Three Friday nights remain in the Georgia prep football regular season, and there is still a good bit to be decided in the five northwest Georgia area regions. Most of that, however, will have to wait until the final two weeks.
By far the biggest game on the slate tonight will take place in Jasper, where Region 6-AAAA heavyweights Pickens and Ridgeland will settle the region championship. Host Pickens, 8-0 (4-0 6-AAAA) for the first time in school history, and 2017 league champion Ridgeland (5-2, 3-0) are peaking at the right time, and both coaches expect a battle.
“It’s going to be a special atmosphere,” Pickens coach Chris Parker said. “We beat them the last time here, but they beat us pretty good last year at their place. Our players are well aware of how good they are.”
Ridgeland has found its stride after losing its first two games, and first-year coach Cortney Braswell said a big part of it is eliminating mistakes and big plays defensively.
“They are very good,” Braswell said of the Dragons. “Coach Parker and those guys have done a phenomenal job. Offensively we have to limit their big plays and not get out-leveraged. We have to work really hard to make sure we are aligned, play sound football and not give up explosive plays.”