Editor’s Note: Unless otherwise indicated, any and all historical information is courtesy of the Georgia High School Football Historians Association at http://www.ghsfha.org/. All games listed are played on Fridays unless otherwise indicated.
Time is short, as is this week’s installment of “Four-Down Territory.” Now, on to this week’s column.
FIRST DOWN: Shaw (3-2, 2-2 GHSA Region 1-4A) at Westover (2-3, 1-2)
The Patriots from Albany return to action this week after taking last week off following a 27-25 loss to Cairo the week before, as they play host to the Raiders from Columbus. To make a long story short, this is a must-win game for Westover if they hope to make their first playoff appearance since 2014.
SECOND DOWN: Berrien (5-1) at Fitzgerald (4-2)
The Purple Hurricanes play host to a Berrien team that’s off to its best start since 1994, when that squad also started the season at 5-1, only to finish at 6-4 overall, and out of the playoffs. It’s one of two games to open the GHSA Region 1-2A schedule in 2018. The winner of this contest will have a huge leg up on advancing to postseason play.
THIRD DOWN: Thomasville (4-2) at Brooks County (4-2)
Coming off of a stunning 42-38 upset loss at Class 3A Crisp County, the now #8 (Georgia Sports Writers Association)/#7 (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Class 2A Bulldogs will look to bounce back against the Trojans from Quitman in the other opening game in GHSA Region 1-2A. Thomasville was ranked as high as #3 in the AJC poll prior to their loss to the Cougars, while the Trojans come into this week’s contest ranked #10 in both the AJC and GSWA polls respectively. Just like with the Berrien/Fitzgerald game, the winner of the Thomasville/Brooks County clash will also gain an early advantage in the battle for playoff positioning.
FOURTH DOWN (GAME OF THE WEEK):
Carver (Columbus)-(6-0, 4-0 GHSA Region 1-4A) at Cairo (4-2, 4-0)
The Syrupmakers will look to win their fifth straight game since starting the season with back-to-back losses to U.S. Highway 84 archrivals Thomasville and Bainbridge, as they welcome the Tigers in the battle for sole possession of first place in GHSA Region 1-4A. Last week, the Syrupmakers rolled past Columbus 46-7, while the Tigers trounced fellow Columbus area rival Northside 64-28.
Carver is led by former Dougherty head coach Corey Joyner, who took over the reins during the offseason, replacing Calvin Arnold, who left the Tigers after a disappointing 3-8 finish in 2017. Despite their unbeaten record, the Tigers struggled in their first three games, winning all of them by a combined margin of 17 points. On the other hand, the Syrupmakers have outscored 135-32 in the four games that they’ve won so far in 2018. The winner of the Carver-Cairo clash will almost certainly have the inside track to win the Region 1-4A crown if they win out.
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