Ten games to watch in Week 3

by Fletcher Proctor

Five big games go down the weekend of Sept. 11 and 12, one of which features two top teams going outside of their classifications for an exciting matchup.

Northside-Warner Robins, ranked No. 7 in Class 5A, hosts the Tigers of Carver-Columbus, the No. 1 team in 3A. Last season, Dell McGee’s Tigers lost a heartbreaker to the Eagles, 7-6. This season, however, the Eagles may be living off of reputation as the team lost RB Xavier Bacon and QB Joe Scott. Briar VanBrunt did show in the team’s 42-10 win over Perry that he has a capable arm as well as the legs to find first downs and the end zone. As far as replacing Bacon, Shaquille O’Neil scampered for 119 yards and a score against the Panthers but the offense must cut down on the fumbles, as the team lost four in its first game. The Northside defense will look to lock up QB Devin Burns and company with CB Brison Williams and DT Greg Clark. The Tigers are led by the Maryland-bound quarterback Burns and the workhorse tailback Isaiah Crowell. Crowell routinely racks up 100-plus yard games. The defense has stalwart DE Corey Crawford and his fellow bookend Brandon Smith.

In a game that could feature an exploding scoreboard, Sequoyah travels to Hillgrove. The Hawks will go as far as QB Synjyn Days takes them, and last week he sparked Phil Ironside’s offense to 325 yards in the first half alone. Days was just 4-of-5 passing, but went for 129 yards and two scores. The big-play offense can score at any time and posted four touchdown scores of 49-plus yards. Sophomore halfback Kenyon Drake also returned a kick for a score and had two other plays of over 75 yards. Meanwhile, Dalton Trevino paced Sequoyah to a 33-7 win over Cherokee last week and will look to improve on his 146 rushing yards thus far this season. Trevino also reached pay dirt three times in his team’s first win. The defense can and will force turnovers, as it forced four against Cherokee. Opposing defenses cannot key solely in on Trevino, however, as the Ben Rogers-to-Tucker Adams combo is lethal.

Peach County meets the Braves of Baldwin, and the Trojans may be hard-pressed to match the passing success it had against Macon County. Trojans QB Patrick Turner in his first game back from injury threw for 245 yards and two scores, connecting with Lamar Zanders for one of the touchdowns. Luke Crowell notched a touchdown reception and a rushing score as well. Peach County will have to cut down on the mental mistakes as Turner threw two picks, the team committed far too many penalties for head coach Chad Campbell’s liking and the team botched a punt. The Braves defense is led from the secondary by FS Dennie Milline. The offense is led by another Milline, sophomore QB Roshaun, who led the team to a 36-12 win against Glenn Hills last week. Expect Javonte Edwards to get a healthy dose of action against the Trojans defense. The offensive line might be the best in all of Class 3A, led by Jadarius Dean.

Week 3 features a rematch of the 2007 Class 2A state championship game when Buford faces Lovett. The Lions are hoping for a different result in a game that could decide Region 6-AA in the third week of the season. Lovett QB Jonathan Carkhuff passed for over 2,100 yards last season and he will have an easier go at the Wolves defense with former Buford FS Daunte Carr now at Gainesville. The Lions offense also features Max Williams, Taylor Mack and Zach Boden in the running game though Williams also hauls in some of Carkhuff’s passes. Buford, meanwhile, will make do with a dominating offensive line, led by Kolton Houston and Vadal Alexander. Those two open up holes for FB Jessel Curry and QB Alex Ross. While Buford was hit with two big-time transfers in Carr and RB Storm Johnson (Loganville), the Wolves shouldn’t slow down much, if at all. If Buford wants to win a third straight state title, taking out No. 7 Lovett twice might be necessary.

Finally, Class 5A No. 1 Lowndes travels nearly to the state’s southern border to face Ware County. Ed Dudley has moved from Walton down to Waycross to coach a Gators team just two years removed from an appearance in the Class 4A state title game. Dudley’s Gators rallied from down 13-0 to win 17-13 over Coffee last week. Lowndes did not need a rally in their first contest, as the Vikings piled up 560 yards en route to crushing Woodland-Henry, 75-14. Tailback Troy Braswell tallied 101 yards on just 10 carries. Khary Franklin likely will be splitting carries with Braswell as Franklin moved to the TB position in his senior season and Cole Parker has taken over the QB position. Parker was 6-for-7 for 107 yards and a score in the season opener. The three operate behind a line headlined by FSU-bound Ed Christian and Layne Grant. Those two should blow holes open all season long for Randy McPherson’s squad.

Proctor can be reached at fproctor@scoreatl.com.