Well, you may find this hard to believe but the last Friday in September is coming up and a number of Metro Atlanta area high school football teams have already reached the halfway point of their seasons. 10 games make up the regular season, but if you are a team with state championship dreams the 5 game milestone is barely a speedbump as you keep your focus on the “Road To The Georgia Dome”.
The Walton Raiders have the look of a team that is bound for the post season . Last week Walton came from behind to beat East Cobb neighbor Wheeler to improve to a perfect 5-0. 5 is an important number for Walton, who turned the ball over 5 times Friday night, and is ranked number 5 in the class AAAAAA poll this week.
Next up for Walton a trip to Roswell for a show down with the unbeaten Hornets on October 2. Roswell was off last week but will get back to work this week against Milton. The Eagles are off to a 1-3 start so far, but it’s a backyard rivalry that has produced unexpected results over the years.
Speaking of unexpected, how about Collins Hill, upsetting North Gwinnett for their first win of 2015. It appears to be life in the always interesting Region 7-AAAAAA, where Norcross and Mill Creek are the only unbeaten teams left. I am keeping an eye on the “Crew From The Creek”. The Hawks have never won a region championship, nor have they ever beaten North Gwinnett, who just so happens to be their opponent this Friday night.
Another team from Gwinnett that is unbeaten is Lanier. The Longhorns blanked Cedar Shoals last week and join Loganville and Salem at 4-0 atop Region 8-AAAAA. Lanier and Loganville will tangle this Friday night.
In Dekalb, Stephenson shocked previously unbeaten Creekside 49-12 behind 5 touchdown runs by Jaylen Marson-Knight. The Jaguars are 3-1 with this week off.
The biggest news out of Dekalb came Saturday evening when Panthersville Stadium was officially renamed in honor of longtime Southwest Dekalb Head Coach William ” Buck ” Godfrey. Godfrey, now retired, holds the record for most coaching victories in Dekalb with 273. Congratulations to the Coach.
From our “Back To Earth” department, The Parkview Panthers unbeaten start was snappped by Grayson 49-10. It gets no easier for Parkview who has Archer next. Welcome Back Newton Rams, who took a 4-0 record to Lowndes and brought back a 56-7 loss. Welcome Back Eagle’s Landing, who a week after beating Jonesboro, were Spalding 23-20. Surprising Spalding and Locust Grove are the last unbeaten teams in Region 4-AAAA where Griffin is currently 2-2 and on the outside looking in.
And a final Welcome Back to the Meadowcreek Mustangs, who had their first 2 game winning streak in 15 years snapped by Peachtree Ridge. Oh well, time to try to start another streak, but it won’t be easy at Collins Hill this week.
Be sure to get out and support your favrite team again this week and join us for the High School Football Power Hour, Saturday mornings at 7am on Sports Radio 92.9 The Game..