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September 10, 2010
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Will ’Canes be the spoilers?
Published October 21, 2009
Monroe, centrally located as the county seat of Walton, was at one time the center of high school football in the area.
But since the turn of the century, the balance of power — at least on the gridiron — has taken a considerable turn to the west.
The cross-county rivalry between Loganville and Monroe was once dominated by the Hurricanes, which led the series 15-7 prior to Y2K. But the Red Devils have taken control of late, winning eight of nine and five straight.
Chances are, Loganville (4-3) will maintain its dominance for at least another year. The Red Devils are battling for a second straight postseason berth while the Hurricanes are mired in a 17-game losing skid.
Led by one of the premiere backs in the state, a four-star offensive lineman, a veteran quarterback and a sure-handed receiver, the Red Devils will be heavily favored to extend their streak in the series.
But the game isn’t the mismatch it appeared to be earlier this season.
Despite its struggles, Monroe (0-7) has clearly turned a corner. In each of its past three games, the Hurricanes have been within reach of an elusive victory, losing by one, seven and four points. Last Friday, the Hurricanes were leading inside the final two minutes before giving up a long touchdown pass.
Meanwhile, even as Loganville’s offense continues to rewrite the school’s record book, the defense is giving up points in bunches. Except for a 35-7 win over Cedar Shoals, the Red Devils have yet to hold an opponent under 20 points. They’ve given up 36 points a game the past three weeks.
After opening the season ranked among the top 10 for the first time in school history, Loganville has lost three games. A loss to Monroe Area would put the Red Devils on the verge of falling out of the post-season chase.
“Beating Loganville would make our season,” said Monroe Area head coach Matt Fligg. “It would certainly turn what has been a lot of dismal things into something good.”
Social Circle (3-4, 2-1) at Prince Avenue (3-5, 1-3).
The Redskins’ biggest struggle this week will be taking one game at a time.
With a huge showdown looming against Commerce next week, Social Circle coaches will try and keep the team’s focus on a Wolverines squad that has played nine straight games without a break, has lost four of its past five and averaged less than a touchdown a game during a four-game losing skid.
Meanwhile, the Redskins are rested and recovered after taking last week off. Social Circle has never lost to Prince Avenue in four tries and has averaged 48 points per game.
A fifth consecutive win over Prince Avenue would set up a grudge match with Commerce the following week, with second place in Region 8-A and a home playoff game on the line.
Pinecrest Academy (7-1, 1-0) at George Walton (6-2, 1-0)
After three straight weeks on the road, the Bulldogs return to Keith Henderson Stadium Friday for Senior Night.
It’ll be a short pre-game ceremony since GWA has just three 12th-graders on the team. Despite having a relatively young squad, the Bulldogs are on track for their best regular-season finish since winning the GISA title in 2003.
GWA coasted past Holy Spirit Prep 28-0 in a rare Saturday night game in its Region 1-AAA opener. A win Friday would secure a post-season berth.
But the Bulldogs have higher aspirations. They’d prefer to win out, thus securing their third-consecutive region title and a top seed and home field advantage in the state playoffs.
• • •
Walnut Grove will be at home Thursday for a 6 p.m. game against the Oglethorpe County junior varsity in a game not on the original schedule. The Warriors dropped a 6-2 decision at Salem last week.
Loganville Christian Academy takes on Crown Athletics in a 6 p.m. game Saturday.
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