Maxwell projection: Appling County by 22
Remarks: For the Pirates, a victory means a step closer to what was, in all likelihood, a regional championship that was clinched on October 3, when they beat the then number one. 2 and undefeated Pierce County 28-17 at home. They are coming off a 38-0 win at Windsor Forest, their first shutout since beating Tattnall County 70-0 in 2020. Tattnall County (4-3, 2-1) are their opponents next week, and with a victory at Brantley County (5-3, 2-2) in the season finale, they will have their first regional championship since 2013… While the Pirates are thinking of the regional championship, the Indians trying to make the playoffs. They bounced back from a shocking 13-7 loss to Tattnall County on October 7 to beat Branley County 46-6 last week. After Friday, they close with Pierce County (6-1, 2-1) next week and Toombs County (4-4, 1-3) Nov. 4. They are currently tied with Pierce. County and Tattnall County for second place, with Brantley County half a game behind.
Banks Academy Leopards at Athens Academy Spartans
When or: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Slaughter Field, Athens
Records, rankings: Banks Academy is 4-3, 0-2 and unranked; Athens Academy is 5-2, 1-1 and unseeded.
Last meeting: Banks County won 20-14 in 1997.
Watch the game: NFHS Network
Maxwell projection: Academy of Athens by 27
Remarks: These teams played almost twice between 1978 and 1997, and then the two schools, 40 minutes apart, never played again. From 1990 to 1997, they met as area rivals and split the series 4-way. If Banks County pulled off the upset, and East Jackson defeated Union County, there would be a tie at three for second place at 2-1 between Athens. Academy, East Jackson and Union County. Union County is a 16-point favorite. Banks County would still be on the outside, needing one of those teams to lose at least once more… The Spartans will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 28-6 loss to Fellowship Christian last week in a game that could have determined the Region 8 championship. Although they were efficient in the running game and controlled the clock with long, sustained practices, they had two falls in the end zone and didn’t failed to score beyond two field goals… The Leopards started 4-0 but lost three games in a row, including their first two regional games. A loss here would end their streak of back-to-back playoff appearances.
North Murray Mountaineers at Model Blue Devils
When or: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Woodard-Tuggle Stadium, Rome
Records, rankings: North Murray is 5-3, 3-1 and unranked; The pattern is 5-3, 3-1 and unranked.
Last meeting: North Murray won 24-7 in 2019.
Maxwell projection: Model by 13
Remarks: The winner of this game is in the driver’s seat for the No. 2 seed. The Mountaineers lost to Fannin County 68-42 last week and will face Rockmart (3-0 in the league) in the November 4 final. . Model lost to Rockmart 48-14 but beat Fannin County 24-0. The loser of this game will be in a fight with Fannin County (2-1) for the No. 3 seed, with Haralson County (1-3) on life support. A victory for the Blue Devils would allow them to set up their first playoff game since 2015. The Mountaineers staged their last game in 2019, when they won their only regional championship (6-3A) and reached the quarter-finals with the current UGA Ladd McConkey. open the way. The scoring disparity in the Blue Devils and Mountaineers game with common opponent Fannin County is likely a major factor in the Blue Devils’ predicted margin of victory of 13 points. Aside from the Rockmart loss, the Blue Devils have beaten Murray County, Fannin County and Haralson County by a combined 102-3.
