By Walter Geiger Three weeks ago, I took a look at the status of the high school and college football teams most folks around here care the most about. I analyzed performances to that point and made some predictions. I hit on some and missed badly on others. So, here is an update. Lamar County Trojans: I predicted LC would run the table through the season finale and I was correct though the Trojans struggled mightily Oct. 10 at Bleckley County before squeaking out a 21-19 win in a game in which they were substantially outplayed. Since that game, Lamar (6-1-1) has routed NE Macon and Putnam County and should get by the Monticello Hurricanes (3-5, 1-2) this Friday when it is Senior Night at Trojan Field. Lamar’s only loss is the much cussed and discussed lightning lies debacle at Mary Persons Sept. 12. That will be avenged next year. Macon County is at Putnam this week so, barring a huge letdown on the part of either the Trojans or Bulldogs, the two teams will meet Nov. 7 in Montezuma for the region crown. That will be a huge game for both squads with the crown and playoff seeding on the line. Pike County Pirates: The Pirates have no business competing in Class AAAA despite what the student population count is. They are 1-7 overall and 1-5 in region play and have no hope of reaching the postseason. Their 27-13 loss to Mt. Zion at Tara Field on Oct. 16 was the end of that dream. They have another Thursday night tilt at Tara this week as they face the Jonesboro Cardinals. Jonesboro still has a shot to back into the playoffs. They need a win over the Pirates and they need Mt. Zion to beat Spalding in another Thursday night game at Twelve Oaks Stadium. Jonesboro will be focused. Pike will be playing for pride. It should be an interesting matchup. After that, other sports like basketball, soccer and baseball will steal the limelight at PC. Georgia Bulldogs: I predicted Georgia would lose at Missouri. Two days later Todd Gurley was suspended. In the aftermath of that shocker, I was positive the Dogs would lose to the Tigers and would get killed the following week by Arkansas in Little Rock. I was wrong. Nick Chubb replaced Gurley and his work has just been off the chain. Georgia scored 79 points and trounced both opponents. After a week off, Georgia faces a desperate Florida team this week. Gator football is a dumpster fire right now but embattled UF coach Will Muschamp will have his team fired up for the annual clash in Jacksonville. Still, it would seem UGA has the horses to win this game, particularly if Gurley is reinstated this week as many expect. I think his suspension may go to four games, however. A win at the cocktail party combined with another Nov. 8 in Lexington against a resurgent Kentucky team and Georgia can clinch the east with a win over Auburn in Athens Nov. 15. That will be a war. Auburn can put up points with anyone. Their defense, however, is porous. The game is winnable. The Dogs will be drooling over the prospects of hitting War Eagle quarterback Nick Marshall who, lest ye forget, was a Bulldog until he was kicked out of school for stealing from his own teammates. You can bet the theft victims will want revenge. After that UGA (6-1, 4-1) should cruise over Charleston Southern and a Georgia Tech team that has faded midseason. Wins mean a trip to the SEC title game and possibly the four-team playoff. Hang on for the ride! Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: I predicted Tech would go 10-2 and represent the Costal Division in the ACC title game. Wrong! I said Tech would beat Duke at home. Instead they lost 31-25. I said they would beat North Carolina. They lost. In those two games, Tech gave up 79 points. This past week they gave up 28 more but took advantage of multiple turnovers to top Pittsburgh, as predicted, 56-28. Tech (6-2, 3-2) should get by Virginia (4-4, 2-2) this week on the flats but that game will be close. They follow that with a trip to face NC State (0-4, 4-4) and that should be another win. The Jackets’ last two games are Clemson at home and Georgia on the road. I don’t see the Jackets winning either contest. They just don’t have the backbone on the defensive side of the ball to hang with Tigers (6-2, 5-1) even at home. UGA’s backs cannot wait to run against the average at best Tech defensive front. Note to Paul Johnson: Play the LC3. They’ve always been winners.
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