Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023

Scores & Schedules

Rankings

TV Listings

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Baldwin at Spalding

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium, Griffin

Records, rankings: Baldwin is 3-1 overall, 0-0 in Region 2-4A and No. 10; Spalding is 4-0, 0-0 and No. 8.

Last meeting: Spalding won 40-14 in 2022.

Things to know: These are two of the three top-10 teams from Region 2-4A. The other is No. 4 Perry, the defending champion. Baldwin and Spalding have played three times in history, all in the past three seasons, with Spalding winning two. They also faced each other as top-10 teams in 2021, when Spalding prevailed 27-14. Baldwin has lost only to No. 1 Ware County of Class 5A while avenging 2022 losses to Peach County and Putnam County. Baldwin is simple but effective on offense. The Braves are only 9-of-26 passing rely on Micah Welch (419 yards rushing) and Sadur Salahuddin (388 yards). Welch, a preseason all-state pick, is committed to Colorado. Spalding also has avenged two 2022 losses (Mary Persons, Dutchtown) and is 4-0 for the first time since 2015. QB Curt Clark is 32-of-51 passing for 504 yards and seven touchdowns and has rushed for 389 yards and four touchdowns. Spalding’s most heavily recruited player is CB Ronald Moore Jr. (Liberty).

 

Calvary Day at Savannah Christian

 

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Pooler Stadium, Pooler

Records, rankings: Calvary Day is 4-0 overall, 1-0 in Region 3-3A and No. 2; Savannah Christian is 3-1, 1-0 and No. 5.

Last meeting: Calvary Day won 34-28 in 2022.

Watch the game: On television on WSAV-CW (Savannah).

Things to know: Savannah Christian leads 26-18 in a series that started in 1979. This is the fourth time since the two joined the GHSA in 1988 that both have been ranked during their game and the first when both were in the top five. In the 2022 game, Calvary Day’s Jake Merklinger threw a 25-yard TD pass to TE Michael Smith for a 34-21 lead in the fourth quarter, and Calvary Day ran out the final 3:11 after Savannah Christian got within 34-28. Merklinger was 5-of-10 passing for 84 yards. He and Smith are back. Merklinger, who is committed to Tennessee, has thrown for 858 yards and 12 touchdowns, five to Smith, without an interception this season. Smith is committed to South Carolina. Savannah Christian’s lone defeat was against Marist, a top-10 Class 6A school, 21-7. Zo Smalls has rushed for 424 yards and eight touchdowns. DL Elijah Griffin, the consensus No. 1 junior recruit nationally, has 4.5 sacks. Freshman Ladamion Guyton has 9.5 tackles for losses.

 

Cedar Grove at Colquitt County

 

When, where: 7 p.m. Friday, Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium, Moultrie

Records, rankings: Cedar Grove is 2-3 and No. 1 in Class 3A; Colquitt County is 4-0 and No. 2 in 7A.

Last meeting: Colquitt County won 39-17 in 2022.

Watch the game: On television on ESPNU and online at NFHS Network.

Things to know: Cedar Grove has maintained its No. 1 ranking despite losses to Mill Creek, Westlake and Florida’s Monarch, all much bigger schools. The 42.2 points allowed per game is concerning, but the Saints are scoring points (37.8) with the best of them despite what the computer Maxwell Ratings rank as the state’s fourth-best schedule in any class. Elliott Colson (committed to Central Florida) has passed for 981 yards and 15 touchdowns this season and went over 4,000 (4,316) and 50 (52) for his career last week. He passed for 273 yards against Colquitt County last season. Colquitt County’s current average of 43.0 points per game doesn’t figure to help the Saints’ defensive fortunes. Neko Fann has thrown for 937 yards and 14 touchdowns. Ny Carr (Georgia) has 30 receptions for 489 yards and nine touchdowns.

 

Douglas County at Hughes

 

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Panther Stadium, Fairburn

Records, rankings: Douglas County is 4-0 overall, 1-0 in Region 5-6A and No. 10; Hughes is 3-1, 1-0 and No. 2.

Last meeting: Hughes won 48-3 in 2022.

Things to know: These are the only top-10 teams from Region 5-6A. Hughes’ blowout victory in 2022 ended a three-game losing streak (2017-19) to Douglas County. Hughes led in total yards 540-69. That Hughes team went on to win Class 6A and set the state scoring record. This Hughes team has settled more into its running game (261.8 yards rushing to 155.5 passing) despite the talents of QB Air Noland, who is committed to Ohio State. He’s 43-of-73 passing for 617 yards and seven touchdowns. Top rushers are Dorian Page (447 yards) and Justus Savage (371 yards). Top defenders have been DB Jakob Bude (Central Florida) and DL Ameir Glenn (Wake Forest). Douglas County has a three-year starting quarterback, Sire Hardaway, who is 76-of-99 passing for 1,056 yards and nine touchdowns. Junior WR/DB James Johnson has 719 all-purpose yards and is third on the team in tackles with 25. WR Aaron Gregory (18 receptions, 293 yards) and DE Jordan “Breeze” Carter are top-100 national recruits among sophomores.

Houston County at Warner Robins

 

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, McConnell-Talbert Stadium, Warner Robins

Records, rankings: Houston County is 4-0 and No. 4 in Class 6A; Warner Robins is 2-2 and No. 6 in 5A.

Last meeting: Houston County won 28-8 in 2022.

Things to know: Houston County ended a five-game losing streak to Warner Robins with its 2022 victory and ended Warner Robins’ streak of 75 weeks in the top 10. Warner Robins bounced back from that 1-4 start to reach the Class 5A championship game. Also in that 2022 game, Houston County’s Antwann Hill was 27-of-38 passing for 317 yards. Kale Woodburn had five receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown. Ricky Johnson had eight catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. All are back. Hill, a top-100 national prospect among juniors, has thrown for 989 yards and 15 touchdowns without an interception. Houston County is averaging 52.3 points per game. Warner Robins’ losses are to Lee County and Valdosta, both ranked in higher classes. Judd Anderson (Miami) is 52-of-88 passing for 535 yards and six touchdowns in three games. WR Isiah Canion (Georgia Tech) has 29 receptions for 408 yards and seven touchdowns, at least one in each game.

 

Lowndes at Grayson

 

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Grayson Community Stadium, Loganville

Records, rankings: Lowndes is 3-1 and unranked in Class 7A Grayson is 3-1 and No. 10 in 7A.

Last meeting: Lowndes won 24-14 in 2022.

Watch the game: On television on GPB.

Things to know: Lowndes’ first-year coach, Adam Carter, was Grayson’s coach the previous four seasons and won three region titles and the 2020 Class 7A championship. Grayson’s new coach, Santavious Bryant, was there the first three seasons and spent last season on Gainesville’s staff. Lowndes lost its first game this season last week to East Coweta 42-30. Marvis Parrish passed for 205 yards and three touchdowns. Jaylin Carter had seven receptions for 119 yards. Jacarre’ Fleming had 132 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 13 touches. But Lowndes was torched for 319 passing yards and four touchdowns on just 10 completed passes. Fleming also had a big game last season against Grayson. He was 8-of-9 passing for 131 yards and scored three of his team’s touchdowns as Lowndes jumped to a 21-0 lead in the first half. Grayson was ranked No. 2 at the time. Lowndes was unranked. Grayson is getting more than 60% of its yards passing as Jeff Davis has thrown for 947 yards and 13 touchdowns. He passed for 307 yards against Lowndes last season. Grayson’s loss this season came to Walton 49-27 in the opener.

 

Macon County at Schley County

 

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Wildcat Stadium, Ellaville

Records, rankings: Macon County is 4-0 overall, 1-0 in Region 6-A Division II and No. 2; Schley County is 4-0, 1-0 and No. 1.

Last meeting: Schley County won 28-7 in 2022.

Watch the game: Online at NFHS Network.

Things to know: This is the 44th game in GHSA history between No. 1 and No. 2 teams from the same classification in the regular season. The No. 1 team is 22-20-1. Schley County, the 2022 Class A Division I runner-up, opened the season at No. 2. The Wildcats have beaten two top-10 teams (Early County, Bleckley County). Macon County was unranked in preseason but catapulted after beating No. 4 Clinch County last month. Macon County is predominantly a running team (208.8 rushing yards per game, 119.3 passing) that spreads the ball around. The Bulldogs have four 100-yard rushers and four 75-yard-plus receivers. They have seven players with multiple touchdowns. Sophomore Tyler Stephens (197 rushing, 79 receiving) and Tyler Felder (186, 86) lead in yards from scrimmage. Schley is led by veterans Jay Kanazawa (794 yards passing, 13 touchdowns) and Jalewis Solomon (360 yards receiving). Solomon is committed to Auburn. These are just two of the region’s highly ranked teams. The other is Manchester, ranked No. 4.

Mill Creek at Parkview

 

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Big Orange Jungle, Lilburn

Records, rankings: Mill Creek is 4-0 and No. 3 in Class 7A; Parkview is 4-0 and No. 6 in 7A.

Last meeting: Mill Creek won 40-17 in 2022.

Watch the game: Online at NFHS Network.

Things to know: These schools are on opposite corners of Gwinnett County and didn’t play each other until 2021, when Mill Creek beat Parkview in the Corky Kell Classic. In the 2022 game, Mill Creek trailed 14-3 after allowing a 99-yard TD pass but scored the next four touchdowns. Cam Robinson rushed for 188 yards. Robinson is now a senior. He’s rushed for more than 200 yards in four of his past six games dating to last season, all against playoff or top-10 competition. Mill Creek has four defensive players with major Division I offers, though the leading tackler is LB Josh Anglin, who is committed to North Alabama. Parkview, under first-year coach Joe Sturdivant, has become more of a running team, averaging 204.0 yards rushing and 113.0 passing. Trelain Maddox, who is committed to Georgia Tech, rushed for 220 yards and three touchdowns two weeks ago against North Gwinnett. Parkview’s best all-around player is WR/DB Mike Matthews, who rarely leaves the field. He’s a top-25 national recruit committed to Tennessee.

 

North Cobb at Milton

 

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Eagles Nest, Milton

Records, rankings: North Cobb is 2-2 and unranked in Class 7A; Milton is 3-1 and No. 8 in 7A.

Last meeting: North Cobb won 21-7 in 2022.

Watch the game: Online at NFHS Network.

Things to know: North Cobb has beaten Milton decisively the past two seasons, each time with Milton entering as the favorite. Milton was ranked No. 1 when North Cobb prevailed 40-21 in 2021. In the 2022 game, North Cobb outrushed Milton 397-16. Ben Hall, now at Michigan, rushed for 174. QB Nick Grimstead, who is back, ran for 113 and scored on a 71-yard run. Grimstead has passed for 566 yards and rushed for 277 this season. David Eziomume (committed to Clemson) has rushed for 607 and eight touchdowns. MLB Grayson Hodges (Air Force) is a preseason all-state pick who had 17 tackles and four tackles for losses in a 35-17 victory over Northside of Warner Robins last week. Milton’s loss this season came to Western, a Florida team. The Eagles get two-thirds of their offensive yards passing. Luke Nickel (committed Miami) is 62-of-101 passing for 877 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception.

 

Ware County at Bainbridge

 

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Centennial Field, Bainbridge

Records, rankings: Ware County is 3-1 and No. 1 in Class 5A; Bainbridge is 2-2 and No. 5 in 4A.

Last meeting: Ware County won 22-16 in 2022.

Watch the game: Online at NFHS Network.

Things to know: In the 2022 game, Ware County overcame a 16-0 first-half deficit and scored the game’s final three touchdowns, the last after Bainbridge muffed a punt. Ware’s Dae’jeaun Dennis rushed for 85 yards on 12 carries and scored on a 62-yard pass. He’s back this season. He and R.J. Boyd have combined for 500 yards and five touchdowns this season after going for more than 2,000 during Ware’s 2022 Class 5A championship campaign. Bainbridge’s offensive weapons are Keenan Phillips (631 yards rushing, eight touchdowns) and Antavious Murphy (five TD receptions). Both have multiple Division I offers. Ware County’s loss came against No. 1 Benedictine of Class 4A 31-24 two weeks ago. Bainbridge has lost to Coffee and Thomas County Central, both ranked in higher classes. This will be Bainbridge’s fifth straight ranked (at-the-time) opponent, and another, Brooks County, is on deck next week.

Cross Creek, Savannah forced to forfeit

In a rare move, the Georgia High School Association has forced two football teams to forfeit their games this week because of a fight among their players last Friday.

 

Cross Creek, an Augusta school, beat Savannah 28-0 in the Friday game that was called in the third quarter. It was played in Savannah.

 

Chatham-Savannah Schools acknowledged that one Savannah player was taken to a local hospital. Savannah head coach Bud Tolliver told a local newspaper that one of his assistant coaches was hospitalized overnight for a head injury caused by a Cross Creek player swinging his helmet.

 

Cross Creek was scheduled to play at Hart County this week while Savannah was slated to play a GIAA school, Bulloch Academy.

 

“The game was called in the third quarter, and there was a multi-player fight, and except for about three kids, everybody entered the field, which is cause for ejection,” GHSA executive director Robin Hines said. “If we’d gone player by player [enforcing the mandatory one-game future sit-out penalty for all those ejected], there wouldn’t be enough players to play for either team.”

 

But Hines made it clear that the forfeits aren’t the result of a player shortage. It was a GHSA sanction that is unusual if not unprecedented for two teams.

 

“There’s no place in high school athletics for what happened Friday,” Hines said.

 

Hines did not rule out that coaches might face further sanctions or suspensions. The schools were fined an unspecified amount, Hines said. Fines up to $1,000 can be assessed for multi-player fights or for athletes entering a field of play during fights.

 

Also unusual is that the GHSA is allowing Hart County to play another game, against Bulloch Academy, to salvage Hart’s homecoming. But the Hart-Bulloch game won’t count in GHSA records, making it essentially an in-season exhibition, though the GHSA isn’t calling it that.

 

“It’s a precedent for this state, but it has occurred in other states,” said GHSA associate director Jay Russell, who coordinates football. “We sought council and thought it made sense in this case.”

 

Bulloch Academy is a Georgia Independent Athletic Association team and not subject to GHSA rules.

 

Savannah’s record is now 0-6. Cross Creek’s is 2-2. They are not in the same region, so it will have no effect on the playoffs except that some regions use out-of-region results in standings tiebreakers.

 

Callaway forfeits victory over Cedartown

The GHSA has overturned Callaway’s opening 27-10 victory over Cedartown on Aug. 25 and made it a forfeit, Callaway principal Jason Graham announced on the school's Facebook page Wednesday.


Graham said the GHSA had notified Callaway of four ineligible players. Ineligible players typically are those do not meet the GHSA's academic or transfer requirements.


Callaway’s record is now 1-2. Cedartown is 2-2.

Today’s featured inductee is former McEachern, Georgia and Indianapolis Colts star Adam Meadows. Meadows will be inducted into the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame on Oct. 21 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

 

Adam Meadows

McEachern High School Graduate

Adam Meadows was a four-year starter at McEachern and led the Indians to three region championships, one state semifinal appearance and a 42-8 record in Georgia’s highest classification. He made first-team all-state as a senior tight end in 1991. In his junior season, he had 16 receptions for 378 yards and seven touchdowns but was primarily used as a blocker in a powerful wing-T offense at 6 feet, 5 inches and 290 pounds. He was an AJC preseason Super 11 pick and the state’s No. 4 recruit. Meadows signed with Georgia and became a four-year starting tackle with the Bulldogs after a redshirt season. Meadows was named All-SEC first team in 1996. The Indianapolis Colts selected Meadows with the No. 48 overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft. Meadows played eight NFL seasons, mostly with the Colts, starting 99 games. He was starter on offensive lines that won two division titles and produced 1,000-yard rushers Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James. He was the first former McEachern player to appear in the NFL. Meadows has worked in business after football and served as a volunteer assistant high school coach.

On the Web

NFHS Network

Watch Georgia High School Football all season long on the NFHS Network. You can stream games from around the state every week live and on-demand. Catch the action from your smartphone, tablet, computer, or connected TV devices like Apple TV, FireTV, Roku, and Google TV. Subscribe today to keep up with your favorites teams. Find your game and subscribe today.


On TV

Friday

*Cedar Grove at Colquitt County, 7 p.m., ESPNU

*Aquinas at Greenbrier, 7:30 p.m., WJBF MeTV 6.2 (Augusta)

*Calvary Day at Savannah Christian, 7:30 p.m., WSAV-CW (Savannah)

*Chattanooga Christian, Tenn. at Boyd Buchanan, Tenn, 7:30 p.m., WFLI-TV (Chattanooga)

*Lowndes at Grayson, 7:30 p.m., GPB

*Lumpkin County at Pickens, 7:30 p.m., ETC TV 3 (Ellijay)

*Marietta at Buford, 8 p.m., WPCH Peachtree TV (Atlanta)

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. 57: Woodward Academy 14, Marist 10 (1980 Class 3A)

Points allowed

Here are the top 10 teams in points allowed per game, by classification:

 

Class 7A

5.2 - Newton

7.2 - Harrison

8.3 - Osborne

8.8 - Buford

9.8 - South Gwinnett

12.0 - Camden County

12.8 - Peachtree Ridge

13.2 - Carrollton

13.3 - Milton

13.4 - Valdosta

 

Class 6A

5.3 - Dunwoody

6.5 - Mundy's Mill

7.0 - Thomas County Central

11.2 - Lovejoy

12.0 - Rome

12.0 - Lakeside (Atlanta)

12.2 - North Atlanta

13.0 - Blessed Trinity

13.3 - Jonesboro

13.8 - Roswell

 

Class 5A

6.6 - Cartersville

8.8 - Ola

9.0 - Coffee

11.3 - Jefferson

13.0 - Chapel Hill

13.8 - Hiram

14.5 - Greater Atlanta Christian

14.8 - Arabia Mountain

15.5 - Dalton

16.0 - Northside (Columbus)

 

Class 4A

6.3 - Southeast Bulloch

6.8 - Troup

7.7 - North Oconee

8.3 - Howard

11.4 - Benedictine

12.0 - Holy Innocents’

12.3 - Burke County

13.3 - East Forsyth

13.5 - Wayne County

14.2 - Central (Carrollton)

 

Class 3A

7.8 - Calvary Day

8.8 - Savannah Christian

11.0 - Lumpkin County

12.4 - Stephens County

12.4 - Morgan County

12.5 - Hephzibah

13.0 - Bremen

13.5 - Savannah Country Day

13.5 - Carver (Columbus)

13.5 - Monroe

 

Class 2A

5.5 - Pierce County

7.0 - Toombs County

7.3 - Therrell

8.8 - Thomson

9.5 - Providence Christian

9.5 - East Jackson

9.5 - Brantley County

10.5 - Walker

11.5 - Appling County

12.0 - ACE Charter

 

Class A Division I

6.4 - Swainsboro

7.5 - Bryan County

8.0 - Trion

9.5 - Dublin

13.5 - Oglethorpe County

13.8 - Bacon County

13.8 - Prince Avenue Christian

15.3 - Mount Vernon

16.0 - King's Ridge Christian

17.8 - Jasper County

 

Class A Division II

4.3 - Lanier County

6.0 - McIntosh County Academy

9.0 - Telfair County

9.0 - Greene County

10.8 - Manchester

11.0 - Portal

12.8 - Lincoln County

12.8 - Taylor County

13.8 - Macon County

14.5 - Early County

 

GIAA

5.8 - Flint River Academy

6.4 - Bethlehem Christian

6.8 - Gatewood

7.0 - Edmund Burke Academy

7.3 - John Milledge Academy

8.3 - Memorial Day

8.5 - Bulloch Academy

11.0 - Strong Rock Christian

12.3 - Terrell Academy

12.8 - Piedmont Academy

North Carolina WR Nate McCollum is the ACC receiver of the week after catching 15 passes for 165 yards in a 31-13 victory over Minnesota. Which Henry County school did McCollum help lead to consecutive Class 5A quarterfinal finishes in 2018 and 2019?

 

Answer to Wednesday’s question: Charlie Greene was the head coach of Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame inductees Stan Rome of Valdosta, Charlie Ward of Thomas County Central and Pat Swilling of Stephens County.

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Here is this week’s schedule with projected margins of victory, courtesy of the Maxwell Ratings. The projected winner is on the left. The projected margin of victory is on the right. The Maxwell computer ratings take into account each team’s historical and current season performance. The projected margins additionally consider actual scoring patterns and so may not match the projected margins when using the ratings alone. Games involving out-of-state teams are not included because of lack of data on those opponents, but they are listed below.

Today’s games

Arabia Mountain vs. Locust Grove -28

Brookwood at South Forsyth -9

Denmark vs. Dacula -6

Drew vs. Stone Mountain -30

Harvester Christian vs. Cross Keys -31

Kendrick vs. Central, Macon -14

LaGrange vs. Whitewater -4

Northeast vs. Southwest -41

Northside, Columbus vs. Westover -2

 

Friday’s games

Adairsville at Ringgold -4

Alexander vs. New Manchester -21

Alpharetta vs. Pope -7

Aquinas at Greenbrier -14

Armuchee vs. Coosa -5

Athens Academy vs. Mount Vernon -6

Beach at Groves -15

Berrien vs. Worth Co. 0

Bethlehem Christian vs. King's Ridge -17

Bleckley Co. vs. Pelham -20

Blessed Trinity at Sprayberry -14

Bowdon vs. Temple -22

Bremen at Ridgeland -33

Briarwood at Trinity Christian, Dublin -21

Brookstone at Stratford Academy -1

Brunswick at Glynn Academy -28

Bryan Co. at Telfair Co. -7

Buford vs. Marietta -31

Burke Co. vs. Statesboro -30

Cairo vs. Salem -40

Callaway vs. Redan -36

Calvary Christian at Heritage, Newnan -7

Calvary Day vs. Savannah Christian -4

Cambridge at Chattahoochee -17

Carrollton at Hillgrove -33

Cass vs. M.L. King -27

Cedar Shoals at East Hall -15

Central Fellowship at Piedmont Acad. -24

Clinch Co. vs. Frederica Academy -25

Coahulla Creek vs. Lakeview-Ft. Ogle. -5

Coffee at Richmond Hill -13

Colquitt Co. vs. Cedar Grove -11

Columbia vs. McNair -27

Commerce vs. Banks Co. -15

Cook vs. Jeff Davis -7

Crawford Co. vs. Twiggs Co. -37

Creekside at Chapel Hill -31

Dalton vs. Cedartown -11

Darlington vs. Dade Co. -19

Dawson Co. at West Hall -22

Druid Hills at Southeast Whitfield -34

Duluth at Discovery -34

Dunwoody vs. Lakeside, Atlanta -27

ELCA vs. Landmark Christian -41

Early Co. vs. Mitchell Co. -28

East Coweta at Lambert -7

East Forsyth at Walnut Grove -11

East Jackson at Johnson, Gainesville -32

Edmund Burke at Thomas Jefferson -30

Elbert Co. vs. Jefferson Co. -22

Evans at Grovetown 0

Fannin Co. vs. Gordon Central -42

Fayette Co. vs. Riverdale -3

Fellowship Christian vs. Lovett -7

First Presbyterian at Mount Pisgah -13

Fitzgerald at Dodge Co. -13

Flowery Branch vs. Eastside -14

Forsyth Central vs. Seckinger -21

George Walton Academy at Brentwood 0

Glascock Co. at Augusta Prep -4

Grayson vs. Lowndes -10

Greater Atlanta Christ. vs. Northview -42

Harrison at Pebblebrook -15

Heard Co. vs. Clarkston -42

Houston Co. at Warner Robins -7

Hughes vs. Douglas Co. -16

Irwin Co. at Metter -7

Jackson, Atlanta vs. Lithia Springs -14

Jackson Co. vs. Apalachee -22

Jasper Co. vs. Mount Zion, Carroll -10

Jefferson vs. Clarke Central -18

Jenkins Co. at Claxton -38

John Milledge vs. Brookwood School -40

Johnson Co. at Emanuel Co. Institute -2

Jonesboro at Rockdale Co. -37

Kell vs. Centennial -35

Kennesaw Mountain vs. South Cobb -28

KIPP Atlanta vs. B.E.S.T. Academy -6

LaFayette vs. Gordon Lee -7

Lake Oconee Acad. at Loganville Chr. -34

Lamar Co. vs. Social Circle -26

Laney at Butler -35

Lanier vs. Habersham Central -16

Liberty Co. vs. Johnson, Savannah -2

Lincoln Co. vs. Richmond Academy -26

Loganville vs. Heritage, Conyers -10

Lumpkin Co. at Pickens -27

Manchester vs. Chattahoochee Co. -36

Marion Co. at Greenville -24

Mary Persons vs. Columbus -42

McIntosh Co. Acad. at Bradwell Institute -3

Mill Creek at Parkview -7

Milton vs. North Cobb -20

Model at Murray Co. -23

Mundy's Mill vs. Forest Park -40

Norcross vs. South Gwinnett -15

North Cobb Christian vs. Washington -14

North Forsyth at Shiloh -14

North Gwinnett vs. Berkmar -45

North Hall at Cherokee Bluff -19

North Murray at Haralson Co. -2

North Oconee vs. Chestatee -45

Northside, Warner Robins at Crisp Co. -12

Oglethorpe Co. vs. Riverside Military -45

Osborne at Woodland, Cartersville -17

Peach Co. vs. Hardaway -32

Peachtree Ridge vs. Meadowcreek -41

Pepperell vs. Chattooga -15

Perry vs. Howard -29

Pierce Co. at Brantley Co. -41

Pinecrest Academy vs. Lanier Christian -3

Pinewood Christ. vs. Mount de Sales -21

Portal at Wilkinson Co. -7

Putnam Co. at Josey -41

Rabun Co. at Whitefield Academy -27

Randolph-Clay at Baconton Charter -13

Robert Toombs vs. Georgia Christian -21

Rome at Allatoona -24

Roswell at Johns Creek -41

Rutland vs. Spencer -6

Sandy Creek vs. Jackson -42

Savannah Country Day vs. Long Co. -2

Schley Co. vs. Macon Co. -11

Screven Co. vs. Warren Co. -4

Seminole Co. at Atkinson Co. -21

Shaw vs. Jordan -35

Skipstone Academy vs. Walker -7

South Atlanta vs. Therrell -8

South Effingham vs. Effingham Co. -4

South Paulding at Newnan -7

Southeast Bulloch vs. Hephzibah -5

SW Georgia Acd. vs. Fullington Acd. -35

Spalding vs. Baldwin -12

St. Andrew's School at Memorial Day -10

St. Anne-Pacelli vs. Gatewood -22

Stephenson vs. Tucker -10

Strong Rock vs. Lakeview Academy -13

Taylor Co. vs. Central, Talbotton -34

Terrell Academy vs. Deerfield-Windsor -21

Thomson at Washington Co. -12

Toombs Co. at Tattnall Co. -28

Treutlen vs. Montgomery Co. -5

Trinity Christian vs. North Clayton -27

Troup vs. Starr's Mill -18

Turner Co. vs. Dooly Co. -6

Upson-Lee at Mount Zion, Jonesboro -36

Valdosta at McEachern -27

Veterans vs. Northgate -1

Vidalia at Windsor Forest -8

Villa Rica vs. Banneker -14

Ware Co. at Bainbridge -8

Washington-Wilkes vs. Hancock Cent. -11

Wayne Co. vs. Jenkins -9

Wesleyan vs. Gilmer -7

West Laurens vs. Griffin -20

Westlake vs. Collins Hill -22

Westminster vs. Riverwood -18

Westside, Augusta vs. Glenn Hills -30

Wheeler at Campbell -4

Wilcox Co. vs. Terrell Co. -23

Woodward Academy vs. Alcovy -35

 

Saturday’s games

Carver, Columbus vs. Hapeville Charter 0

Douglass vs. Lithonia -29

 

Other games

Atlantic Coast, Fla. at Camden Co.

Flint River at Lakeside School, Fla.

Gadsden Co., Fla. at Tift Co.

Godby, Fla. at Thomas Co. Central

Heritage, Ring. at Bradley Central, Tenn.

Prince Avenue at Pensacola Christ., Fla.

Sneads, Fla. at Miller Co.

Valwood at North Florida 

Join the GFCA today! The GACA/GFCA has new membership options for your school for the 2023-2024 school year. You can now join all coaches/all sports in your high school and middle school for one discounted price depending on your school’s classification: GISA, A, 2A and 3A for $1,000; 4A for $1,250; 5A for $1,500; 6A for $2,000; and 7A for $2,500. For more information call or text 770-578-6366 or email Craig Davis by clicking here.

Today’s interviewee is North Hall coach Sean Pender, whose team is 4-0, having avenged three 2022 losses. Pender took the North Hall job in 2022. He previously was head coach at Brunswick, Pierce County, Crisp County and Brantley County. He was Stetson Bennett’s high school coach.

 

Sean Pender, North Hall head coach

1. You've won three games that you lost last season, turning 1-3 into 4-0. What are the biggest differences from last year to this year? “The team believing in the cultural buy-in is a big reason. It is also year two with a new coaching style, different philosophies, and our student-athletes are beginning to understand the expectations we have of them and our program.”

 

2. What is the identity of the current team? “We are One Heart. One Beat. One Team. In The North … We E.A.T.! The acronym stands for Effort, Attitude and Toughness, a little something we picked up from the AFCA convention. We are building our identity by being people that will give relentless effort to accomplish our tasks. We want to do all things with the mindset of a champion. Our attitude is to remain positive, search for ways to be successful and figure out solutions. We are going to be physically tough, mentally tough and spiritually tough. You can see the weight room transforming our bodies for physical toughness, the meeting room and the classroom sharpening our minds, and our community pouring into us makes it hard to break our spirits. We are a team full of believers.”

 

3. You had a good job at Brunswick and before that at Pierce. What brought you to north Georgia and to North Hall? “Both Pierce and Brunswick were not good jobs, they were great places to be. Don’t forget about Brantley County. I know people might judge by winning percentage, but coaching at Brantley, my first head coaching job, helped me develop into the type of coach I aspire to be. I coached my entire life in south Georgia, and my wife, Dana, is from north Georgia. We would always come up to the north Georgia lakes to visit her parents and make trips into the Blue Ridge Mountains. When we visited, we always hated to leave. With our family situation being what it was, we felt it was time to start looking for job opportunities closer to my wife's side of the family. She made the move to the south for me, and in Brunswick we have a saying that WE Are All About The Family. So, we made a family decision to head to north Georgia. Why North Hall? Because it was a fit. I knew after several minutes of meeting with the leadership team that our beliefs on developing and mentoring our youth matched. The leadership team’s dedication to the importance of developing character, how they cared for students, and how they would allow me to lead the football program gave me a feeling that God has a plan that places me and my family in this community.”

 

4. What is different about how you've approached the North Hall job vs. other places (challenges that exist where you are that are different than other places), and what are some of the core beliefs you have that remain the same? “The challenges at North Hall are a lot different than ones I faced in Brunswick outside of football. Pierce County has a lot of similarities in the challenges outside of football. However, when it comes to coaching, all the players, no matter the cultural background, social economic status or race, love to be a part of something they can believe in. Every time I get in front of a group that I am about to lead, we talk about expectations, values and beliefs with conviction and genuine excitement. The results are typically the same. In Brantley we turned a losing program into a respectable one with ‘We Believe.’ In Pierce, we stayed with ‘We Believe’ and added ‘Championship Mindset’ and turned the Pierce County football team into a team that wins championships. In Brunswick, we went through tough situations outside of football. Our coaching staff and players were able to come together and help unite a hurting community by becoming a true family ourselves. So, we became ‘All About The Family.’ Still, a championship mindset was always the battle cry, and we started to win championships in The Wick. I brought that same ‘All About The Family’ motto to North Hall, but we needed to have our own identity. This year we re-branded our field house and bought into the saying ‘In The North…We E.A.T.’ We still talk about a championship mindset daily. We break down on ‘1 2 3 Team. 4 5 6 Family. Let's Go Trojans.’’ Eventually, our football team will be winning championships again at North Hall. Every place I have been since my days as a player at Valdosta State University, we have always told our players to ‘Play Hard, Have Fun and Expect to Win.’”

 

In recognition of the contribution the GHSA contest officials make to our member schools and student-athletes, the GHSA is starting a new program called “Officials Appreciation Week.” There will be a week in each GHSA sports season (fall, winter, spring) in which we request that schools hosting events during these designated weeks recognize the contest officials in some special manner (cookies, treats, thank you notes, etc.) to show your appreciation for their service.

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.

Stadium key: AV - Avondale; ED - Ed Defore; GO - Godfrey; HA - Henderson-Atlanta; IH - Islands High School; K - Kinnett; L - Lakewood; MH - Morrow High School; OS - Odis Spencer; P - Pooler; SV - Savannah High School

Character Education Workshop: The Mike Jones Story

Looking to improve the character and discipline on your team? Former professional and All-American basketball player Mike Jones is looking to save the lives and careers of our youth by sharing with them the mistakes he made off the court that sidetracked his career. The Mike Jones Story is relatable for ANY athlete in ANY sport. His story is powerful and may move some to tears. Contact Terry White at 706-442-1337 or via email by clicking here for bookings, or visit the website by clicking here.

 

Let The Steak House Restaurant serve your team’s next pre-game meal

The Steak House Restaurant in Hawkinsville specializes in high school football team pre-game meals. We have a private dining area for traveling parties of 140 guests. We serve high school football teams every week from all over the state traveling through central Georgia. We offer special rates for football teams. Let us cater your next pre-game meal. We are located at 341 Bypass, 9 Buchan Dr., Hawkinsville. Please contact Lewis Fowler at 487-892-3383 or via email by clicking here for reservations or to get more information.

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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.