Valdosta comes up to the Atlanta area for a Saturday night showdown. Kell proves they are a team to watch in AAAA. And two games in AAAAA that will take place this weekend promise to be huge on many levels. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you these stories among others for the top high school stories in Georgia for the week.
5. Valdosta wins Saturday night special.
Usually, the big high school football games in the state take place on Friday. But Saturday night was a treat for high school fans in Georgia as Valdosta came up to DeKalb County to take on M.L. King at Halford stadium. The game was broadcast via internet on gpb.org and was a game that had a lot of scoring from both teams. In the end, it was Valdosta that came out on top, earning a 43-28 win over the Lions.
The scoring got started in the first quarter, as M.L. King receiver DeMarco Robinson, took the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. On their next drive, quarterback Jonquel Dawson threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Robinson and the Lions were up by 14 before the Wildcats could blink. But Valdosta took control of the game after that, scoring 20 points in the second quarter and scored on their opening drive in the third quarter when quarterback Ryan Whilden threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Phillip Moore. Whilden had a big game for the Wildcats, completing 20 of 32 passes for 343 yards and five touchdowns. Valdosta continues to roll with a 6-0 record and No.8 ranking in the state.
4. Kell keeps rolling.
One of Friday's top games feature two of Cobb County's best, as undefeated Pope took on Kell. It wasn't as high scoring as the Valdosta-M.L. King affair, but there was a lot of action and Kell was able to outlast Pope 35-21. Kell has received a lot of credit for their defense over the first half of the season, but come credit has to go to the offense as they are beginning to gain some momentum.
The running tandem of Chris Gaines and Brian Randolph has been deadly. Gaines rushed for 160 yards, while Randolph, who has committed to Tennessee, rushed for 102 yards and three scores in the win against Pope. Kell now moves to 6-0 and could finish the season undefeated if they continue the rate they are going.
3. Camden loses, but remains on top.
Camden County went down to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Friday night to take on St. Thomas Aquinas and they are team that is ranked No.1 in the state of Florida. The game was nationally televised on ESPN U and some of the best talent in the country was on display. However, Aquinas had too much talent and go on to win 42-28. Camden was able to rush for 376 yards, but the Aquinas offense was too much as quarterback Jake Rudock threw for 333 yards and four touchdown passes.
Because Camden was playing an out-of-state team that's one of the best in the country, they still remain atop the polls and should cruise through the rest of the regular season schedule. They are looking to win their third consecutive AAAAA state title.
2. The Region 7-AAAAA battle begins.
One of the more marquee games coming up this weekend is when North Gwinnett takes on Norcross in a Region 7-AAAAA battle. Both teams are 5-0 and know what it takes to win critical games that will shape the playoff picture.
North Gwinnett is one of the more balanced teams in the state with a high powered offense and just as dangerous defense. They are led by quarterback C.J. Uzomah who can also play wide receiver. Scott Hosch can also play quarterback for the Bulldogs and has done a great job leading the offense while Uzomah plays receiver.
Norcross is a team that has a lot of playoff experience over the last few years, but missed the playoffs last year with a 5-5 record. Now they are 5-0 for the first time in four years and look to be back on track. Kendrix Huitt could be the best running back in the county and John McWilliams is a dangerous linebacker that can play sideline-to-sideline. This should be another great game featuring two great teams from Gwinnett.
1. Valdosta vs. Lowndes: Doesn't get much bigger.
Friday night will be the biggest game of the year for the city of Valdosta as Lowndes will face Valdosta in battle for the lead in Region 1-AAAAA. Valdosta does lead the series with a 33-15 record, but the Vikings have won the last six meetings including a 57-15 victory last season.
But the Wildcats are a better team this year and come into the game with a 6-0 record which is the first time they are undefeated at the season since 2001. Valdosta has a dangerous offense led by Jay Rome, who is the best tight end in the state. And you know about the rest of talented unit as they were mentioned in the No. 5 spot in the top high school stories.
Lowndes has won four state titles since 1999 and are always a team the will go deep in the playoffs. Troy Braswell is a player to watch as he is a very fast running back that can make a lot of plays. Quarterback Cole Parker doesn't throw the ball that much because of the offense Lowndes run, but is accurate and is a good field general. This will be another classic South Georgia game and if these teams continue to play at a high level, they will see each other again real soon.