Brookwood battles back for region slot

A season removed from its worst finish in 28 years, Brookwood (4-3, 4-1) is one victory from an almost certain playoff berth in Region 8-AAAAAA heading into Friday’s game at Dacula (4-2, 3-1).

Brookwood was 2-8 last season, lost its first three games this season, got blown out by Mill Creek and Parkview, needed overtime to beat winless Shiloh and trailed Central Gwinnett 21-0 on Friday night.

Things have turned around. Brookwood returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown and eventually won 33-28, sending Central Gwinnett (4-2, 3-1) to its first region loss. Brookwood has won four consecutive games under first-year coach Philip Jones.

Here are the top upcoming games in Class AAAAAA and the other classifications:

CLASS AAAAAA

South Forsyth (6-0, 5-0) at West Forsyth (4-2, 4-1): South Forsyth is chasing its first region title since 1997, when it was a AA school. But South Forsyth is 0-3 all-time against West Forsyth. If South Forsyth can get through, Region 6 appears headed for a Nov. 6 game between South Forsyth and Lambert (5-1, 5-0) for the title.

Valdosta (5-2) at Colquitt County (7-0): Valdosta perhaps saved its season last week with a comeback victory over Tift County 26-23, avoiding a second region loss in a region where three is fatal. Valdosta has never missed the playoffs in coach Rance Gillespie’s six seasons, but probably needs one more victory against No. 1 Colquitt County, No. 6 Lee County or archrival Lowndes.

CLASS AAAAA

Houston County (6-0) at Jones County (5-1): The second round of games matching the top four teams in Region 2 will be headlined by second-ranked Houston County against No. 8 Jones County. Houston County is 6-0 for the first time in school history, while the Greyhounds will look to avenge their 45-14 loss in 2014. Both teams were off Friday. Warner Robins will meet crosstown rival Northside in the other key matchup. Top-ranked Northside is the defending region and state champion.

Riverwood (6-1) at Kell (4-2): Riverwood has been playing football since 1974, but has never won a region championship. The Raiders will get at least a shot at a title if they win their next two games, beginning next weekend against three-time defending 7-AAAAA champion Kell. Riverwood is 4-0 in subregion play after beating North Springs 48-0 on Friday. A victory against Kell and another the following week against Cambridge (3-0 in the subregion) would clinch the Raiders’ spot in the region championship game.

CLASS AAAA

Upson-Lee (5-1) at Mary Persons (6-0): Upson-Lee can make a statement with a victory at Mary Persons. But it won’t be easy. Mary Persons hammered the Knights 42-0 last season in their only previous meeting. Bulldogs quarterback Jake Johnson threw three touchdown passes in a convincing 47-21 victory against Howard on Friday, and Mary Persons has outscored region opponents 89-35 this season.

Thomson (5-1) at Liberty County (5-2): Thomson has owned this series, winning four of five meetings, including last season’s tight 16-14 game. Liberty County is coming off an impressive 26-20 victory against Burke County and can take firm control over the region against the Bulldogs. Thomson lost to Burke County 26-20 two weeks ago.

CLASS AAA

Blessed Trinity (6-0) at Westminster (3-3): No. 2 Blessed Trinity can almost nail down the Region 4, Division B championship with a victory against one of their biggest rivals. Blessed Trinity’s defense has not allowed more than 10 points all season, with five opponents scoring a touchdown or less. The Titans had seven sacks in Friday’s 46-7 victory against Therrell, three from Shane Parton. Westminster has been inconsistent, but bounced back after a disappointing loss to Therrell to beat Decatur 49-13. Westminster’s Rankin Woley threw for two touchdowns, ran for another and intercepted a pass. Westminster leads the series 6-5, but Blessed Trinity has won the past four meetings, including 23-11 in 2014.

Peach County (6-1) at Jackson (4-1): This game could decide the Region 2 championship. No. 5 Peach County warmed up with a 35-12 victory against Kendrick, a game the Trojans led 35-0 at halftime. Peach County’s defense came up with two touchdowns, and James Jackson ran for two scores. No. 9 Jackson, led by quarterback Shaderious Crowder, played Spencer on Saturday night. Peach County has won the three meetings between the two schools, including 52-17 in 2014.

CLASS AA

Brooks County (5-2) at Fitzgerald (6-0): No. 10 Brooks County is coming off a 34-0 shutout victory against Seminole County. Fitzgerald is coming off a bye and has yet to be challenged. No team has come within three scores of the Purple Hurricanes this season. Fitzgerald defeated Brooks County 57-29 last season.

Union County (7-0) at Rabun County (6-0): No. 9 Union County won 49-28 against Greene County, and No. 5 Rabun County crushed Oglethorpe County 60-12. Rabun County won last year’s matchup 35-21. Union County hasn’t won a game in the series since 2011, the year before Rabun County coach Lee Shaw arrived.

CLASS A

Turner County (6-0) at Clinch County (5-1): Turner County will attempt to continue its magical season with a victory against the Panthers in Homerville. Turner County is 6-0 for the first time since 1976 when the Rebels finished 13-0 and won their only state title. Turner County most recently won a region crown in 2006. The Rebels have not fared well against Clinch County lately, losing four of the past five meetings, including a 42-30 decision last season. Clinch County appears to be back on track after a disappointing 6-5 finish last season. The Panthers last won a region championship in 2013 and won the state title in 2010.

Twiggs County (3-3) at Stratford Academy (4-2): This is the biggest game in quite some time for Twiggs County, which hasn’t won more than three games in a season since 2009, when the Cobras won their last region crown. Twiggs began the season 0-3, but has rebounded to win three in a row, including a 20-12 victory against Wilkinson County, which had won four consecutive. Stratford has won three in a row, including a 41-14 victory against Macon rival Tattnall Square on Friday. The Eagles began the season 1-2. The winner has the inside track to the subregion title and a matchup with either Aquinas or Lincoln County in the region championship game.