The End Zone Week 9: ACE at Bleckley County is Game of the Week

Both teams enter 5-1, and 41NBC will air highlights from seven Middle Georgia games Friday, October 9.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Two 5-1 teams meet Friday as ACE visits Bleckley County in Cochran for The End Zone‘s Week 9 Game of the Week.

Sports anchor Rob Schiff and chief meteorologist Aaron Lowery will report live from Royal Stadium during 41NBC News at 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m. on Friday, October 9.

During 41NBC News at 11, Bill Shanks will have highlights from the studio. Tucker Sargent will join him with highlights from Thomas County Central at Houston County, and Rob will report back with the Game of the Week highlights.

The End Zone will feature seven games, along with the Lineman of the Week, Band of the Week and scores across Middle Georgia.

Game of the Week: ACE at Bleckley County

Both teams enter this Region 2-AA matchup with 5-1 overall records and 1-1 region records.

ACE looks to rebound after a 21-18 loss to East Laurens last week. Bleckley County beat Swainsboro 42-17 and is ranked No. 6 in Class AA in the AJC poll.

Coach Von Lassiter’s Royals beat ACE 48-9 last season and are averaging 33.7 points per game.

Thomas County Central at Houston County

Houston County hosts the AJC’s top-ranked Class 6A team at Freedom Field.

Thomas County Central is 6-0 overall and 2-0 in region play after beating Veterans 55-12 last week. The Yellow Jackets, coached by former Jones County coach Justin Rogers, average 54.7 points per game.

Houston County is 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the region after beating Tift County 56-28. The Bears average 51.2 points per game and are seeking their first win against Thomas County Central after losing the previous six meetings, including 31-7 last season.

John Milledge at Tattnall

Unbeaten John Milledge brings a 7-0 record into a matchup between teams that won their region openers last week.

John Milledge beat FPD 31-7, while Tattnall improved to 4-3 with a 27-6 win over Mount de Sales.

John Milledge averages 36.3 points per game while allowing 8.7. It beat Tattnall 52-7 last year.

Mount de Sales at Stratford

Mount de Sales looks for its first win over Stratford since 2020.

The Cavaliers are 5-2 overall and 0-1 in region play after losing to Tattnall last week. Stratford is 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the region after a 59-0 win over Frederica.

The Eagles won last season’s matchup 49-3.

Jones County at Perry

Jones County visits Perry looking for its first win in the matchup since 1987.

The Greyhounds are 3-0 in region play after beating Union Grove 65-7 last week. Perry is 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the region and had last week off.

This is just the third meeting between the programs this century. Perry won their most recent matchup 54-21 in 2023.

Westside at Peach County

Peach County puts its unbeaten record on the line against Westside in Fort Valley.

The Trojans are 6-0 overall and 3-0 in Region 2-AAAA after beating Mary Persons 29-21 last week. They average 48.2 points per game.

Westside is 2-4 overall and 0-3 in the region after a 49-0 loss to Troup County. Peach County has won eight straight meetings against the Seminoles, with Westside’s last win coming in 2007.

Swainsboro at Dublin

Dublin returns after an open week to host Swainsboro at the Shamrock Bowl.

The Fighting Irish are 4-1 overall and 1-0 in Region 2-AA and are ranked No. 5 in Class AA in the AJC poll. They beat Bleckley County 27-21 two weeks ago.

Swainsboro is 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the region after losing to Bleckley County last week. The Tigers beat Dublin 15-14 in last season’s opener.

Other games on the schedule

– Central at Northeast (Thurs.)
– Northside at Tift County
– Veterans at Lee County
– Harlem at West Laurens
– Crisp County at Sumter County
– Central at Northeast (Thurs.)
– Southwest at Rutland
– Dodge County at East Laurens
– Hawkinsville at Wilcox County
– Turner County at Telfair County
– Wilkinson County at GMC
– Twiggs County at Johnson County
– Hancock Central at Glascock County
– Central (Talbotton) at Crawford County
– Macon County at Schley County
– Central Fellowship at Tiftarea
– Windsor at Gatewood