Week 3 Georgia Preps Games of the Week Previews
Game of the Week
Class 1A
Savannah Country Day(2-0) at Aquinas (2-0)
Last Week:
Savannah Country Day beat Pinewood Christian Academy 28-6
Aquinas beat Westside, Augusta 41-7
Players to Watch:
Savannah Country Day: RB/DB Michael Grandy, DL Tyler Scott, QB/DB Barton Mixon, WR/DB Joshua Washington
Aquinas: QB Jim Franklin, WR/DB Kevin Douglas, RB/LB Clark Jackson, WR/DB Malachi Gordon
Storylines:
In the previous two meetings, this series has been split with each team winning by 1 point each, and you should expect a similar matchup once again this week. Both of these teams are physical, hard nosed football teams. Savannah Country Day will attempt to control the tempo of the game on the ground, giving RB Michael Grandy a heavy workload. Though the pass game is not option 1 for the Hornets, the connection between QB Barton Mixon, and WR Joshua Washington could be the difference this week. Meanwhile, Aquinas presents a balanced offensive attack. QB Jim Franklin has impressed this season, spreading the rock to playmakers WR Kevin Douglas and WR Malachi Gordon. RB/LB Clark Jackson for the Fightin’ Irish is an X-factor in this game, he plays on both sides of the ball, and has the capability of winning this game for Aquinas. Third time’s the charm, and the 3rd meeting between these foes could be an instant classic!
Game of the Week
Class 2A
Prince Avenue Christian (1-0) at Athens Academy (2-0)
Last Week:
Prince Avenue Christian BYE
Athens Academy beat Mobile Christian (AL) 23-7
Players to Watch:
Prince Avenue Christian: QB Aaron Philo, WR/DB Bailey Stockton, WR/DB Ethan Christian, LB Mason Durning
Athens Academy: RB/LB Tre Hawkins, LB Jimmy Humphries, QB/LB Sam Bush, TE/DE Noah Prior
Storylines:
15 minutes and 11 miles separate these two, historically good, programs. This game, “The Backyard Bash”, as it is known in the Classic City area, is the 19th matchup with the series being split down the middle, 9-9. Since 2010, Prince Avenue has come out on top 9 out of 14 meetings. This game will showcase elite level talent on both teams. The Wolverines will look to come out of the gate fast, and attack through the air with the connection of QB Aaron Philo and his wide receiver core, which features WR Bailey Stockton and WR Ethan Christian. Athens Academy will approach the game differently, the Spartans will attempt to control the line of scrimmage and move the ball with the ground attack, led by RB Tre Hawkins. Though the Spartans will feature a heavy rush game, keep an eye on TE Noah Prior, he is a difference maker when the ball is in his hands. With bragging rights on the line, this edition of The Backyard Bash will be a physical battle from start to finish!
Game of the Week
Class 3A
Hebron Christian Academy (2-0) at Commerce (1-1)
Last Week:
Hebron Christian Academy beat Providence Christian 48-9
Commerce lost to Murphy (NC) 14-15
Players to Watch:
Hebron Christian Academy: QB Gavin Hall, WR JT Hornick, WR/DB KJ Thomas, LB Drew Faucher
Commerce: RB Jaiden Daniels, FB Tysean Wiggins, QB John Paul Allen, LB Cole Hill
Storylines:
Commerce has taken 6 of the last 7 matchups, but Hebron Christian looks strong to start the season. The Lions have done nothing but win, and win big. QB Gavin Hall has had two solid games to begin the 2022 campaign, and has playmakers around him to get the ball to. Commerce has had a sluggish start this season. The Tigers rely heavily on the ground game, featuring RB Jaiden Daniels and FB Tysean Higgins. Hebron likes to attack teams with the passing attack, attempting to put pressure on their opponents defense. Commerce will look to control the game and limit the Lions touches on offense.
Game of the Week
Class 4A
South Forsyth (2-0) at North Oconee (1-0)
Last Week:
South Forsyth beat Harrison 24-21
North Oconee BYE
Players to Watch:
South Forsyth: QB Ty Watkins, LB Conner Futch, WR Dash Moore, DT Nathan Efobi
North Oconee: DB Khalil Barnes, ATH Jack Fabris, RB Dominic Elder Jr, QB/WR Louden Schnake
Storylines:
North Oconee had a week to let the thrill of victory set in, as they were on their bye during week 2. The Titans, following their tough week 1 win over crosstown rival Oconee County, seek to stifle the Eagles of South Forsyth. Defense is the staple for North Oconee, as DB Khalil Barnes looks to pick up where he left off, when he had 4 interceptions in their week 1 contest. South Forsyth’s offense presents the largest challenge the Titan defense has faced this season. QB Ty Watkins is a playmaker, who looks to involve the weapons he has surrounding him. The Eagles and Titans will be a great game!
Game of the Week
Class 5A
Warner Robins (0-1) at Northside (1-1)
Last Week:
Warner Robins BYE
Northside, Warner Robins beat Peach County 35-7
Players to Watch:
Warner Robins: DL Vic Burley, CB Antwon Jackson, OL Nick Reeves, WR/DB Cam Flowers
Northside, Warner Robins: DB Elijah Cotton, DB/WR Jamari Shines, QB Damion Dee, RB Michael Mcclendon
Storylines:
After winning the 5A title in back-to-back seasons, Warner Robins, after stumbling out of the gate in week 1, losing to Lee County, looks to bounce back this week against crosstown rival, Northside. These teams are familiar with one another, this being the 56th meeting between the two, and have split the previous 12 meetings, with 6 wins each. Warner Robins plays solid defense, led by their anchor on the line, Vic Burley. Defense sets up the Demons offense, where WR Cam Flowers will look to be the explosive playmaker he is against Northside. As for the Eagles, the bulk of their success is a product of the ground game. Both QB Damion Dee, and RB Michael Mcclendon found the endzone last week, and they plan on doing much of the same again in week 3. This has the makings of an instant classic, with playmakers on both sides of the ball for both teams, look for the crosstown showdown to be one of the best games we have in the state for week 3.
Game of the Week
Class 6A
Rome (2-0) at Carrollton (2-0)
Last Week:
Rome beat Lithonia 49-0
Carrollton beat South Paulding 28-21
Players to Watch:
Rome: QB Reece Fountain, WR/CB Martel Hight, DB Jaedon Harmon, LB Alto Moore
Carrollton: RB/DB Bryce Hicks, WR Caleb Odom, DB Kelvin Hill, LB Jacob Levy
Storylines:
Familiar foes meet once again, Rome has taken 4 of the last 6 in this series, the latest, a 45-27 blowout last season. The Wolves are following a dominating shutout in week 2, and they are looking for their stifling defense to show up again this week. LB Alto Moore, and DB Jaedon Harmon are two playmakers on the defensive side of the ball that are capable of changing the game during any play. QB Reece Fountain leads the offense, as they will stay true to who they are, and spread the ball around to multiple players. Carrollton will be the toughest opponent the Wolves have faced this season. The Trojans are balanced on offense, the ground game features RB Bryce Hicks, while the air attack will highlight WR Caleb Odom. Carrollton’s defense is stout, and makes it difficult for any team to find success. There will be no love lost when these teams take the field Friday night.
Game of the Week
Class 7A
North Cobb (1-0) at Buford (2-0)
Last Week:
North Cobb BYE
Buford beat Mallard Creek (NC) 56-7
Players to Watch:
North Cobb: QB Malachi Singleton, RB Ben Hall, WR Xavier Jackson, WR/DB Zion Bryan
Buford: RB Justice Haynes, WR/DB KJ Bolden, OT Paul Mubenga, LB Alijah Williams,
Storylines:
If high powered programs are what you are looking for, then this is the game for you. This series is split, 1-1, with North Cobb winning in 2020, and Buford returning the favor last season. North Cobb comes in off a bye week, but still riding the momentum from a week 1 victory over Westlake. The Warriors will come in and look to control the line of scrimmage, with a heavy dose of the ground game, featuring QB Malachi Singleton and RB Ben Hall. It will be a tough test for the Warriors though, facing a top 10 nationally ranked opponent, in the Buford Wolves. Following a blowout last week, Buford will rely on their stout defense, led by LB Alijah Williams. OT Paul Mubenga will look to anchor the Wolves offensive line, as they look to clear the lane, while RB Justice Haynes goes to work.