Albany Herald

HERALD FAB 5 POLL:

1. Lee County (6-1)

The Trojans stay atop the poll after almost knocking off Thomas County Central, one of the best teams in Georgia. Next: at Harris County, 7:30 p.m., Friday.

2. Westover (4-3)

The Patriots are sky-high after their 16-14 win against Americus-Sumter on a last-second TD catch from Jackie Childs and can now win the region title with some help. Next: vs. Dougherty, 7:30 p.m., Friday.

3. Monroe (5-2)

The Tornadoes put up 56 points against Dougherty — the most since Charles Truitt has been coaching there — and are a week away from their showdown against Cairo. Next: at Crisp County, 8 p.m., Friday.

4. Bainbridge (4-3)

The Bearcats won a close one against Hardaway, 24-19, this past Friday and now need to win one of their last two region games to secure their spot in the playoffs. Next: at Northside Columbus, 7:30 p.m., Friday

5. Early County (5-2)

Early County beat Thomasville, 17-14, on a last-second FG, and that win may be what puts the Bobcats in the playoffs. Next: at Fitzgerald, 7:30 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 9 who are making a case for Player of the Year.

KEVIN WILLIAMS, WR, MONROE: Ran back two kickoffs for touchdowns for a total of 162 yards in returns, had three receptions and went 4-for4 on extra point kicks.

JACKIE CHILDS, WR, WESTOVER: Had five catches worth 91 yards, including a one-handed TD catch and the game-winning catch with 19 seconds left that beat Americus-Sumter, 16-14.

MATTHEW FOX, DT, DEERFIELD: Had school-record four sacks worth 40 yards and made 10 tackles to lead the Knights to a 28-7 win against region rival and previously unbeaten Westfield.

STEPHEN COLLIER, QB, LEE COUNTY: Completed 16 of 30 passes for 250 yards and two TDs and rushed for 59 yards and two touchdowns in 41-35 loss to TCC.

MATT KENDRICK, RB, RANDOLPH SOUTHERN: Rushed for 252 yards on 20 carries and scored three TDs to lead the Patriots to their first region win, a 40-12 victory against Fullington.

GAME OF THE WEEK:

Pinewood at Deerfield, 7:30 p.m.

BY THE NUMBERS:

40:

Number of negative yards DWS junior DT Matthew Fox racked up on four sacks, which tied a school record for one game in a win vs. Westfield. Fox also set the career-record for sacks at DWS with 21.

'3 or 4':

According to the Bobcats’ stat man, the number of years it had been since Early County had even attempted a field goal before Brandon Carter’s 25-yard FG with 51.1 seconds left beat Thomasville, 17-14.

Dynamite drop-in:

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

WHO: Kh’Ron McClain, Deerfield, Sr., RB

WHY: Rushed for 139 yards on 21 carries and scored four touchdowns, including one on a 38-yard fumble return. He also had an interception and a sack in DWS’ 28-7 win against Westfield.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“That was divine intervention. I’m overcome with emotions right now.”

--- Octavia Jones,

Westover head football coach moments after he watched Jackie Childs catch a 34-yard TD pass from T.J. Cromer on fourth-and-long last Friday with 19 seconds left in the game that lifted the Patriots past Americus-Sumter, 16-14, and kept Westover’s region title hopes alive

WEEK 10 AREA SCHEDULE:

Thursday

Worth County at Albany at Hugh Mills Stadium, 7 p.m.

Friday

Early County at Fitzgerald

Seminole County at Randolph-Clay

Calhoun County at Mitchell County

Berrien at Pelham

Terrell Academy at Sherwood

Pinewood Christian at Deerfield

Cairo at Americus-Sumter

Tiftarea at Southland

Monroe at Crisp County, 8 p.m.

First Presbyterian at Crisp Academy

Bainbridge at Northside, Columbus

Westwood at SGA

Stewart County at Miller County, 8 p.m.

Lee County at Harris County

Dougherty vs. Westover at Hugh Mills Stadium

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.