Georgia High School Football: Games of the Week – Sept 4-6

Following a rousing start over the first three weeks of the season, the Georgia high school football slate will again be loaded with big-time matchups this weekend.

Both of the Peach State’s top two teams in the Massey Rankings will be back in action and facing stiff tests from teams inside and outside the state. A top-10 showdown between Atlanta-area rivals Douglas County and Langston Hughes awaits as well.

And while the slate of ranked matchups isn’t as deep as other weeks, two more notables games to keep an eye on include Mill Creek looking to get things back on track against North Gwinnett and Thomasville facing off against arch rival Thomas County Central.

Ahead of the games, Rivals is breaking down the matchups and looking at which teams are predicted to take home another victory:

No. 1 Grayson at Mallard Creek (N.C.)

When: Friday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Massey Prediction: Grayson 35, Mallard Creek 6

Fresh off a huge win over Alabama’s No. 1, Grayson will get another chance at a huge win when they travel to North Carolina to face the state’s No. 7 program, Mallard Creek. The Mavericks are a perennial powerhouse in the Tar Heel State, but will have to bring their A game to match up with the Rams. Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson leads a nasty defense, while junior quarterback Duece Smith will be making his second start of the year in replacement of four-star North Carolina QB commit Travis Burgess.

No. 15 Roswell at No. 2 Buford

When: Friday, Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. ET
Massey Prediction: Buford 42, Roswell 14

Buford was dethroned from its No. 1 Georgia high school football ranking by Grayson — not because of a Wolves loss but because the Rams have three impressive wins to open the season. They’re back on the field this week after a bye and will host a solid Roswell team coming off consecutive wins to open the season. But the Hornets will have to slow down a high-powered offense led by Dayton Raiola (Nebraska commit) and a roster that features more than a dozen other Division I prospects and commits.

No. 6 Douglas County at No. 8 Langston Hughes

When: Friday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Massey Prediction: Langston Hughes 34, Douglas County 21

These two Georgia high school football programs have developed a strong rivalry over the past 15 years, with Langston Hughes leading the all-time series 10-5. But Douglas County has actually won five of the past six meetings, including a 21-14 victory last season. The Tigers are in the midst of a daunting early start to the season, which concludes next week with a game against No. 2 Buford. But they’ll have to contend with the Panthers first, who are led by a three-headed monster in the backfield of QB Darnell Kelly (Colorado State commit) and running backs Carsyn Baker (Florida) and Qwantavius Wiggins (FIU). Don’t be surprised at all if both of these teams are competing for state titles in Class 5A and 6A come December.

Mill Creek at No. 16 North Gwinnett

When: Friday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Massey Prediction: Mill Creek 28, North Gwinnett 27

Mill Creek sits just outside the top 25 of the state rankings heading into this week after they went 2-1 to open the season. Traditionally a state power with multiple Power 4 prospects, the Hawks don’t feature quite as much talent as in previous years. But they’re still plenty dangerous on the offensive side, as evidenced by their 45-point outburst against Archer last week. For North Gwinnett, it’ll be another challenging matchup after opening the season against Douglas County (a 21-7 loss) and then facing a top-20 Colquitt County team (a 21-7 victory). The Bulldogs are the home team in this one, but are slight underdogs heading into the matchup on Friday night, according to the Massey Rankings.

Thomasville at No. 4 Thomas County Central

When: Friday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Massey Prediction: Thomas County Central 47, Thomasville 13

These two rivals have been playing each other for more than five decades, with Thomas County Central leading the series 29-27-1. Thomasville features a rich program history, but has been on the losing end of this matchup in recent years. That includes a 45-7 defeat two years ago and a 48-10 blowout loss last year. But they come into this one 3-0 with plenty of momentum, and would love nothing more than to spoil TCC’s perfect record. The Yellow Jackets, though, have outscored their opponents 191-21 across their first three games, including a 79-14 shellacking of previously undefeated Florida State Univ. School last week.