Pick Em Champs League: Week 6

We have reached the halfway point and last year’s Twitter Champ DevilDawg is looking to runaway with the ’23 title. Admittedly, after seeing his selections it made me 2nd guess all my picks this week.

Here is how our 4 former Champs see Week 6 stacking up.

Standings

35 DevilDawg

31 Sequin

28 Waddell

24 Ballew

Picks

Adairsville at Ringgold (-8.5)

Split decision: Waddell/Seguin think Adairsville keeps it close; Devil/Ballew think Ringgold pulls away.

Gilmer at Wesleyan (-7.5)

2x Champ Seguin‘s chance to gain ground as the only one that took Wesleyan.

Gordon Lee at LaFayette (-6.5)

DevilDawg is the only one that likes the Ramblers by a TD or more.

North Murray (-2.5) at Haralson Co

Lock of the Week as all take North Murray

Coosa at Armuchee (-10.5)

Split decision: Waddell/Ballew like Armuchee; Seguin/Devil go with the Eagles.

Dade Co at Darlington (-16.5)

Another chance for DevilDawg to pull away from the field as the only one taking the visiting Wolverines.

Chattooga at Pepperell (-25.5)

All four take the visiting Indians to keep it within 25 points.

Temple at Bowdon (-25.5)

Split decision: Waddell/Devil like the Tigers to keep it within 25; Ballew/Seguin like Bowdon by 26+.

LFO at Coahulla Creek (-14.5)

Another chance for Sequin to gain some ground as the only one taking the Colts to win by 15+.

Cedartown at Dalton (-11.5)

Split decision: Going to be a heck of a game! Waddell/Devil like Dalton by 12+; Ballew/Seguin think the Bulldogs can keep it within 11 points.

Top 5 Games: Week 6

We have made it to the official halfway point of the season. Here are the 5 games I find most intriguing for Week 6.

Gordon Lee at Lafayette

On paper this looks like a defensive struggle. Both teams were held to 3 points each last Friday. Gordon Lee has had a couple of big offensive performances and the Ramblers have proved they can slow big offenses down. Import game in the 6AAA race as the computer says the winner of this one will play Coahulla Creek for a playoff spot.

Calpreps Prediction: LaFayette 16 Gordon Lee 10

NwGaFootball Take: I like the Rambler defense. Unless you can throw the ball successfully it will be hard to put points on the board, plus they are excited to be home after being on the road since Week 1. LaFayette 28 Gordon Lee 16

Dade Co at #14 A Darlington

7A opener. Both teams have played competitive non region schedules and should be ready for Region play. Both teams can run and throw and have aggressive defenses. The winner of this one will have a leg up on a potential home field playoff game and a chance to play for a Region Title.

Calpreps Prediction: Darlington 34 Dade Co 18

NwGaFootball Take: Darlington has a lot of speedy options in the backfield the Wolverines will have to stop. Dade has to play a perfect game, minus turnovers and penalties, to pull the upset. At home I will go with the Tigers 35-21.

Gilmer at Wesleyan

7AAA opener the Bobcats. Gilmer won this game at home last season in surprising fashion over the “private school”. Gilmer last time out was a dominating win over a good Ringgold team 31-7 to take them to 3-1, Wesleyan is sitting at 2-2. The naysayers will say Wesleyan has played a harder schedule, which is probably true, but Gilmer has taking care of business outside the Fannin loss.

Calpreps Prediction: Wesleyan 29 Gilmer 22

NwGaFootball Take: I’m going with the underdog here! I like how Gilmer played last time out and I think Coach Standard has these Bobcats playing confident right now. Gilmer 21 Wesleyan 20

Adairsville at Ringgold

The talking heads ,self included, thought this would be the Region Title game in 6AAA but Bremen and Coahulla Creek would have something to say about that. Adairsville was impressive in their 6AAA opener putting 30+ on LFO in the 1st half. Ringgold struggled to put points on the board against LaFayette but stepped up late to pull out a 13-3 win.

CalPreps Prediction: Ringgold 30 Adairsville 22

NwGaFootball Take: Bold prediction by Calpreps as Ringgold has had putting points on the board the last 2 games, combined 20 points in their last 8 quarters. If the Blue Tigers are going to win they will have to do it with their defense. Too many weapons on the Green Tigers side…Adairsville 24 Ringgold 16

Cedartown at Dalton

Wow! This should be a great game in front of a packed house. Dalton is off to one of their best start in recent memory, playing well on both sides of the ball. Cedartown is still trying to “find their way” after having to replace so much offensive production off of last years State Final team.

Calpreps Prediction: Dalton 25 Cedartown 14

NwGaFootball Take: They played common opponent, Rockmart, almost dead even. Hard to compare apples and oranges but I think this game will be won in the closing minutes. Im going with the hot hand ...Dalton 21 Cedartown 20

Trion vs Model: Stats and Drive Chart

The #5 Trion Bulldogs defeated the Model Blue Devils 31-12 Friday. Unofficial stats and drive chart.

1st Quarter

Model: 6 play 19 yards: FG

Blue Devil’s Senior Amir Pinkard recovered the opening squib kick setting up Model in good field position at the Trion 25. They got it as close as the 6 yard line but a false start on 3 and 1 followed by an incomplete pass forced a field goal. 30 yard FG by Kevin Espinoza. Model 3 Trion 0 10:15 1st Q.

Trion: 6 play 12 yards Interception

4 consecutive runs to start the drive by Senior Toby Maddux gained 14 yards and a 1st down. 2 plays later the Bulldogs would try a deep pass that was intercepted by Model’s Amir Pinkard at the Blue Devil 25.

Model: 12 play 71 yards FG

Model would have their longest drive of the night, chewing up most of the clock in the 1st Q. Devil QB Jake Sanders was 3 of 4 on the drive for 45 yards and added a 12 yard run on a 3 and 10 to keep the drive alive. Model got as close as the Trion 10 but were forced to kick a FG. 33 yard FG Kevin Espinoza. Model 6 Trion 0 2:40 left 1st Q.

Trion: 7 play 20 yards Punt

Toby Maddux ripped off a 13 yard run to give Trion a new set of downs but Bulldogs couldn’t get much going after that. Punt from their own 41.

End of 1st Quarter Model 6 Trion 0

Model 3 play 9 yards Punt

The Devil’s forced to punt from their own 33.

Trion 8 play 83 yard TD

Trion took over at their own 32. Maddux opened the drive with a 13 yard carry and had a 55 yard TD run called back on the 2nd play. He had 6 carries for 50 yards on the drive capped off with a 12 yard TD run. Trion 7 Model 6 6:42 2nd Q.

Model 3 play 15 yards Fumble

Senior RB Jeremiah Gamble had a 15 yard run on the 1st play but 2 plays later the Devil’s would fumble and Trion’s #8 Lucas Stoker scooped and scored from 35 yards out. Trion 14 Model 6 5:42 2nd Q.

Model 3 play 8 yards Punt

Model was forced to punt from their own 29.

Trion 3 play 51 yards TD

Bulldogs had good field position at their own 49 after a good return on the punt. Junior QB Kade Smith found Garrett Mahan for a 22 yard gain and Maddux would score from 27 yards out on the next play. Trion 21 Model 6 2:26 2nd Q.

Model 3 play 3 yards Punt

Devils punt from their own 42

Trion 3 play 21 yards End of Half

Halftime Trion 21 Model 6

3rd Quarter

Model 3 play 5 yards Punt

3 straight series the Bulldogs forced the Devils into a 3 and out.

Trion 9 play 38 yards FG

Wild series that included 2 Trion holding penalties and 2 personal foul penalties on Model, one on a 3rd and 22 that kept the drive alive. Trion would get the ball inside the 10 but a hold forced the FG. 37 yard FG by Andy Ramirez. Trion 24 Model 6 5:52 3rd Q.

Model 4 play 15 yards Punt

Gamble gave the Devils their first 1st down in 4 series with a 16 yard run to start the drive. A TFL and a sack on back to back plays by Logan Stokes stopped the momentum.

End of 3rd Trion 24 Model 6

Trion 11 play 89 yards TD

Zach Camp went to work filling in for the injured Maddux carrying the ball 7 times in the drive. #20 Cohen Blaske finished the drive with a 22 yard TD run. Trion 31 Model 6 9:33 4th Q.

Model 8 play 65 yards TD

Model showed no quit scoring on their last drive of the night on a 15 yards pass from Jake Sanders to Keith Sprayberry. Trion 31 Model 12 7:05 4th

Trion 9 play 46 yards End of Game

Bulldogs and Zach Camp ran the clock out. Camp ran the ball 6 times for 21 yards and Smith added a 13 yard run.

Final Trion 32 Model 12

Unofficial Stats

Trion 365 yds

Model 210 yds

Leaders:

Rushing

Trion: Maddux 14 for 123 (2 TDs), Camp 18/91, Smith 6/33, Blaschke 1/20 (TD)

Model: Campbell 11/75, Sanders 9/40

Passing

Trion: Smith 9/14 96 yards int

Model: Sanders 6/15 80 yards TD

Receiving

Trion: Mahan 2/33, Willingham 3/23

Model: Henderson 2/42, Sprayberry 2/24 TD

Week 6 Schedule/Calprep Lines

7A

Carrollton 49 at Hillgrove 0

6A

Rome 62 at Allatoona 0

South Paulding 15 at Newnan 21

5A

Banneker 10 at Villa Rica 13

ML King 0 at Cass 40

4A

Heritage 16 at Bradley Cent 35

Osborne 14 at Woodland 0

Cedartown 35 at Dalton 27

Druid Hills 21 at SE Whitfield 20 OT

3A

Bremen 21 at Ridgeland 14

Adairsville 28 at Ringgold 26

LFO 21 at Coahulla Creek 42

Gordon Lee 21 at LaFayette 20 OT

Gilmer 21 at Wesleyan 50 ?

Lumpkin Co 49 at Pickens 14

2A

Gordon Central 0 at Fannin Co 42

North Murray 28 at Haralson Co 16

Model 49 at Murray Co 7

1A

Chattooga 17 at Pepperell 45

Coosa 0 at Armuchee 28

Dade Co 22 at Darlington 28

Clarkston 6 at Heard Co 37

Temple 20 at Bowdon 42

Mt. Zion 7 at Jasper Co 42

Christian Heritage at St. Francis Canceled

Champions League Pick Em: Week 5

A look at how our 4 Champion League Pickers see tonights games going.

Week 4 Standings

28 DevilDawg

25 Seguin

22 Waddell

20 Ballew

Trion (-6.5) at Model

DevilDawg the only one going with the Blue Devils to cover +6.

East Paulding at South Paulding (-5.5)

All 4 going with the Raiders to cover.

Darlington at NW Whitfield (-7.5)

2x Champ Seguin the only one taking the Tigers on the road to cover.

Rockmart (-2.5) at Irwin County

Split decision Waddell/DevilDawg like the Jackets Ballew/Seguin Irwin Co

Gordon Lee at Bremen (-12.5)

DevilDawg the lone picker for the Blue Devils

Temple (-12.5) at Pepperell

2023 Leader DevilDawg once again with the stand-alone pick taking the Pepperell Dragons

Coahulla Creek (-10.5) at Ridgeland

All 4 going with the Colts

LaFayette at Ringgold (-21.5)

Our 2nd Split: Seguin/DevilDawg think LaFayette cover; Waddell/Ballew like Ringgold big.

Murray Co at Chattooga (-20.5)

Waddell looking to make up some ground as the lone pick for the Green Indians

Bowdon (-19.5) at Dade Co

All 4 like Bowdon by 19.5

Week 5: 5 Most Intriguing Games

Hard to believe we are 1/3 through the season but here we are. A look at the 5 most intriguing games on this week’s schedule.

#5

Central Lions at Northgate Vikings

The #10 AAAA Lions travel to Newnan to face the #20 AAAAA Vikings in what may be the Lions toughest test yet. Northgate already has wins over 3 impressive AAAA programs in Whitewater, Starrs Mill and Griffin. Thier only loss was a 24-23 defeat to Villa Rica. This is the last warm up for Central before they begin Region play when they host defending Region Champ Cedartown in 2 weeks.

Calpreps Prediction: Central 29 Northgate 20

NwGaFootball Take: I would be happy with the above score!

#4

Gordon Lee Trojans at Bremen Blue Devils

6AAA play gets underway this Friday. The Blue Devils are one of the preseason favorites in 6AAA to make the postseason, the Trojans are the challengers. Both teams had bye weeks last Friday. The Trojans are coming off a big win over SE Whitfield and the Blue Devils ran into the Bowdon buzzsaw the last time out. Bremen has a veteran squad and Gordon Lee is loaded with underclassmen.

Calpreps Prediction: Bremen 35 Gordon Lee 23

NwGaFootball Take: I’m not sure that many points are scored in this game but if so it may be in the favor of the Trojans who have shown they can put points on the board but they haven’t played a team with the caliber of the Bremen D. I think GL gives them a run for their money but I like Bremen 24 Gordon Lee 14.

#3

Darlington Tigers at Northwest Whitfield Bruins

The #15 Class A D1 Tigers and the Bruins is interesting because you’re not quite sure what you are going to get yet. Both teams have played lights out defense for half or two and at other times they have giving up some crooked numbers. Both offenses are capable of putting up points in hurray as we saw first hand with Northwest coming back from 28 down in the 3rd Q to beat North Murray 38-35. Darlington had a bye week after shutting out Christian Heritage on the road 35-0.

Calpreps Prediction: Northwest 32 Darlington 25

NwGaFootball Take: I can get onboard with this score. I think unfortunately for the NW fans this will be another nail biter in the 4th quarter, their 3rd game in a row going to the wire.

#2

East Paulding Raiders at South Paulding Spartans

The Raiders look to continue their turn around season when they travel across county to visit the Spartans. E Paulding can match their total win total from last season with a win Friday. South Paulding is still looking for their 1st win but have played a brutal schedule to this point with games against Harrison, Carrollton and North Paulding.

Calpreps Take: South Paulding 41 East Paulding 36

NwGaFootball Take: South Paulding may be the best 0-3 team we follow and they are at home and East Paulding has shown vs Hiram that they can give up some points. That being said I like the Raiders in the mild upset EPaulding 35 SPaulding 28.

#1

Trion Bulldogs at Model Blue Devils

A matchup of teams that have remained undefeated in the early season. The Bulldogs come in ranked #5 in Class A D1 and have the highest scoring offense and the best scoring defense in our coverage Area. This game is a rematch of last year’s contest in Trion where the Blue Devils were a 32 point underdog and had a late 4th quarter comeback to surprise the Bulldogs. Athletes all over the field in this one.

Calpreps Take: Trion 31 Model 25

NwGaFootball Take: I don’t see either team scoring that many points against two of the best defensive teams in our Area. Trion has too many options on offense and if they can avoid the turnovers I think they win Trion 21 Model 9.