Last weekend’s Georgia high school football slate featured eight matchups between ranked teams, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s metrics. From inter-class battles to region showdowns, Friday’s games displayed the best the state had to offer.
Starting in south Georgia, Class 7A’s second-ranked team, Colquitt County, hosted 3A top-ranked Cedar Grove on ESPN. The Packers raced out to a 29-0 lead, then saw that cushion nearly evaporate in the second half. The Saints’ comeback attempt fell just short and Colquitt County held on for the win, 50-42.
Defending 5A state champion Ware County suffered its second loss of the season at the hands of 4A’s fifth-ranked Bainbridge. The 35-21 victory snapped a nine-game skid for the Bearcats in the series.
The majority of Friday’s ranked high school action came in central Georgia, beginning with fourth-ranked Houston County’s short trip to Warner Robins. The Bears routed the six-time state champions behind quarterback Antwann Hill Jr.’s 265-yard, three-touchdown performance. Senior receiver Ricky Johnson was the recipient of all three scoring passes from Hill in Houston County’s 41-7 win.
In the state’s lowest class, No. 1 Schley County faced off against No. 2 Macon County, but any hype rapidly dissipated. By the end of the first half, the Wildcats led 27-7. The Schley County defense held Macon County to just 105 total yards and forced four turnovers in the blowout victory.
Class 4A provided a region matchup that drew much attention due to both teams’ hot starts to the season. Spalding, fresh off a win over Dutchtown, surgically defeated 10th-ranked Baldwin, scoring at least once in every quarter to secure a 34-point shutout win.
It was rivalry week in Savannah as No. 2 Calvary Day and No. 5 Savannah Christian took the field with playoff implications. The biggest matchup in series history remained tied at 21 through the first half, but a pair of rushing touchdowns and a pick-6 sealed the win for the Cavaliers in the final two quarters. Calvary Day’s defense forced three interceptions and held the Raiders to just over 200 yards of total offense.
Up in Gwinnett County, Mill Creek and Parkview met for the third straight season, but the Panthers could not earn their first win in series history. Mill Creek’s Cam Robinson rushed for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Hawks’ 30-20 victory. Region play for both squads begin this week.
Lastly, defending 6A state champion Langston Hughes fell for the second time in its last three games. This loss, by the same score of 30-27, came against region foe Douglas County. A back-and-forth fourth quarter concluded with a Sire Hardaway passing touchdown to James Johnson just seconds after a drive-extending roughing the passer penalty. The Panthers’ final drive came up short and Douglas County ended Hughes’ 17-game region win streak.
With 12 ranked Georgia high school matchups on deck, the upcoming weekend may top last Friday’s slate. Stay tuned to see if Week 7 provides the same level of excitement.
