Top 10 games of Week 7

Last meeting: Benedictine won 58-26 in 2020.

Things to know: These teams have met each of the past three seasons with Benedictine winning twice. In the 2020 game, Benedictine scored five touchdowns on plays of 60 yards or longer. Benedictine has averaged 49.3 points in three victories since an 0-2 start against out-of-state teams and is coming off a 49-42 victory over Ware County, then the No. 2 team in Class 5A. QB Holden Geriner, who is committed to Auburn, threw for 448 yards against Ware. He has 1,212 passing yards for the season. RB/WR/DB Justin Thomas, committed to Georgia baseball, has 801 yards from scrimmage (505 rushing, 296 receiving) and 10 touchdowns with 19 solo tackles. Burke won tight games against Richmond Hill and North Augusta before routing Cross Creek last week. Burke averages 285 yards rushing and 103 passing per game. Eldrick “Tiger” Williams has rushed for 336 yards and five touchdowns. Marshall Flowers has passed for 294 yards and rushed for 175 in three games.

Hughes at Westlake

When, where: 6 p.m. Friday, Westlake Stadium, College Park

Records, rankings: Hughes is 4-1 overall, 0-0 in Region 4-6A and No. 7; Westlake is 4-1, 0-0 and No. 3.

Last meeting: Westlake won 26-21 in 2020.

Things to know: These south Fulton County rivals are the two highest-rated teams in 4-6A, and the winner will be the favorite to win the region championship. Westlake’s victory in last year’s game ultimately decided the title, which was the Lions’ seventh straight. Junior QB R.J. Johnson passed for 164 yards against Hughes in 2020, right on pace with his average of 166.8 yards per game this season. Westlake averages 173 yards passing and 170 rushing. Junior Jai’Den Thomas has rushed for 456 yards and five touchdowns in four games. Hughes has made its mark this season on defense, holding its opponents to a Class 6A-best 5.4 points per game and holding four of its five teams to a touchdown or less. Senior LB Michael Watson averages 10 tackles per game. Hughes, like Westlake, is balanced offensively (142.2 yards per game passing, 160.4 rushing). The best-known player of the group is senior running back Antonio Martin, a four-star prospect committed to Georgia Tech. Martin has rushed for 307 yards and four touchdowns in four games.

LaGrange at Carver (Columbus)

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, Columbus

Records, rankings: LaGrange is 5-0 overall, 3-0 in Region 2-4A and No. 9; Carver is 4-1, 3-0 and No. 5.

Last meeting: Carver won 36-14 in 2020.

Things to know: LaGrange and Carver are the highest ranked among the three undefeated teams in 2-4A play (Troup is the other), and the winner will emerge as the region favorite. LaGrange, which received a forfeit victory against Shaw last week, is 5-0 for the first time since 2007 and seeking its first region title since 2006. QB Tae Snead has passed for 690 yards, including 315 in a 57-14 victory over McIntosh on Aug. 27, and run for 249 through four games played. A.J. Tucker has rushed for 290 yards. Carver’s region title in 2020 was its second straight and 10th in 14 seasons. The Tigers had four players on GHSF Daily’s preseason all-state team, the most of any team in Class 4A. Those players were offensive tackles Elijah Pritchett (committed to Alabama this week) and Kelton Smith (4-star junior), DL Cameron Crowell and DB Antonio Watts. Not on the list were QB Devin Riles (Middle Tennessee), who has passed for 810 yards and run for 229, and RB Jaiden Credle, who is averaging 154.4 yards per game rushing with nine TDs. Pritchett was first-team all-state in 2020.

North Gwinnett at Mill Creek

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Markham Field at Mill Creek Community Stadium, Hochston

Records, rankings: North Gwinnett is 3-3 overall, 0-0 in Region 8-7A and unranked; Mill Creek is 5-0, 0-0 and No. 2.

Last meeting: North Gwinnett won 31-0 in 2020.

Things to know: The winner of this region opener will emerge as the chief contender to top-ranked Collins Hill in Region 8-7A. Mill Creek, unranked in preseason, is 5-0 against five teams that have been ranked at some point this season, winning by 14 points or more in every game. The 28-14 victory over Grayson last week was 21-0 at halftime. North Gwinnett will be the sixth opponent with top-10 pedigree, though the Bulldogs lasted only one week as the preseason No. 10. Mill Creek can become 6-0 for the first time since 2016, when current North Gwinnett coach Bill Stewart was Mill Creek’s defensive coordinator. Mill Creek is allowing 10.8 points per game. Hayden Clark has thrown for 858 yards. Caleb Downs, a junior four-star recruit, has 242 all-purpose yards and thrives on offense, defense and special teams. North Gwinnett has lost to Hoover (Ala.), North Cobb and Jones County. The Bulldogs’ top player is junior DT Kayden McDonald, a four-star recruit with 29 tackles for losses. North Gwinnett has won the past four games in this series, the last three in blowouts.

Northeast at Washington County

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, The House of Pain, Sandersville

Records, rankings: Northeast is 3-1 overall, 0-0 in Region 3-2A and No. 9; Washington County is 3-0, 1-0 and No. 8.

Last meeting: Northeast won 25-24 in 2020.

Things to know: These are two of four ranked teams from Region 3-2A. The others are No. 4 Bleckley County and No. 7 Dodge County. Northeast’s victory last year was its second straight in the series after losing the previous 10 meetings. QB Travion Solomon passed for 264 yards and rushed for 74 in the 2020 victory. He’s back along with almost every 2020 starter. Tyler Terry has rushed for 389 yards. Kalik Evans has rushed for 361 yards and seven touchdowns. Washington County is a heavy run team. Djay Braswell has rushed for 136 and 123 yards the past two games, with two touchdowns in each. DL Darris Smith, a Georgia commit, is the team’s most heralded player. Both teams have played among the 10 toughest Class 2A schedules, according to the Maxwell Ratings. Washington County is averaging 37 points per game, third-most in Class 2A. Northeast is allowing 11 points per game, seventh-fewest in 2A.

Rabun County at Pierce County

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Bearville Stadium, Blackshear

Records, rankings: Rabun County is 4-1 and No. 1 in Class 2A; Pierce County is 4-1 and No. 3 in 3A.

Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.

Things to know: This game, not on the original schedule, came about following COVID-related cancellations. The schools are 290 miles apart. Pierce County’s seniors are 41-4. Rabun County’s seniors are 39-6. Rabun County is averaging 50.4 points, the most in Class 2A. Pierce County is allowing 6.6 points, the third-fewest in 3A. Gunner Stockton, a four-year starter and Georgia commit, has passed for 1,628 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. He’s thrown 144 career TD passes, 11 short of Trevor Lawrence’s state record. Four receivers have at least four TD receptions this season. Pierce’s starting defense hasn’t allowed points since the opening game, a 20-13 loss against Brunswick. Pierce didn’t allow a first down until 9:20 left in a 17-0 victory last week over Fitzgerald, the only team to beat Pierce in 2020. D.J. Bell, who rushed for 1,521 yards as a sophomore last year, played his first game of 2020 last week and threw two TD passes. Those were half of Pierce’s TD passes for the season.

South Paulding at Carrollton

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Grisham Stadium, Carrollton

Records, rankings: South Paulding is 4-1 overall, 2-0 in Region 5-6A and unranked; Carrollton is 4-1, 1-1 and No. 10.

Last meeting: Carrollton won 41-21 in 2020.

Watch the game: On television on GPB.

Things to know: Defending region champion Carrollton was the Maxwell Ratings’ preseason favorite to win the 5-6A title and remains the computer’s highest-rated team from the region, but the Trojans are looking up in the standings at South Paulding and Douglas County after a 45-27 loss to Rome last week. Rome lost to South Paulding 34-32 the previous week. Carrollton gets about 75% of its yards from the passing game, led by M.J. Morris (committed to N.C. State). He is 66-of-97 for 1,363 yards and 18 TDs. Bryce Hicks is the leading rusher with 227 yards. South Paulding, seeking the first region title in the school’s 16-year history, is 3-0 and averaging 47 points per game since Eric Robinson was named head coach to replace Jason Nash, who resigned for personal reasons. The Spartans are averaging 234.2 yards passing and 215 rushing. Junior QB Kasen Weisman has passed for 1,134 yards, run for 138 and accounted for 14 TDs. Junior Jamarion Wilcox has rushed for 579 yards and 10 TDs, with a high of 262 yards in a 55-48 win over Dalton last week.

Stratford Academy at Calvary Day

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Specialty Sports Complex, Savannah

Records, rankings: Stratford Academy is 4-0 and No. 10 in Class A Private; Calvary Day is 6-0 and No. 3 in A Private.

Last meeting: Stratford Academy won 28-21 in 2020.

Things to know: Calvary Day reached the quarterfinals or better in six of the past eight seasons. The Cavaliers are averaging 194.5 yards per game passing and 176 rushing through six games. Sophomore QB Jake Merklinger is 90-of-123 passing (73.2%) for 1,167 yards and eight touchdowns and has run for 204 yards and seven TDs. Freshman Donovan Johnson has rushed for 636 yards, and sophomore Michael Smith has 311 yards receiving. Calvary Day recovered from its loss to Stratford last year and advanced to the semifinals. Stratford Academy is trying to reach 5-0 for the second time since moving into the GHSA in 2014. The Eagles return two of nine all-Region 1-A Private players from last season, junior RB/DB Shaun Wilmore and RB/LB Nate Slappey, whose 5-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter last week gave Stratford the lead for good in a 27-20 victory over Savannah Country Day. One player to watch is junior Keondre Glover, who had a 64-yard touchdown reception, 25-yard TD run and 62-yard interception return last week.

Trinity Christian at Eagle’s Landing Christian

When, where: 8 p.m. Friday, Commitment Field, McDonough

Records, rankings: Trinity Christian is 5-0 and No. 1 in Class A Private; Eagle’s Landing Christian is 1-3 and No. 2 in A Private.

Last meeting: Eagle’s Landing Christian won 34-0 in 2020.

Things to know: This game between the two top teams in A Private matches the hot newcomer (Trinity Christian) against the class’s longtime power. Trinity Christian surprised many in 2020 when it reached the state final in its third year in the GHSA, but the Lions have steamrolled everyone this year, averaging a state-best 55.2 points while allowing a total of 44. QB David Dallas (committed to Western Michigan) has passed for 1,233 yards and 18 touchdowns with just one interception. His brother, Josh (Liberty), is his top target with 16 catches for 301 yards and six TDs. Dominick Cosper (491 yards rushing) leads a running game that averages 151 yards. Eagle’s Landing Christian’s slow start isn’t unusual, considering the tough schedules it routinely plays. The Chargers, who won six state titles in the past nine years, have lost to three top-10 5A schools – Woodward Academy (17-14), Ware County (52-28) and Blessed Trinity (24-21). Junior QB Charlie Gilliam has passed for 728 yards and sophomore RB Brandon Hood has run for 392 to lead a balanced offense.

Warner Robins at Camden County

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Chris Gilman Stadium, Kingsland

Records, rankings: Warner Robins is 5-0 and No. 1 in Class 5A; Camden County is 4-2 and unranked in 7A.

Last meeting: Warner Robins won 43-7 in 2020.

Things to know: Warner Robins has reached the finals the past four seasons, winning in 2020, and this is arguably a better season start than any of those. The Demons have handily beaten five opponents, three that entered ranked, including No. 1 Lee County of Class 6A last week. The Demons have scored 48 or more points in every game. Warner Robins is averaging 231.6 yards rushing and 240 passing per game. Malcolm Brown is second in Class 6A rushing yards (720). Daveon Walker is third in receiving (534). Camden has lost to Marietta 40-17 and Coffee 10-7. The Marietta game was competitive until the fourth quarter. Camden averages 298.7 yards rushing per game while attempting only about five passes. Jeff Herron returned as coach to Camden County this season. He averaged 11.8 wins at Camden from 2000 to 2012. He has not lost three games in a regular season since 1997, his first at Oconee County, which he led to a state title in 1999.

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