Fayette County Tigers (0-3) vs. Luella Lions (2-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

It doesn’t get any easier this week for the winless Tigers. Fayette faces an undefeated Luella team that is averaging a whopping 40.5 points per game. Running back Richard Barnes, who is drawing interest from Memphis and Eastern Kentucky, among others, and quarterback Kyle Dickey have provided the sparks for Luella’s high-scoring offense.

Due to Fayette’s offensive struggles, the team’s defense has consistently played on a short field. If that issue continues Friday, it will bode well for Luella.

Fayette’s offensive line, which still is having difficulty building cohesiveness, must create openings for running back Tim Pettaway and time for quarterbacks Jensen Floyd and Justin Murray to pass.

They will have to do it against a Luella defense that is led by one of the top defensive backs in the state, Roderick Sweeting, who has received offers from Auburn, Alabama, Ohio State and Georgia Tech, among others.

McIntosh Chiefs (1-2) vs. Northside, Columbus Patriots (1-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Both McIntosh and Northside are on two-game losing streaks after winning their respective season openers. McIntosh would like a victory in its last non-region game before it plays Region 5A-AAAA rival Fayette next week. McIntosh and Northside are evenly matched: McIntosh is averaging 19 points per game and allowing 21 points per game; Northside is averaging 15.3 points per game and allowing 19.3 points per game.

McIntosh will look to quarterback Cam Porter, running back Darius Miliam, wide receiver Bradley Larson, linebacker Andrew Graham and defensive end Taylor Peaden to lead the way past the Patriots, who feature defensive lineman John Drew, who has committed to Georgia Tech, and shifty running back Stephen Jackson.

Starr’s Mill Panthers (0-3) at Sprayberry Yellow Jackets (0-3), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Starr’s Mill and Sprayberry both still are searching for their first win of the season. The two teams are coming off tough one-point losses. Bad breaks and penalties have been problematic for the Panthers. The Yellow Jackets have experience on their side — they have 29 seniors — and an edge in averaged points scored per game (20.7 to Starr’s Mill’s 18). Starr’s Mill has been better defensively, allowing 27.7 points per game to Sprayberry’s 32.2.

Starr’s Mill desperately needs a big game from quarterback Myles Jaye, running back Spencer Penson, linebacker Stephen Roberts and its offensive line, which is still developing, to pick up its first win of the season.

Sandy Creek Patriots (3-0) at Osborne Cardinals (1-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

The fourth-ranked Patriots are on a roll, and they expect to feast on an Osborne defense that is allowing 27.3 points per game. Running back Lucky Charleston, quarterback Rio Johnson, wide receiver Devon Hughes and, if he plays, running back Rajion Neal, who is battling an undisclosed injury, might be drooling right now.

And Creek’s defense, which has been stout all year, faces an Osborne offense that is averaging 14.3 points per game. Middle linebacker Matt Solomon, safety Russell Bonner and defensive end Brandon Putnam have been disruptive forces for Creek all season, and that shouldn’t change this week.

Whitewater Wildcats (2-1) at Carrollton Trojans (2-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

In what could be the local game of the week, Whitewater and Carrollton have produced similar numbers thus far: Whitewater is averaging 25.7 points per game and allowing 13.7 points per game; Carrollton is averaging 29.7 points per game and allowing 12.7 points per game. Carrollton has had 22 consecutive winning seasons, and is a perennial state playoff team. Whitewater has quickly developed into a state playoff force on the south side of Atlanta.

This game features three exceptional running backs: Whitewater’s Thomas Frierson and Carrollton’s big duo, Wes Dothard (6-1, 200) and Octavious Thomas (6-4, 210). And each team has difference-makers on defense: Whitewater linebackers Zach Mann and Davis Knowles and Carrollton free safety Parker Tuggle and defensive end Craig Allen.

It should be a classic.

Landmark Christian War Eagles (2-1) vs. Our Lady of Mercy Bobcats (1-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

A slew of skill-position talent will be on display when Landmark and Mercy renew their annual rivalry Friday night. Quarterback/defensive back Tanner Bryant, running back/defensive back Blake Wyatt and linebacker/running back Andrew Glaize are three of Landmark’s top playmakers. Quarterback William Pearl and wide receiver Jarrell Bankhead are a dynamic tandem for Mercy.

Mercy has never beaten Landmark. The War Eagles beat Mercy 63-24 last season. The rematch should be another high-scoring game.