Games of Sept. 28
(All kickoffs at 7:30 unless noted)
Signal Mountain (3-3, 2-0) at Notre Dame (5-1, 2-0)
An early peek: High-flying Notre Dame was held to its lowest point production of the year last Friday in a 23-13 win over Lookout Valley, while Signal's Eagles had to score 55 to secure a one-point win over South Pittsburg, the state's top-ranked Class 1A team. That allowed the Eagles to get to .500 for the first time this year, but it also proved they are indeed growing and getting better as coach Bill Price has preached all season. Notre Dame might be without standout freshman Ricky Ballard, who rushed for 201 yards and three TDs before suffering a shoulder injury against Lookout Valley. A major key for the game will be the performance of the Eagles' offensive line against the Irish's front seven.
Gordon Central (4-0, 1-0) at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (4-0, 1-0)
An early peek: It's obviously a something's-got-to-give game with major region implications. Gordon Central is coming off a surprising 27-26 win over Ringgold while LFO's Warriors knocked down Adairsville 24-17. This one could be GC quarterback M.J. Reynolds, who's coming off a 240-yard, three-TD passing night, against the LFO duo of running back Pooh Harden and quarterback Trey Simon, a run/pass specialist. Gordon Central leads the series between the two sets of Warriors 10-4, winning the last two meetings 24-17 and 38-15.
Lookout Valley (4-2, 1-1) at Marion County (4-2, 1-1)
An early peek: Does Marion possess the speed and does Lookout Valley have the power? In a key District 6-A game, the winner is likely headed to the playoffs, Lookout Valley's Yellow Jackets in Class 1A and the Warriors in 2A. While the Valley boys are coming off a tough loss to highly skilled Class 3A Notre Dame, the Warriors flexed their muscles with a 36-0 win over Sequatchie County. Both teams already have lost to district leader South Pittsburg, and the winner of this one should be assured of no worse than a second-place finish.
Brainerd (1-4, 0-2) at Howard (1-4, 1-1)
An early peek: It's an urban rivalry that could be a dandy after each team has gotten its first win in the last two weeks. Howard beat Central two weeks ago and Brainerd got win No. 1 with a Friday victory over Austin-East. The Panthers, who have had a long-running rivalry with Austin-East, struggled early in the year and took a pounding two weeks ago from East Hamilton. However, they never quit and were on the verge of scoring their third TD when time expired. Both squads are somewhat undermanned, but Brainerd more than the Hustlin' Tigers, who lost this past Friday to Greater Atlanta Christian. This game is a must-win with the winner maintaining an outside shot at the playoffs, Brainerd in Class 4A and Howard in 3A.
The rest of the schedule:
Battle Ground Academy (4-2, 1-2) at McCallie (2-3, 1-2)
Brentwood Academy (4-1, 2-0) at Baylor (4-2, 2-2), 8
East Ridge (0-5, 0-2) at East Hamilton (4-1, 2-0)
Grace Academy (1-4, 0-1) at Copper Basin (4-1, 0-1)
Grundy County (2-3, 1-1) at Chattanooga Christian (1-4, 1-1)
Hixson (3-2, 2-0) at Tyner (4-1, 2-0)
Meigs County (0-5, 0-2) at Sweetwater (4-2, 0-1)
McMinn Central (3-3, 1-1) at Sequoyah (3-1, 1-0)
Red Bank (1-4, 1-1) at Central (1-4, 0-2)
Rhea County (1-5, 0-2) at Bradley Central (3-2, 1-0)
Sequatchie County (1-5, 0-2) at Bledsoe County (1-4, 0-2), 8
Silverdale Baptist (5-1) at Lancaster Christian (0-5), 8
Soddy-Daisy (2-3, 1-1) at Ooltewah (3-3, 0-2)
South Pittsburg (4-1, 2-0) at Whitwell (1-5, 0-2), 8
Walker Valley (3-2, 0-1) at McMinn County (4-1, 2-0)
GEORGIA
Cass (3-1) at Dalton (2-1)
Gilmer County (3-1) at LaFayette (0-3)
Ridgeland (2-1) at Pickens County (2-1)
Northwest Whitfield (2-1) at River Ridge (1-3)
Southeast Whitfield (0-3) at Cedartown (3-1)
Cartersville (4-0) at Coahulla Creek (2-2)
Ringgold (2-2) at Adairsville (2-2)
North Murray (3-1, 0-1) at Sonoraville (1-3, 0-1)
Murray County (0-4, 0-1) at Chattooga (1-3, 1-0)
Calhoun (4-0, 1-0) at Coosa (0-3)
Dade County (0-4) at Pepperell (1-3)
Mt. Zion, Carroll (1-2, 0-0) at Christian Heritage (3-1, 0-0))
Darlington (2-1, 0-0) at Trion (3-0, 0-0)
ALABAMA
Ider (3-1, 2-1) at Cherokee County (3-1, 2-1), 8
Scottsboro (0-4) at North Jackson (2-2), 8
Sylvania (3-0, 1-0) at North Sand Mountain (4-0, 3-0), 8