Class A Div. I Blog: Contenders clash under the Friday night lights

When Northeast (5-1, 5-0) plays Bleckley County (5-1) on Friday as two of the top Class A-Division I contenders, it provides Bleckley (5-1, 4-1) with a chance for an upset in a key Region 2 matchup.

Northeast is ranked No. 3, after one early loss under head coach Jeremy Wiggins, who has led the Raiders since 2018.

The Raiders are a team that finishes games and travels well. The Raiders have had the same approach to practices and big-venue reps through their rigorous steady work.

“We have kept the same practice schedule,” said Wiggins. “We prepare the same and try to keep the same schedule.”

Bleckley County, led by Von Lassiter since 2017, counters with a physical profile that defends sturdily, provides sharp special teams and grinds out a run game. Under Lassiter, the Royals won region titles in 2021 and 2023.

“Northeast is a really good team,” Lassiter said. “We have practiced with three really hard days, a special team’s day, we have a regiment we have to follow to keep the flow steady.”

In Sylvester, Ga., No. 1 Worth County (6-0) as of now is an undefeated team and will face off against No. 2 Thomasville (5-1) during a Class A Division I matchup. Jeff Hammond, the fourth-year head coach of the Rams, leads Worth's systematic offense that keeps chains moving with a defense that has forced four shutouts on the year. Thomasville, coached by Jonathan DeLay, arrives equipped with gap-sound defense and a balanced, travel-ready blueprint that keeps his offense in position to finish drives. Efficiency, field position, plus late-game poise loom as factors that separate these teams.

Hammond has been getting the team prepared for this matchup and didn’t downplay the test waiting for both teams this Friday.

“It will be the best offense we have faced all year, they are explosive. They are like the mirror image of our team,” Hammond said.

Toombs County (5-1) visits unbeaten Swainsboro (6-0) in Swainsboro, Ga. for a Region 3 opener for both programs. The Bulldogs carry momentum by way of a 28-6 win over Tattnall County while they lean on a run-first approach for squeezing early-down yards. They tackle cleanly and maintain discipline regarding penalties. Swainsboro edged Crisp County 21-14 in their last game on Sept. 19 and remained perfect through the season. Swainsboro has been making its presence on the field known all season. Field position, together with red zone execution and the hidden yards that special teams generate could prove to be the difference maker in this matchup.

Dublin (4-2) looks to rebound after the Fighting Irish suffered a 20-0 loss to Northeast in Week 7 and are traveling to ACE Charter (4-2) on Friday for a pivotal game in Region 2. Home-field rhythm and balance work for the Gryphons, while the Irish lean on a physical run game and a defense limiting explosive plays. Field position as well as third-down efficiency should shape the tempo, while special teams could quietly swing the game. In this matchup, the records and styles were even and contrasting. A clean red zone trip may decide things late in the game.

Class A Division I Top 10 Results from Week 7/Schedule for Week 8

1. Worth County (6-0, 2-0) - Beat Brantley County (0-6, 0-2) 50-0 in Week 7. Hosts Thomasville (5-1 ,2-0) Friday for a Region 1 game.

2. Thomasville (5-1, 2-0) - Beat Jeff Davis (4-1, 1-1) 56-21 in Week 7. Travels to Worth County (6-0, 2-0) Friday for a Region 1 game.

3. Northeast (5-1, 5-0) - Beat Dublin (4-2, 4-1) 20-0 in Week 7. Travels to Bleckley County (5-1, 4-0) Friday for a Region 2 game.

4. Rabun County (6-0, 2-0) - Beat Providence Christian (1-4, 0-1) 62-21 in Week 7. Hosts Commerce (0-6, 0-2) Friday for a Region 8 game.

5. Toombs County (5-1, 0-0) - Beat Tattnall County (2-4, 0-0) 28-6 in Week 7. Travels to Swainsboro (6-0, 0-0) Friday for a Region 3 game.

6. Heard County (5-0,1-0) - Beat Haralson County (4-2, 1-1) 20-3 in Week 7. Travels to Temple (4-2, 0-2) Friday for a Region 6 game.

7. Swainsboro (6-0, 0-0) - Beat Crisp County (1-5, 0-0) 21-14 in Week 6. Hosts Toombs County (5-1, 0-0) Friday for a Region 3 game.

8. Dublin (4-2, 4-1) - Lost to Northeast (5-1, 5-0) 20-0 in Week 7. Travels to ACE Charter (4-2, 3-2) Friday for a Region 2 game.

9. Fitzgerald (2-3, 0-1) - Lost to Appling County (3-3, 0-0) 15-14 in Week 7. Hosts Brantley County (0-6, 0-2) Friday for a Region 1 game.

10. Jasper County (6-0, 2-0) - Beat Utopian Academy (1-5, 0-2) 50-8 in Week 7. Travels to McNair (1-5, 0-2) Friday for a Region 4 game.