Class A Blog: Key games in Week 8

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(Preview courtesy of Georgia High School Football Daily) Private No. 3 Prince Avenue (5-1) at Private No. 8 Athens Academy (4-2) These Athens area rivals, playing their 8-A Private opener, have dominated their region for more than a decade. One or the other has won the past 11 region titles (Prince Avenue six, Athens Academy five), and the winner this week is likely to extend that streak. Prince Avenue won handily last year and went on to claim its first state title behind state player of the year Brock Vandagriff, now at Georgia. Sophomore Aaron Philo has taken over at quarterback, and the Wolverines haven’t missed a beat. Philo is 122-of-182 passing for a state-best 1,904 yards and 21 touchdowns. His top targets are Ethan Christian (20 catches, 582 yards, eight TDs) and Bailey Stockton (35-551-7), who combine for almost 200 yards receiving per game. Athens Academy, which was held to its lowest point total in five years in a 23-2 loss to Wesleyan last week, prefers the running game. Tre Hawkins rushed for a school-record 245 yards and four TDs in a 70-35 victory over Providence Christian on Sept. 10. QB Sam Bush isn’t asked to throw a lot but adds another running threat. Prince Avenue Christian won 41-7 in 2020.

Other games to watch:

Private No. 1 Trinity Christian (6-0) at Whitefield Academy (5-1)

Public No. 1 Irwin County (4-2) at Atkinson County (3-3)

Public No. 3 Macon County (5-0) at Public No. 5 Schley County (5-0)

Private No. 7 Tattnall Square (5-0) vs. First Presbyterian Day (3-2)