The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No. 2 Hughes hosts undefeated No. 10 Douglas County
Here are three of the top metro Atlanta games during Week 6 of the high school football season:
Douglas County at Hughes
When, where: 7:30 p.m. today, Panther Stadium, Fairburn
Records, rankings: Douglas County is 4-0 overall, 1-0 in Region 5-6A and No. 10; Hughes is 3-1, 1-0 and No. 2.
Last meeting: Hughes won 48-3 in 2022.
Things to know: These are the only top-10 teams from Region 5-6A. Hughes’ blowout victory in 2022 ended a three-game losing streak (2017-19) to Douglas County. Hughes led in total yards 540-69. That Hughes team went on to win Class 6A and set the state scoring record. This Hughes team has settled more into its running game (261.8 yards rushing to 155.5 passing) despite the talents of QB Air Noland, who committed to Ohio State. He’s 43-of-73 passing for 617 yards and seven touchdowns. Top rushers are Dorian Page (447 yards) and Justus Savage (371 yards). Top defenders have been DB Jakob Bude (Central Florida) and DL Ameir Glenn (Wake Forest). Douglas County has a three-year starting quarterback, Sire Hardaway, who is 76-of-99 passing for 1,056 yards and nine touchdowns. Junior WR/ DB James Johnson has 719 all-purpose yards and ranks third on the team in tackles with 25. WR Aaron Gregory (18 receptions, 293 yards) and DE Jordan “Breeze” Carter are top-100 national recruits among sophomores.
Mill Creek at Parkview
When, where: 7:30 p.m. today, Big Orange Jungle, Lilburn
Records, rankings: Mill Creek is 4-0 and No. 3 in
Class 7A; Parkview is 4-0 and No. 6 in 7A.
Last meeting: Mill Creek won 40-17 in 2022.
Things to know: These schools are on opposite corners of Gwinnett County and didn’t play each other until 2021, when Mill Creek beat Parkview in the Corky Kell Classic. In the 2022 game, Mill Creek trailed 14-3 after allowing a 99-yard TD pass but scored the next four touchdowns. Cam Robinson rushed for 188 yards. Robinson is now a senior. He’s rushed for more than 200 yards in four of his past six games dating to last season, all against playoff or top-10 competition. Mill Creek has four defensive players with major Division I offers, though the leading tackler is LB Josh Anglin, who is committed to North Alabama. Parkview, under first-year coach Joe Sturdivant, has become more of a running team, averaging 204.0 yards rushing and 113.0 passing. Trelain Maddox, who committed to Georgia Tech, rushed for 220 yards and three touchdowns two weeks ago against North Gwinnett. Parkview’s best all-around player is WR/ DB Mike Matthews, who rarely leaves the field. He’s a top-25 national recruit committed to Tennessee.
North Cobb at Milton
When, where: 7:30 p.m. today, Eagles Nest, Milton
Records, rankings: North Cobb is 2-2 and unranked in Class 7A; Milton is 3-1 and No. 8 in 7A.
Last meeting: North Cobb won 21-7 in 2022.
Things to know: North Cobb has beaten Milton decisively the past two seasons, each time with Milton entering as the favorite. Milton was ranked No. 1 when North Cobb prevailed 40-21 in 2021. In the 2022 game, North Cobb outrushed Milton 39716. Ben Hall, now at Michigan, rushed for 174. QB Nick Grimstead, who is back, ran for 113 and scored on a 71-yard run. Grimstead has passed for 566 yards and rushed for 277 this season. David Eziomume (committed to Clemson) has rushed for 607 and eight touchdowns. MLB Grayson Hodges (Air Force) is a preseason all-state pick who had 17 tackles and four tackles for loss in a 35-17 victory over Northside of Warner Robins last week. Milton’s loss this season came to Western, a Florida team. The Eagles get two-thirds of their offensive yards passing. Luke Nickel (committed Miami) is 62-of101 passing for 877 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception.