Phil Jones gives his score predictions for the top six games being played in Week 11 of the 2024 Georgia high school football season.
Benedictine vs. Perry
The Perry Panthers kicked off the toughest three-game stretch of their season last week against Ware County at home and came away with a resounding 31-21 victory over the Gators.
Now, the middle game of this trio of challenging opponents has head coach Kevin Smith’s Panthers making the drive to Savannah to take on the Benedictine Cadets of head coach Danny Britt.
Things were looking good for Benedictine until starting quarterback Stephen Cannon went down in the second half versus Ware County two weeks ago. Now, the Cadets welcome the Panthers.
Each team has one regular season game remaining with the Region 1-4A title on the line.
This is a tough one to call, but could missing Cannon make the difference?
Phil’s Pick: Perry 30, Benedictine 23
Northside (Warner Robins) vs. Lee County
The Lee County Trojans of head coach Dean Fabrizio are one of the hottest teams in the state, and they’ve earned it with big non-region wins over Warner Robins and Colquitt County. They started off their tough region slate with wins over Thomas County Central, Coffee, and Veterans last week.
Northside (Warner Robins) started the season with two straight wins, but have hit a bit of a rough patch to fall to 2-6. A win over Lee County could put things back on track for head coach Ben Bailey’s Eagles.
Phil’s Pick: Lee County 35, Northside 10
Camden County vs. Colquitt County
The Colquitt County Packers make the trip to Kingsland to take on the Camden County Wildcats with an opportunity to maintain a position to win the region. While several playoff seeding scenarios remain, it’s pretty easy for the Packers: If they keep winning, they will control their own destiny, which is at the least a tie for the top seed in Region 1-6A.
Colquitt County won last week at Tift County, while Camden County lost at Lowndes.
The Wildcats come in with a 1-2 region record and really need to win to keep pace in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Phil’s Pick: Colquitt County 35, Camden County 21
North Gwinnett vs. Norcross
It’s a battle for the Region 7 championship in Class 6A as the one-loss Norcorss Blue Devils of head coach Keith Maloof travel to Suwanee to take on head coach Eric Godfree’s undefeated North Gwinnett Bulldogs.
Norcross is quietly having a solid season as they enter the game at 7-1 and 5-0 in the region. They are currently unranked, however.
On the other hand, North Gwinnett is ranked as the No. 3 team in ITG Next’s 2024 Georgia high school football rankings for Class 6A, trailing only Carrollton and Buford, sitting at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. North Gwinnett is 8-0 overall and 5-0 in region play, so the winner of this one becomes the region champion.
Phil’s Pick: North Gwinnett 20, Norcross 10
Lowndes vs. Richmond Hill
The two hottest teams in Region 1-6A meet this week in a huge game for both the Lowndes Vikings and the Richmond Hill Wildcats.
Both teams are coming off their biggest wins of the season last week. Richmond Hill soundly defeated Valdosta 35-14 at home while never trailing in the game, and Lowndes defeated Camden County at home 33-7.
That puts both the Wildcats and the Vikings at 7-1 overall and 2-1 in region play.
Richmond Hill head coach Matt LeZotte and Lowndes head coach Adam Carter should both be candidates for Coach of the Year as they have their respective programs battling for the region crown.
A lot can still happen in the rest of the region, but don’t tell that to these two fan bases. The atmosphere will be electric at the Concrete Palace this Friday night.
I need to flip a coin on this one.
Phil’s Pick: Lowndes 24, Richmond Hill 21
Roswell vs. Gainesville
Roswell ends the season with huge games against Gainesville this week and Milton next week, which will determine whether Roswell hosts a playoff game or travels in the opening round of the postseason.
Roswell and Milton are both undefeated in the talent-loaded Region 7-5A. Roswell is 4-0 in the region, while Milton is 5-0 coming off a bye last week.
A sweep of both games gives Roswell the region crown.
This will be the final regular season game for Gainesville, as they have a bye next week while their playoff opponent is decided.
