Albany Herald

Americus-Sumter QB Bryce Benton led the Panthers to a 36-29 comeback win against Worth County thatl anded them in the Fab 5 poll for the first time this season.

ALBANY — Lee County finally slipped from the top spot in The Herald’s Fab 5 poll this week after suffering a tough 18-11 loss to Northside, Columbus.

Lee County had held down the No. 1 position in the poll since the second week of the 2010 season.

Seminole County, which set a school record for points in its 73-28 win against Daleville, Ala., moves to No. 1. The Indians’ only loss was to state-ranked Wesleyan on opening night when they played shorthanded and lost on a 60-yard pass play with 1:30 left in the game. They have rolled since.

Americus-Sumter arrives in the poll at No. 4 after pulling off the biggest comeback of the season last Friday against Worth County, erasing a 22-0 deficit and beating the Rams, 36-29, as quarterback Bryce Benton completed 29 of 50 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns.

Westover, which was knocked out of the poll last week, climbs back in at No. 5 after an impressive 47-0 victory against city rival Dougherty.

Albany and Early County both fall out of the poll after losing their Region 1-AA openers.

Albany played even with state ranked Fitzgerald before losing, and Early County lost a heartbreaker on the road, falling to Thomasville, 13-12, in overtime.

Bainbridge stays at No. 3, despite a 31-0 loss to Northside, Warner Robins, because no team in Southwest Georgia is at the same level as Northside, which is ranked No. 2 in the AP Class AAAA state poll.

Herald Fab 5 Poll

No. 1 Seminole Co.....(4-1)

The Indians land at No. 1 just in time for their biggest game of the year vs. defending Region 1-A champ Mitchell County. Next: Friday vs. Mitchell County, 7:30 p.m.

No. 2 Lee County....... (3-1)

The Trojans slip to No. 2 after their first loss, and will try to bounce back at home this week. Next: Friday vs. Houston County, 7:30 p.m.

No. 3 Bainbridge......................... (3-1)

The Bearcats' perfect season ended with a loss to No. 2-ranked Northside, Warner Robins. Next: Friday vs. Hardaway, 7:30 p.m.

No. 4 Americus-Sumter...............(3-2)

The Panthers land in the poll but now must face a hungry team from Monroe that also throws the ball. Next: Friday vs. Monroe, 7:30 p.m.

No. 5 Westover (3-2)

They're back after a 47-0 win against Dougherty on Saturday, but must turn around and face a short week and Worth County. Next: Thursday vs. Worth County, 7:30 p.m.

Quote of the week

"Live or die. We couldn't give up. We had to get this one. We had to fight to the end.'

Terrell QB Jerkerious Scott

on the Greenwave's 20-19 comeback win against Miller County.

Dynamite drop-in

A look at the highlighted Herald Dynamite Dozen player of the week:

WHO: Chris Brown, Sr., RB, Seminole County

WHY: Brown scored five touichdowns, rushing for three and catching two TD passes in Seminole's 73-28 win against Daleville, Ala. He gained 195 yards on the ground and 121 in the air and intercepted two passes.

By The Numbers

10 --- Number of interceptions for Westover's defense this season. The Patriots picked off two in their 47-0 win against Dougherty, including Kell Miller's 50-yard TD.

11 --- Number of touchdowns the Seminole Indians scored in their school-record 73-28 win against Daleville, Ala.

Herald Heisman Watch

Bryce Benton, QB, Americus-Sumter: completed 29 of 50 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns, and connected on 11 of his last 13 passes and five in a row on the winning drive to lead A-S to a 36-29 win against Worth. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 187 yards in the second half.

Xavier Willis, WR, Americus-Sumter: made 10 receptions for 109 yards and caught three touchdown passes -- all three in A-S's second half comeback against Worth County.

Mason Worsham, QB/DB Westwood: completed 9 of 13 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns, and also ran for a touchdown, and intercepted a pass to help the Wildcats beat Fullington, 66-0.

Chris Brown, RB, Seminole County: rushed for 195 yards and ran for three touchdowns, and also scored on two TD catches while accumulating 121 yards in receptions. He also intercepted two passes in Seminole's record-breaking 73-28 win against Daleville, Ala.

Jerkerious Scott, QB, Terrell County: completed 9 of 18 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns to help Terrell County beat Miller County, 20-19, to give the Greenwave their first win of the season.

SCHEDULE (all games at 7:30 p.m. except Thursday)

Thursday's game

WORTH COUNTY AT WESTOVER AT Hugh Mills, 7 p.m.

Friday's games

MONROE AT AMER-SUMTER

Houston Co. AT LEE COUNTY

Berrien AT ALBANY

SGA at Valwood

Dawson St. AT Westwood

MITCHELL at SEMINOLE

Hardaway AT Bainbridge

Randolph-Clay at Stewart

PELHAM AT MILLER COUNTY

CALHOUN COUNTY AT TERRELL COUNTY

SOUTHLAND at Bulloch

Crisp Academy AT RANDOLPH-SOUTHERN

TERRELL ACADEMY at Fullington.

Hebron AT BACONTON CHARTER at Pelham