ITG Next broadcaster Phil Jones gives his score predictions for the top six games being played in Week 13 of the 2024 Georgia high school football season.
Appling County vs. Fitzgerald
After defeating Pierce County last week and capturing the region title, the Appling County Pirates of head coach Jordan Mullis will end the regular season against the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane of head coach Tucker Pruitt in Baxley, Georgia.
This game was originally scheduled to take place earlier this season but was postponed due to Hurricane Helene. Even though it’s a non-region contest, this game is still important to both sides, especially Fitzgerald, who is looking to bounce back after an upset loss to Jeff Davis last week.
Phil’s Pick: Appling County 13, Fitzgerald 7
Hapeville Charter vs. Carver (Atlanta)
After losing back-to-back games in Weeks 2 and 3, the Carver Panthers have reeled off six wins in a row, including their last game in which they soundly defeated Lovett by 30 points.
Now comes a winner-takes-all battle for the Region 5 title in Class 2A as Hapeville Charter, who has won five in a row, hosts Carver in this regular season finale.
Phil’s Pick: Carver 22, Hapeville 12
Clinch County vs. Charlton County
After enduring a two-win season last year, Charlton County brought in Demario Jones, and the first-year head coach has improved the football program already. The Indians are sitting on a five-win season so far and are 2-2 in the region. Charlton County defeated Turner County last week with a 48-point performance from their offense.
Clinch County is rolling under the return of head coach Jim Dickerson with an 8-1 overall record and a 3-1 region record. They’ll be looking to avoid an upset at the hands of Charlton County.
Phil’s Pick: Clinch County 42, Charlton County 26
Newton vs. Grayson
It’s a battle of the Rams for the Region 4 title in Class 6A as Grayson and Newton enter this contest tied atop the region standings.
This is a Saturday night affair as each team makes up games postponed earlier in the season. Grayson and Newton each played other opponents on Monday, and this matchup between them will mark the third game for each team in a week.
It could come down to who has the most depth in this one.
Phil’s Pick: Grayson 28, Newton 14
Glynn Academy vs. Evans
Region 1 in Class 5A has one of the tightest races with Evans at 5-4 overall and 3-4 in the region and Glynn Academy also at 5-4 overall and 4-3 in the region.
A Glynn Academy win puts them in no matter what happens. If Evans wins, they’ll need help getting into the playoffs.
Can Glynn Academy head coach Rocky Hidalgo’s Red Terrors control their own destiny and head to the playoffs?
Phil’s Pick: Glynn Academy 31, Evans 28
Statesboro vs. Lakeside (Evans)
Lakeside (Evans) may be the best team you haven’t heard of in 2024. They are 8-1 overall with a 6-1 region record, and the Panthers have already secured the No. 2 seed and a home playoff game no matter what happens in this contest against Statesboro. Lakeside’s only loss was to region champ Brunswick.
In the event Lakeside loses this game and ends up tied with Effingham County, Lakeside’s win earlier this season over Effingham County gives the Panthers the edge via the tiebreaker.
Statesboro is 4-5 overall and 3-4 in region play coming into this week’s game. They can only play the role of spoiler at this point, but a win in their regular season finale gives them momentum heading into the offseason.
