offense, meanwhile, has been feeble, averaging a paltry seven points per game. The Lions’ offense’s inability to consistently score points has been surprising, considering dual-threat quarterback Kelton Hill is a legitimate Division I prospect. McIntosh linebacker Andrew Graham, who is averaging double-digit tackles, and the rest of his teammates on defense must contain Hill for McIntosh to prevail.

Sandy Creek Patriots (2-0) at Alexander Cougars (1-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Both of fifth-ranked Creek’s victories have been thrillers; the first came in overtime against East Coweta, the second came in the final seconds last week against Shaw. Creek is hoping that it won’t need late-game magic this time around against Alexander, a team that hasn’t had a winning season since 1997.

Both teams’ offenses can put up points — Alexander is averaging 27.5 points per game, Creek is averaging 20.5 points per game against tougher competition. The Patriots’ edge lies on defense, where it’s allowing 16.5 points per game compared to 27.5 for Alexander.

Creek has a considerable edge in talent, as well, with some of the top players in Class AAAA: quarterback Rio Johnson, running back Rajion Neal, wide receiver Devon Hughes, middle linebacker Matt Solomon, defensive end Brandon Putnam and safety Russell Bonner, among others.

Starr’s Mill Panthers (0-2) vs. Tri-Cities Bulldogs (0-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

There is nothing like home sweet home. That’s what the Panthers hope as they open their home schedule at Panther Stadium this week looking for their first win of the season. Starr’s Mill and Tri-Cities have had problems on defense; Starr’s Mill is allowing 34.5 points per game, and Tri-Cities is averaging 23.5 points per game. The Panthers, though, have been far more productive on offense, averaging 20.5 points per game to only three for Tri-Cities.

Keep an eye on one of the top all-purpose weapons in Region 5-AAAA, Starr’s Mill running back Dan Ellis, who returned a punt and a kick-off for touchdowns last week. Ellis, quarterback Myles Jaye, wide receiver Terrell Tripp and highly touted linebacker Stephen Roberts could be difference-makers for Starr’s Mill this week.

Whitewater Wildcats (2-0) vs. Mays Raiders (2-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

This could be the county’s game of the week, as the two teams are undefeated and evenly matched; 10th-ranked Whitewater and Mays are both averaging over 30 points per game and allowing under 13 points per game.

Whitewater’s offense has been led by impressive first-year starting quarterback Chase Penland, his go-to receiver, Tyler Morgan, and fast running back Thomas Frierson. Defensively, Whitewater linebackers Zach Mann and Davis Knowles have been sideline-to-sideline playmakers behind stout defensive tackles Andrew Dean, Bert Sykes and Ryan Nolan.

Mays features two-way player Myer Nolan, a defensive back/wide receiver, dynamic quarterback Bobby Anthony, running backs Desmond Walker and Winston Broderick, and fullback Mario Turner.

Landmark Christian War Eagles (1-1) at Pace Academy Knights (1-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Playing its first-ever varsity schedule, Pace would like to become the next Landmark, a perennial playoff team. The stats for both teams thus far this season have been similar — both are averaging slightly under 20 points per game, and their defenses have been averaging slightly under 20 points allowed per game.

Landmark could receive a huge boost this week if quarterback Tanner Bryant comes back from a back injury he suffered before the season. If not, his back-up, Carson Barnett, has proven reliable, leading the War Eagles to a convincing 20-0 victory last week over Warren County. Landmark’s two-way standouts, Blake Wyatt and Andrew Glaize, also are key playmakers for Landmark Christian.

Pace Academy is led by running back D.J. Elder and defensive backs Josh Swan and Dean Elias.

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