ITG Next Georgia Game of the Week
Valdosta at Warner Robins
The first of our Week 4 predictions takes us back to McConnell Talbert Stadium for a matchup between two of the most storied programs in the annals of Georgia high school football. It’s also a matchup of different eras of success. Warner Robins has appeared in five consecutive state championship games and captured the 2020 and 2021 titles. Valdosta, on the other hand, has enjoyed only moderate success over the last couple of decades, winning a state championship in 2016. However, the Wildcats were wildly successful in the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.
A win in this game would be huge for both teams trying to reestablish their winning creed. Valdosta sports one of the best defenses around, anchored by two of the best D-linemen in Omar White and Eric Brantley. Warner Robins has a pretty good guy on the defensive line, too, in Vic Burley. This one could get very physical.
Phil’s Pick: Warner Robins 14, Valdosta 12
Colquitt County at Lee County
Oh my. The next game on our list of Georgia high school Week 4 predictions is a battle of heavyweights that’s sure to be a fan’s delight. This contest will feature teams that are arguably the best in their respective classifications, with both Lee County and Colquitt County coming in undefeated at 3-0. Both teams are coming off big wins last week where they each scored 41 points.
This 2022 Packer squad just might be their most talented in years, perhaps since the state championship squad from 2015. Colquitt has a steady quarterback in Neko Fann, who gets the ball out to a host of playmakers, including running back Charlie Pace, tight end Landen Thomas (who will also line up at running back in short yardage situations), and wide receiver Ny Carr.
The Pack defense is led by safeties Jack “White Lightning” Lutrell and Kamal Bonner. They’ll face off against a Lee County offense that features quarterback Chris Martin, wide receiver Jamal Fugerson and standout running back Ousmane Kromah.
Phil’s Prediction: Colquitt County 31, Lee County 30
Cedar Grove at Collins Hill
It’s state champion versus state champion in this matchup of the Saints and the Eagles. The Saints opened the season with a road win over Bainbridge, but were not able to play their last game, as their scheduled opponent, Edison, reportedly canceled due to travel issues. Nothing seems to really bother Coach John Adams’ team, though, as they play top-quality teams every week and just keep winning.
The Saints have one of the top defensive units in the state, led by All-American cornerback Kayin Lee, an Ohio State commit, linebacker Everett Roussaw, and defensive end Adonijah Green. Ricky Lee lines up on both sides of the ball, playing cornerback and receiver. Speaking of receiver, watch out for WR Barry Jackson, who is a handful for defenses.
Collins Hill lost a ton of talent from last year’s state championship team, but they looked very impressive in a rain-shortened, season-opening 20-0 win against Life Christian two weeks ago. Then last week the Eagles stunned the Brookwood Broncos. Collins Hill is without former QB Sam Horn (Missouri) and ATH Travis Hunter, now at Jackson State. The new signal caller for Coach Gregory’s Eagles is Mikey Sheehan, who performed exceptionally well in the victory. I think this has the makings for a classic. We shall see.
Phil’s Pick: Cedar Grove 21, Collins Hill 17
Jefferson at Oconee County
Next up on our Week 4 list of Georgia high school football predictions is a game in which former Oconee County coach Travis Noland returns to the familiar grounds that he called home for eight years. This time, however, Noland will be coaching across the field on the visitors sideline as he leads his Dragons of Jefferson against his former group of Warriors.
This game will feature two of the best two-way players, each one playing RB/LB. The Dragons are led by five-star standout LB/RB Sammy Brown, who already has scored 7 TDs and averages 11.3 yards per carry when playing offense. From his LB spot, he is averaging 8.5 tackles per game. Last week against Wren, SC, Brown ran for 4 TDs and 178 yards while collecting 10 tackles on defense.
On the Oconee County side, it’s four-star senior Whit Weeks, an LSU commit who also plays RB and LB. In the first two weeks of the season, Weeks rushed for 127 yards on 12 carries with a TD, had a 99-yard kickoff return for a TD, collected 16 tackles including a sack, and broke up two passes. It will be well worth the price of admission to watch these two go head to head.
Phil’s Pick: Jefferson 14, Oconee County 9
Marietta at North Cobb
North Cobb has played one of the most brutal schedules in the state so far, and things don’t get much easier this week with Marietta coming to town. Last week, the Warriors battled Buford and went toe to toe with the Wolves before losing a tough one by just a TD.
Marietta’s 2022 schedule hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park – they’ve played Grayson and West Forsyth and lost a tough one last week at home against the Roswell Hornets.
QB Chase McCravy transferred to the Blue Devils this offseason from Hillgrove, where he passed for just under 2,000 yards (1,908) with 15 TDs, while rushing for 500 yards and 5 TDs.
Jace Arnold is becoming a key two-way player for Marietta, leading the team in receptions over the last two weeks while remaining one of the team’s top defenders from his DB spot.
Marietta will also rely on TE/LB Nakari Ashley and Christian Mathis in the offensive game, along with Elijah Merine at RB/LB.
The Blue Devils will have their hands full trying to stop the duo of Michigan-bound running back Ben Hall and quarterback Malachi Singleton. That could be too tall of an order for the Blue Devils in this one.
Phil’s Pick: North Cobb 40, Marietta 33
Fitzgerald vs. Madison County (FL)
Our Georgia high school football Week 4 predictions concluded with a game that’s part of the inaugural Border War Classic, a showcase event sponsored by Baker Sporting Goods that features seven Georgia teams against seven Florida teams, with all games being held at Brunswick’s Glynn County Stadium.
This game will feature the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane team that won the GHSA Class AA State Championship last season after many years of knocking on the door.
Madison County, on the other hand, has won five state championships over the last six seasons, including in 2021. But there’s been a change in Madison as former coach Mike Coe is now at Coffee County.
His replacement is Price Harris, who actually played and graduated from Madison 30 years ago. He’ll rely on quarterback Jamie “Buck” Hampton to lead the Cowboys offense, which usually relies heavily on the run game to churn up yards and wear down defenses.
Their opponent, led by head coach Tucker Pruitt, is much the same, relying on more run than pass to beat teams, although QB Sultan Cooper has looked good throwing the football so far.
Both teams are picking up right where they left off last season, with the Hurricanes and Cowboys each undefeated heading into this matchup. It’s two state champions trying to prove they are the better team. Who will succeed?
Phil’s Pick: Fitzgerald 28, Madison County 21
