A number of stages are set for Perry, Veterans, Warner Robins, Houston County and Northside next Friday

The road to winning a state championship is paved with pitfalls and pratfalls that teams have to go through in order to raise their hands in victory in Atlanta next month. That said, the stage for a number of this county’s football teams is set for next Friday night. 

The Veterans Warhawks will bring their undefeated Region 1-5A record back home to Freedom Field to play equally as unblemished Warner Robins in a game that will be for the region championship. Last year the two teams played for the region title and home field advantage to begin the AAAAA state playoffs with the Demons coming out on top in a lopsided victory at McConnell-Talbert Stadium. This year’s contest and it’s importance was made possible by Veterans winning on the road at Thomas County Central 27-21. The Warhawks spent parts of the game behind and used the fourth quarter, as they have a number of times this season, to go back in front late and for good. Warner Robins had the night off and will come into the game on a five-game win streak. 

The Houston County Bears have not been as successful as either Veterans or Warner Robins this season, in fact they have lost to both en route to their current five-game losing streak. That streak continued tonight when the Bears lost a four-point game to regional foe Lee County 24-20. What might hurt the most is that the Bears defense did an excellent job of keeping their team in the game in particular during the fourth quarter. The Trojans were held scoreless during the last 10 minutes of the game but it didn’t matter as Houston County only managed three points during their final three possessions of the game despite being within 20 yards of the Lee County end zone both times. 

That final Houston County possession looked like it was going to result in a victory however as senior quarterback Max Rigby found senior receiver Leesheon Jarrett twice for first downs. A 10-yard run down the left sideline from senior running back Eric Williams gave the Bears a fresh set of downs with over a minute to play in the game. Alas it would not be enough as a sure Rigby touchdown pass was dropped on third down and another was errant resulting in a turnover on downs a victory for Lee County. 

Northside lost their third consecutive region game and fifth overall Friday night, 48-7 to visiting Valdosta. The Eagle touchdown on a run by senior quarterback Mason Ford was their first score of any kind in three and a half games. The loss will leave both the Eagles and Bears with one final regular season game to play at McConnell-Talbert Stadium Friday: winner take all. All being the final state playoff spot in Region 1-6A. For the record Northside has not missed the playoffs in many moons. Houston County on the other hand, with a win, will be making it to the postseason for the first time since Georgia Bulldogs junior quarterback Jake Fromm was a high school junior. 

The Perry Panthers put their destiny in their own hands on senior night tonight when they came back from a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat Mary Persons 21-17. A Daequan Wright score from a yard out gave Perry their first lead of the game with seconds remaining. The victory also leaves the Panthers 4-0 in Region 2-AAAA, tied with West Laurens (30-0 winners over Upson-Lee tonight) at the top of the standings. Perry will head to Dexter Friday to play for the region title and home field advantage in the playoffs on November 15.

So for anyone not paying attention that’s five of the six county teams playing for either a playoff spot or region title Friday night. The stage is set. Ready, set, go.

HHJ News