The 2018 GHSA football season starts Thursday, headlined by the 27th annual Corky Kell Classic. In Class AA, there are a number of games to keep an eye on and we’ll take a look at them here.
Friday’s games
No. 5 Thomasville Bulldogs at Cairo SyrupmakersWhen/Where: 7:30 p.m. at West Thomas Stadium
2017 records: Thomasville went 12-1; Cairo went 8-4
Last meeting: Thomasville won 37-8 in the season opener for both teams.
Maxwell's projection: Thomasville by 1
Notes: Last season, then-second-year coach Zach Grage and the Bulldogs kicked off what would become a 10-0 regular season with a thumping of Cairo, snapping a three-game losing streak to the crosstown rivals. Before a 2013 win against the Syrupmakers, they'd lost eight straight to Cairo. This year, they'll look to re-establish their dominance in the all-time series against Cairo — unranked from Class AAAA — which they lead 40-27-6. A win won't come easy, however, as the Bulldogs lost 15 players who either started or played significant minutes, while the Syrupmakers return eight starters.
No. 7 Dodge County Indians at Bradwell Institute Tigers
When/where: 7:30 p.m. at Olvey Field
2017 records: Dodge County went 10-1; Bradwell went 6-4
Last meeting: This is the first time these teams have met.
Maxwell's projection: Dodge County by 12
Notes: The Indians ran the tables during the regular season, going 9-0 — their third game of the season against Appling County was cancelled — before a disappointing 35-17 loss to Brooks County ended their season in the second round of the AA playoffs. They'll face an unranked Tigers team from AAAAAA that enjoyed their first winning season — which came under first-year coach Ross Couch — since 2009. The team has come along way since going 0-20 from 2014-15. The Indians are playing sophomores in key positions including quarterback, but have a senior running back corps to lead the way. The Tigers return a number of starters and should keep the game competitive.
Swainsboro Tigers at No. 8 Jefferson County Warriors
When/where: 7:30 p.m. at Warrior Field
2017 records: Swainsboro went 6-4; Jefferson County went 10-2
Last meeting: Jefferson County won 29-22 in 2016
Maxwell's projection: Jefferson County by 13
Notes: The two AA teams didn't play each other last season for the first time in 11 years. They'll resume the rivalry with the Warriors having won three straight and seven of the last nine, while leading the all-time series 9-6. With experience on both sides of the ball, the Tigers could keep this game close. The Warriors, on the other hand, have a reputation for winning games they're supposed to with veteran coach JB Arnold, who's led them since 2001.
Saturday’s games
No. 3 Rabun County Wildcats vs. No. 9 Bremen Blue DevilsWhen/Where: 6 p.m. at Paulsen Stadium in Statesboro
2017 records: Rabun County went 14-1; Bremen went 9-2
Last meeting: Rabun County won 49-14 in 2015
Maxwell's projection: Rabun County by 29
Notes: Already we have a top 10 matchup between AA schools. This game will be played a neutral site way down in south Georgia, with Paulsen Stadium 256 miles west of Bremen and 229 miles southwest of Rabun County. Despite both teams being ranked, Maxwell's projections peg the Wildcats for a big win, and that could happen. Though the Wildcats lost 14 seniors — including AJC Player of the Year nominee, quarterback Bailey Fisher — coach Lee Shaw runs a fast-paced offense designed to put up a lot of points and fast, so if the Blue Devils cant' stop that it will be a long night for them. The Blue Devils have improved their record in each of coach Davis Russell's first two years at Bremen.
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