North Georgia Week 1 

 

Ringgold @ Dade County

Thursday night lights! Game one of the 2024 season kicks off in Trenton as the Wolverines play host to the Ringgold Tigers. Dade County is favored by 3 on their home turf, and that seems like a pretty good line in my opinion as these teams look pretty evenly matched from what I have seen this preseason. I think the Wolverines grind out a week one win thanks to the “magic” of playing at Magic Morgan, but it should be a tight one for all 4 quarters. 

Jake’s Pick: Dade County 28 – Ringgold 21 

 

Benton Birge: Ringgold

 

Lawrence Morgan: Ringgold

 

Fannin County @ Gilmer County

Another chapter of part of the HWY515 rivalry will take place in Ellijay this week. The previous two times these teams have played, they both won at home. This year’s matchup is back at Huff Mosley in Ellijay, but the Bobcats are going to have to throw everything they’ve got at this Fannin County team if they want to protect home turf. Fannin will sell out to stop the patented Gilmer rushing attack, therefore I believe Issac Rellinger will be the difference maker for GIlmer. If he can find some semblance of success through the air and keep the Rebels from stacking the box every play, then Gilmer will have an opportunity to win this game late. The Bobcats are going to have to get the ball in the endzone nearly every possession, because Fannin County is going to light up the scoreboard. The Rebels have perhaps the best backfield in North Georgia between Carson Callihan and Lawson Sullivan, and they are going to find ways to score. On the other hand, I am excited to see what Peyton Chancey and the Gilmer linebacker crew have in store to combat that lethal Fannin County backfield. Calpreps says Fannin -1, but I think the Rebels pull away in the second half. 

Jake’s Pick: Fannin 35 Gilmer 21

 

Benton Birge: Fannin County

 

Lawrence Morgan: Fannin County

 

Pepperell @ Pickens

Dragons vs Dragons. The Pickens Dragons struggled in their week one scrimmage vs Fannin County, but it seems they rectified some things in scrimmage week 2 vs East Hall. As both teams enter week 1 under a new regime, I really don’t see either team coming out of the gates “guns blazin’”. I think it will take Pickens a quarter or two to acclimate to a new offense, but once they do I don’t see Pepperell slowing them down.

Pickens is favored by 18.5 points and after Pepperell’s bad showing in last week’s scrimmage vs Coosa, I think the Green Dragons come close to covering that spread. 

Jake’s Pick: Pickens 31 – Pepperell 14

 

Benton Birge: Pepperell

 

Lawrence Morgan: Pickens County

 

Lumpkin @ Cherokee Bluff

The Lumpkin County Indians had a historic season in 2023 and are looking to build off of that success. With their leader and 3-star recruit Cal Faulker returning, we should see the Indians competing for a Region title once again. This week’s matchup is on the road in Flowery Branch vs a tough Cherokee Bluff team. I’m predicting the Indians come away with a victory here simply because they have the best player on the field in Cal Faulkner, but don’t be surprised if this one comes all the way down to the wire. 

Jake’s Pick: Lumpkin 28 – Cherokee Bluff 21

 

Benton Birge: Lumpkin County

 

Lawrence Morgan: Lumpkin County

 

Rabun County @ White County

This rivals Fannin vs Gilmer for game of the week in our coverage area. White County looks like they could be a dark horse to compete for a region title in 2024, and Rabun returns highly touted quarterback Ty Truelove to command the offense for another season. White County looked very good in preseason action, but they are going to be tested by a potent Rabun offense. White County’s defense should be their bread and butter this season and if they are able to slow down the Wildcats, then the rest of 6AAA should be put on notice. Jake’s Pick: White County 35 – Rabun County 28

 

Benton Birge: Rabun County

 

Lawrence Morgan: Rabun County

 

LaFayette @ Chattooga

From what I saw in our “Summer Combine Series” over the break, Chattooga has the athletes to compete with just about any school their size. Whether or not they have a winning season all depends on if they can translate that athleticism to actual football. I think the Indians get started on the right foot here in 2024 vs LaFayette, and start the season 1-0. Jake’s Pick: Chattooga 21 – LaFayette 7

 

Benton Birge: Chattooga

 

Lawrence Morgan: Chatooga

 

North Murray @ Dalton

North Murray will be missing their do-it-all guy Judson Petty in 2024 as he is set to join the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets this Fall. Without his production and with this game being on the road, I don’t like the Mountaineers chances. The Catamounts took last year’s contest by a score of 35-14, and I expect this year’s score to be much of the same. NWGA Football founder Lawrence Morgan on the other hand, thinks this one could be much closer than the -28 point spread in favor of the Catamounts. Jake’s Pick: Dalton 38 – North Murray 14. 

 

Benton Birge: Dalton

 

Lawrence Morgan: Dalton

 

Cedartown @ Rockmart

CalPreps has Rockmart favored by 3 in this one, simply because the game is being played at Yellow Jacket Stadium. As Lawrence Morgan said earlier this week, if you only attend one game in person in 2024, make it this one. An in-county rivalry, talent on both sides, great coaching, ranked teams, electric atmosphere. Jake’s Pick: Rockmart 21 Cedartown 17

 

Benton Birge: Cedartown

 

Lawrence Morgan: Cedartown