Watching the game: NFHS Network
Maxwell’s projection: Mount Pisgah with 1
Comments: This is an encore to last year’s overtime thriller, which was decided by Spartan quarterback Sam Bush’s 15-yard touchdown run, which came after freshman Spartan Tristan Puckett plucked Mount Pisgah’s touchdown pass on his OT possession. The Spartans will try to shake off a 48-14 loss last week, at home to Prince Avenue Christian, the top-ranked team in Division I of Class 1A. They will play against another opponent from that classification, and four of their five non-regional opponents will come from there. The only exception is Alabama’s Mobile Christian, whom they defeated 23-7 on August 26. Until this season, the Patriots had competed in 1A since its inception in 1976. Josh Alexander is in his eighth season as the Spartans coach, and he has never had a losing season. In fact, last season’s 8-4 record was the lowest win total he ended up with. He is 74-15 with three region titles. The Patriots are looking for a season sweep against opponents from Region 8-2A. They defeated Fellowship Christian 21-18 in the Kell Classic on August 19. After stumbling to a 5-6 record in coach Ryan Livezey’s first season last year, the Patriots are officially 3-0 for the first time since 2013. their first 12 games. In 2016, they got a 3-0 start, despite trailing 21-14 to Rabun County in their second game, which was left unfinished due to weather.
First Presbyterian Vikings at Laney Wildcats
When where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Laney Memorial Stadium, Augusta
Records, rankings: First Presbyterian is 1-1 and ranked No. 3 in the GIAA’s Class 4A, according to the MaxPrep computer rankings; Laney is 2-0 and not ranked in 2A.
Last meeting: This is the first meeting between these teams.
Maxwell’s projection: Even
Comments: The Wildcats appear to be building something up under coach Ronnie Baker, who led them to their first winning record (6-5) since 2015 and their first playoff appearance since 2016 in his first season last year. This season they are 2-0 for the first time since 2007 after taking out South Carolina’s Strom Thurmond 14-0 on August 19 and Hephzibah 26-17 on August 26 before retiring. The Wildcats started 4-0 in 2007 but finished 6-4 with a first-round exit. This is the Wildcats’ final set-up for their regional schedule, which starts at home with the top-ranked team of the 4-2A, No. 8 Thomson. The Vikings will be playing their first GHSA opponent since leaving for the GISA this off-season, as one of six schools to leave over the latest disagreements over reclassification. They defeated Alabama’s Chambers Academy 34-3 in their opener and lost 34-28 to Brookstone of GISA last week. They will play two more GHSA schools this season when they host Mount Pisgah on September 23 and Commerce the following week. They are led by four-star double-threat quarterback Jakhari Williams, who has Power 5 offerings from NC State, Pitt and Virginia Tech.
Copper Basin (Tenn.) Cougars at North Cobb Christian Eagles
When where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jacob Dennis Field, Kennesaw
Records, rankings: Copper Basin is 0-3 and not ranked in the TSSAA’s Class 1A, North Cobb Christian is 3-0 and No. 10.
Last meeting: This is the first meeting between these teams.
Watching the game: NFHS Network
Comments: The Eagles topped the rankings last week with a goosebump-inducing 19-15 win over Wesleyan in the final game, which was a 65-yard touchdown pass with five laterals. After struggling to a 3-8 record in coach Matt Jones’ inaugural season, the Eagles were able to be back on track where they were in 2020, when they finished 8-3 in 1A Private and reached the second round in the final season of Mark Hollars. . Hollars led the Eagles to their only quarterfinal appearance in 2018 and again to the second round in 2019. The Eagles have already matched last season’s win tally. The Eagles have used two quarterbacks so far. Junior Brock Parker is 14 of 16 for 154 yards and two touchdowns for one interception, senior Matty Go is 12 of 22 for 181 yards and two touchdowns for no interceptions. Senior Jadin Coates leads the team with 345 yards and three touchdowns on just 34 carries. Senior Jacob Cruz, a three-star athlete dedicated to Georgia Tech, leads the team defensively with 30 tackles and six tackles for loss, and offensively with nine catches for 157 yards. Like the Eagles, the Cougars struggled last year after an 8-3 finish in 2020, finishing 2-7. Unlike the Eagles, they don’t seem to have turned a corner this season.
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