This Week's Prep Football Picks
By The Newnan Times-Herald Sports Staffsports@newnan.com
After a 5-1 record last week, the NTH sports staff enters tonight's picks with an overall mark of 5-2 on the year.
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Sandy Creek (1-0) vs. Newnan (2-0): There is a reason the Patriots have only lost three games since 2007. Sandy Creek brings not only a reputation for producing outstanding skill players (including one that plays on Sunday and is on the cover of Madden ‘13) but an explosive offense that put up 52 points last week against Banneker. Coming off back-to-back comeback wins, Newnan will have to stay in front of the Patriots with big plays of its own if the Cougars hope to pull of the upset. As good as they’ve been so far, Newnan might not be able to keep up tonight... PATRIOTS 31, COUGARS 21.
Northgate (0-1) vs. Griffin (1-0): Griffin may still be showing some inexperience, but the young Bears have outstanding skill players. The key will be whether they can move the ball against a stout Northgate defense that held Heritage-Conyers to just 184 yards of total offense last week. If Northgate can overcome injuries that have its top-two running backs expected to be out of the lineup, and spark some big plays the Vikings may have a chance to keep the game close against the No. 7-ranked Bears...BEARS 17, VIKINGS 14.
Dominion Christian (1-1) at The Heritage School (1-0): For a team that began the preseason with so many injuries, the Hawks maybe surprised themselves with how efficient things went in all three phases during last Friday’s 48-14 blowout of a much-improved Flint River team. Tonight, however, Heritage School finds out it’s not just a fluke. If backup sophomore quarterback Brad Macke can continue to steer the offense in the right direction and the number of contributors continues to increase as it did last week, the Hawks should be ready for another 2-0 start under second year head coach Kevin Prisant. HAWKS 44, KNIGHTS 12.
Arlington Christian (0-2) at Trinity Christian (0-1): Last year, the Lions dropped a 34-0 loss to the Eagles in what became a trend during a tough 2011 season. Good thing head coach Chris Hanson doesn’t acknowledge anything that happened during Trinity’s first season of 11-man football. A new year also has brought renewed confidence in a program that had dominated at the 8-man level in both 2009 and 2010. With nearly three times as many players and more talent on its 2012 roster, tonight’s a chance where “moral” doesn’t come before “victory.” LIONS 35, EAGLES 7.
Heritage Christian (1-1, 1-0) at Colonial Hills (1-1, 0-1): Last week, Heritage Christian proved it was capable of dominating games against ICSGA opponents behind an option-oriented offense and increased strength on its front lines. This year’s new zone defense may just be getting started a week after blowing out Harvester. As long as Heritage Christian doesn’t look too far ahead to next week’s anticipated rematch against Crosspointe, which knocked the team out of last year’s state playoffs, the Crusaders should cruise tonight. CRUSADERS 49, RAMS 7.
