Following a bye week last week, the five 5A-AAAA teams from across the county — Fayette County, McIntosh, Sandy Creek, Starr’s Mill, Whitewater — are gearing up for their first region games of the season.

The schedule this week features a number of intriguing match-ups, including one that is being viewed by as many as the potential regular-season game of the year.

Fayette County Tigers (0-4) vs. McIntosh Chiefs (2-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Through the first four weeks of the season, Fayette and McIntosh have gone in opposite directions; Fayette has struggled, while McIntosh has shown marked improvement under first-year coach Glenn Griffin.

Heading into Griffin’s first-ever region game as a head coach, his Chiefs have a significant edge over Fayette on both offense, where they are averaging 20. 3 points per game to Fayette’s 6.8, and defense, where they are allowing 17.5 points per game to Fayette’s 30 points per game.

McIntosh will receive a boost from the return of quarterback Cam Porter, who was out with bruised ribs in the team’s 24-7 victory over Northside, Columbus two weeks ago. Porter has exceeded expectations in his first year as a starter. Wide receiver Bradley Larson and running backs Daiyaan Epps and Darius Miliam have stood out on McIntosh’s much-improved offense, as well.

Fayette’s offense, meanwhile, still is trying to develop into a cohesive unit. Tigers running back Tim Pettaway and their two quarterbacks, Jensen Floyd and Justin Murray, will be counted on to break out out for a hungry Fayette team looking for its first win of the season.

Starr’s Mill Panthers (0-4) vs. Northgate Vikings (2-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

The Panthers have experienced a litany of problems — mostly injuries and untimely mistakes. Northgate, meanwhile, is challenging McIntosh for the distinction of most improved team in the region.

Starr’s Mill’s offense has been more potent — its averaging 17 points per game to 13.8 for Northgate — but Northgate has a defensive edge — it’s allowing 19.8 points per game to 26.5 for Starr’s Mill.

Starr’s Mill has one of the best home-field advantages in the county, plus it has dominated Northgate the two previous times the teams have played each other, 37-0 last season and 31-7 in 2006.

But Northgate is playing with perhaps the most confidence it has had in years.
Quarterback Myles Jaye, wide receiver Lontrell Anderson, running back Spencer Penson and linebacker Stephen Roberts are key players for the Panthers. Northgate’s top players are quarterback Jake Copeland, running back Malcolm Poindexter and offensive lineman Hanson Sachs.

Sandy Creek Patriots (4-0) vs. Whitewater Wildcats (2-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

In what is being billed by many local high school fans as the game of the year, red-hot Sandy Creek plays host to Whitewater, which is seething following consecutive close losses. Both teams feature an abundance of talent at the skill positions: quarterback Rio Johnson, running back Rajion Neal and wide receiver Devon Hughes, among others, for Creek, and running back Thomas Frierson, quarterback Chase Penland and wide receiver Tyler Morgan for Whitewater, among others.

Each team’s defense also features some of the best talent in the area: defensive end Brandon Putnam, defensive tackle James Hervey, linebackers Matt Solomon and Mike Spaulding and safety Russell Bonner for Creek, and linebackers Zach Mann and Davis Knowles, defensive end Thomas Richard and safety Jeffrey Ashley for Whitewater.

Creek and Whitewater are evenly matched, with Creek holding a defensive edge. Creek is averaging 27.8 points per game; Whitewater is averaging slightly less, 25.

The Patriots’ defense is allowing 11.8 points per game; Whitewater’s is allowing 16.3 points per game.

Friday’s clash should come down to the wire. Whitewater and Creek have split their previous two games, with both games having been decided by three points: Whitewater won 10-7 last season, and Creek won 13-10 in 2006.

Landmark Christian War Eagles (4-1, 3-0 region) at Whitefield Academy Wolfpack (4-1, 3-0 region), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Landmark and Whitefield, which, along with Fellowship Christian, shared the Region 5-A title last season, are two of three teams that are undefeated in the region (Eagles Landing Christian Academy is the other). Both teams are hot, with Landmark riding a four-game winning streak and Whitefield on a three-game winning streak.

Landmark and Whitefield both score points in bunches. Whitefield is averaging 42.6 points per game; Landmark is averaging 31.2. In each of its four victories, Whitefield has scored at least 40 points.

The defensive edge goes to Landmark, which is giving up 9.4 points per game to 21 points per game for Whitefield.

This game features a slew of top talent from the region: Landmark quarterback/safety Tanner Bryant, running back/linebacker Andrew Glaize, wide receiver/defensive back Blake Wyatt and fullback/defensive end Josh Gephardt and Whitefield quarterback Trey Miller, defensive end Kris Redding and linebacker Conrad Quiros.

Landmark has won six consecutive games against Whitefield.

Our Lady of Mercy Bobcats (1-3, 0-2 region) at Fellowship Christian Paladins (2-3, 2-1 region), Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Mercy and Fellowship are both coming off blowout losses; Mercy lost to Eagles Landing Christian Academy 28-0; Fellowship lost to Landmark 35-0. The problem for both teams has been their propensity for allowing double-digit points. Fellowship is allowing 37 points per game to 30.3 for Mercy.

Fellowship’s offense has been significantly more productive than that of Mercy. The Paladins are scoring 19 points per game; Mercy is scoring only 5.3 points per game.

Quarterback William Pearl and running back/wide receiver Jarrell Bankhead must produce points for Mercy to have a chance.