Class 3A Blog: Three ranked football teams lost Week 5 contests; Region races ramp up in Week 6

During Week 5, three ranked teams experienced defeats -- No. 4 Calhoun lost to Class 4A No. 9 Cambridge (52-42), No. 8 Jefferson was defeated by Class 4A No. 1 North Oconee (35-0), and No. 10 Mary Persons fell to No. 9 Troup (49-35).

As Week 6 approaches, several key storylines garner attention.

Firstly, there is the question of whether defending champion Calhoun (2-2) can regain its momentum following consecutive losses. The Yellow Jackets have a bye this week, joining No. 2 Stephenson, No. 7 Cherokee Bluff, No. 8 Jefferson, and No. 10 Mary Persons in resting.

Calhoun, presently ranked No. 4, extended its losing streak in Week 5 after falling to Class 4A No. 9 Cambridge, following a previous 38-35 loss to Class 4A No. 3 Cartersville on September 5. Cambridge, a quarterfinalist last season with a 10-3 record, appears to be building on last year's success—the best in school history.

Last season, Calhoun entered region play with a 1-3 record but secured the state championship by going 6-0 in region competition and then defeating Spalding, Douglass, Peach County, Stephenson, and Jefferson in the playoffs.

Now at 2-2 and entering Region 7 play against Adairsville next week, Calhoun could conclude the regular season with an 8-2 overall record and a 6-0 region run against Adairsville, Ridgeland, Northwest Whitfield, Gilmer, Heritage-Catoosa, and LaFayette.

Following the loss to Cambridge, Calhoun has dropped from No. 2 to No. 4, while Stephenson advanced to No. 2 and Sandy Creek maintained the No. 4 ranking with LaGrange at No. 5.

Secondly, it will be notable to see if top-ranked Peach County (4-0) can close the gap in their series with middle Georgia rival Class 5A Northside-Warner Robins (0-4). The Trojans were idle last week after securing a 30-24 victory over Crisp County on September 5.

Northside holds a 15-6 advantage in the series dating back to 1970; however, the Eagles are currently 0-4 and have not won since August 23, 2024, a 12-game losing streak.

Last season, Peach County enjoyed a 50-7 victory over Northside, marking their first win in the rivalry since 2019 and ending a four-game losing streak. Peach County recorded consecutive wins in 2018 (27-24) and 2019 (21-13), but prior to that, Northside won eight straight meetings dating from 1997.

See the new Class 3A top 10 below.

Class 3A Top 10 Week 6 Schedule (and Results from Week 5) (All games Friday unless noted below)

1. Peach County at Northside-Warner Robins (was off. Defeated Crisp County 30-24 on Sept. 5)

2. Stephenson – Off. (beat Mount Zion-Jonesboro 22-17) Next game -- Sept. 26 at North Clayton

3. Sandy Creek vs. Trinity Chrisitan (beat Upson-Lee 42-7)

4. Calhoun – Off. (lost to Cambridge 52-42) Next game – Sept. 26 at Adairsville (Region 7 opener)

5. LaGrange vs. Spalding (beat Fayette County 44-0)

6. North Hall vs. White County (beat Chestatee 51-7)

7. Cherokee Bluff -- Off. (beat Banks County 24-21) Next game – Sept. 26 vs. Oconee County (Region 8 opener)

8. Jefferson – Off. (lost to Class 4A No. 1 North Oconee 35-0) Next game – Sept. 26 at West Hall (Region 8 opener)

9. Troup at Fayette County (beat No. 10 Mary Persons 49-35)

10. Mary Persons – Off. (lost to No. 9 Troup 49-35) Next game – Sept. 26 at Upson-Lee

PHOTO Jason Getz / AJC -- Calhoun quarterback Trace Hawkins (16) celebrates with teammates after Hawkins scored a rushing touchdown during the first half against Jefferson in the GHSA Class 3A State Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Wednesday, December 18, 2024, in Atlanta.

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