Albany Herald

HERALD FAB 5 POLL:

1. Lee County (6-0)

The Trojans are coming off a bye week and stay at No. 1 with a perfect record, but they face the biggest test of the season Friday night at home against state-ranked TCC. Next: vs. TCC, 8 p.m., Friday.

2. Westover (3-3)

The Patriots are playing as well as anyone in the poll right now and make the big leap to No. 2 after both previous No. 2 Bainbridge and No. 3 Americus-Sumter lost last week. Next: at Americus-Sumter, 7:30 p.m., Friday.

3. Monroe (4-2)

The Nadas are back in the poll with some punch after knocking off No. 3 Americus-Sumter, 27-13, and now have a chance to win the Region 1-AAAA title.

Next: vs. Dougherty, 7:30 p.m., Friday.

4. Bainbridge (3-3)

The Bearcats lost their second heartbreaker in a row last week, falling to Harris County and dropping from No. 2 to No. 4. Next vs. Hardaway, 7:30 p.m., Friday.

5. Early County (4-2)

The Bobcats were off last week but lose ground to Westover and Monroe, which both moved up after impressive wins. Next: vs. Thomasville, 8 p.m. Friday.

Teams eligible for poll: Albany, Monroe, Dougherty, Westover, Sherwood Christian, Deerfield-Windsor, Terrell County, Terrell Academy, Pelham, Westwood, Mitchell County, Miller County, Bainbridge, Seminole County, Early County, Randolph-Clay, Randolph Southern, Southwest Georgia Academy, Southland, Americus-Sumter, Lee County, Worth County, Calhoun County, Baconton Charter, Crisp County and Crisp Academy.

--- Poll voted on by Herald sports staff; new poll released every Tuesday

HERALD HEISMAN WATCH:

The Top 5 performers from Week 8 who are making a case for Player of the Year.

J.T. EDORE, RB, WESTWOOD: Rushed for 156 yards on just nine carries and scored four touchdowns to lead Westwood to a 42-0 victory against Sherwood Christian Academy.

MARVIN GRANT, RB, MILLER COUNTY: Rushed for 176 yards and two touchdowns to lead Miller County to a 44-20 victory against Randolph-Clay.

CORTEZ BANKS, DT, MONROE: Made 12 tackles, including four for losses and two sacks, and also blocked a field goal to lead Monroe to a 27-13 win against Americus-Sumter.

DALVINESS GREENE, RB, WESTOVER: Rushed for 150 yards and a touchdown and caught a pass for 27 yards in Westover’s 27-3 win against Crisp County.

JAQUAN WILLIAMS, RB, MITCHELL COUNTY: Rushed for 122 yards on 13 carries and scored a touchdown in Mitchell’s win against Terrell County.

BY THE NUMBERS:

16:

Number of plays, including six sacks, that Monroe’s defense held Americus-Sumter to no gain or a loss in the Tornadoes’ 27-13 win against the Panthers last Friday.

33:

Number of total rushing yards that Westover’s defense allowed all night against Crisp County in the Patriots’ 27-3 win against the Cougars in a crucial Region 1-AAAA showdown.

DYNAMITE DROP-IN:

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

WHO: Emanuel Byrd, Albany, Sr., QB.

WHY: Completed 14-of-29 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns in Albany High’s 31-14 victory against city and region rival Dougherty.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“The table is set. We don’t need any help from anyone to win the region. We have to win out, but it’s up to us. Now the pressure is off us, because we don’t need any help from anyone.”

Jawaski Randle,

Monroe safety after the Tornadoes beat Americus-Sumter, 27-13, to keep their hopes alive to win a Region 1-AAAA title — that is, if the Tornadoes can run the table.

WEEK 9 AREA SCHEDULE:

Thursday

Randolph-Clay at Baconton Charter

Friday

SGA at Sherwood

Westover at Americus-Sumter

Thomasville at Early County, 8 p.m.

Fullington at Randolph Southern

Brooks County at Pelham

Terrell Academy at Brookwood

Westfield at Deerfield

Pinewood at Southland

Crisp County at Worth County

Crisp Academy at Fredrica

Hardaway at Bainbridge

Westwood at Valwood

Terrell County at Miller County

Seminole County at Calhoun County

TCC at Lee County, 8 p.m.

Monroe at Dougherty

Albany at Cairo

Mitchell County at Stewart County

NOTE: See a game time or location that’s incorrect? Drop us a line at sports@albanyherald.com or call us at (229) 888-9306.