by Ken K. Green Lamar County hosts defending 4-AA champion Putnam County Friday night in a game that could end up determining this region winner. The Trojans are undefeated at 4-0 (2-0) in region play. The War Eagles are also 2-0 in 4-AA and 3-1 overall. Their only loss coming to tenth ranked Dublin by a touchdown. Lamar is averaging 43.8 points per game while yielding 15.8. When and Where: Friday 7:30 p.m. at Trojan Field Weather: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of rain throughout the game. The temperature will be in the low to mid 70’s at kick-off. NOTE: Blue Thunder will be prevalent all evening long as the Trojan fans shake down the thunder. Admission: $7 at the gate. Advance tickets are available for $5 each all day Thursday and until one o’clock Friday at Lamar County High School and Middle School and at Slice’s Pizzeria on Main Street. Last week: Putnam County beat Southwest Macon 34-6. Lamar County beat Morgan County 38-35 in overtime. Series: Lamar County leads all-time 2-1 with wins in 1985-86. Putnam won last year, 20-7, in Eatonton. War Eagle defense: 4-4 front giving up 12 points per game. War Eagle offense: Multiple I-formation scoring 39 points per game. Top players: #1 Marteze Waller, SR. RB, 6-1 210 lbs. 81 carries 837 yards 11 touchdowns (198 last week vs. SW Macon and led the state in all classifications with over 2,500 yards rushing as a junior), #10 Nick Burke SR. QB and #16 Carl Buckner SR. WR. War Eagle coach: Ben Reaves 5th year at Putnam (24-22-1) 83-106-1 overall (Newton, Social Circle) Prediction: Maxwell ratings has the War Eagles a three point favorite. Injury report: Other than the usual bumps and bruises, the Trojans are healthy and expect to receive a much needed boost this week when defensive lineman Tyler Carter returns to action after sitting out the past two game with a torn labrum. The senior has been fitted with a brace that should keep his shoulder in place and allow him to perform more comfortably. What Lamar Head Coach Jason Strickland says: “Putnam is the class of the region right now. We knew before the season started we would have to go through those guys to win it. They are tall and fast. Offensively they are a juggernaut. We haven’t seen anyone slow them down this year. We will have our hands full trying to slow them down. Defensively the thing that is scary about them is just how well they run to the football. They don’t really do anything fancy on that side of the ball. They just get lined up and pursue really well. Their speed over there is exceptional. We have to have a great week of practice and then we need a giant noisy crowd Friday night. It should be a fun one.”
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