Class 3A Blog: Results from Week 1; Mid-state rivalry highlights Week 2 schedule

The opening week of the high school football season in Class 3A went about as expected – a few upsets, a few televised games and the top 10, for the most part, playing to form.

Two Class 3A teams spent their first week of the season taking part in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic where unranked and possibly underappreciated Cedar Grove (1-0) defeated Therrell 38-6. LaGrange – ranked No. 6 – opened with a 27-7 victory against Cass.

The top-ranked and defending champion Calhoun Yellow Jackets beat Creekview 28-3 at home. Sophomore quarterback Trace Hawkins was 9-of-11 passing for 127 yards and a touchdown while sophomore back Isaiah Nalls had eight carries for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Hudson Chadwick rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

Peach County beat Class A-Division I No. 2 Northeast-Macon 33-14 behind a three-touchdown performance from junior back Ashton Barton. Stephenson maintained its spot in the poll (No. 3) after beating Mays 24-0. Junior Zabrian Boler passed for 37 yards and a touchdown – to Jeremiah Hill – while Jayden Johnson had 20 carries for 258 yards and three touchdowns.

Sandy Creek upended East Coweta 28-21 to stay ranked No. 4 in the class. The Patriots were led by quarterback Caleb Hill, who was 16-of-24 passing for 238 yards and a touchdown while rushing 11 times for 52 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Amari Latimer had 20 carries for 172 yards and a touchdown.

Fifth-ranked Jefferson defeated Class 4A No. 5 Marist 19-0 with senior quarterback Colton Grant passing for 76 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 45 yards and a touchdown. Seniors Jordan Robinson and Logan Edmunds each had one touchdown reception for the Dragons.

The only ranked team to lose their opening contest was No. 9 Oconee County, which fell to Class 4A No. 1 and defending champion North Oconee 41-0.

Two ranked teams – No. 7 North Hall and No. 10 Cairo – rested through the season-openers and will play Friday to begin their 10-game trek toward the playoffs.

The top games of Week 2

-- No. 2-ranked Peach County will play host to Class 4A Perry in Fort Valley Friday. The Trojans lead the series record 33-12 but have lost the previous three contests, last winning against the Panthers in 2017. The mid-state rivalry began in 1972 and the longest winning streak belongs to Peach County with 13-straight victories from 1992-2006. From 1992-2017, Perry beat Peach just once, 48-28 in 2007. The Panthers’ three consecutive victories against Peach in each of the past three seasons marks the longest winning streak for Perry in the history of the series.

-- No. 10 Cairo will be challenged against Class 5A No. 1 Thomas County Central Friday at home. TCC is coming off a 56-7 victory against Monroe in Week 1 while Cairo rested. The Syrupmakers, which arguably have the coolest mascot name in the state alongside the Johnson-Savannah Atomsmashers, trail by five games in the overall series against Thomas County Central. Cairo has beaten TCC 22 times while the Yellow Jackets have 27 victories against Cairo and have won the past three contests.

Class 3A Results from Week 1; Schedule for Week 2

1. Calhoun – Defeated Creekview 28-3 in Week 1; Rests in Week 2

2. Peach County – Beat Class A-Division I No. 2 Northeast-Macon 33-14; Hosts Class 4A Perry Friday

3. Stephenson – Beat Mays 24-0; Plays Class 5A Arabia Mountain Thursday

4. Sandy Creek – Beat East Coweta 28-21; Hosts Class 5A McIntosh Friday

5. Jefferson – Beat Class 4A No. 5 Marist 19-0; Hosts Class 5A Jackson County Friday

6. LaGrange – Defeated Cass 27-7; Travels to Class A-Division II No. 10 Early County Friday

7. North Hall – Rested in Week 1; Opens against Wesleyan Friday

8. Cherokee Bluff – Beat Lumpkin County 31-21; Hosts Class 5A Apalachee Friday

9. Oconee County – Lost to Class 4A No. 1 North Oconee 41-0; Hosts Class 5A Clarke Central Friday.

10. Cairo – Rested in Week 1; Opens season against Class 5A No. 1 Thomas County Central Friday at home.

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