GAME OF THE WEEK: Avondale at Blessed Trinity

The Sept. 25 Score Atlanta/Georgia Public Broadcasting Game of the Week will feature an up-and-coming Avondale squad and a Blessed Trinity program looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

Avondale will enter the game with a 2-1 record, and Blessed Trinity will sport either a 3-0 or 2-1 mark, depending on the outcome of Friday’s contest at Class A Washington-Wilkes. The Region 6-AA contest will mark the league opener for both schools Avondale’s 2-0 record after two weeks was the school’s best start since the 1999 season. Defeating two other DeKalb County programs (24-6 over Class 4A Lithonia; 28-0 over Class 3A Druid Hills), the improving Blue Devils ran into trouble in Week 3, dropping a 42-0 contest to Class 3A power Carrollton. The team stormed out to its 2-0 start thanks in large part to the running of senior Max Thompson, who rumbled for 232 yards in the game against Druid Hills. Sophomore QB Johquill Dawson is a threat to run as well, as he gained 75 yards on the ground against Druid Hills. The trip to Blessed Trinity will not be a new experience for the Blue Devils, who had to travel all the way to Carrollton back on Sept. 11.

Blessed Trinity is a program looking for validation after missing the playoffs for the past two seasons, finishing both times with 7-3 records. The Titans have a star in WR/DB Jake Skole, who recently committed to continue his football — and baseball — career at Georgia Tech. The team has also gotten big contributions this season from RB Kevin Schulz, who is filling in nicely for the departed Sam Burkhalter, a prolific back who is now at Georgia State. Schulz went for 172 yards on 19 carries, including a 79-yard scamper that set up a field goal, in the team’s 24-8 Week 2 win over Riverwood.

Though the Titans only returned seven starters from a team that nearly beat Buford on the road last season, a playoff spot is the goal. Go to GPB.org/football to view the live webcast on Sept. 25, with coverage starting at 7:15 p.m. Also, view the archived video on demand at GHSA.tv.