Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020
football-player-victory.jpg
Nominations needed for The Leaderboard
GHSF Daily will publish its statewide yardage leaderboard on Friday. Please report eligible rushers (minimum 325 yards), passers (500 yards) and receivers (250 yards) by replying to this email or clicking here.
Cartersville
at Cherokee
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tommy Baker Field, Canton
Records, rankings: Cartersville is 4-0 and No. 3 in Class 5A; Cherokee is 4-0 and unranked in 7A.
Last meeting: Cartersville won 28-7 in 2019.
Things to know: Cartersville is 8-0 against teams from the highest class since a 27-26 loss to North Cobb on Sept. 5, 2014. That game also was the last regular-season loss for the Purple Hurricanes, who have since won a state-record 62 consecutive regular-season games. Cartersville averages 188.3 yards passing and 151.8 rushing. QB Stratton Tripp is 52-of-85 passing for 716 yards and seven touchdowns. His top receivers are Devonte Ross (16 catches, 300 yards, four touchdowns) and Sam Phillips (23-245-2). Quante Jennings Jr. leads the running game with 341 yards and eight TDs on 51 carries. All four players are seniors. Cherokee averages 197.3 yards passing and 136.0 rushing. The Warriors’ offense is led by the junior trio of QB A.J. Swann (789 yards passing), RB Keith Adams Jr. (487 yards rushing) and WR Adarrius Harshaw (273 yards receiving). “All three are some of the best I have had at their positions and will not pay a dime for college,” Cherokee coach Joshua Shaw said. Cherokee is seeking its first victory over a top-10 opponent since 2013.

Cedar Grove at Milton
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Eagles Nest, Milton
Records, rankings: Cedar Grove (13-2 in 2019) is 0-0 and No. 1 in Class 3A; Milton is 2-0 and No. 7 in 7A.
Last meeting: Milton won 28-22 in 1977.
Watch the game: On television on GPB and online at NFHS Network.
Things to know: Cedar Grove, playing its opener, returns a solid core from their 2019 championship team. Quarterback Austin Smith (committed to Eastern Michigan) is a three-year starter who threw for 1,523 yards last season. Rashad Dubinion and Langston White, both Division I recruits, are top running backs. Kendell Brown and Keon Watson return as starters on the offensive line. WR Janiran Bonner, the highest-rated recruit on offense, is out with a leg injury. Cedar Grove has allowed less than 12 points per game each of the past four seasons, three of which have ended with state titles, so good defense is a given. All-state DL Demarius Jackson had 24.5 tackles for losses last season. Milton has beaten Johns Creek (29-0) and Hapeville Charter (43-18). QB Devin Ferrell is 30-of-43 passing for 402 yards and has rushed for 109 yards. Jordan McDonald has rushed for 237 yards. Both are juniors with Division I offers. DE Lebbeus Overton, the nation’s No. 1 sophomore recruit according to 247Sports, has 5.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for losses and three forced fumbles.

ELCA at Pierce County
When, where: 7 p.m. Friday, Bearville Stadium, Blackshear
Records, rankings: Eagle’s Landing Christian is 2-2 and No. 1 in Class A Private; Pierce County is 3-0 and No. 6 in 3A.
Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.
Things to know: Pierce County has beaten Brunswick (31-10), Wayne County (14-0) and Claxton (42-0), allowing just one touchdown, which came in the final minute of a decided game. LB Spencer Woodcock has made 22 solo tackles, eight for losses. DE Seth Foster has 3.5 sacks. QB Jermaine Brewton, a four-year starter, is 28-of-37 passing for 429 yards and six touchdowns. D.J. Bell, an all-region wide receiver and linebacker as a freshman last season, is now in the backfield, and he has rushed for 342 yards. ELCA is playing its fourth top-10 opponent from a higher class after beating Woodward Academy (14-0) and losing to Blessed Trinity (38-14) and Crisp County (34-14). ELCA hasn’t lost three straight games since an 0-6 start in 2014, when the Chargers still made the state finals. The offense has been reliant on Josh Rogers, who has 587 rushing yards and scored 13 of its 14 touchdowns on the ground.

Fellowship at North Cobb Christian
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jacob Dennis Field, Kennesaw
Records, rankings: Fellowship Christian is 3-0 and No. 5 in Class A Private; North Cobb Christian is 4-0 and No. 6 in Class A Private.
Last meeting: Fellowship Christian won 14-0 in the second round of the 2019 Class A Private playoffs.
Watch the game: Online at NFHS Network.
Things to know: These two teams were in Region 6-A together from 2012 to 2019 but did not play each other in the regular season, as they were in opposite subregions, and North Cobb Christian did not begin playing a region schedule until 2016. Fellowship Christian won the only meeting in that stretch, last year’s playoff game, and leads the series 3-0. Now they’re in separate regions, and both are the highest-ranked teams in those regions. Both teams run the ball well. Fellowship RB Murphy Reeves was the Region 6-A South offensive player of the year last season after rushing for 1,554 yards and 17 touchdowns in 12 games. This year, he has run for 504 yards and six TDs in three blowout victories. The Paladins attempt 12 passes per game. North Cobb Christian runs the ball almost exclusively, averaging about 386 yards per game on the ground. Caleb Cannon in the leading rusher in Cobb County with 675 yards on 61 carries. Isaiah Williams and Trey Priester also carry a significant portion of the workload, with more than 500 yards between them.

Lambert at South Forsyth
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, War Eagle Stadium, Cumming
Records, rankings: Lambert is 4-0 overall, 0-0 in Region 6-7A; South Forsyth is 2-0, 0-0 and unranked.
Last meeting: South Forsyth won 42-17 in 2019.
Watch the game: Online at NFHS Network.
Things to know: Lambert is the 12th team in history to start a season 4-0 after finishing 0-10 the previous year and can become the seventh of those to start 5-0. This comes under new coach Tommy Watson, a former Upson-Lee head coach who spent the previous five seasons on Lowndes’ staff working as offensive line coach and run-game coordinator. Lambert wide receiver Kojo Antwi, a junior four-star recruit, is the team’s most widely known player. He had 140 yards receiving in a 34-19 victory over Lassiter on Sept. 11. Tight end Braden Banburowski has caught six passes in each of the past two games for 211 yards and three touchdowns. South Forsyth has put up big points in wins over Dawson County (63-49) and Central Gwinnett (52-27). Kyle Durham is 23-of-35 passing for 456 yards and six touchdowns. He also has rushed for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Tre’von Green has rushed for 166 yards. TE Devin McGlockton, a Georgia Power 100 player, has nine receptions for 165 yards and four touchdowns. South Forsyth has won the last three games in a series that is tied 5-5.

Oconee County at Thomasville
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Veterans Memorial Stadium, Thomasville
Records, rankings: Oconee County is 3-0 and No. 3 in Class 3A; Thomasville is 2-2 and No. 5 in 2A.
Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.
Watch the game: Online at NFHS Network.
Things to know: Oconee County, playing in Class 3A after finishing as the 2019 state runner-up in 4A, has allowed 14 total points in victories over higher-class teams North Oconee (27-7), Cedar Shoals (35-0) and Clarke Central (24-7). D.J. Jones rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns against Clarke Central two weeks ago. LB West Weeks had a team-leading six solo tackles and two tackles for losses in that game. Weeks was a preseason all-state selection on defense but also plays quarterback. WR Jake Johnson and OL Carsen Stocklinski also were preseason all-state picks. Thomasville has split its first four games against Class A Public No. 1 Brooks County and three solid 4A programs. Last week, the Bulldogs lost to 4A No. 7 Bainbridge 21-7. QB Ronnie Baker has passed for 620 yards and rushed for 106, second-best on the team behind sophomore Ricky Fulton’s 137. WR Ricardo Johnson, the leading receiver with 188 yards on 15 catches, and LB Ty Anderson were the Bulldogs’ preseason all-state selections. Anderson is second on the team with 34 total tackles.

Prince Ave. Christian at Wesleyan
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Henderson Stadium, Peachtree Corners
Records, rankings: Prince Avenue Christian is 3-1 and No. 3 in Class A Private; Wesleyan is 4-0 and No. 4 in Class A Private.
Last meeting: Wesleyan won 24-14 in 2019.
Watch the game: Online at NFHS Network.
Things to know: Brock Vandagriff, Prince Avenue’s five-star quarterback who is committed to Georgia, suffered a broken fibula on the third play of last year’s game but played on, passing for 321 yards in the loss. Vandagriff missed the next four games but finished the season with 2,471 passing yards in eight games. This year, he is 60-of-86 (70.9 percent) for 937 yards and 14 TDs and has rushed for 255 yards. Landon Owens has run for a team-leading 297 yards. Zac Dyer (13 catches, 290 yards) and Logan Johnson (18-260) are the leading receivers. Wesleyan RB Griffin Caldwell ran for 121 yards on 21 carries against Prince Avenue last year as the Wolves rallied from a 14-0 halftime deficit and scored 24 unanswered points in the second half. Caldwell finished the season with 1,152 yards rushing and this year has 468 yards and four touchdowns on 62 carries. Ryan Rose, who took over at quarterback this season after J.C. French transferred, has thrown for 812 yards. Cooper Blauser, a preseason all-state selection at defensive back, has 294 receiving yards.

Southwest DeKalb at Tucker
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, James R. Hallford Stadium, Clarkston
Records, rankings: Southwest DeKalb (9-2 in 2019) is 0-0 and unranked in Class 5A; Tucker (6-5 in 2019) is 0-0 and unranked in 6A.
Last meeting: Tucker won 60-14 in 2013.
Things to know: These DeKalb schools will be playing their openers after the county delayed the start of the season four weeks over COVID-19 concerns. Although they haven’t met in seven years, they have played each other 20 times, with Tucker leading the series 13-6-1. Southwest DeKalb won its second consecutive region title last year but was knocked out in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight season. Tucker reached the state playoffs last year for the 24th time in 26 seasons, but the Tigers’ six victories were their fewest since the 1999 team went 6-5. Two players to watch will be Southwest DeKalb’s Rion White and Tucker’s Dawson Rivers. White was the fourth-leading passer in the county last year, throwing for 1,702 yards and 18 touchdowns. Rivers is a three-star defensive end and preseason all-state selection with offers from Florida Atlantic, Tulane and Louisville. Tucker must find replacements for its leading rusher (Quarius Smith, 822 yards), passer (Myles Crawley, 1,210 yards) and receiver (Isaiah Dunson), who were seniors last season.

Tift County at Irwin County
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Buddy Nobles Stadium, Ocilla
Records, rankings: Tift County is 0-1 and unranked in Class 7A; Irwin County is 1-2 and No. 4 in Class A Public.
Last meeting: Tift County won 33-0 in 2005.
Things to know: These teams are from bordering counties, but size usually keeps them apart. This is their first meeting in Ocilla since 1964, when Irwin won 20-0. Tift has won the three games since, all in Tifton. Both teams have canceled games this season because of COVID-19 issues on their teams. In fact, both head coaches, Tift’s Ashley Anders and Irwin’s Casey Soliday, were hospitalized earlier this month with COVID-19 but have returned. Tift County lost its only game four weeks ago 7-0 to Crisp County, the No. 2 team from Class 3A. Tift expects to be stronger on defense. Defensive end Tyre West is a four-star recruit, and LB J.D. Bengston, MLB Daniel Whitehead and DB Wendell McClain made the all-region team last season. TE/DE Cade Anders, who is committed to Army, was the region’s utility player of the year. Irwin, the defending Class A Public champion, lost to Class 2A teams Fitzgerald (21-6) and Cook (21-6) before trouncing Atkinson County 44-0 last week. Irwin was missing five starters, including all-state players Gabriel and Garland Benyard, in the Cook game because of COVID-19 quarantines. All are expected to play Friday.

Westminster at St. Pius
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, George B. Maloof Stadium, Atlanta
Records, rankings: Westminster is 1-0 and No. 8 in Class 3A; St. Pius is 2-0 and No. 7 in 5A.
Last meeting: Westminster won 42-14 in 2019.
Watch the game: Online at NFHS Network.
Things to know: St. Pius had won four straight in the series, which dates to 1959, until Westminster’s decisive 2019 victory. Westminster beat the Lions at their own game, rushing for 360 yards. Westminster opened last week with a 7-3 victory over Pace Academy. Westminster held Pace to 41 yards rushing, but the offense struggled, putting up only 158 total yards, and 52 of that came on a TD pass from John Collier to Henry Chartrand, both sophomores. Lowell Jones, Holden Staes and Ejike 
Adele had seven tackles for losses. St. Pius doesn’t pass much – just 2-for-8 in two games – but averages 302 yards rushing. Jack Tchienchou, a sophomore, has a team-leading 125 rushing yards. He also has six pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble. Shug Bentley, another two-way player with 72 rushing yards, has been the leading tackler in both games.
On TV
Friday
*Banks County at Fannin County, 7:30 p.m., ETC TV 3 (Ellijay)
*Cedar Grove at Milton, 7:30 p.m., GPB
*Islands at Jenkins, 7:30 p.m., WSAV-CW (Savannah)
*Washington County at Evans, 7:30 p.m., WJBF MeTV 6.2 (Augusta)

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.
Westlake loses Harrison, adds Hillgrove
The Harrison vs. Westlake, Valdosta vs. Thomas County Central and Cedar Shoals vs. Winder-Barrow football games this week are off because of COVID-19 protocols.

Harrison canceled Friday’s game with Westlake.

Westlake, which is 2-0 and ranked No. 3 in Class 6A, instead will play at Hillgrove, which lost its game against Morrow on Monday after Morrow canceled.

Thomas County Central has canceled its game Friday with Valdosta. Thomas Central coach Ashley Henderson told WCTV-TV in Valdosta that 24 of his players and one coach are out because of quarantine.

Cedar Shoals, also citing COVID-19 issues, has canceled its Friday game with Winder-Barrow.
GA Balfour celebrates a student’s greatest achievements. As a trusted partner in education for more than 50 years, GA Balfour is the leading provider of letter jackets, patches, championship rings, class rings and graduation products in Georgia. Contact us today! Call 770-594-8155 or 866-694-8155 (toll free), or email hello@gabalfour.com.
Ready to kick off
Thirty-one teams will play their opening games this week. Those include 17 teams from DeKalb County, eight from Savannah and three from Dougherty County, whose school districts pushed back the season over COVID-19 concerns. After this week, the only teams still waiting for their openers will be Baldwin, Calhoun County, Heritage of Conyers, Rockdale County, Salem and Towers.

Arabia Mountain
Beach
Cedar Grove
Chamblee
Columbia
Cross Keys
Decatur
Dooly County
Dougherty
Druid Hills
Dunwoody
Groves
Islands
Jenkins
Johnson (Savannah)
KIPP Atlanta Collegiate
Lakeside (Atlanta)
Lithonia
M.L. King
McNair
Miller Grove
Monroe
New Hampstead
Redan
Savannah
Southwest DeKalb
Stephenson
Stone Mountain
Tucker
Westover
Windsor Forest

Join the GACA and be eligible for liability insurance, participation in all-star games, registration to clinics, and access to job listings.
Southwest DeKalb and Tucker, two of DeKalb County’s oldest football programs, will play each other for the first time since 2013 in a Friday night game at Hallford Stadium. It’s part of the opening week for DeKalb County Schools, which delayed its first games. Which DeKalb school has won the most games since 2000? (Answer Friday)

Answer to Wednesday’s question: Gainesville, directed by quarterback Deshaun Watson, was the only team to beat Buford at home over a stretch of 87 games (non-forfeits) from 2007 to 2017.

Jostens is the leading provider of yearbooks, caps and gowns, class rings and championship rings and is the Official Championship Ring of the GHSA. Click here to learn more.
GHSF Daily will select 10 games each week for a Predict the Winner contest, presented by ALL-STAR QB. 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 the ASQB-LITE model game, the company's most popular. Click here to play!
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
Carver, Columbus vs. Shaw -26
Luella vs. Mount Zion, Jonesboro -2
Metter vs. Portal -42
Pace Academy vs. McNair -40
Redan vs. Druid Hills -11
Stephenson vs. Lithonia -28

Friday’s games
Alexander vs. Paulding Co. -14
Americus-Sumter vs. Central, Macon -7
Appling Co. at Statesboro -6
Aquinas vs. Strong Rock Christian -14
Armuchee at Southeast Whitfield -9
Athens Acad. at Providence Christ. -44
Bacon Co. at Tattnall Co. -7
Beach vs. Savannah -21
Benedictine at Wayne Co. -4
Bremen vs. Jackson, Atlanta -17
Brooks Co. vs. Mitchell Co. -25
Brookwood at North Paulding -19
Cairo at Pelham -4
Calhoun vs. Woodstock -22
Calvary Day vs. First Presbyterian -7
Carrollton vs. Dalton -14
Cartersville at Cherokee -7
Cass at Ridgeland -26
Cedartown vs. Heard Co. -7
Central, Carrollton vs. Villa Rica -7
Chapel Hill vs. Miller Grove -27
Charlton Co. at Tiftarea Academy 0
Cherokee Bluff vs. Lakeside, Atlanta -21
Clarke Central at Apalachee -24
Claxton at Jenkins Co. -15
Coffee vs. Glynn Academy -8
Collins Hill at Alpharetta -28
Columbia vs. Therrell -14
Columbus vs. Jordan -10
Cook vs. Randolph-Clay -43
Creekside vs. Drew -31
Creekview at Cambridge -15
Dacula at Mountain View -10
Darlington at Heritage, Ringgold -4
Decatur vs. Arabia Mountain 0
Discovery at Berkmar -21
Douglas Co. at East Paulding -15
Dublin vs. Swainsboro -14
Dutchtown at Ola -6
Early Co. vs. Westover -2
East Coweta at Northgate -14
East Hall at East Jackson -11
Eastside at Johnson, Gainesville -40
Edmund Burke Academy vs. GSIC -44
Elbert Co. at Washington-Wilkes -5
Emanuel Co. Institute at Screven Co. -6
Fannin Co. vs. Banks Co. -21
Fayette Co. vs. Hampton -6
Fellowship Christ. at N. Cobb Christian -1
Flowery Branch at Hiram -25
Frederica Academy vs. Brantley Co. -15
Gainesville at Forsyth Central -5
Gordon Lee at Gordon Central -10
Greater Atlanta Christian at Burke Co. -7
Greenbrier vs. Loganville 0
Hancock Central vs. Georgia Military -34
Hebron Christian vs. George Walton -7
Heritage School at King's Ridge -6
Hillgrove vs. Westlake -6
Holy Innocents’ vs. Loganville Christ. -38
Howard at Effingham Co. -10
Hughes vs. M.L. King -20
Jackson Co. vs. Walnut Grove -7
Jeff Davis at Long Co. -35
Jefferson at Hart Co. -25
Jefferson Co. vs. Butler -33
Jenkins vs. Islands -22
Johns Creek vs. Sequoyah -11
Johnson, Savannah vs. Groves -12
Johnson Co. at Treutlen -26
Jones Co. vs. Union Grove -14
Jonesboro at Banneker -7
LaFayette at Murray Co. -7
LaGrange vs. Kendrick -34
Lakeview Academy vs. Towns Co. -10
Laney at Glenn Hills -8
Lanier Co. vs. Baconton Charter -37
Lee Co. vs. Lithia Springs -42
Liberty Co. vs. Bradwell Institute -10
Lincoln Co. vs. Harlem -7
Lovejoy at Griffin -6
Lovett vs. South Atlanta -28
Macon Co. at Central, Talbotton -46
Manchester at Chattahoochee Co. -7
Marion Co. vs. Schley Co. -10
McDonough vs. North Clayton -14
McEachern vs. Newton -11
McIntosh Co. Academy at Bryan Co. -35
Meadowcreek vs. Duluth -10
Mill Creek vs. West Forsyth -11
Milton vs. Cedar Grove -2
Monroe Area at Madison Co. -7
Montgomery Co. at Hawkinsville 0
Monticello at Greene Co. -10
Morgan Co. vs. Lakeside, Evans 0
Mount Vernon vs. Athens Christian -10
Mount Zion, Carroll at Dade Co. -14
New Hampstead vs. Windsor Forest -14
Newnan vs. Harris Co. -17
Norcross vs. Dunwoody -42
North Cobb vs. Etowah -35
North Forsyth vs. Denmark -28
North Gwinnett vs. Archer -8
North Hall at Chestatee -16
North Murray at Coahulla Creek -31
Northeast vs. Monroe -5
Northview vs. Grady -14
Oconee Co. at Thomasville -6
Oglethorpe Co. vs. Social Circle -3
Parkview vs. Marietta -11
Peach Co. vs. Mary Persons -15
Pebblebrook vs. Riverdale -5
Pepperell at Temple -7
Pierce Co. vs. Eagle's Landing Christ. -1
Putnam Co. vs. Westside, Augusta -22
Richmond Academy at Vidalia 0
Richmond Hill vs. Northside, W.R. -5
Ringgold at Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe -14
River Ridge at Chattahoochee -14
Riverwood at Centennial -12
Rockmart vs. Sonoraville -25
Rome vs. South Paulding -23
Roswell at Campbell -38
Rutland vs. ACE Charter -28
Savannah Christ. at Deerfield-Windsor -30
South Forsyth vs. Lambert -14
South Gwinnett vs. Shiloh -17
Southeast Bulloch vs. Grovetown -4
St. Francis vs. Lumpkin Co. -27
St. Pius vs. Westminster -5
Stephens Co. vs. Habersham Central -4
Stockbridge vs. Locust Grove -13
Stone Mountain at North Springs 0
Stratford Academy vs. Mount Paran 0
Tattnall Square vs. Sav. Country Day -3
Taylor Co. vs. Greenville -19
Terrell Co. at Crawford Co. -15
Tift Co. at Irwin Co. -11
Toombs Co. vs. Berrien -27
Tri-Cities vs. Forest Park -30
Trinity Christian at Landmark Christ. -35
Troup vs. Spencer -35
Tucker vs. Southwest DeKalb -6
Turner Co. at Dougherty -15
Union Co. vs. Pickens -5
Upson-Lee at Pike Co. -14
Veterans vs. Perry -28
Ware Co. vs. Bainbridge -13
Warner Robins vs. Houston Co. -22
Warren Co. vs. Glascock Co. -33
Washington vs. KIPP Atl. Collegiate -19
Washington Co. at Evans -1
Wesleyan vs. Prince Avenue Christian 0
Westside, Macon vs. Southwest -5
Wilcox Co. vs. Telfair Co. -17
Wilkinson Co. vs. Creekside Christian -7
Woodland, Cartersville vs. Chamblee -30
Woodland, Stock. vs. Eagle's Landing -2
Woodward Academy vs. Mundy's Mill -24

Saturday’s games
Dodge Co. at Whitefield Academy -15
Hephzibah vs. Josey -34

Other games (Friday)
Colquitt Co. at Dothan, Ala.
Camden Co. at Oakleaf, Fla.
Christ. Heritage at Lakeway Christ., Tenn.
Franklin Co. at West-Oak, S.C.
Notre Dame Academy at Cross Keys
Today's interviewee is GPB play-by-play announcer Matt Stewart, who will call his first game of the season this week when Cedar Grove plays at Milton. Stewart has called high school football games for more than 20 years. Stewart also works for ESPN/SEC Network calling college football, basketball, baseball and softball.

Matt Stewart,
GPB play-by-play announcer
1. GPB is opening with Milton and Cedar Grove. What attracted you and GPB to this particular game? “When you can get two teams that have won three state championships between them the last two years, that's very attractive. Milton remains one of the great stories over the last few seasons under head coach Adam Clack. The Eagles have gone from a program that was less than an afterthought for so long to becoming a contender. We don't get Cedar Grove on that often, and a lot of that has to do with the fact they are so dominant in their region that it almost has to be a game like this. Otherwise they just mash everybody. I believe they've won 24 straight region games and 35 of their last 36. Both teams are loaded with college prospects, and both teams’ strength is in their junior classes. Scary news for 3A, where the Saints have won the last two titles and three of the last four. I’m excited to see Eagles defensive end L.T. Overton, who 247Sports has rated the No. 1 sophomore in the nation. So I expect it to be a really fun game.”

2. Cedar Grove is ranked No. 1 in most Class 3A polls despite having not played a game. Are they your No. 1 team? And what do you expect out of them this season? “I think the four-week sit out could make a difference in this game. I would think coach Miguel Patrick has got to be a little concerned about that, on top of playing a 7A power that already has two games under its belt. But that's kind of the hand we've been dealt here in 2020. I think everybody's just happy to be playing. I do have Cedar Grove ranked No. 1 on my weekly GPB Sports ballot and have all season. Like I said above, the Saints are loaded with talent, top five in the state in that regard, regardless of classification - four-star juniors WR Janiran Bonner and DT Christen Miller, junior four-star RB Rashod Dubinion, four-star Raul Aguire, rated by 247Sports the No. 2 sophomore ILB in the nation, three-year starter and three-star Austin Smith at QB. Coach Patrick has picked up right where his predecessor, Jimmy Smith, now RB coach at Arkansas, left off. State champion (three times) or state semifinal finish (two times) in each of the last five years. That's why I have them No. 1.”

3. What has been the most interesting storyline of the 2020 season so far and why? “The fact that we're even playing football is the biggest storyline. Up to two weeks before the Corky Kell Classic, I was not so sure I'd be saying that here at the end of September and start of October. I think Dr. Robin Hines and the GHSA did an extraordinary job of navigating the COVID-19 landscape to get this season played. And if all it had been was the pandemic, that would have been tough enough, but we know that everything in our country is so politically charged right now. They did an incredible job of ‘putting the ball’ in the courts of each individual school district and system and let them decide how they wanted to handle it. That said, as you know, every week is an adventure. Teams are having to postpone games or cancel them, finding opponents and playing them two days later like Marist did vs. Holy Innocents’ a few weeks back. The real test will be the playoffs because the schedule safety net will be gone, and I just hope nobody ends up having to forfeit a playoff game, but unfortunately that's just the way things are in 2020.”

4. Will there be anything new about GPB's coverage of games on Friday nights? “We’re very excited to be launching our GPB Sports Recruiting 2020 show this season. It will air every Friday night at 7 right before our Football Fridays in Georgia Game of the Week. Jon Nelson, Hannah Goodin and I will talk about the biggest recruiting news of the week, interview the biggest prospects and highlight the most exciting games. This takes me back to my days hosting In the Huddle recruiting show on CSS, so I'm really excited that GPB is diving in on this. I think it will be a great lead-in to our Friday night coverage. Really honored to be starting my seventh season with GPB and my 23rd season calling live high school football on television here in Georgia. It was unheard of when we started back in 1998, and now look at what it has become. I've been blessed to be a part of it.”

Get two free Pixellot automated production units, available for schools that do not currently have Pixellot systems in their main gym and stadium. The school pays just a one-time installation fee.
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.

Note: All games are on Fridays unless noted. All game schedules are subject to change.
^ - Indicates teams not playing a full region schedule but still eligible for the playoffs.

Stadium key: AV - Avondale; ED - Ed Defore; GC - Garden City; IH - Islands High School; L - Lakewood; P - Pooler; TH - Thompson
Storm Johnson gives back to student-athletes
Former UCF standout and NFL running back Storm Johnson has joined The Learning Company in offering services to middle and high school students and student-athletes through a boys only academy with NCAA approved classes (in person one-to-one or virtual); final semester program for high school seniors; ACT/SAT prep; athletic training; and Camp Storm, a residential camp facility located in southeastern Georgia on 40 acres. For information, call 770-652-7542 or click here to email.

GPSA/Champion Prep offering opportunities to get skills, exposure
Georgia Prep Sports Academy (Champion Prep Academy) is offering opportunities for 2020-21 student-athletes who wish to earn a four-year scholarship to an accredited college. Since 2013, GPSA/Champion Prep has helped more than 200 student-athletes get the skills and/or exposure they need. GPSA/Champion Prep will be looking to sign 65 student-athletes in December. Click here to complete the admission application. Contact coach Michael Carson at 678-663-7514 or coach Sean Tarrant at 470-577-5502 for more information.

Chattahoochee seeks freshman boys basketball coach
Chattahoochee High School is seeking a freshman boys basketball coach for the 2020-21 season. Click here to send your letters and resume to head coach Chris Short. There are no teaching positions currently available.
GHSF Daily classified ads
Reach 22,000 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 35-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.