Class 7A

1. (1) Buford (3-0)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday vs. Carver-Atlanta (1-2)

2. (2) Colquitt County (4-0)

Last week: Beat Lee County 37-20. Colquitt County never trailed and went up 37-14 early in the fourth quarter. Neko Fann was 19-of-29 passing for 200 yards and rushed for 31 yards, and Ny Carr had seven receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown. Next: Sept. 22 vs. Cedar Grove (2-2)

3. (3) Mill Creek (3-0)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday vs. Cedar Grove (2-2)

4. (4) Walton (3-0)

Last week: Beat Pope 67-7. Walton led 60-0 at halftime. Jeremy Hecklinski was 12-of-17 passing for 223 yards. Ashton Woods and Lota Ogokwe had five tackles behind the line between them. Next: Friday vs. Marietta (1-3)

5. (5) Carrollton (3-1)

Last week: Beat Villa Rica 50-0. Ju Ju Lewis was 15-of-22 passing for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Jacob Levy had a three-yard tackle for loss for a safety on Villa Rica’s first possession. Next: Friday vs. Jenkins (1-2)

6. (6) Parkview (3-0)

Last week: Beat North Gwinnett 35-32. Trelain Maddox rushed for 228 yards and three touchdowns, the last one a 3-yard run with 1:10 left. He also intercepted a pass. Next: Friday vs. St. Pius (1-3)

7. (7) Westlake (4-0)

Last week: Beat Southwest DeKalb 57-7. Sean Smith was 10-of-11 passing for 136 yards. Tyler McKinstry and Demarius Hines returned interceptions for touchdowns, and Carmelo O’Neal returned a fumble for a touchdown. Next: Friday at Newton (4-0)

8. (8) Milton (2-1)

Last week: Beat Roswell 34-14. T.J. Lester’s 1-yard run in the final minute of the third quarter at the end of a 14-play, 71-yard drive broke open what had been a seven-point game. Lester rushed for 114 yards on 22 carries. Luke Nickel was 18-of-26 passing for 241 yards and three touchdowns. Next: Friday vs. Alpharetta (1-2)

9. (NR) Valdosta (3-1)

Last week: Beat Warner Robins 45-12. Todd Robinson was 14-of-18 passing for 144 yards and rushed for 64 yards. Prince Jean rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown on four carries and had nine receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. His 85-yard run put Valdosta up 31-3 late in the third quarter. Shakevious Wright returned an interception for a touchdown. Next: Friday vs. Deerfield Beach, Fla. (1-2)

10. (10) Grayson (3-1)

Last week: Beat Spartanburg, S.C., 21-19. Elijah Miller scored the winning touchdown on a 7-yard run midway in the fourth quarter of a road game against the No. 4 team in South Carolina’s highest classification. Grayson trailed 16-9 at halftime. Next: Sept. 22 vs. Lowndes (3-0)

Out: No. 9 Norcross (2-1)

Class 6A

1. (1) Gainesville (4-0)

Last week: Beat Clarke Central 24-7. Gavin Hall rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Baxter Wright was 14-of-26 passing for 241 yards. Gainesville led 453-92 in total yards. Next: Friday vs. Apalachee (0-4)

2. (2) Hughes (2-1)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday at New Manchester (1-2)

3. (6) Thomas County Central (3-0)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Brooks County (1-2)

4. (3) Houston County (4-0)

Last week: Beat Locust Grove 56-12. A.J. Hill was 15-of-21 passing for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Taleb had 129 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on nine touches. Darius Patterson returned an interception for a touchdown. Houston County also scored a touchdown on a blocked kick. Next: Sept. 22 at Warner Robins (1-2)

5. (4) Lee County (3-1)

Last week: Lost to Colquitt County 37-20. Lee County led 409-265 in total yards but lost three turnovers and had more than 100 penalty yards. Ousmane Kromah rushed for 179 yards on 21 carries. Next: Friday vs. Lake Gibson, Fla. (3-0)

6. (8) Rome (3-1)

Last week: Beat Pebblebrook 48-7. Reece Fountain was 12-of-15 passing for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Trey Scales and Rishard Sullivan scored on interception returns. Rome led 35-0 at halftime. Next: Sept. 22 at Allatoona (0-4)

7. (9) Marist (3-1)

Last week: Beat Woodward Academy 17-10. Jackson Hughes scored on a 3-yard run in overtime, and Marist forced a turnover on downs. Next: Friday at Blessed Trinity (3-0)

8. (5) Roswell (3-1)

Last week: Lost to Milton 34-14. K.J. Smith was 13-of-24 passing for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Nykahi Davenport rushed for 91 yards on 11 carries. Roswell failed to score on two trips into Milton’s red zone. Next: Sept. 22 at Johns Creek (1-2)

9. (7) Woodward Academy (1-2)

Last week: Lost to Marist 17-10. Woodward led 294-193 in total yards but lost three fumbles, one in Marist's red zone in the final minute of regulation. Hudson Hanges had kicked a 47-yard field goal earlier. Lucas Farrington rushed for 105 yards, Griffin Marshall passed for 168, and Josiah Abdulla had 98 yards receiving. Next: Friday at Morrow (1-3)

10. (NR) Blessed Trinity (3-0)

Last week: Beat St. Pius 16-14. Noah Godhard kicked a 24-yard field goal with 2:25 left, and Blessed Trinity won despite just 173 yards of total offense. St. Pius was held to 145 yards and five first downs. Next: Friday vs. Marist (3-1)

Out: No. 10 Northside-Warner Robins (2-1)

Class 5A

1. (1) Ware County (3-1)

Last week: Lost to Benedictine 31-24. Ware County led 14-0 and had 335 total yards but committed four turnovers against the No. 1 team in Class 4A. Luke Hooks passed for 267 yards. Next: Sept. 22 at Bainbridge (2-2)

2. (3) Creekside (2-1)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Lithia Springs (0-3)

3. (4) Coffee (3-0)

Last week: Beat Bolles, Fla. 17-9. Fred Brown rushed for 109 yards on 24 carries. Coffee held Bolles to 91 yards rushing and 7-of-23 passing. Next: Friday vs. Salem (1-2)

4. (6) Jefferson (4-0)

Last week: Beat Oconee County 44-7. Sammy Brown rushed for 188 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries. Jefferson led 30-0 at halftime. Next: Sept. 22 vs. Clarke Central (2-1)

5. (5) Cartersville (4-0)

Last week: Beat Columbia 31-6. Jamauri Brice had four receptions for 86 yards and had a 26-yard run. Next: Friday vs. Heritage-Conyers (2-1)

6. (2) Warner Robins (1-2)

Last week: Lost to Valdosta 45-12. Judd Anderson was 16-of-29 passing for 107 yards and a touchdown. Warner Robins was held to 152 total yards. Next: Friday at Dutchtown (1-3)

7. (7) Hiram (4-0)

Last week: Beat Morrow 48-0. Kaden Hamilton rushed for 94 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. Six Hiram players had sacks. Next: Friday vs. Drew (1-2)

8. (8) Calhoun (3-1)

Last week: Beat Cedartown 35-21. Trey Townsend was 17-of-26 passing for 201 yards and two touchdowns. Caden Williams rushed for 162 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Jacob Shuler had eight solo tackles, one tackle for a loss and an interception. Next: Friday vs. Sonoraville (2-2)

9. (10) Greater Atlanta Christian (4-0)

Last week: Beat Decatur 31-17. Jack Stanton passed for 355 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown. His top targets were Gabe Daniels (3-120-1) and Xavier Daisy (3-85-2). Micah Pryor had three sacks. Denzell Watkins intercepted two passes. Next: Sept. 22 vs. Northview (0-3)

10. (9) Clarke Central (2-1)

Last week: Lost to Gainesville 24-7. Clarke Central was held to 92 total yards against Class 6A’s No. 1 team. Next: Friday at South Forsyth (0-3)

Class 4A

1. (1) Benedictine (4-0)

Last week: Beat Ware County 31-24. Benedictine trailed 14-0, then scored 31 unanswered points and held on. Luke Kromenhoek was 18-of-28 passing for 220 yards and three touchdowns. Bryce Baker rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Next: Friday vs. Hebron Christian (3-1)

2. (2) North Oconee (2-0)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Madison County (3-0)

3. (3) Troup (3-0)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Whitewater (2-1)

4. (4) Perry (2-1)

Last week: Beat Veterans 49-41. Ahmad Gordon rushed for 169 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries. His TD runs of 16 and 45 yards in the fourth quarter helped Perry overcome a 41-35 deficit. Colter Ginn was 18-of-31 passing for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Veterans’ Preston Bird scored all six of his team’s touchdowns. Next: Friday at Peach County (0-3)

5. (6) Bainbridge (2-2)

Last week: Beat Thomasville 46-28. Bainbridge trailed 28-19 in the third quarter, then scored 27 points in final 13:02. Keenan Phillips rushed for 202 yards and four touchdowns on 31 carries. Next: Sept. 22 vs. Ware County (3-1)

6. (7) Holy Innocents’ (4-0)

Last week: Beat Washington 37-12. Holy Innocents’ led 37-0 at halftime. Nicholas Morgan scored two rushing touchdowns and a safety. Next: Friday vs. Douglass (3-1)

7. (8) Burke County (3-0)

Last week: Beat Evans 29-14. Jeremy Richardson rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown on nine carries and had two receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns. A’merre Williams rushed for 98 yards on 12 carries, and his 27-yard TD run midway in the third quarter broke a 7-7 tie. Next: Friday at Oconee County (1-3)

8. (9) Spalding (4-0)

Last week: Beat Dutchtown 41-27. Curt Clark was 12-of-16 passing for 168 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Robert Henderson had 115 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on 16 touches. Next: Sept. 22 vs. Baldwin (3-1)

9. (5) Wayne County (2-1)

Last week: Lost to Appling County 21-7. Wayne Fuller was held to 43 yards rushing after two 250-yard games. Next: Friday at Statesboro (1-2)

10. (10) Baldwin (3-1)

Last week: Beat Washington County 20-10. Micah Welch rushed for 125 yards and caught a 23-yard pass. Sadur Salahuddin rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown. Lamar Pounds passed for 135 yards. Next: Sept. 22 at Spalding (4-0)

Class 3A

1. (1) Cedar Grove (2-2)

Last week: Beat Collins Hill 37-26. Cedar Grove blew a 24-6 lead and trailed 26-24 entering the fourth quarter but got two TD passes from E.J. Colson, who was 13-of-20 passing for 145 yards. Javon Beckford returned a fumble 38 yards for a touchdown. Boden Walker rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Next: Friday at Mill Creek (3-0)

2. (2) Calvary Day (3-0)

Last week: Beat Charlotte Christian, N.C. 41-10. Jake Merklinger was 10-of-15 passing for 272 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Michael Smith had four receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Tillman rushed for 100 yards. Charlotte Christian is the No. 17 overall team in North Carolina, according to MaxPreps. Next: Friday vs. Liberty County (0-3)

3. (4) Stephens County (4-0)

Last week: Beat Dawson County 35-0. Javin Gordon rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Kymani Colbert had five tackles for losses. Next: Friday at White County (2-1)

4. (3) Sandy Creek (3-1)

Last week: Lost to East Coweta 31-14. Dalen Penson passed for 145 yards and rushed for 73, and Amari Latimer also rushed for 73. Sandy Creek was within 21-14 entering the fourth quarter before loosing grip against an undefeated Class 7A opponent. Next: Friday at Collins Hill (1-2)

5. (5) Savannah Christian (2-1)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Savannah Country Day (2-1)

6. (10) Mary Persons (3-1)

Last week: Beat Haralson County 35-14. Duke Watson rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, and Christian Stewart ran for 117 yards on nine carries. Mac Nelson was 10-of-17 passing for 111 yards. R.J. Holder had 14 tackles and forced a fumble. Next: Sept. 22 at Columbus (1-2)

7. (7) Monroe Area (3-1)

Last week: Lost to Prince Avenue Christian 45-17. Monroe Area trailed 31-7 at halftime against Class A Division I’s No. 1 team. Next: Friday at Morgan County (3-1)

8. (6) Carver-Atlanta (1-2)

Last week: Lost to Stephenson 29-14. Carver got down 29-0 after allowing a special-teams touchdown and an 87-yard TD pass. Next: Friday at Buford (3-0)

9. (8) Thomasville (1-3)

Last week: Lost to Bainbridge 46-28. Thomasville led 28-19 late in the third quarter before an avalanche of 27 Bainbridge points. Jay Randall rushed for 86 yards. Next: Friday at Tift County (0-3)

10. (9) Carver-Columbus (2-1)

Last week: Lost to Northeast 25-18. Carver had a fourth-and-2 at the Northeast 5 in the final two minutes but was turned away. Carver gave up a defensive touchdown to go down 19-7 early. Next: Friday at Brookwood (1-2)

Class 2A

1. (1) Thomson (2-1)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday vs. Laney (1-1-1)

2. (2) Appling County (2-1)

Last week: Beat Wayne County 21-7. Appling County allowed just 45 total yards and stopped all 10 of Wayne County’s third-down attempts. Dayson Griffis was 15-of-26 passing for 208 yards. Next: Friday vs. Moore Haven, Fla. (2-1)

3. (3) Callaway (2-1)

Last week: Beat Heard County 38-6. Deshun Coleman was 6-of-6 passing for 85 yards and rushed for 66 yards on four carries. Cam Tucker had four tackles for losses, a sack and a touchdown reception. Next: Sept. 22 at Redan (1-2)

4. (4) Pierce County (3-0)

Last week: Beat Liberty County 49-6. Joe Drew had TD receptions of 22 and 46 yards in the first quarter. Caden McGatha was 9-of-13 passing for 119 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 75 yards. Next: Friday vs. Charlton County (0-4)

5. (5) Northeast (2-1)

Last week: Beat Carver-Columbus 25-18. Northeast defended a two-point attempt midway in the fourth quarter to preserve a 19-18 lead, and Nick Woodford scored on a 45-yard run with three minutes left. Northeast then stopped a fourth down play at its 4 to clinch the win. Woodford rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns. Reginald Glover was 7-of-14 passing for 125 yards and a touchdown. Kavon Conciauro returned a fumble two yards for a touchdown for a 19-6 lead late in the third quarter. Next: Friday vs. ACE Charter (4-0)

6. (7) Fellowship Christian (2-1)

Last week: Beat St. Francis 56-6. Jonathan Gransby was 7-of-9 passing for 190 yards and two touchdowns, and C.J. Givers rushed for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Evan Haynes had three receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns. Fellowship led 42-0 at halftime. Next: Sept. 22 vs. Lovett (1-2)

7. (6) Fitzgerald (2-2)

Last week: Lost to Madison County, Fla. 30-16. Fitzgerald suffered a second consecutive loss for the first time since 2017. Madison County is the No. 3 team in Florida’s Class 3A. Next: Sept. 22 vs. Dodge County (1-3)

8. (8) Rockmart (1-2)

Last week: Lost to Dalton 21-14. Dalton won on a TD pass and interception in overtime. Rockmart had 311 total yards. Rockmart had four turnovers to Dalton’s none. Next: Friday at Irwin County (2-1)

9. (10) Toombs County (3-0)

Last week: Beat Jefferson County 44-0. T.J. Stanley was 9-of-14 passing for 224 yards and four touchdowns, and Lagonza Hayward had two touchdowns receiving and one returning a kickoff. Next: Friday vs. Treutlen (0-3)

10. (9) Cook (1-2)

Last week: Lost to Clinch County 35-27. Cook scored in the final minute for the final margin after allowing three TD plays of 75 yards or longer. Next: Sept. 22 vs. Jeff Davis (2-2)

Class A Division I

1. (1) Prince Avenue Christian (4-0)

Last week: Beat Monroe Area 45-17. Aaron Philo was 19-of-28 passing for 347 yards and two touchdowns, both to C.J. Dockery, and rushed for 87 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. Next: Friday vs. Eagle's Landing Christian (0-3)

2. (2) Swainsboro (4-0)

Last week: Beat Dodge County 11-7. Qin Brown rushed for 72 yards and scored on a 24-yard run and two-point conversion with 5:30 left for the final margin. Dodge County drove to the Swainsboro 8 and turned the ball over on downs with 3:41 left, and Swainsboro ran out the clock. Jylerris Williams had 10 solo tackles and 2.5 tackles for losses. Next: Friday vs. Emanuel County Institute (1-2)

3. (3) Irwin County (2-1)

Last week: Beat Turner County 48-36. Shane Marshall (151 yards), Wesley Walters (139) and Jaken Thomas (130) each ran for more than 100 yards, and Caleb Barnett added 78. Irwin had 511 team rushing yards. Next: Friday vs. Rockmart (1-2)

4. (4) Bleckley County (2-1)

Last week: Lost to Schley County 48-42. Bleckley County lost in overtime to the No. 1 Class A Division II team in a game of 13 touchdowns, each that broke or created a tie. Joshua Stanley rushed for 100 yards on 10 carries. Kam’Ryn Everett passed for 132 yards and rushed for 86. Marcus Newson had five catches for 99 yards. Next: Friday at West Laurens (1-2)

5. (5) Trion (3-0)

Last week: Beat Gordon Central 64-6. Toby Maddux rushed for 195 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries and caught a 24-yard TD pass. Next: Friday at Model (2-0)

6. (6) Brooks County (1-2)

Last week: Beat Mitchell County 49-14. Chris Cole rushed for 140 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. Ja’Ven Watts was 6-of-9 passing for 119 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 49 yards. Camauri Brinson had four receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Next: Friday vs. Thomas County Central (3-0)

7. (8) Rabun County (2-1)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday vs. Heard County (0-3)

8. (9) Elbert County (2-1)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday vs. Washington-Wilkes (2-1)

9. (10) Mount Vernon (3-0)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Tattnall Square (1-3)

10. (NR) Bryan County (3-0)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Portal (2-1)

Out: No. 7 Dublin (2-1)

Class A Division II

1. (1) Schley County (3-0)

Last week: Beat Bleckley County 48-42. K.B. Aldridge scored on an 11-yard run in overtime after Schley held Bleckley on downs. Jay Kanazawa was 19-of-36 passing for 245 yards and three touchdowns, and Jalewis Solomon had eight receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns and returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown. Solomon also scored on a 2-yard run. Next: Friday at Central-Talbotton (1-2)

2. (3) Macon County (3-0)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday vs. Greenville (0-3)

3. (6) Clinch County (3-1)

Last week: Beat Cook 35-27. Jeremy Bell scored on a 95-yard kickoff return, a 35-yard reception and runs of 85 and 75 yards. He finished with 160 yards rushing, 100 receiving and 119 returning. Next: Friday at Bacon County (2-1)

4. (2) Manchester (2-1)

Last week: Lost to Lamar County 17-14. Quavion Cooper scored on a 4-yard run and a two-point conversion with two minutes left to get Manchester within 17-14, but Lamar County was able to run out the clock. Next: Friday at Marion County (2-1)

5. (4) Bowdon (2-2)

Last week: Beat Tattnall Square 40-13. Bowdon rushed for 313 yards on 33 carries. Jordan Beasley ran for 118. Kyler McGrinn passed for 152. Next: Friday at Dade County (1-2)

6. (5) Aquinas (3-0)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Harlem (2-2)

7. (9) Greene County (4-0)

Last week: Beat Wilkinson County 41-6. Travez Gibson rushed for 76 yards and three touchdowns, and Kevin Wynn had four tackles for losses and forced a fumble. Next: Friday at Oglethorpe County (1-2)

8. (7) Early County (2-1)

Last week: Game with Terrell County postponed. Next: Friday at Baconton Charter (1-1)

9. (8) McIntosh County Academy (2-1)

Last week: Beat West Nassau, Fla. 18-0. MCA led 143-86 in total yards and overcame three turnovers. Nehemiah West scored on an 11-yard run and threw a 29-yard TD pass to DeMarien McNear. Next: Friday at Lanier County (3-0)

10. (10) Jenkins County (4-0)

Last week: Beat Cross Creek 39-14. Robtravious Coney rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, and Jenkins County had 443 yards rushing as a team. Next: Friday vs. Screven County (1-2)

Today’s interviewee is first-year Providence Christian coach John Russ, whose team is 3-0 for the first time since its first full varsity season in 2014. Russ is a former Mill Creek and Mercer quarterback who has coached at Mercer, Georgia State, Hebron Christian and Cherokee Bluff. Providence, a private school in Lilburn, has never had a winning season.

John Russ,

Providence Christian head coach

1. What attracted you to the Providence job? “I am a Gwinnett County native and saw the potential of this football program when I came up to interview this past March. The facilities at the school are first class, and I could tell that they wanted to build this football program the right way.”

2. What have been the challenges that you've faced in getting the program turned around, and what has been your staff's approach? “There haven't been many challenges so far this season. When I came in, I could tell the guys were hungry to turn this around, and they have bought into the culture the staff and I have created.

“You know most coaches have their own team culture and slogan that they try to build, and we have done a good job of creating a simple slogan that gets us in the right mindset each week. Our is simple, it is: T.R.U.S.T. The kids have to trust us, we have to trust the kids. and everyone on the staff has to trust each other, and we live by it.

“It stands for:

• Teachable - We all need to be teachable. Every one of us has things that we need to develop.
• Relentless - We want our guys to play with a certain toughness and work ethic each time we touch the field.
• Uncommon - We believe that the people that are uncommon are the ones who take care of the details and never get tired of the mundane. 
• Selfless - We all need to be for the team. ‘Whatever helps us be successful’ needs to be our mindset. We need to put our ego to the side each day.
• Thankful - We feel that every day we need to be thankful that God has put us in whatever moment we are in and not rush life or look past things but be thankful that you are here every day and get to play this great sport.”

3. Your running back, Quinton Slaughter, had more than 500 yards rushing in his first two games in wins over St. Francis and Whitefield Academy. What does he bring to the table, and what has made him successful so far? “Quinton had another great game with 100 rushing yards and five total touchdowns [in a 51-13 victory over Riverside Military last week]. His vision and one-cut abilities have been unbelievable this year. The success he has had in the running game comes from the offensive line doing a great job getting movement and then him being consistent in making the first tackler miss.”

4. Who have been some of the most influential coaching mentors you've had, and what did you learn from them? “I have had many mentors throughout my career, and I have learned a great deal from them all. Going down the list first was Jerry Rhome, a former NFL coach and player who taught me the value of keeping things simple and focusing on fundamentals. Shannon Jarvis, my high school head coach at Mill Creek, taught me the value of understanding the process and what it takes to win games week to week. Bobby Lamb, my college head coach at Mercer, taught me how to get your players the ball in space and thinking about getting the right player the ball in crucial moments of the game rather than a certain scheme. When I was offensive coordinator under Jeff Saturday at Hebron, he taught me a great deal on o-line play and how to manage a team with a holistic approach. Under Drew Cronic at Mercer, I learned how to build a culture week to week and keep the team accountable and that no one is above the team culture. I could name my influential mentors all day. I've been blessed to work alongside so many incredible coaches that invested in me professionally and personally.”

Official statistician and digital media partner. Provides region standings and statistics in softball, football, basketball and baseball. MaxPreps offers coaches a free stat management and communication platform to efficiently submit schedules, scores, rosters and statistics. MaxPreps - America's Source for High School Sports. For assistance, contact MaxPreps’ Georgia state representative, Ryan Casey, via email at [email protected].

Today’s featured inductee is former West Fulton, Georgia Tech and Buffalo Bills linebacker Lucius Sanford. Sanford will be inducted into the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame on Oct. 21 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

Lucius Sanford

West Fulton High School Graduate

Lucius Sanford was a letterman in football, track and basketball at Atlanta’s West Fulton High. He was a four-year football starter and a 1973 first-team all-state pick. He led West Fulton to an 8-2-2 finish as a senior and the school’s first region championship. He was named to the AJC’s 20-year post-integration (1966-86) Georgia high school team in 1987. At Georgia Tech, Sanford was a four-year starter (1975-1978). He recorded 14 tackles in his debut against No. 2-ranked Notre Dame. Sanford’s 124 tackles that season set a school freshman record that still stands. He finished as Tech’s career tackles leader (433). Sanford was a three-time All-South Independent selection and first-team AFCA and Sporting News All-American in 1977. The Buffalo Bills selected him in the fourth round of the 1978 NFL Draft. He played 10 years in the league, nine with the Bills. Sanford was inducted into the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. He joined the Georgia Tech Athletic Association staff in 1998 as director of student life after a nine-year career in the financial industry. Sanford is currently the executive director of Georgia Tech’s Letterwinner Association.

White, Manley tie for prize in Week 4

Mike White of Ellenwood and Raymond Betts of St. Mary’s won GHSF Daily’s Predict the Winner contest in the first tie in contest history. They will receive apparel gifts from Shuma Sports. White and Manley were among four out of 1,051 contestants who predicted all 10 games correctly. They advanced past fellow perfect pickers Larry Grizzle of Loganville and James Cooksey of Lilburn on the first tiebreaker. On the final tiebreaker, which was to select the closest game among the 10, each picked a game that had a seven-point margin. They were 10-0 on their predictions by selecting the three upsets – East Coweta (chosen by 30.2%) over Sandy Creek, Benedictine (42.9%) over Ware County and Milton (45.9%) over Roswell.

Play Week 5

GHSF Daily will select 10 games each week for the Predict the Winner contest, presented by Shuma Sports. Predictions must be submitted by 5 p.m. each Friday. Limit one entry per email address. Contest winners will be announced on Mondays at the start of each new contest and will receive an apparel prize from Shuma Sports. Click here to play.

100 Greatest GHSA Finals

No. 65: Dalton 14, Carver (Atlanta) 12 (1967 Class 2A)

Two nothings

Jeff Davis defeated Metter 2-0 last week. It was the 66th 2-0 game in GHSA history, according to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, but first since 2005. The most memorable 2-0 score was probably LaGrange’s 2003 victory in the Class 3A quarterfinals. LaGrange’s Wesley Woodyard tackled a Swainsboro ball carrier in the end zone in the second quarter. LaGrange would go on to win a state title, and Woodyard would go on to play 12 NFL seasons with the Broncos and Titans.

2023 - Jeff Davis d. Metter

2005 - Douglass d. Washington

2004 - Hardaway d. Upson-Lee

2003 - LaGrange d. Swainsboro

2001 - Gordon Lee d. Dade Co.

1994 - Southeast (Macon) d. Butler

1993 - Greenville d. Harris Co.

1993 - Savannah d. Bradwell Institute

1991 - Douglas Co. d. Lithia Springs

1990 - Beach d. Johnson (Sav.)

1990 - Lowndes d. Northeast

1986 - Social Circle d. Monticello

1986 - SE Whitfield d. Rossville

1985 - Parkview d. Norcross

1982 - Northside (Atlanta) d. Smith

1982 - Rockmart d. Coosa

1982 - Colquitt Co. d. Dougherty

1981 - Heard Co. d. Pacelli

1981 - Shamrock d. Harper

1981 - Palmetto d. Briarwood

1980 - Johnson (Sav.) d. Jenkins

1980 - Morrow d. Newnan

1980 - Columbia d. Gordon

1979 - Bremen d. Armuchee

1979 - Gordon d. Decatur

1979 - Unadilla d. Wilcox Co.

1979 - Duluth d. Norcross

1979 - Chamblee d. Columbia

1977 - Hawkinsville d. Bleckley Co.

1976 - Mount de Sales d. GMC Prep

1976 - Early Co. d. Monticello, Fla.

1976 - Pebblebrook d. McEachern

1975 - Dodge Co. d. Jones Co.

1975 - SW DeKalb d. Shamrock

1975 - Upson d. Pike Co.

1974 - Fulton d. Therrell

1973 - Harris Co. d. Beauregard, Ala.

1973 - Screven Co. d. Baldwin

1972 - Windsor Forest d. Johnson (Savannah)

1972 – Murphy, N.C. d. West Fannin

1971 - Washington-Wilkes d. Lincoln Co.

1970 - O'Keefe d. Sylvan

1970 - Evans d. Effingham Co.

1970 - Carver (Columbus) d. Northside (Warner Robins)

1970 - Berkmar d. Milton

1968 - Jenkins Co. d. ECI

1968 - Johnson (Sav.) d. Beach

1967 - Adairsville d. Eastbrook

1967 - Milton d. Briarwood

1967 - Camden Co. d. Charlton Co.

1966 - Wilkinson Co. d. Montgomery Co.

1964 - Toccoa d. White Co.

1964 - Cedartown d. Newnan

1962 - South Cobb d. Russell

1962 - Bass d. Lovett

1962 - N. Clayton d. Forest Park

1960 - Baldwin d. Elbert Co.

1959 - Murphy d. SW DeKalb

1957 - Thomasville d. Cairo

1957 - Grady d. Roosevelt

1957 - Westminster d. College Park

1955 - Cuthbert d. Calhoun (Morgan)

1953 - Savannah d. Benedictine

1952 - ECI d. Reidsville

1951 - Brown d. Roosevelt

1948 - Soperton d. Lyons

What Georgia rivalry game that is being renewed this season has been played the most times? (Answer Tuesday)

Answer to Friday’s question: Jake Garcia is the former Valdosta quarterback who led the Wildcats to a victory over Warner Robins in 2020, then transferred to Grayson, where he won a state title. The victory over Warner Robins was forfeited.

GHSF Daily's Chip Saye ranks the most surprising and notable games of the weekend:

1. McDonough 32, Mount Zion (Jonesboro) 7: McDonough and predecessor school Henry County have played football since 1951 but never started a season 3-0 until Friday night, when the Warhawks beat Mount Zion in the teams’ Region 5-4A opener. McDonough can match last season’s win total (4-6) and take a big step toward its first playoff berth since 2018 with a victory against Lovett this week.

2. Morgan County 26, Hebron Christian 14: Morgan County, a 10-point underdog, became the 49th team in Georgia to reach 500 all-time victories, according the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. The Bulldogs join a group that includes Roswell and Northside-Warner Robins, who hit the mark earlier this year. Morgan County is 3-1 this season.

3. Sumter County 24, Crisp County 15: Sumter County pulled off the biggest upset of the weekend, according to the computer Maxwell Ratings, and picked up its first win of the season when it beat 31-point favorite Crisp County. Sumter County opened the season with losses to Houston (56-12) and Westover (30-18). Crisp County won 19-0 last year.

4. St. Augustine, Fla. 45, Brunswick 35: Brunswick’s 23-game winning streak in regular-season games ended Saturday in the finale of the Georgia vs. Florida Border Classic. Georgia teams went 4-3 for the second consecutive season in the three-day event, this time getting victories from Glynn Academy, Coffee, McIntosh County Academy and Richmond Hill.

5. Laney 44, First Presbyterian 44: For the third time this season, a game involving a GHSA team ended in a tie. This time it was Laney against GIAA opponent First Presbyterian, a two-point favorite. Laney took a 44-41 lead on a short run with 1:15 remaining but missed the extra point, and First Presbyterian kicked a 28-yard field goal with 5.3 seconds left.

Worth noting: Central (Talbotton) ended a 27-game losing streak with a 14-6 victory over 28-point favorite Twiggs County. It was the Hawks’ first victory since defeating Crawford County 56-50 on Nov. 8, 2019. Twiggs County won 48-0 last season. … Emanuel County Institute picked up its first win and handed Dublin its first loss with a 10-7 victory in a game in which Dubin was favored by 20 points. Dubin, which beat the Bulldogs 41-21 last year, fell out of the A Division I rankings with the loss. … Providence Christian took care of business as expected and beat Riverside Military 51-13 to reach 3-0 for the first time since playing its first varsity game in 2012. Another win this week against Athens Christian would match the school’s best season (4-6 in 2018). … Class 4A No. 8 Spalding is 4-0 for the first time since 2015 with a 41-27 victory over Dutchtown in a game that was considered a toss-up by Maxwell. Dutchtown won 21-14 last season. Spalding’s 2015 team went on to finish 10-2. … Woodstock ended a 25-game losing streak, the second-longest in school history, with a 20-10 victory over 14-point favorite Lassiter, which won 64-14 last year. It was the Wolverines’ first victory since Nov. 6, 2020, against Etowah (24-14).

GHSA

Thursday's games

Appling Co. 21, Wayne Co. 7

Clarkston 24, Cross Keys 0

Glenn Hills 12, Josey 8

Glynn Academy 27, Baker Co., Fla. 20

Hapeville Charter 46, Dougherty 0

KIPP Atlanta 34, Forest Park 0

Miller Grove 38, Campbell 18

Northside, Columbus 33, Shaw 7

Osborne 35, Lakeside, Atlanta 0

Therrell 27, Towers 0

Univ. Christian, Fla. 40, Charlton Co. 13

Windsor Forest 21, Islands 7

Worth Co. 49, Central, Macon 0

Friday's games

ACE Charter 54, Jordan 0

Alpharetta 38, Chattahoochee 24

Athens Acad. 59, Mt. Pisgah Christ. 13

B.E.S.T. Academy 24, Walker 15

Bacon Co. 35, Atkinson Co. 3

Bainbridge 46, Thomasville 28

Baldwin 20, Washington Co. 10

Banks Co. 34, Franklin Co. 16

Benedictine 31, Ware Co. 24

Blessed Trinity 16, St. Pius 14

Bowdon 40, Tattnall Square 13

Boyd Buchanan, Tenn. 35, N. Cobb Chr. 0

Brooks Co. 49, Mitchell Co. 14

Burke Co. 29, Evans 14

Butler 20, Savannah 0

Cairo 51, Godby, Fla. 20

Calhoun 35, Cedartown 21

Callaway 38, Heard Co. 6

Calvary Day 41, Charlotte Christ., N.C. 10

Camden Co. 51, New Hampstead 7

Carrollton 50, Villa Rica 0

Cartersville 31, Columbia 6

Cass 40, Adairsville 21

Cedar Grove 37, Collins Hill 26

Central Fellowship 31, Crawford Co. 29

Central, Carrollton 40, McIntosh 21

Central, Talbotton 14, Twiggs Co. 6

Chapel Hill 21, South Cobb 0

Chattooga 17, Coahulla Creek 14

Claxton 35, Groves 6

Clinch Co. 35, Cook 27

Coffee 17, Bolles, Fla. 9

Colquitt Co. 37, Lee Co. 20

Creekview 24, North Forsyth 21

Dacula 36, Tucker 22

Dalton 21, Rockmart 14

Daniel, S.C. 52, Hart Co. 21

Douglass 68, Stone Mountain 0

Drew 33, Riverdale 0

Duluth 27, Chamblee 12

Eagle’s Landing 34, Discovery 0

East Coweta 31, Sandy Creek 14

East Hall 14, Chestatee 10

East Laurens 24, Richmond Academy 17

East Paulding 44, Paulding Co. 7

Eastside 31, Alcovy 0

Emanuel Co. Institute 10, Dublin 7

Etowah 51, Centennial 21

Fellowship Christian 56, St. Francis 6

Gainesville 24, Clarke Central 7

Gilmer 31, Ringgold 7

Grayson 21, Spartanburg, S.C. 19

Greater Atlanta Christian 31, Decatur 17

Greene Co. 41, Wilkinson Co. 6

Habersham Central 17, Cent. Gwinnett 10

Hampton 17, Woodland, Stockbridge 6

Harris Co. 27, Howard 19

Harrison 21, Denmark 13

Hawkinsville 41, Marion Co. 40

Hephzibah 26, Tattnall Co. 13

Heritage, Ringgold 28, Ridgeland 7

Hillgrove 24, Allatoona 7

Holy Innocents’ 37, Washington 12

Houston Co. 56, Locust Grove 12

Irwin Co. 48, Turner Co. 36

Jackson 38, Union Grove 20

Jackson, Atlanta 42, Lithonia 0

Jeff Davis 2, Metter 0

Jefferson 44, Oconee Co. 7

Jenkins Co. 39, Cross Creek 14

Johns Creek 20, Midtown 7

Johnson, Savannah 18, Brantley Co. 12

Jones Co. 48, Peach Co. 21

Kell 40, Sprayberry 7

LaGrange 42, Upson-Lee 7

Lakeside, Evans 14, Greenbrier 10

Lamar Co. 17, Manchester 14

Laney 44, First Presbyterian 44

Lanier Co. 24, Berrien 7

Loganville 49, Apalachee 31

Lovejoy 26, South Atlanta 8

Lovett 27, Pace Academy 14

Lowndes 23, Rock Creek Christ., Md. 12

Lumpkin Co. 35, Temple 0

M.L. King 19, North Springs 6

Madison Co. 27, Cherokee Bluff 26

Madison Co., Fla. 30, Fitzgerald 16

Marist 17, Woodward Academy 10

Mary Persons 35, Haralson Co. 14

McDonough 32, Mt. Zion, Jonesboro 7

Midland Valley, S.C. 42, Harlem 35

Milton 34, Roswell 14

Monroe 37, Westover 12

Morgan Co. 26, Hebron Christian 14

Mountain View 56, Jackson Co. 14

Mt. Zion, Carroll 42, Heritage, Newnan 14

Newnan 21, Hardaway 0

Norcross 25, Archer 21

North Atlanta 52, River Ridge 18

North Clayton 34, Chattahoochee Co. 13

North Cobb 32, Marietta 22

North Hall 28, Walnut Grove 6

North Paulding 35, South Paulding 7

Northeast 25, Carver, Columbus 18

Northgate 34, Griffin 3

Northwest Whitfield 38, North Murray 35

Oglethorpe Co. 20, Lake Oconee Acad. 7

Parkview 35, North Gwinnett 32

Peachtree Ridge 46, Winder-Barrow 0

Perry 49, Veterans 41

Pierce Co. 49, Liberty Co. 6

Prince Avenue Christ. 45, Monroe Area 17

Providence Christian 51, Riverside Mil. 13

Putnam Co. 24, Jasper Co. 17

Randolph-Clay 14, Pike Co. 0

Rome 48, Pebblebrook 7

Schley Co. 48, Bleckley Co. 42

Screven Co. 22, Portal 21

Sequoyah 14, Cherokee 13

Shiloh 30, Seckinger 24

Social Circle 42, Loganville Christian 6

Sonoraville 41, LaFayette 21

South Effingham 52, Bradwell Institute 36

Southeast Bulloch 20, Effingham Co. 13

Spalding 41, Dutchtown 27

Stephens Co. 35, Dawson Co. 0

Stephenson 29, Carver, Atlanta 14

Stockbridge 44, Luella 8

Strong Rock Christ. 62, Athens Christ. 0

Sumter Co. 24, Crisp Co. 15

Swainsboro 11, Dodge Co. 7

Telfair Co. 28, Miller Co. 14

Terrell Co. at Early Co., ppd.

Toombs Co. 44, Jefferson Co. 0

Trion 64, Gordon Central 6

Union Co. 50, Armuchee 3

Valdosta 45, Warner Robins 12

Walton 67, Pope 7

Washington-Wilkes 47, GMC Prep 14

Wesleyan 34, Whitefield Academy 15

West Forsyth 42, Cambridge 17

West Laurens 24, Vidalia 21

Westlake 57, Southwest DeKalb 7

Westside, Macon 49, Rutland 32

Wheeler Co. 40, Montgomery Co. 14

Wilcox Co. 43, Pelham 21

Woodland, Cartersville 35, Pepperell 28

Woodstock 20, Lassiter 10

Saturday's games

Arabia Mountain 41, Meadowcreek 14

Dunwoody 36, Druid Hills 7

Hiram 48, Morrow 0

McIntosh Co. Acad. 18, W. Nassau, Fla. 0

Newton 13, McEachern 7, suspended

Richmond Hill 49, Creekside, Fla. 31

St. Augustine, Fla. 45, Brunswick 35

GIAA/GAPPS

Thursday’s game

Bluffton, S.C. 44, Frederica Academy 13

Friday’s games

Augusta Prep 16, Piedmont Academy 14

Bethlehem Christ. 42, Augusta Christ. 9

Bowdon 40, Tattnall Square 13

Brentwood 34, Thomas Jefferson 16

Bulloch Acad. 50, Trinity Christ., Dublin 7

Central Fellowship 31, Crawford Co. 29

Flint River Academy 42, Calvary Christ. 0

Gatewood 20, Southland Academy 13

John Milledge 34, George Walton 7

Lakeview Acad. 52, Creekside Christ. 0

Laney 44, First Presbyterian 44

Lanier Christian 56, Rock Springs 13

Memorial Day 28, John Paul II, S.C. 14

Mt. Zion, Carroll 42, Heritage, Newnan 14

Pinecrest Acad. 48, Harvester Christ. 28

Providence Christian 51, Riverside Mil. 13

Robert Toombs 27, Brentwood Academy 6

Skipstone Academy 27, King’s Acad. 11

Social Circle 42, Loganville Christian 6

SW Georgia 42, Deerfield-Windsor 27

St. Andrew’s 44, Hilton Head Prep, S.C. 0

St. Anne-Pacelli 48, Mount de Sales 7

Stratford Acad. 45, Brookwood School 26

Strong Rock Christ. 62, Athens Christ. 0

Valwood 54, Georgia Christian 0

Westfield 37, Tiftarea Academy 35