A couple of important games involving NWGA teams tonight. We take a look at what they mean to each one in their quest for the postseason.
#14 Gordon Lee Trojans at BEST Academy Eagles:
The 6-1 (1-1) Trojans make the long trip to Atlanta to face the 3-2 (2-0) Eagles in an important 6A Public matchup.
If Gordon Lee wins: The Trojans would move to 2-1 in region play and with 2 games remaining in which they will be heavily favored , Armuchee and Trion, Gordon Lee would most likely host a playoff game in the 1st Round. BEST would also fall to 2-1 in the region but have a tough schedule remaining, traveling to region leading Bowdon and home verse Mt. Zion. Win out and they could force a potential 3 way tie for the Region Title.
If BEST wins: BEST would go to 3-0 in the region (counting the Covid forfeit win over Armuchee) and set up a Region Title game next Friday at Bowdon, assuming the Red Devils can get by Mt. Zion tomorrow night. Gordon Lee would drop to 1-2 in the region and most likely would end up the 3rd seed for the playoffs, barring any big upsets these final 2 weeks.
NWGAFootball Take: This game is going to be won at the line of scrimmage. BEST has some size up front and could pose a challenge for the high scoring Trojan run game, led by senior RB Cade Peterson who has already eclipsed the 1000 yd mark for the season.
Calpreps has Gordon Lee by 8. Sounds about right if the Trojans aren’t affected by the long bus ride and the “newness” of playing on Thursday night in the big city.
Heard County 4-3 (0-1) at #5 Haralson County 6-0 (1-0);
Week 2 of the 5AA playoff round robin. Heard had last week off after losing 2 weeks ago to Temple in overtime. Haralson opened their season last week with a dramatic 31-23 3ot win over the same Temple Tigers.
If Haralson County wins: The Rebels would move to 2-0, clinching a playoff spot, and setting up a potential Region title game Tuesday when they host #3 Callaway in a make up game from 2 weeks ago. Heard County would fall to 0-2 in the region and would be in a must win situation to finish the season with the most likely scenario being a game for the #4 spot next week at home vs Bremen.
If Heard County wins: Got to get my abacus out for this because things could get interesting in 5AA. Heard and Haralson would both go to 1-1 in the region and the loser of the Temple at Bremen game Friday would be the current odd man out.
NwGaFootball Take: Calpreps has the Rebels as 19pt favorites but on paper these guys look evenly matched. Both played Temple even, Heard actually jumped out to a big lead on the Tigers early. The Braves have the athletes to compete they just have to put 4 solid quarters together tonight and avoid turnovers. Haralson County junior QB Clay Hyatt got it rolling last week with over 200 yards rushing and 4 TDs. The combo of Hyatt and Marc Harris is hard to stop for 48 mins and if they get the lead and start controlling the clock it might be over. I like Haralson County in a much closer game than 19 points. Maybe 4 OTs this week?