Class 2A Blog: Week 9 features several games with season-long implications

As the football season enters its ninth week, region title and playoff races have come into focus. As teams set themselves apart, they create some of the biggest and most impactful games of the year.

Sumter County will travel to Carver-Columbus in what will be one of the biggest games of the season in 2A. Both teams enter the game 7-0 and 4-0 in region play. Carver is a heavy favorite; however, Sumter County cannot be taken lightly. Carver is 7-0 for the first time since 2020, while the Panthers are 7-0 for the second straight year. Last year, the Tigers gave Sumter its first loss of the season, winning the game and the region with a 31-0 victory. Both teams seem improved over last season. Last year, the Tigers averaged 39 points per game, and this year they are averaging over 50 ppg. Sumter, on the other hand, averaged 32.33 ppg last year and is now averaging over 47 ppg this season. The game will most likely decide the region and possibly determine who earns the top seed in 2A.

Miller Grove will host Columbia as the Wolverines look for their first-ever region title. While Columbia is 1-6, the Eagles were in the same situation last year and won the school’s first region title since 1981. The Wolverines’ 6-1 record is tied for the team’s best start to the regular season in school history. They also need one more win to set the school’s single-season win record. Columbia has been dominant in region play, winning nine straight region games dating back to 2022.

North Cobb Christian will head to Rockmart to face the only team to beat them in the regular season last year, the Rockmart Yellow Jackets. Rockmart, 5-1 and 4-0 in region play, has won four straight games since a loss to Cartersville in Week 2. North Cobb Christian has been dominant offensively but has struggled defensively. Offensively, the Eagles have scored nearly 36 points per game but have given up over 26 ppg. The winner of the game will be in a better position to compete for a home playoff game and possibly even a region title.

In another Region 7 game, Ringgold and North Murray will face off to keep Ringgold in the heat of playoff contention or North Murray at the top of the region standings. Ringgold, 5-2 and 3-2 in region play, is once again a pesky and physical team that is hard to defeat. The Tigers have made the playoffs in four straight years and are always a tough out. North Murray is having its best start to the season since 2019, the last time the Mountaineers won a region title and had the best season in school history.

Class 2A Top 10 schedule

No. 1 Carver-Columbus Hosts No. 7 Sumter County.

No. 2 Pierce County on bye.

No. 3 Morgan County on bye.

No. 4 Carver-Atlanta heads to Holy Innocents.

No. 5 Rockmart will host North Cobb Christian.

No. 6 Callaway travels to Rutland.

No. 8 Hapeville Charter heads to Washington.

No. 9 Thomson plays host to Glenn Hills.

No. 10 Burke County looks to bounce back at Josey.