Albany Herald

HERALD FAB 5 POLL:

1. Lee County (6-2)

The Trojans, who have lost their last two games by a total of 10 points, fell to Harris County in the final seconds, 35-31. Next: vs. Northside Columbus, 7:30 p.m., Friday.

2. Westover (5-3)

The Patriots hung on to beat Dougherty, 41-32, and must win out and hope Monroe beats Cairo in a high-scoring game to have a chance at the Region 1-AAAA title. Next: at Worth County, 7:30 p.m., Friday.

3. Monroe (6-2)

The Nadas gave up just one first down in a 28-0 shutout against Crisp and now play the biggest game of the year in a showdown with Cairo that will likely decide the region title — one way or the other.

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

4. Bainbridge (5-3)

The Bearcats beat up Northside Columbus, 48-7, and play Dothan, Ala., before the big finale at home against Lee County. Next: vs. Dothan, 7:30 p.m., Friday.

5. Early County (5-3)

The Bobcats lost a heartbreaker on a missed field goal to state-ranked Fitzgerald, 17-14, and must bounce back quickly. Next: vs. Pelham, 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 10 who are making a case for Player of the Year.

JACORI TAYLOR, QB, EARLY COUNTY: Rushed for 101 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown, and completed 13 of 19 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown in 17-14 loss to Fitzgerald.

ZYTAVIOUS ANDERSON, RB, WORTH COUNTY: Rushed for 272 yards on 19 carries, including 172 in the second half, and scored a touchdown in Worth’s 35-27 win against Albany High this past Thursday.

EMANUEL BYRD, QB, ALBANY HIGH: Threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown in Albany High’s 35-27 loss to Worth County this past Thursday.

MICHAEL WHATLEY, QB, DOUGHERY: Completed 20 of 41 passes for 329 yards and five touchdowns in Dougherty’s 41-32 loss to Westover.

DALVINESS GREENE, RB, WESTOVER: Rushed for 196 yards and scored three second-half touchdowns to lift Westover to a 41-32 victory against Dougherty.

GAME OF THE WEEK:

Cairo at Monroe, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

BY THE NUMBERS:

3:

Number of turnovers by Early County in a 17-14 loss to state-ranked Fitzgerald. The Bobcats out-gained Fitzgerald, 341-298, in total yards but turned the ball over twice at the Fitzgerald 23 and once inside the 5-yard line.

1:

Number of total first downs Monroe’s “Green Wall’’ defense allowed all night last Friday against Crisp County in a 28-0 win. It was Monroe’s second shutout in five Region 1-AAAA games this year.

DYNAMITE DROP-IN:

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

WHO: Terry Lewis, Bainbridge, Sr., RB

WHY: Rushed for 254 yards on 15 carries and scored three touchdowns in Bainbridge’s 48-7 rout against Region 1-AAAAA foe Northside, Columbus this past Friday.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“I knew I had to make the play. I was thinking, ‘It’s do or die. I’ve got to stop him before he gets to the marker.’ I had to make the play for us to win the game. When I hit him, I knew he was short.”

--- Marlin Hall,

Worth County linebacker after he tackled Albany High QB Emanuel Byrd just outside the Worth 2-yard line, about six inches short of a first down to seal Worth’s 35-27 victory.

WEEK 11 AREA SCHEDULE:

Thursday

Brookwood at Sherwood

Americus-Sumter vs. Dougherty at Hugh Mills Stadium, 7 p.m.

Friday

Valwood at SGA

First Presbyterian at Randolph Southern

Randolph-Clay at Calhoun County

Pelham at Early County, 8 p.m.

Westover at Worth County

Westwood at Terrell Academy

Tiftarea at Deerfield

Southland at Bulloch

Albany at Crisp County, 8 p.m.

Crisp Academy at Robert Toombs

Dothan, Ala. at Bainbridge

Stewart County at Terrell County

Miller County at Seminole County

Northside, Columbus at Lee County

Cairo vs. Monroe 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.