Phil Jones gives his score predictions for the top six games being played in Week 5 of the 2024 Georgia high school football season.
Brooks County vs. Fitzgerald
This week’s ITG Next Game of the Week is a battle of two traditional South Georgia powers as Fitzgerald plays Brooks County in Quitman.
After suffering Week 1 losses, both teams have battled back. Fitzgerald won in Week 2 over Crisp County to even their record at 1-1 and is coming off a bye week. Brooks County won back-to-back games to up their record to 2-1, defeating Worth County last week 26-7.
This marks the first time the two teams have met since 2019, when Brooks County won 28-24 at Jaycee Stadium. Can the Purple Hurricane go into Veterans Memorial Stadium and surprise the Trojans?
Phil’s Pick: Brooks County 27, Fitzgerald 14
Blessed Trinity vs. Milton
The Blessed Trinity Titans will meet another defending state champion when they host the Milton Eagles.
Led by head coach Ben Reaves, Milton started the season with a home win over Buford before traveling to South Florida to defeat American Heritage (Plantation).
Home field advantage could give Blessed Trinity a chance in this one, but in the end I just think Milton has too much talent and depth.
Phil’s Pick: Milton 38, Blessed Trinity 16
Carrollton vs. Gainesville
The Gainesville Red Elephants play their fourth straight road game to start the year, and it’s perhaps the biggest challenge yet for head coach Josh Niblett’s squad as they take on the Carrollton Trojans at Grisham Stadium.
This game features two players who, despite being on opposing sides in this game, will be heading off to play for the same team in college: Trojans quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis and Gainesville linebacker Xavier Griffin are both committed to USC.
Phil’s Pick: Gainesville 26, Carrollton 24
Douglas County vs. Buford
Both teams are coming off huge wins against Top 10 opponents last week. Buford won big at Roswell, rolling over the home Hornets 52-17. This week, the Wolves stay on the road as they travel to the westside of Atlanta to battle the Douglas County Tigers, who defeated Langston Hughes last week 21-14.
Many of the starters in this one will be going on to play collegiately, including 10 Buford standouts who have already committed to major college programs and Douglas County’s talented trio of wideouts: Aaron Gregory, Devin Carter, and James Johnson.
Phil’s Pick: Buford 35, Douglas County 28
Cook vs. Cairo
The Cook Hornets return home after a three-hour road trip last week to Hogansville, where they fell 36-23 to the Callaway Cavaliers. Cook is hoping their second home game in front of local fans will go better than their 2024 season debut, which Cook lost against Brooks County.
Cairo is hoping to make it two wins in a row following last week’s 63-24 blowout win against Kathleen from Lakeland, Florida.
This is a big game for both programs as they prepare for their region openers in a couple of weeks. But, first thing’s first.
Phil’s Pick: Cairo 35, Cook 31
Richmond Hill vs. Wayne County
The Richmond Hill Wildcats, led by head coach Matt LeZotte, are a bit of a throwback to old-school football, winning with a strong run game and solid defense. In fact, Richmond Hill has the second-best rushing attack in Region 1-6A with 1,090 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns through the first month of the season.
Wayne County is going through a rebuilding year in John Mohring’s first season as the Yellow Jackets’ head coach. A road win against the Wildcats would do wonders for the former Savannah Country Day coach and his young team. Can they pull it off?
