Friday, Sept. 2, 2022
Best game-day atmospheres
12 veteran coaches share their favorites
Twelve active Georgia football head coaches have coached in 300 or more games in their Georgia careers. The latest to join the 300 club was Burke County’s Eric Parker last week. Only 77 Georgia coaches in history, going back more than 100 years and including the GHSA and all other associations, have coached in 300 games. This week, the 12 active coaches with 300 games were asked: What is your favorite high school football venue in Georgia other than your own, and why? Enjoy their answers as you get ready for another football Friday night in Georgia. Click on their names to see their Georgia coaching history.
 
Frank Barden, St. Francis (321 games)
“I have to say the best Friday night experience I have seen was in Cartersville at Weinman Stadium. The stadium sits just off Main Street in downtown, and the town shuts down for a Friday night home game. As fans enter the stadium, they hear the announcer saying, ‘Weinman Stadium is now under a Hurricane Warning.’ With the band playing, cheerleaders and fans make a path for the players to come out from under the stadium with smoke filling the stands. Just the history alone of all the teams that have come out that same tunnel is awesome to think about. The atmosphere is electric, and the fans in Cartersville love their ’Canes. Rich in history and tradition, this Friday night experience is one of the best anywhere.”
 
Alan Chadwick, Marist (486 games)
“My favorite high school football venue, other than Marist of course, would be Mary Persons. Their field sits kind of down in a bowl, and the stands are right on top of you. When you go back to the players’ bench to talk to your guys, fans are hanging over the railing practically in the huddle with you and the players. Their field is grass, which helps to give you that ‘old-time football’ feeling. It’s just pure football without all the fanfare, flashing lights and fancy stuff. The local fans are very passionate about their team and give them great support. It is easy to see how coach Dan Pitts was so successful there for so many years.”
 
Ed Dudley, Winder-Barrow (326 games)
“I have had the opportunity to coach in many wonderful stadiums around the state of Georgia in the past 39 years. Some of my favorites include tiny Rose Bowl field in Monticello and the massive concrete palace at Lowndes County High School. While it is hard to single out one venue, for me and my family, Memorial Stadium in Waycross is our favorite. Affectionately known as ‘The Swamp!’ it has a unique configuration, a rich history and some of the most rabid fans. It has hosted Hank Aaron, the Atlanta Crackers, Old Central High School and the Waycross Bulldogs and is the current home of the mighty Ware County Gators. The question prevents me from picking lovely Clair Harris Stadium in Winder, but we are located right here between Atlanta and Athens, and we have one of the best game nights around.”
 
Maurice Freeman, Brooks County (345 games)
“I would say the favorite would be Valdosta High School. We’ve played them four times there and only won one time, but the atmosphere was wild. Our folks travel well, so we always have a good crowd on the visitors’ side. Before the game, their players are beating on the tin with their helmets when they come out of the tunnel, and we see them run down the sideline the entire 100 yards, and that was a turn-on for us because we knew it was time to battle. Of course, the stadium has a mystique to it – Bazemore-Hyder Stadium – the respect I have for those old-school coaches. It’s all that tradition, playing in a stadium that calls Valdosta the winningest school in the history of high school football. That’s where you want to do battle.”
 
Jeff Herron, Camden County (352 games)
“For me I would have to say Warrior Stadium in Oconee County. Primarily because it is the only state championship game that I got to coach that was at home. In the 1999 game, it was such a special feeling walking out of your home locker room, going through your normal pregame rituals, playing before a packed house and then getting to stay on the field and celebrate with all the people from the community after the game. Playing and winning in the Georgia Dome did not come close to that feeling. Runner-up for me would be playing at Valdosta in 2003, again a packed house, great, loud atmosphere and knowing all the great teams and players that had been there before. The place was electric from the moment our buses pulled up until the end of the game. The celebration wasn’t bad either, although their security folks were not quite as accommodating since we were the visitors. Still a great venue and atmosphere to play in.”
 
Keith Maloof, Norcross (301 games)
“There are way too many venues to list them all, but one really sticks out – Camden County. We traveled to Camden in 2012 for the state quarterfinals. We were 12-0, and they were 11-1. The atmosphere was unbelievable that night. They really try to intimidate you in pregame with all the loud music and student section that shows up early to harass all the players while they are warming up. Our kids really embraced the moment and played their hearts out, and we came away with a victory on the road that helped us win our first state championship with a perfect 15-0 record.”
 
Rich McWhorter, Jackson County (402 games)
“A lot of coaches are going to tell you their favorite is their own field, but as far as playing on the road, it’s wherever you’re successful. You can play at a lot of great places and get beat and it doesn’t feel the same. But it does feel really good to win a big road game. In ’99 at Charlton County, we beat Lincoln County at Lincoln, and in ’04 we beat Buford at Buford. We won a state championship at Calhoun in ’05 on their field. Those are great venues with a lot of history and great teams and players that have come through there. Of course, the old Georgia Dome was special too in the ’90s and early 2000s when we were able to make that trip for the semis and state championship. It’s a great place to play, to see your community show up and show out, your band, your cheerleaders, familiar faces at an unfamiliar place. We may have had people show up at the Georgia Dome that didn’t show up to regular-season home games because it’s a special place and game they didn’t want to miss.”
 
Bill Murdock, Terrell Academy (411 games)
“I’d have to say Mercer because it means we’re playing for a state championship. We’ve played there twice. It’s pretty neat because you’ve got AAA, AA and A games, so you get to see a lot of teams. It’s got the big scoreboard and a jumbotron. It’s neat playing on the artificial turf. I love playing on real grass and the smell of a freshly cut field, but it’s good for the kids to get to play some on a turf field because it’s something we don’t usually do. So it’s just the whole environment. Every year as a goal, we want to go to Mercer. If you get there, it’s been a successful season.”
 
Eric Parker, Burke County (300 games)
“It’s been a long time ago, and I think it’s gotten better since then, but Buford and Carrollton come to mind. They stand out when you look at the entire complex in terms of facilities, stands and weight room. Those are probably the two best right off the bat. At Carrollton, that was the first place I’d ever gone at a high school level where they had an indoor practice facility. At the time we went, back in 2010, that was just almost unheard of. That’s awesome for the kids and even the coaches to get that experience playing at those places where the community obviously rallies around it, and they’re crazy about football. They’re hard places to play because of the atmosphere.”
 
Gerry Romberg, Westminster (353 games)
“Definitely the Granite Bowl at Elbert County High School. It's an incredible venue. We played there three times. We won in 2003, 21-12. We lost in 2005, 33-14. We won again in 2014, 24-7. The 2014 game was Mecole Hardman's junior year. He had a knee injury and only played in the first half. They have the old UGA scoreboard in one end zone. In my opinion, the most historic stadium in all of Georgia. Having played in the Georgia Dome as well, it pales by comparison.”
 
Erik Soliday, Tiftarea Academy (379 games)
“I really enjoyed playing in the Georgia Dome while at Americus. At the time it was such a great feat for the kids to play there, and it was special as very few schools got to play there or even had turf at that time. It gave a lot of kids an opportunity to do something they could talk about for the rest of their lives and many kids a first chance to even experience such a venue. It wasn't always easy for the logistics of travel, meals, etc., but the atmosphere and importance and magnitude of the games made it worth it. We got stuck in traffic one year and could see the Dome but were not moving. As time got later and later, I finally told the players to dress on the bus. Only thing that saved us was a police officer from Americus who was working in Atlanta and came and got us, took us the wrong way down a one-way road and got us to the Dome about 30 minutes before kickoff. Kids didn't have time to be intimidated by the place as we were so rushed that we just had to go out and play. Probably helped us really.”
 
Mark Stroud, Calvary Day (347 games)
The Pit at Toombs County, where I was head coach for 16 years. It is a bowl with fans really close to the field – super loud and exciting. The fans are so close on the home side they might hear the play call. The Toombs County fans come to impact the game and create electricity. We had so many great games in The Pit, and when crosstown rival Vidalia comes to town, it goes to a whole new level. In that game, the cornerback on your side can’t hear you yelling at him. One of my favorite games was in 2001 when we beat seventh-ranked Vidalia on a goal-line stand to end the game, 16-9.”
Mitchell, Baconton get forfeit wins
Mitchell County and Baconton Charter were awarded victories Thursday when their Friday opponents were forced to forfeit because of illnesses within their football programs.
 
Mitchell County was schedule to travel to Pelham. This will be the first time the county rivals won’t play each other since 1997.
 
Baconton was scheduled to play Central of Talbotton at Mitchell County’s field, which Baconton uses for home games.
 
Meanwhile, Mary Persons this week was declared the winner of its Aug. 20 game against Northeast. It was suspended because of lightning with Mary Persons leading 14-12. That is now the final score after the schools were unable to resume.
Jayden Drayton, Brunswick
Jayden Drayton, a senior wide receiver at Brunswick, is the scoutSMART Student-Athlete of the Week. Drayton, who has a 4.2 GPA, ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries and had four receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown in the first two games for the 2-0 Pirates. He also returns punts and kickoffs. “Jayden is an incredible student-athlete,” Brunswick had coach Garrett Grady said. “He gets the job done not only on the field but in the classroom as well. He values his education so much. He has a 4.2 GPA and 29 on the ACT. His character alone sets him apart from many others.” Drayton is committed to Harvard.
 
GHSF Daily, in conjunction with scoutSMART, will be announcing a football student-athlete of the week each Friday this season. The ideal candidate will be outstanding on the field and in the classroom. Please click here to send nominations to Diane Bloodworth.
Today’s featured inductee is former Avondale and Georgia Tech quarterback Charlie Dudish. Dudish will be inducted into the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame on Oct. 22 at the College Football Hall of Fame.
 
Charlie Dudish
Avondale High School Graduate
Charlie Dudish was the most celebrated all-around high school athlete in Georgia, if not the nation, as senior. A dual-threat quarterback before the description was coined, Dudish was 85-of-131 passing for 1,338 yards and scored or passed for 31 touchdowns and returned four punts for touchdowns in 1967, when low-scoring games were the norm. Dudish was the AJC’s Back of the Year in Class 3A, the highest classification. He also was a star baseball player, and the San Francisco Giants drafted him in the second round out of high school. Dudish chose football and signed with Georgia Tech. Though he started as a sophomore, Dudish didn’t have the college football career expected of him. Yet amazingly, the San Diego Padres drafted him two years later in the first round of a 1971 MLB supplemental draft, even though Dudish hadn’t played organized baseball since the summer after high school. Dudish played two seasons of minor league ball. In the end, he didn’t reach the college and professional stardom some predicted, but Dudish’s high school stardom would not be forgotten. Though not recognized at the time, Dudish’s 55 career TD passes, 91 rushing and passing touchdowns and 6,024 yards rushing and passing were almost certainly state records. Dudish was 29-3 as Avondale’s starting quarterback over three seasons.
On the Web
NFHS Network
The NFHS Network will present live streaming of football games from around the state each week. To sign up for the network or watch the games, click here. The NFHS Network partners with more than 100 Georgia high schools to give their students the opportunity to train and learn to broadcast their school's sporting events. Contact the NFHS Network to find out how your school can serve its students and fans with sports broadcasting opportunities.
 
Here are this week’s featured Georgia Games of the Week, with broadcast times in parentheses:
  • Rome at Carrollton (7 p.m. today)
  • Brookwood at Collins Hill (7:30 p.m. today)
  • Cedar Grove at Westlake (7:30 p.m. today)
  • South Forsyth at North Oconee (7:30 p.m. today)
  • North Cobb at Buford (8 p.m. today)
  • Creekside vs. Dutch Fork, S.C. (5 p.m. Saturday)
  • Grayson vs. Fort Dorchester, S.C. (8 p.m. Saturday)
 
On TV
Today
*Brookwood at Collins Hill, 7:30 p.m., GPB
*Effingham County at Statesboro, 7:30 p.m., WSAV-CW (Savannah)
*Pickens at Fannin County, 7:30 p.m., ETC TV 3 (Ellijay)
*Silver Bluff (S.C.) at Midland Valley (S.C.), 7:30 p.m., WJBF MeTV 6.2 (Augusta)
*Walker Valley (Tenn.) at Ooltewah (Tenn.), WFLI-TV (Chattanooga)
*North Cobb at Buford, 8 p.m., WPCH Peachtree TV (Atlanta)
Today’s interviewee is Michael Lough, founder/editor of The Central Georgia Sports Report. Lough worked for The Macon Telegraph from 1998 to 2017, serving as a columnist, assistant sports editor and general-assignment reporter. He started TCGSR in September of 2017.
 
Michael Lough, founder/editor
of The Central Georgia Sports Report
1. The big game in central Georgia on Friday is Warner Robins vs. Northside. How do you see that game playing out and why? “I’d be pretty surprised – not fall on the floor shocked, but pretty surprised – if this wasn’t the closest game since 2018, when Warner Robins started this streak with a 39-34 win. A year earlier, the Demons won 28-17. Since then? 39-0, 47-0 and 49-7. Northside’s last win was 55-3 in 2016. And that sure won’t be repeated. Warner Robins has had more staff shakeup this year than in years past, and Jeremy Edwards – now at Houston County – really did an underrated and superb job with quarterback transitions. At some point, the Demons have to be a little more normal. And I think Northside has picked up a bit, too. There was a really good jump from the Jones County game to Peach County, and while I think that’ll carry over, not having Ricardo Jones [ankle injury] hurts, because you need playmakers anywhere and everywhere against Warner Robins. I don’t expect much conversation about a running clock, but I don’t think it’ll quite come down to a two-minute offense. Rivalries, though, make confident predictions look pretty silly.”
 
2. Another big one around those parts is Jones County vs. Perry. What’s your sense of those two teams. Can either win a state title or make a final, and why? “The defensive young‘ns better be nice and rested and fed, because they’re going to be busy. Both teams have weapons in the run and pass game galore, and neither coaching staff is scared to try stuff on a Friday night (and God bless ’em for that). The best game night atmosphere in Central Georgia should be amped, and everybody tuckered out on the ride home. It’s a little early for state championship projections for most anybody, but both have become established programs and teams to deal with after 10 games.
 
“The job Kevin Smith has done at Perry is as good as anything anybody in the state has done in several years. The Panthers have literally gotten better every year he’s been there, showing how important the right administration is and how important stability is. After two quarterfinal trips, yeah, a trip to Center Parc Stadium is a legitimate possibility. Jones County is in a similar situation, reaching new program heights each year under Mike Chastain, who took what Justin Rogers started and has run (and passed) with it. If they can get some depth going, no doubt either or both can play a 15th game.”
 
3. What other teams in the area can go far? Northeast? First Presbyterian? “We’ll find out a whole bunch about Northeast this week against No. 1 Fitzgerald. The Raiders didn’t get to finish the opener against Mary Persons, a 14-12 game when weather took over, so we don’t know about conditioning and finishing just yet, as well as how some new starters and regulars play. Plus, there won't be many real region tests, so how strong they'll be for a playoff run is a question. FPD in Greg Moore’s final season and its first year in the ‘new’ GIAA (one letter has changed and that’s about it) could easily send him out with a state title in that association (with 82% of the Class AAA teams making the postseason in two divisions).
 
“Warner Robins feels down a little, but can play 15, as can Jones County and Perry. Putnam County is the best area team in AA, and Lamar County in all of A, and both the War Eagles and Trojans have some big-time players. Anybody after those teams would be a surprise, as of now, although you can never count out Peach County, even after a pretty down game against Northside last week.”
 
4. What have you found most interesting through the first two weeks in Central Georgia football? “It’s been funky. Two weeks, two games of at least 110 points. A 16-game losing streak suffered by a Class A team broken on the road against a Class AAA team. ACE gets a new coach, Keith Hatcher, and notable assistant coach, Mark Farriba, and opens the season with 70 points, and then gets solid revenge against GMC on the road. Washington County loses by 42 at home to a team not in the 4A-or-higher top five? Macon County starts off 0-2, and loses at home?
 
“The first two Friday nights have been pretty suspenseful, and those two games mentioned above headline another week with some notable matchups – Dublin and Lamar County, for one – to go with the usual surprising head-scratchers. I went a putrid 16-10 last week in predictions, so my trust level right now for most of the Central Georgia young’ns isn’t too high. But it makes things pretty fun when you don’t care who wins.”
 
September is official fall sports “Cancer Awareness Month” in the Georgia High School Association to help fight all types of this dreaded disease. Teams may wear colored jerseys, socks, wristbands, and headbands during a home event to show support for their chosen cancer fundraiser. Thank you to everyone in advance for your enthusiasm and action to fight back against cancer.
Here is where Georgia teams stand in several national polls. The numbers on the left are this week's rankings; the numbers in parentheses are last week's rankings.
 
(Top 100)
9. (7) Buford
17. (15) Mill Creek
22. (11) Hughes
23. (19) North Cobb
25. (21) Grayson
42. (33) Collins Hill
54. (46) Colquitt County
60. (50) Cedar Grove
71. (NR) Walton
82. (93) Lee County
92. (58) Brookwood
93. (80) North Gwinnett
99. (92) Lowndes
100. (88) Milton
 
(Top 25)
3. Buford
21. Grayson
 
(Top 100)
6. (10) Buford
20. (21) Grayson
26. (26) Mill Creek
31. (37) Hughes
54. (54) Collins Hill
63. (65) North Cobb
65. (67) Lee County
69. (72) Cedar Grove
82. (85) Colquitt County
86. (NR) Walton
95. (70) Milton
97. (94) Kennesaw Mountain
 
(Top 100)
11. (14) Buford
22. (12) Collins Hill
23. (22) Mill Creek
31. (25) Grayson
34. (32) North Cobb
45. (70) Lee County
50. (69) Colquitt County
52. (80) North Gwinnett
55. (NR) Hughes
84. (NR) Parkview
95. (84) Carrollton
 
(Top 100)
3. (3) Buford
20. (16) North Cobb
28. (30) Hughes
34. (35) Grayson
35. (37) Mill Creek
55. (NR) Lee County
62. (78) Walton
63. (75) Colquitt County
81. (80) Brookwood
98. (NR) Collins Hill
 
(Top 25)
7. (8) Buford
18. (16) Grayson
 
(Top 25)
13. (13) Buford
18. (17) Hughes
21. (20) Colquitt County
24. (24) Grayson
 
(Top 25)
6. (7) Buford
16. (16) Grayson
300-game club
Today’s Spotlight featured the 12 active head coaches with 300 games coached. Here are the 77 all-time.
 
565 - Larry Campbell
516 - Barney Hester
490 - Luther Welsh
486 - Alan Chadwick
460 - Dwight Hochstetler
459 - Dan Pitts
446 - Ronnie Jones
444 - Rodney Walker
432 - Wayman Creel
429 - Robert Davis
415 - Rodney Collins
411 - Bill Murdock
408 - Billy Henderson
405 - T. McFerrin
402 - Rich McWhorter
402 - Max Dowis
400 - Bill Chappell
400 - Buck Cravey
399 - Rick Tomberlin
399 - Allen Lowe
397 - Charlie Winslette
387 - Graham Hixon
382 - Al Reaves
379 - Erik Soliday
367 - Ed Pilcher
367 - Ron Gartrell
364 - Buck Godfrey
364 - Jim Lofton
363 - Bobby Gruhn
363 - Ray Lamb
363 - Jim Cavan
362 - Steve Pennington
359 - Bill Schofill
355 - Nick Hyder
355 - Dale Williams
354 - Jim Hughes
353 - Gerry Romberg
353 - Jim Walsh Sr.
353 - Weyman Sellers
352 - Jeff Herron
352 - Mark Farriba
351 - Bruce Miller
348 - John Hill
347 - Mark R. Stroud
345 - Maurice Freeman
344 - Charlie Davidson
343 - Charlie Grisham
339 - Jerry Sharp
338 - Bob Herndon
337 - Danny Cronic
335 - Bob Peck
331 - Mike Earwood
326 - Ed Dudley
326 - Wright Bazemore
325 - Conrad Nix
325 - Bob Griffith
324 - Tally Johnson
323 - French Johnson
321 - Frank Barden
320 - Tom Simonton
316 - Jimmy Dorsey
314 - Dewey Alverson
313 - Max Bass
308 - Lynn Hunnicutt
308 - Charles Rutland
305 - Bonwell Royal
304 - Bobby Gentry
303 - Buddy Ethridge
303 - Tommy Stringer
303 - Don Patterson
302 - Milt Miller
302 - Willie Jordan
302 - Jeff Caldwell
301 - Keith Maloof
301 - Charlie Greene
301 - Oliver Hunnicutt
300 - Eric Parker
Rome and Carrollton are playing tonight in a game between two of strongest programs in the northwestern part of Georgia. Since 1992, when Rome High opened, what school in this region of the state has the most victories? (Answer Monday)
 
Answer to Thursday’s question: The Georgia rivalries that have been played for longer than Warner Robins vs. Northside without interruption are Gordon Lee vs. Trion (since 1946), Ringgold vs. Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (1950), Bowdon vs. Bremen (1954), Fitzgerald vs. Irwin County (1954) and Miller County vs. Seminole County (1958).
Kick off your game day with the best sports flooring and turf in the industry. Designed to take a beating.
GHSA
Thursday’s games
Columbia 20, Washington 0
Jenkins Co. 35, East Laurens 7
Lakeside, Atlanta 24, Forest Park 20
Landmark Christian 7, Lithonia 6
Long Co. 60, Treutlen 13
Mt. Zion, Carroll 58, Jordan 0
Portal 28, Robert Toombs Academy 23
Southwest DeKalb 50, Decatur 27
Tri-Cities 22, Redan 8
Washington-Wilkes 41, Glenn Hills 0
Westover 45, Spencer 16
 
Friday’s games
Adairsville at Rabun Co.
Alpharetta at Cambridge
Apalachee at Hart Co.
Appling Co. at Wayne Co.
Arabia Mountain at Stephenson (HS)
Augusta Christian at Hephzibah
B.E.S.T. Academy at Towers (AV)
Bacon Co. at Berrien
Baconton def. Central, Talbotton, forfeit
Bainbridge at Thomas Co. Central
Banneker at Valdosta
Beach at Brantley Co.
Berkmar at Druid Hills
Bowdon at Bremen
Bradwell Institute at New Hampstead (P)
Brentwood at GMC Prep
Brooks Co. at Cook
Brookwood at Collins Hill
Bryan Co. at Wheeler Co.
Butler at Airport, S.C.
Calhoun at Creekview
Callaway at Troup (C)
Cartersville at Allatoona
Cedar Grove at Westlake
Central, Carrollton at Hampton
Chamblee at Dunwoody (ND)
Cherokee Christ. at Mt. Pisgah Christian
Chestatee at White Co.
Christian Heritage at Darlington
Columbus at Manchester
Coosa at Gordon Central
Cross Keys at Flint River Academy
Dacula at South Gwinnett
Dalton at Sonoraville
Dawson Co. at North Hall
Dougherty at Stockbridge
Drew at Cass
Dublin at Lamar Co.
Eagle's Land. Christ. at Calvary Day
Eagle's Landing at Marist
East Coweta at Hillgrove
East Forsyth at Cedar Shoals
East Jackson at West Hall
East Paulding at Hiram
Effingham Co. at Statesboro
Emanuel Co. Institute at Lincoln Co.
Fitzgerald at Northeast (TH)
Flowery Branch at Stephens Co.
Forsyth Central at Etowah
Franklin Co. at Lumpkin Co.
Gainesville at Monroe Area
Glascock Co. at Briarwood
Glynn Academy at Camden Co.
Gordon Lee at Southeast Whitfield
Greenbrier at Evans
Griffin at Whitewater
Groves at Savannah
GSIC at Twiggs Co.
Hancock Central at Greene Co.
Hardaway at Northside, Columbus (K)
Harlem at Elbert Co.
Harrison at Paulding Co.
Hawkinsville at Claxton
Hebron Christian at Commerce
Holy Innocents' at Christ Church, S.C.
Houston Co. at West Laurens
Islands at South Effingham
Jackson Co. at Central Gwinnett
Jasper Co. at Morgan Co.
Jeff Davis at Swainsboro
Jenkins at Richmond Hill
Johns Creek at Lanier
Johnson, Gaines. at East Hall
Johnson, Sav. at Windsor Forest (IH)
Jonesboro at Dutchtown
Kendrick at Heritage, Newnan
Kennesaw Mountain at North Paulding
King's Ridge at Calvary Christian
Lakeside, Evans at North Augusta, S.C.
Lakeview-Ft. Ogle. at Heritage, Ringgold
Lanier Co. at Santa Fe, Fla.
Lithia Springs at Lee Co.
Loganville at Peachtree Ridge
Lovejoy at Crisp Co.
Luella at Starr's Mill
M.L. King at Locust Grove
Macon Co. at Dooly Co.
Mays at Hughes
McEachern at Douglas Co.
McIntosh at Woodland, Stockbridge
Meadowcreek at Campbell
Midtown at Heard Co.
Mill Creek at Archer
Miller Co. at Clinch Co.
Miller Grove at Douglass (L)
Mitchell Co. def. Pelham, forfeit
Model at Woodland, Cartersville
Montgomery Co. at Taylor Co.
Morrow at Westside, Macon
Mount Vernon at Mount Paran Christian
Mountain View at Lambert
Murray Co. at Gilmer
Newton at Eastside (SH)
North Atlanta at New Manchester
North Clayton at McNair (GO)
North Cobb at Buford
North Miami Beach, Fla. at Lowndes
North Murray at Ridgeland
Northgate at Villa Rica
Oconee Co. at Putnam Co.
Oglethorpe Co. at Banks Co.
Pace Academy at Greater Atl. Christian
Pataula Charter at ACE Charter
Pebblebrook at Hapeville Charter
Perry at Jones Co.
Pickens at Fannin Co.
Pierce Co. at Metter
Pinewood Christian at Vidalia
Pope at Kell
Prince Ave. Christian at Athens Academy
Richmond Academy at Josey
Ringgold at Northwest Whitfield
Riverdale at Mundy's Mill (TO)
Riverwood at North Springs
Rockdale Co. at Heritage, Conyers
Rome at Carrollton
Roswell at Marietta
Salem at Winder-Barrow
Sandy Creek at Alexander
Savannah Country Day at Aquinas
Schley Co. at Early Co.
Seminole Co. at Monroe (M)
Sequoyah at Cedartown
Shaw at Harris Co.
Social Circle at George Walton Academy
South Forsyth at North Oconee
Southwest at Pike Co.
Spalding at Fayette Co.
Sprayberry at River Ridge
St. Pius at Jefferson
Stone Mountain at Discovery
Tattnall Square at Athens Christian
Telfair Co. at Atkinson Co.
Temple at Chattooga
Terrell Co. at Greenville
Therrell at Clarkston (HS)
Thomasville at Cairo
Thomson at Grovetown
Tift Co. at Colquitt Co.
Trinity Christian at Mary Persons
Turner Co. at Randolph-Clay
Union Co. at Towns Co.
Union Grove at McDonough
Upson-Lee at Worth Co.
Walker at Lake Oconee Academy
Walnut Grove at Chattahoochee Co.
Ware Co. at Baldwin
Warner Robins at Northside, W.R. (MT)
Warren Co. at Johnson Co.
Washington Co. at Dodge Co.
Wesleyan at North Cobb Christian
West Forsyth at North Forsyth
West Nassau, Fla. at Charlton Co.
Westminster at Benedictine (SM)
Westside, Augusta at Screven Co.
Wheeler at South Cobb
Whitefield Acad. at Providence Christian
Wilkinson Co. at Crawford Co.
Winter Park, Fla. at North Gwinnett
Woodstock at Cherokee
 
Saturday’s games
Dutch Fork, S.C. at Creekside (L)
Gray Academy, S.C. at South Atlanta (L)
Ft. Dorchester, S.C. at Grayson (L)
 
Stadium abbreviations: (A) Adams; (AV) Avondale; (C) Callaway; (GO) Godfrey; (HS) Hallford; (IH) Islands High School; (K) Kinnett; (L) Lakewood; (M) Mills; (MT) McConnell-Talbert; (ND) North DeKalb; (P) Pooler; (SH) Sharp; (SM) Savannah Memorial; (TH) Thompson; (TO) Twelve Oaks
 
GIAA/GAPPS
Thursday’s scores
Portal 28, Robert Toombs Academy 23
Southwest Georgia 40, Grace Christian 0
Stratford Academy 42, Riverside Mil. 20
 
Today's games
Brentwood School at GMC Prep
Brookstone at First Presbyterian
Brookwood School at Maclay, Fla.
Cherokee Christ. at Mt. Pisgah Christian
Cross Keys at Flint River Academy
Edmund Burke at Trinity Christian, Dublin
Fullington Academy at Georgia Christian
Gatewood School at Augusta Prep
Glascock County at Briarwood Academy
Harvester Christian at Skipstone Acad.
Heath. Hall, S.C. at Bethlehem Christian
John Paul II, S.C. at St. Andrew's School
Kendrick at Heritage, Newnan
King's Acad. at Rock Springs Christian
King's Ridge at Calvary Christian
Lakeview Academy at St. Anne-Pacelli
Notre Dame Acad. at Creekside Christ.
Pinewood Christian at Vidalia
Social Circle at George Walton Academy
Strong Rock Christ. at Deerfield-Windsor
Tattnall Square at Athens Christian
Tiftarea Academy at Central Fellowship
Valwood School at Frederica Academy
Westfield School at Southland Academy
Join both the GACA and GFCA for $55.00 per coach! JOIN TODAY!
GHSA schools play numerous games against out-of-state competition. GHSF Daily will track the scores of those games each week to see how Georgia fares against the rest of the nation.
 
Vs. Alabama**********9-4
Vs. Florida**********5-4
Vs. Missouri*********0-1
Vs. North Carolina***1-2
Vs. Pennsylvania*****1-0
Vs. South Carolina**15-2
Vs. Tennessee********2-2
Vs. Virginia*********1-0
Total***************34-15
 
Week 2 scores
Anniston, Ala. 24, Villa Rica 19
Appling Co. 42, Aiken, S.C. 7
Athens Academy 23, Mobile Christ., Ala. 7
Buford 56, Mallard Creek, N.C. 7
Calhoun 31, Gardendale, Ala. 30
Charlton Co. 21, Yulee, Fla. 7
Christian Brothers, Mo. 41, Milton 27
Claxton 29, Hilton Head, S.C. 18
Columbus, Fla. 41, Benedictine 15
Dade Co. 50, North Sand Mtn., Ala. 13
Heritage, Ringg. 24, E. Hamilton, Tenn. 9
Jefferson 56, Wren, S.C. 28
Jenkins 34, Bluffton, S.C. 21
Lincoln Co. 27, McCormick, S.C. 6
Lowndes 33, Gadsden Co., Fla. 0
Marist 33, Pike Road, Ala. 22
McCallie, Tenn. 17, Woodward Acad. 13
Munroe, Fla. 28, Terrell Co. 0
Murphy, N.C. 15, Commerce 14
Pickens, S.C. 42, Franklin Co. 17
Russell Co., Ala. 28, Harris Co. 17
Sandy Creek 46, Greenwood, S.C. 21
Western, Fla. 33, Johns Creek 14

Week 3 games
Butler at Airport, S.C.
Creekside vs. Dutch Fork, S.C. (Sat., L)
Fort Dorchester, S.C. at Grayson (Sat., L)
Gray Acad., S.C. at South Atlanta (Sat., L)
Holy Innocents’ at Christ Church, S.C.
Lakeside, Evans at North Augusta, S.C.
Lanier Co. at Santa Fe, Fla.
North Miami Beach, Fla. at Lowndes
West Nassau, Fla. at Charlton Co.
Winter Park, Fla. at North Gwinnett
Team of the Week: Osborne
The Osborne Cardinals, who defeated Chattahoochee 42-13 and are 2-0 for the first time since 2001, received their Georgia Team of the Week plaque Wednesday at their school. Osborne (players and coach Luqman Salam pictured above) has the week off before facing Lakeside of Atlanta, also 2-0, at home next week. The state Team of the Week award is sponsored by BSN Sports and Titan Electric. 
Player of the Week: Taeo Todd
Taeo Todd, a junior quarterback at Troup who has rushed for 371 yards and passed for 340 while playing just quarters in the Tigers’ 2-0 start, received his Georgia Player of the Week plaque Wednesday at his school. Todd (pictured with head coach Tanner Glisson) rushed for 1,457 yards as a freshman but was limited to four games last year because of a knee injury. The state Player of the Week award is sponsored by Sports Turf.
Visit our website throughout the season for updated standings in all eight classifications.
Note: All scores are courtesy of the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other media outlets. If a score is not accurate, it was reported incorrectly.

All games are on Fridays unless noted. All game schedules are subject to change.
Georgia Football HOF looking for interns for October event
The first Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame class will be inducted on Friday, Oct. 22, and Score Atlanta is looking for interns to help run the event. Interns will get the chance to learn how to market and run a major event that is expected to attract almost 1,000 people to the College Football Hall of Fame. There also will be a TV component, as well. Score Atlanta is running the High School Football Hall with strong support from a board that is 36 members strong. If you interested in joining the team and helping with the inaugural event, please contact Graham David via email by clicking here or call him at 513-600-6557.
 
GPSA helps students grow in athletics, education, and life skills
Student-athletes’ athletic talents and skills are secondary to their academic eligibility to enter and stay in higher education programs. Our prep program can help non-qualifying student-athletes. Our NCAA-approved classes are taught in-face, giving student-athletes opportunities for more in-depth study while improving their academic skills, work ethic and GPAs. Our complete on-site facility promotes athletic and academic priorities, commitment and focus. For additional information, call 770-652-7711 or contact us via email by clicking here.
 
'Kicking Adversity Aside - The Coach Kim Braswell Story' on Amazon
Kim Braswell's 134 consecutive extra points at Avondale High remained a national high school record for almost 50 years, and he then went on to set UGA kicking records despite dealing with insulin-dependent diabetes and deafness. "Kicking Adversity Aside -- The Coach Kim Braswell Story" is the inspiring tale of how he overcame his challenges and went on to coach for more than four decades in Georgia high school football. Available on Amazon.
GHSF Daily classified ads
Reach 23,000 readers per day in GHSF Daily’s classified ads. Rates are $50 per week. Ads must be a maximum of 75 words and include a headline and contact information. Click here to contact us.
About Us
Georgia High School Football Daily is a free e-mail newsletter produced and owned by Todd Holcomb and Chip Saye. Holcomb is a former lead high school football writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and co-founder of the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. Saye is a 38-year veteran of the newspaper industry who has covered high school sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Athens Banner-Herald, Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail and Gwinnett Daily News.