Georgia News

[GardenStateBaller]

Walton at North Cobb

 

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Emory Sewell Stadium, Kennesaw

Records, rankings: Walton is 5-0 overall, 0-0 in Region 5-7A and No. 3; North Cobb is 3-2, 0-0 and No. 10.

Last meeting: North Cobb won 33-6 in 2022.

Things to watch: These are the only ranked teams in the region, and each is more than 20 points better than the next-best team, according to the computer Maxwell Ratings. North Cobb, the defending region champion, has won the past three games with Walton, all by 17 points or better, in a series that is tied 11-11. In the 2022 game, North Cobb’s Nick Grimstead was 6-of-8 passing for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Grimstead is back. David Eziomume, who is committed to Clemson, has rushed for 933 yards, the most in Class 7A. Walton leads all classifications in scoring at 55.0 points per game. QB Jeremy Hecklinski, who is committed to Wake Forest, has thrown for 1,278 yards and 16 touchdowns with just one interception. Cameron Loyd has 481 receiving yards. Makari Bodiford, who is committed to Memphis, has rushed for 372 yards and eight touchdowns. The teams’ have one common opponent. Walton beat Marietta 52-8. North Cobb beat Marietta 32-2.

[GardenStateBaller]

NationalHSFB.com

(Top 25)

11. (11) Buford

12. (12) Colquitt County

18. (18) Walton

23. (23) Mill Creek

[GardenStateBaller]

Class 7A

1. (1) Buford (6-0)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Mill Creek (6-0)

2. (2) Mill Creek (6-0)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday vs. Buford (6-0)

3. (3) Walton (6-0)

Last week: Beat North Cobb 35-27. Walton trailed 21-0, but Jeremy Hecklinksi threw four touchdown passes, three to Cameron Loyd covering 75, 73 and 30 yards, over a 7:02 span to give Walton the lead for good at 28-21 with 1:08 left in the first half. Hecklinski completed just nine of 27 passes but for 283 yards, 265 in the first half. Loyd finished with 196 yards on four receptions, and Austin Williams rushed for 133 yards on 18 carries. Next: Friday vs. Kennesaw Mountain (1-5)

4. (4) Colquitt County (6-0)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Camden County (6-1)

5. (5) Newton (6-0)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Brookwood (3-3)

6. (6) Carrollton (6-1)

Last week: Beat East Coweta 56-24. Montreze Smith returned a fumble 28 yards for Carrollton’s fifth touchdown of the second quarter. Ju Ju Lewis was 19-of-29 passing for 455 yards and six touchdowns, four longer than 50 yards. Kimauri Farmer rushed for 127 yards. Ryan Mosley had 128 yards receiving. Kiyun Cofer had 110 yards receiving. Next: Friday vs. Pebblebrook (2-5)

7. (7) Parkview (5-1)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday vs. Archer (3-3)

8. (8) Grayson (4-2)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday vs. South Gwinnett (4-2)

9. (9) Westlake (6-1)

Last week: Beat Pebblebrook 47-7. Westlake held Pebblebrook to minus-3 yards rushing and 66 yards passing. Sean Smith passed for 95 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 73 yards and two touchdowns. Antwan Smith returned a fumble for a touchdown. Next: Oct. 20 at Carrollton (6-1)

10. (10) North Cobb (3-3)

Last week: Lost to Walton 35-27. North Cobb failed to hold a 21-0 first-half lead. David Eziomume rushed for 114 yards on 22 carries. Nick Grimstead was 16-of-25 passing for 203 yards. Next: Friday at Wheeler (5-1)

[GardenStateBaller]

[GardenStateBaller]

Buford at Mill Creek

When, where: 7 p.m. Friday, Markham Field at Mill Creek Community Stadium, Hoschton

Records, rankings: Buford is 6-0 overall, 1-0 in Region 8-7A and No. 1; Mill Creek is 6-0, 1-0 and No. 2.

Last meeting: Buford won 39-27 in 2022.

Watch the game: On television on ESPN2.

Things to know: This is the 10th regular-season game in GHSA history between No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the highest classification. Mill Creek was involved in the most recent one in 2021, when the Hawks lost to No. 1 Collins Hill, the eventual Class 7A champion. The No. 1 team is 5-4 in these games. In the 2022 Buford-Mill Creek game, Buford never trailed, and Justice Haynes, now at Alabama, rushed for 214 yards. This season, Buford is passing for twice as many yards as it is rushing, which is unprecedented in Buford annals. Dylan Raiola, a five-star recruit committed to Georgia, has completed 66.1% of his passes for 1,310 yards and 14 touchdowns without an interception. Six TD passes have gone to K.J. Bolden, a five-star prospect committed to Florida State. Bolden also excels at safety. LB Jadon Perlotte, another top-50 national recruit, is the Wolves’ leading tackler. Mill Creek didn’t lose another 2022 game after Buford last season and won its first state title. Cam Robinson, a 1,000-yard rusher for that team, has run for 945 yards this season, topping 200 three times. Shane Throgmartin, a new starter at quarterback, is 70-of-92 passing for 878 yards and 13 touchdowns. Trajen Greco has six TD receptions and leads Mill Creek’s secondary. He’s committed to Georgia Tech. The winner of this game has a 99.9% chance of winning Region 8-7A, according to the computer Maxwell Ratings.

[GardenStateBaller]

 

[GardenStateBaller]

 

[GardenStateBaller]

Class 7A

1. (2) Mill Creek (7-0)

Last week: Beat Buford 31-24. Shane Throgmartin threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Justin Content with 1:20 left to break a 24-24 tie, and Buford passed incomplete into the end zone on fourth down in the final seconds. Cam Robinson rushed for 98 yards on 28 carries. Throgmartin was 15-of-30 passing 235 yards and two touchdowns. Trajen Greco had seven receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown. Next: Friday at Collins Hill (2-5)

2. (3) Walton (7-0)

Last week: Beat Kennesaw Mountain 49-0. Walton led 35-0 at halftime. Jeremi Hecklinski was 8-of-14 passing for 202 yards and a touchdown. Bam Bridge had 104 yards receiving. Next: Friday at Cherokee (1-6)

3. (4) Colquitt County (7-0)

Last week: Beat Camden County 37-16. Neko Fann was 13-of-15 passing for 223 yards and four touchdowns, two to Ny Carr. Camden County scored 31 consecutive points after going down 7-6. Next: Friday at Lowndes (4-3)

4. (1) Buford (6-1)

Last week: Lost to Mill Creek 31-24. Dylan Raiola was 18-of-46 passing for 293 yards and two touchdowns, but Buford dropped several passes, was held to 10 yards rushing and was stopped from the 1-yard line on a Mill Creek stand in the third quarter. Next: Friday at Dacula (1-6)

5. (5) Newton (7-0)

Last week: Beat Brookwood 44-17. Ephraim Wright returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first half for a 27-3 lead. Zion Johnson rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. Next: Friday vs. Parkview (5-2)

6. (6) Carrollton (7-1)

Last week: Beat Pebblebrook 64-8. Carrollton led 57-0 at halftime. Ju Ju Lewis was 13-of-18 passing for 345 yards and five touchdowns. Kiyun Cofer had four receptions for 119 yards. Next: Friday vs. Westlake (6-1)

7. (8) Grayson (5-2)

Last week: Beat South Gwinnett 28-6. Grayson led 7-6 late in the third quarter and scored three unanswered touchdowns. Jeff Davis was 15-of-25 passing for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Tyler Atkinson had 10 solo tackles and four tackles for losses. Next: Friday at Brookwood (3-4)

8. (9) Westlake (6-1)

Last week: Off. Next: Friday at Carrollton (7-1)

9. (10) North Cobb (4-3)

Last week: Beat Wheeler 63-27. Jamauri Major, filling in for 1,000-yard rusher David Eziomume, rushed for 122 yards and four touchdowns on 13 carries and caught a 33-yard TD pass. North Cobb also played without starting QB Nick Grimstead and went with sophomore QB Kaleb Narcisse and relied on the run game. Next: Friday vs. Kennesaw Mountain (1-6)

10. (NR) Norcross (6-1)

Last week: Beat Berkmar 41-0. Kevin Maven rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. A.J. Watkins passed for 53 yards and rushed for 70. Next: Friday at Meadowcreek (1-6)

@Ga96 

 

[GardenStateBaller]

 

[GardenStateBaller]

Parkview at Newton

 

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Homer Sharp Stadium, Covington

Records, rankings: Parkview is 5-2 overall, 1-1 in Region 4-7A and unranked; Newton is 7-0, 2-0 and No. 5.

Last meeting: Newton won 20-18 in 2022.

Watch the game: On television on GPB and online at NFHS Network.

Things to know: This was a game that some figured could decide the Region 4-7A title, but Parkview suffered a 28-27 upset last week against unranked Archer (4-3, 2-0), the unexpected co-leader with Newton for the region lead. No. 7 Grayson (5-1, 1-1) is also in the mix despite a loss to Newton. Parkview RB Trelain Maddox, a Georgia Tech commit, didn’t play against Archer because of an injured knee. Preseason RB Khyair Spain hasn’t played all season because of an injury. The Panthers will put more responsibility onto QB Jaiden Jenkins (847 yards passing) and five-star WR/DB Mike Matthews. Newton, meanwhile, is living its best life at 7-0 for the first time. The Rams’ No. 5 ranking is the highest in program history. Zion Johnson, a top-300 national junior recruit, has rushed for 1,085 yards. Sophomore QB Deron Benson has thrown for 1,004 yards. Keon Davis, who is committed to Georgia Tech, has 419 yards receiving.

[GardenStateBaller]

Here is where Georgia teams stand in several national polls. The numbers on the left are this week's rankings; the numbers in parentheses are last week's rankings. 

CalPreps

(Top 100)

9. (17) Mill Creek

18. (19) Walton

21. (11) Buford

22. (25) Colquitt County

25. (31) Newton

34. (38) Thomas County Central

40. (48) Westlake

44. (45) Carrollton

51. (68) Douglas County

55. (52) Gainesville

73. (77) Lee County

75. (91) Hughes

83. (95) Grayson

91. (86) Norcross

95. (99) North Cobb 

USA Today

(Top 25)

11. (14) Mill Creek

15. (16) Colquitt County

16. (6) Buford

24. (24) Walton 

MaxPreps

(Top 100)

9. (25) Mill Creek

12. (13) Colquitt County

14. (15) Walton

17. (5) Buford

18. (17) Carrollton

41. (41) Gainesville

47. (48) Newton

60. (60) Grayson

75. (78) Westlake

90. (91) Rome

93. (NR) Lee County

96. (96) Benedictine

100. (100) Creekside 

Massey Ratings

(Top 100)

8. (9) Mill Creek

13. (14) Walton

15. (37) Colquitt County

16. (12) Buford

30. (33) Carrollton

34. (34) Newton

38. (31) Thomas County Central

41. (38) Westlake

48. (45) Benedictine

68. (65) Lee County

70. (70) Gainesville

71. (68) Hughes

74. (82) Grayson

82. (80) Roswell

85. (92) North Cobb

92. (96) Coffee

95. (87) Douglas County 

High School Football America

(Top 100)

10. (18) Mill Creek

12. (8) Buford

13. (12) Colquitt County

20. (21) Walton

44. (43) Carrollton

58. (59) Gainesville

84. (85) Benedictine

93. (93) Hughes 

SBLive/Sports Illustrated

(Top 25)

9. (12) Mill Creek

11. (13) Colquitt County

12. (4) Buford

21. (22) Walton 

NationalHSFB.com

(Top 25)

10. (12) Colquitt County

14. (22) Mill Creek

20. (18) Walton 

Blue Star Media

(Top 25)

7. (14) Mill Creek

11. (7) Buford

14. (13) Colquitt County

15. (15) Walton

[GardenStateBaller]

Class 7A

1. (1) Mill Creek (8-0)

Last week: Beat Collins Hill 24-18. Jaiden Patterson intercepted a pass in the end zone with 1:47 left after Collins Hill had a first-and-goal from the 7. Patterson also blocked a kick. Shane Throgmartin was 19-of-27 passing for 171 yards and three touchdowns, two to Trajen Greco. Next: Friday at Dacula (1-7)

2. (2) Walton (8-0)

Last week: Beat Cherokee 48-7. Jeremy Hecklinski threw an 80-yard TD pass to Cameron Loyd on the first play from scrimmage, and Walton led 35-0 at halftime. Hecklinski was 12-of-15 passing for 246 yards and three touchdowns. Loyd had five receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Lota Ugokwe had three sacks. Next: Friday vs. Osborne (7-1)

3. (3) Colquitt County (8-0)

Last week: Beat Lowndes 52-34. In a game of more than 1,100 yards of total offense and a seven-touchdown second quarter, Colquitt County led 42-34 through three quarters but dominated the fourth. Colquitt County had 654 yards of total offense. Neko Fann passed for 344 yards and four touchdowns. Next: Friday vs. Valdosta (7-2)

4. (4) Buford (7-1)

Last week: Beat Dacula 66-0. Dylan Raiola was 12-of-18 passing for 235 yards and two touchdowns. K.J. Bolden scored touchdowns on a run, a pass reception, an interception return and the opening kickoff. Next: Friday vs. Mountain View (4-4)

5. (6) Carrollton (8-1)

Last week: Beat Westlake 31-7. Kimauri Farmer rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Ju Ju Lewis was 10-of-20 passing for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Jacob Levy had three tackles for losses. Carrollton led 10-0 at halftime and scored touchdowns on its first three possessions of the second half. Next: Friday at Campbell (3-5)

6. (10) Norcross (7-1)

Last week: Beat Meadowcreek 48-0. A.J. Watkins rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns on four carries, passed for 63 yards and had two receptions for 27 yards. Andre Thompson returned a fumble 57 yards for a touchdown. Next: Friday vs. Peachtree Ridge (8-0)

7. (5) Newton (7-1)

Last week: Lost to Parkview 28-21. Zion Johnson rushed for 183 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Deron Benson was 16-of-23 passing for 192 yards and a touchdown. Newton never led and didn’t get the ball back after getting within 28-21 with 4:43 left. Next: Thursday vs. South Gwinnett (4-4)

8. (8) Westlake (6-2)

Last week: Lost to Carrollton 31-7. Sean Smith was 23-of-32 passing for 190 yards but was intercepted twice, and Westlake had only 47 rushing yards. Next: Friday vs. East Coweta (6-2)

9. (NR) Parkview (6-2)

Last week: Beat Newton 28-21. Parkview led 21-14 after the first quarter, took a 28-14 lead early in the fourth and ran out the final 4:43 after Newton got within 28-21. Jaiden Daniels was 18-of-22 passing for 275 yards and passed for two touchdowns and ran for two. Mike Matthews had four receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. Next: Friday at Brookwood (3-5)

10. (7) Grayson (6-2)

Last week: Beat Brookwood 57-10. Jeff Davis was 11-for-14 passing for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Atkinson returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown. Dre Fuller had three tackles for losses. Aaron Fennen, Jaylon Williams and London Goggans intercepted passes. Next: Friday at Archer (5-3)

Out: No. 9 North Cobb (5-3)

[GardenStateBaller]

[GardenStateBaller]

Lee County at Thomas Co. Central

 

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, The Jackets’ Nest, Thomasville

Records, rankings: Lee County is 7-1 overall, 3-0 in Region 1-6A and No. 4; Thomas County Central is 8-0, 3-0 and No. 2.

Last meeting: Thomas County Central won 39-30 in 2022.

Watch the game: Online at Hudl.

Things to know: The winner will be the region champion. Lee County had won five consecutive region titles until Thomas County ended the Trojans’ reign last season. In the 2022 game, Thomas Central’s Trey Brenton rushed for 187 yards. He’s rushed for 795 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Jaylen Johnson, a first-year starting quarterback, has thrown for 1,236 yards. Kendarius Reddick is a top-100 national junior recruit and Auburn commit who plays in the secondary. Lee County’s top-100 national recruit, also a junior, is Ousmane Kromah, who rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns against Thomas Central last season. He leads the region with 1,124 rushing yards this season. Weston Bryan has thrown for 904 yards. Devin Collier, a Georgia Southern commit, has 783 all-purpose yards. DL Leroy Jackson, a three-star recruit, has 17 tackles for losses. Lee County’s average score is 45-19 against Class 6A’s eighth-toughest schedule. Thomas Central’s average score is 45-6 against the 13th-toughest. Lee County’s loss came against Colquitt County, the No. 3 team in Class 7A.

[GardenStateBaller]

Newton upset by South Gwinnett 31-28!!

[Sportsnut]

9 hours ago, GardenStateBaller said:

Newton upset by South Gwinnett 31-28!!

That's Georgia for ya. You never know who or when it will be. This time of year breeds contempt. Contempt of the status quo. 

Look for more to come.

Benedictine 57, Islands 0

Central, Talbotton 26, SW Ga. STEM 18

Dunwoody 32, Riverwood 18

East Paulding 38, New Manchester 14

Harlem 42, Salem 6

Harris Co. 32, Drew 0

Kell 57, North Springs 24

Lambert 49, South Forsyth 7

Model 34, Gordon Central 0

Monroe 57, Columbus 7

New Hampstead 34, Burke Co. 28

North Hall 24, Cedar Shoals 14

Redan 59, Landmark Christian 6

Rockmart 48, Fannin Co. 14

South Gwinnett 31, Newton 28

Southwest 52, ACE Charter 51

Spencer 43, Central, Macon 0

Stephenson 21, Holy Innocents’ 14

Tucker 47, Lithonia 6

Wesleyan 49, West Hall 21

Westminster 37, Southwest DeKalb 19

Morrow at Rockdale Co.

[GardenStateBaller]

Here is where Georgia teams stand in several national polls. The numbers on the left are this week's rankings; the numbers in parentheses are last week's rankings.

 

CalPreps

(Top 100)

11. (9) Mill Creek

17. (34) Thomas County Central

21. (18) Walton

23. (22) Colquitt County

25. (21) Buford

29. (44) Carrollton

37. (51) Douglas County

38. (25) Newton

54. (55) Gainesville

56. (75) Hughes

65. (40) Westlake

82. (NR) Parkview

85. (83) Grayson

87. (73) Lee County

99. (NR) Marist

 

USA Today

(Top 25)

11. (11) Mill Creek

15. (15) Colquitt County

17. (16) Buford

23. (24) Walton

 

MaxPreps

(Top 100)

9. (9) Mill Creek

12. (12) Colquitt County

14. (14) Walton

17. (17) Buford

18. (18) Carrollton

41. (41) Gainesville

53. (NR) Parkview

59. (47) Newton

61. (60) Grayson

88. (75) Westlake

93. (90) Rome

95. (93) Lee County

97. (96) Benedictine

99. (NR) Thomas County Central

 

Massey Ratings

(Top 100)

9. (8) Mill Creek

13. (15) Colquitt County

14. (13) Walton

15. (16) Buford

27. (30) Carrollton

31. (38) Thomas County Central

52. (48) Benedictine

57. (41) Westlake

61. (34) Newton

63. (68) Lee County

64. (74) Grayson

70. (71) Hughes

71. (70) Gainesville

73. (82) Roswell

84. (85) North Cobb

91. (95) Douglas County

95. (92) Coffee

 

High School Football America

(Top 100)

10. (10) Mill Creek

12. (12) Buford

13. (13) Colquitt County

20. (20) Walton

46. (44) Carrollton

59. (58) Gainesville

81. (84) Benedictine

97. (93) Hughes

 

SBLive/Sports Illustrated

(Top 25)

9. (9) Mill Creek

11. (11) Colquitt County

12. (12) Buford

21. (21) Walton

 

NationalHSFB.com

(Top 25)

10. (10) Colquitt County

14. (14) Mill Creek

20. (20) Walton

 

Blue Star Media

(Top 25)

7. (7) Mill Creek

11. (11) Buford

14. (14) Colquitt County

15. (15) Walton

[GardenStateBaller]

 

[GardenStateBaller]

 

[GardenStateBaller]

Lowndes loses to Richmond Hill 37-14

@Ga96 

[GardenStateBaller]

 

[GardenStateBaller]

Class 7A

1. (1) Mill Creek (9-0)

Last week: Beat Dacula 41-0. Mill Creek led only 3-0 at halftime but went on to clinch Region 8. Cam Robinson rushed for 173 yards on 19 carries. Brady Lane made field goals of 44 and 30 yards and dropped three punts inside the 20-yard line. Next: Friday vs. Mountain View (4-5)

2. (2) Walton (9-0)

Last week: Beat Osborne 35-0. Walton held Osborne to minus-11 rushing yards and 77 total yards. Ashton Woods had two tackles for losses, 1.5 sacks and an interception. Jeremy Hecklinski was 14-of-23 passing for 242 yards and two touchdowns, both to Hunter Teal, covering 60 and 57 yards. Next: Friday at Wheeler (7-2)

3. (3) Colquitt County (9-0)

Last week: Beat Valdosta 44-28. Ny Carr had seven receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Neko Fann passed for 209 yards. Ry’Sheed Fuller returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown. Ty Lamar returned a kickoff 95 yards for a score. Colquitt County clinched Region 1. Next: Friday vs. Richmond Hill (5-4)

4. (4) Buford (8-1)

Last week: Beat Mountain View 51-0. Buford led 51-0 at halftime. Dylan Raiola threw four TD passes, two to K.J. Bolden. Jordan Allen returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown. Next: Friday vs. Central Gwinnett (3-6)

5. (5) Carrollton (9-1)

Last week: Beat Campbell 63-7. Carrollton led 49-7 at halftime. Ju Ju Lewis was 12-of-15 passing for 156 yards and three touchdowns. Brodie Bradburn returned a fumble two yards for a touchdown. Next: Playoffs

6. (6) Norcross (8-1)

Last week: Beat Peachtree Ridge 35-17. Norcross took sole possession of first place in Region 7. Kevin Maven rushed for 234 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries. A.J. Watkins had 53 yards rushing, 93 yards passing and 37 yards receiving while scoring two touchdowns. Norcross never punted. Next: Friday at North Gwinnett (6-3)

7. (9) Parkview (7-2)

Last week: Beat Brookwood 43-24. Jaiden Jenkins rushed for 86 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries and was 8-of-17 passing for 98 yards and a touchdown. Parkview scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull away from a 29-24 game. Next: Friday vs. Grayson (7-2)

8. (10) Grayson (7-2)

Last week: Beat Archer 41-14. Grayson beat the previous first-place team and put itself in position to clinch Region 4 with a victory this week. Jeff Davis was 16-of-21 passing for 239 yards and three touchdowns. Dylan Elder rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Next: Friday at Parkview (7-2)

9. (8) Westlake (7-2)

Last week: Beat East Coweta 28-7. Westlake held East Coweta to less than 100 total yards. Next: Friday at Campbell (3-6)

10. (7) Newton (7-2)

Last week: Lost to South Gwinnett 31-28. South Gwinnett’s Miguel Ramos made a 26-yard field goal on the final play. Newton led 28-21 earlier in the fourth quarter. Deron Benson was 14-of-19 passing for 241 yards and three touchdowns, all to Marcus Calwise, who had six receptions for 191 yards. Next: Friday at Archer (5-4)

 

[GardenStateBaller]

 

[GardenStateBaller]

 

[GardenStateBaller]

@Ga96