Phil Jones gives his score predictions for the top six games being played in Week 3 of the 2024 Georgia high school football season.
Cook vs. Brooks County
Brooks County is looking forward to getting back on the field following their 35-12 season-opening loss to Thomasville.
“We played well at times but had too many turnovers and gave up too many big plays to a really great team,” Brooks County head football coach Josh McFather said.
Cook has started their season 2-0 after last week’s 13-10 win against Bainbridge, but now they’ll face their toughest test of the year against Brooks County.
“We are a very young team, but our guys will go after people, so we are trying to build on that,” Cook head football coach Byron Slack said.
Phil’s Pick: Brooks County 35, Cook 24
Colquitt County vs. North Gwinnett
The North Gwinnett Bulldogs of head football coach Eric Godfree return to action following a bye last week. North Gwinnett was able to enjoy the off week after defeating McEachern 39-17 on the road in Week 1. The Bulldogs are 1-0 on the young season.
They’ll have another road trip this week, but this one takes them to South Georgia to take on the Colquitt County Packers led by head football coach Sean Calhoun. The Packers are off to a 2-0 start after wins against West from Salt Lake City, Utah, and Monroe.
This will be a great test for both teams.
Phil’s Pick: Colquitt County 35, North Gwinnett 31
Perry vs. Houston County
The Houston County Bears of head football coach Jeremy Edwards are 2-0 following wins against Alpharetta and Effingham. Houston County makes the short trip to the Panther Pit to take on defending Class 4A state champion Perry.
Perry, led by head football coach Kevin Smith, opened the season with a convincing 37-6 win over Baldwin in the Gridiron Classic at Fort Valley State University before defeating a pesky Peach County team last week.
With playmakers like Houston County quarterback AJ Hill and Perry running back Ahmar Gordon leading their offenses, this game could produce a lot of points.
Phil’s Pick: Perry 39, Houston County 35
Northside (Warner Robins) vs. Warner Robins
One of the biggest rivalries in the state pits the Northside (Warner Robins) Eagles against the Warner Robins Demons at McConnell Talbert Stadium.
In last year’s game, the Demons held off the Eagles to win 39-35. It was the seventh straight win for Warner Robins over Northside in the series.
For Northside’s Ben Bailey and Warner Robins’s Shane Sams, last year’s game marked their first as head coaches in the storied Middle Georgia rivalry.
Will this be the year that Bailey’s team stops the Demons’ winning streak?
Phil’s Pick: Warner Robins 31, Northside 21
Cairo vs. Thomasville
The Thomasville Bulldogs of head football coach Jonathan Delay are looking good so far as they start off the season 2-0. They began with an impressive victory over Brooks County, then followed that up with a 40-7 win over Pelham last week in their 2024 home opener at Veterans Stadium.
The Cairo Syrupmakers will face their second straight game against a Thomasville program after their game last week against Thomas County Central. The Syrupmakers actually held their own early on before the Yellow Jackets’ overall talent and depth took over, leading Thomas County Central to the win.
Can head football coach David Coleman’s Cairo squad pull the upset over top-ranked Thomasville?
Phil’s Pick: Thomasville 35, Cairo 30
Prince Avenue Christian vs. Blessed Trinity
The Blessed Trinity Titans, led by veteran head football coach Ed Dudley, travel to Bogart, Georgia, to take on the Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines, led by head football coach Greg Vandagriff.
These teams feature two of the top defensive linemen in the state in Prince Avenue Christian’s Christian Garrett, a four-star Georgia Tech commit, and Blessed Trinity’s David “DJ” Jacobs, also a four-star prospect.
Blessed Trinity enters the contest with a 2-0 record after defeating St. Pius X and Holy Innocents’.
Prince Avenue Christian opened the year with a win over Class 5A’s West Forsyth, then lost a tough one against North Carolina power Mallard Creek last week 31-21. The Wolverines are now 1-1 on the season as they prepare to host the Class 4A Titans.
Look for Prince Avenue Christian to get back on track.
