It’s early to be talking playoffs with only 12 of 1,281 region games complete, but Loren Maxwell of the Maxwell Ratings churns out playoff projections each week on AJC Varsity, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s new high school sports product. The GHSA changes the region playoff pairings each year, so each new season brings a different landscape to the brackets.
Sims Antonakos, a sophomore halfback and linebacker at Lincoln County, is the scoutSMART Student-Athlete of the Week. Sims (6 feet, 180 pounds) boasts a 98.62 GPA. He leads through service. He participated in a community workday, helping those in need by cutting grass, trimming hedges, moving furniture and spreading mulch. He also volunteered with the River of Life Summer Program, repairing property for local residents.
Newnan coach Chip Walker called it a game that “will be talked about for years to come” in Coweta County. Against East Coweta, Newnan's archrival, Newnan trailed 49-24 late in the third quarter and 56-46 late in the fourth but won 60-56 after scoring two late touchdowns and recovering a critical onside kick with 48 seconds left.
Devon Caldwell’s path to football stardom has been a steady climb, and what he did Friday night was the peak so far. The Hebron Christian senior running back rushed for a career-high 328 yards in a 45-29 victory against Fellowship Christian in a rematch of a 2024 Class 3A-A Private semifinal.
Friday’s question: Cherokee Bluff is playing North Hall tonight in a game between top-10 Hall County schools. What was the most recent Hall County Schools team to play in a state championship game? (Answer Monday)
Answer to Thursday’s question: Rockmart has the longest active winning streak in region games at 58 games.
