This week we wrap up the first month of the 2014 high school football season. When this weekend is done a majority of the teams around the Peach State will have played at least one region contest.
Fans of the state’s largest classification usually focus on Region 1 with Valdosta, Lowndes, Colquitt, and Camden, or Regions 7 and 8 with the likes of Norcross, North Gwinnett, Brookwood and Grayson. So far this season Region 5-AAAAAA has been the place to be. Two weeks after shutting out two-time defending champion Norcross , Milton was upset by backyard rival Roswell 33-31 . This week it could get even better.
Region 5-AAAAAA is also the home of Etowah and Woodstock, two teams from Cherokee County who also happen to have identical records of (4-0). Woodstock will host this grudge match and when asked what makes this contest to big, Wolverines Head Coach Brent Budde didn’t mention the unblemished records.” It’s big because it’s our rival”, said Budde. I got a feeling the Woodshed will be jammed pack, so you better get there early.
A short drive away the Kell Longhorns at (4-0) will welcome the Cambridge Bears, who sport a perfect record of (3-0). Don’t forget about Riverwood, they are (4-0) and will play at Forsyth Central.While we are talking teams from up Highway 400, how about the Titans of Northview, who last week drubbed Johns Creek 50-7 in a battle of two schools located exactly one mile apart.
In Gwinnett, (4-0) Dacula plays at (1-2) Shiloh while Grayson, also at (4-0), visits (0-4) Berkmar. The best game in the county this week will have (3-1) North Gwinnett at (2-2) Mill Creek. The Bulldogs and Hawks played one of the best games of the season in 2013. North Gwinnett erased a 21 point deficit in the 4th quarter for a 50-47 Homecoming win. Lanier is still unbeaten and will play this week at Loganville.
In Cobb County, Harrison hosts North Cobb in a showdown between (3-1) teams for the region top spot. Hillgrove and Marietta are also in region 4-AAAAAA and both have records of (2-2).
Elsewhere, Allatoona at (4-0) welcome (3-0) South Paulding in their region opener.Eagle’s Landing , at (4-0) will face Eastside. (3-1) East Coweta will host (2-1) Campbell, and unbeaten Sandy Creek will step outside the metro area and welcome Auburn, Al. Sure, we’re talking the high school, not the Tigers from the SEC. But Patriots Running Back Eric Swinney has to get used to seeing folks from that part of the world as he will be attending Ole Miss next fall.
With Georgia Tech and Georgia State off this week, there will be some good Saturday high school games as unbeaten defending state champ Griffin tangles with Jonesboro while(3-0) Grady welcomes (1-2) St Pius. The best match up by far has to be the 3rd installment of the Inner City Classic,which this year will be Clayton County vs APS. The Lovejoy Wildcats and the Mays Raiders bring (3-1) records into the game as well as some of the area’s top high school talent. Lovejoy Wide Receiver Preston Williams is a Tennessee committ who has 20 receptions for 459 yards and 6 touchdowns this season.Mays will feature Offensive Lineman Dallas Warmack who will follow in the footsteps of his brother Chance and play at Alabama next fall.
Kickoff is set for 7pm at Lakewood Stadium.
