An early share of first place in the region could be at stake this week when Newnan travels to Hughes for this week’s edition of GPB’s Football Fridays in Georgia.

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Newnan is 4-1 overall and 1-1 in Region 3-5A; the Cougars were beaten by Northgate two weeks ago. Hughes, which won the state championship in 2023 and played for the title last year, is 5-0 and 2-0 in the region.

Hughes hasn’t missed a step while transitioning to head coach Andrico Hines, who took over when Boone Williams opted to take the job at Northside Warner Robins.

Hughes is coming off a 56-13 win over Dutchtown, while Newnan defeated Morrow 34-6 last week.

Hughes averages 46 points behind quarterback Darnell Kelly, who has thrown for 816 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 206 yards and one touchdown. Newnan quarterback Brodie Campbell has thrown for 1,151 yards and 13 touchdowns through the first four games.

Hughes leads the all-time series 6-3 and won last year’s game 48-7.

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Hapeville Charter vs. Carver Atlanta (Lakewood Stadium): Carver coach Darren Myles got the 150th win of his exemplary career last week in a 44-0 win over Washington, but will need another strong effort in this battle between the Region 5-2A powers.

Carver (5-0, 1-0) is among three teams tied for first in the league. Hapeville Charter’s 1-3 record is misleading; the Hornets have lost to Class 4A No. 2 Cartersville, Class 5A No. 7 Lee County and perennial Class 5A power Westlake.

Hapeville knocked off Carver 15-12 last year in the final game of the regular season. It was the first meeting between the two teams.\

This is also the Web Game of the Week for GPB.org.

Benedictine at Ware County: This is the first league game for Region 1-4A, one of the toughest leagues in the state. No. 8 Benedictine (2-2)  has played a killer schedule and has lost to Class 6A No. 1 Buford and No. 9 Colquitt County; the Cadets are coming off a 56-7 win over Westminster. No. 4 Ware County (5-0), which won the state title in 2022, is coming off a 42-9 win over Lincoln of Tallahassee, Fla., and  

Ware County won last year’s meeting 38-14 and leads the all-time series 3-2.

Marist vs. Southwest DeKalb (Panthersville): Two state-ranked clubs square off to determine the early leaders in Region 5-4A. No. 6-ranked Marist is 3-1 after routing Druid Hills 55-0; the War Eagles lost to Class 2A No. 10 Jefferson in the season opener. No. 10 Southwest DeKalb (4-1) took down St. Pius 41-10 on Friday, avenging last year’s loss, and lost its only game to Class 2A No. 6 Carver Atlanta in the season opener.

Marist leads the all-time series 13-6 and won last year’s game 47-13. It was the first time the two iconic programs had played since 2011.

Valdosta at Camden County: The Region 1-6A gauntlet begins this week with No. 4 Valdosta traveling to No. 10 Camden County in the region opener. Both teams are 5-0 in the toughest league in the state’s highest classification.

Camden County warmed up by defeating Royal Palm Beach, Fla., 37-20; it was the fourth opponent from Florida the Wildcats have faced this season. Valdosta did not play last week.

Valdosta leads the all-time series 10-7-1 and has won the last two games, including 56-37 in 2024.