MACON, Ga. — One of the most anticipated weeks in high school football did not disappoint.
Two games went into overtime. Several games were decided by less than a touchdown. Multiple teams scored over 40, including Dublin who scored 69.
Overall, the products on the field were fantastic this Friday. Here's a full roundup of scores and highlights from teams in and around Central Georgia.
Game of the Week: FPD vs Tattnall
This game had nearly everything riding on it.
Both teams were undefeated in their region and had an opportunity to claim the 2024 region championship. While Tattnall dominated most of the game, it was FPD who clawed from behind and won 27-20 in overtime.
Tattnall's defense started out hot in this game. After an early 6-0 lead, The Trojans' Antone Johnson nabbed the ball from Vikings quarterback Major Simmons to give Tattnall a chance to extend the lead.
While the Vikings failed to take advantage, despite starting on FPD's 13-yard line, a rumble recovery would eventually turn into a 10-yard touchdown pass from Caden Faulk to Christian Weeks.
Still in the second quarter, Faulk made decisive passes to work his team down the field and eventually connected with Ty Hunnicutt for an 11-yard touchdown pass.
The Trojans led 20-3 through the third quarter until FPD began to make its comeback. With 11 minutes in the fourth quarter, Simmons connected with Benjamin Mcelreath for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 10 points. Another Simmons passing touchdown five minutes later cut the lead to three.
With two minutes left, Vikings kicker Dominic Economopoulos nailed a 16-yard field goal to tie the game up. Tattnall couldn't score and the game went into overtime.
While the Trojans started with the ball, they didn't have it for long. FPD picked off Faulk and was in prime position to seize the win. However, Economopoulos missed the kick and overtime was on the way.
That was until FPD retook possession and got to work. Simmons worked his team down the field and eventually found Tinsley Lewis for the go-ahead touchdown. Tattnall couldn't answer back, as the FPD defense, which shut out the Trojans the entire second half and during overtime, stepped up one last time to give the Vikings a win.
Despite never holding onto the lead once during the game, FPD found a way to win and ended its season out as region champs.
Three Stars
Kortnei Williams: Northeast defensive back - Northeast had a tremendous 40-19 win over the undefeated Dodge County. While the whole team was key to a win, Williams made several big plays, including a massive milestone.
The sophomore defensive back nabbed his 10th interception this season, which isn't just the highest in his region or even the state of Georgia. It's the most interceptions by any player in the country.
Williams has had a tremendous season for the Raiders and will no doubt be key for an upcoming playoff run.
Kadiphius Iverson and Ki'moiray Holland: Westside running backs - Westside offense was on a roll in the teams' 57-18 win over Rutland on Friday. The dynamic rushing duo of Iverson and Holland both exploded for over 300 yards and had five touchdowns thanks to the efforts of Iverson.
While Holland didn't reach the endzone, he and Iverson teamed up to completely overwhelm the Rutland defense. Iverson's five touchdowns were a key part of the 57 points the Seminoles win, and the pair will be key for the team going forward, especially if they find their way into the AA classification playoffs.
Hudson brothers: Peach County offense's dynamic duo - The Hudson brothers did it again. Quarterback DJ Hudson Jr. and running back Zion Hudson have been crucial players for this teams' success.
The pair have been responsible for nearly every touchdown the Trojans have scored this season, including in this 48-17 win over region opponents Cairo. Their efforts were crucial in helping Peach County reach the top of its region and have them surging toward the playoffs.
Honorable mention: Westside head coach Shedrick Risper - "Coach Spoon" achieved Macon-Bibb history on Friday.
While the Seminoles had a tremendous 57-18 win, Risper, who has been the Seminoles head coach since 2009, also won his 114th game as Westside's head coach. This ties him as the winningest coach in Macon-Bibb county with former Central head coach Tom Simonton, who coached the Chargers from 1979 to 1997.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD
- Westside 57 - Rutland 18
- Upson-Lee 40 - Trinity-Sharpsburg 7
- Dublin 69 - Central 0
- Callaway 45 - Jackson 14
- Social Circle 27 - Lamar County 7
- Lee County 55 - Northside 7
- Northeast 40 - Dodge County 19
- Schley County 40 - Marion County 28
- Coffee 41 - Veterans 7
- Thomas County Central 41 - Houston County 31
- Ware County 24 - Warner Robins 21
- Peach County 48 - Cairo 17
- Perry 31 - Benedictine 27
- Harlem 32 - Howard 13
- Brentwood 45 - Gatewood 27
- Baldwin 42 - Westside, Augusta 14
- Jones County 42 - Eagles Landing 0
- Mary Persons 37 - Sandy Creek 29
- ACE 29 - Bleckley County 28 (OT)
- Johnson County 34 - Glascock 8
- Sumter County 30 - Hardaway 0
- Fitzgerald 25 - Bacon County 0
- Wilcox County 28 - Wheeler County 0
- FPD 27 - Tattnall 20
- Taylor County 44 - Crawford County 9
- West Laurens 48 - Aquinas 38
- Telfair County 40 - Dooly County 0
- Washington County 28 - Southwest 26
- East Laurens 42 - Jefferson County 8
- Cherokee Christian 28 - CFCA 20
- Putnam County 21 - Jasper County 14
- John Milledge 28 - Mount de Sales 17
- Piedmont 13 - Athens Christian 12
- Hawkinsville 27 - Treutlen 13
- Westfield 26 - St. Anne-Pacelli 10
- Wilkinson County 33 - Georgia Military 0
- Windsor 41 - Heritage 6
- Hancock-Central 44 - Twiggs County 20
- Macon County 19 - Central-Talbotton 0
What's next?
As many teams' seasons came to a close this week, even more will end next week.
Houston County will look to break its two-game losing streak against undefeated Lee County, who have played like one of the best teams in the country.
ACE and Washington County will face off in an in-region matchup, which may have key playoff implications.
Dodge County may no longer be undefeated, but it'll look to avenge its first loss against the undefeated Dublin, who just scored a season-high number of points on Friday.
Finally, Warner Robins and Perry will face off in a matchup of who'll not only take a prime spot in the division and upcoming playoffs but the crown of being one of, if not the best team in Houston County.