Albany Herald

HERALD FAB 5 POLL:

1. Monroe (2-1)

The Tornadoes beat AA state-ranked Fitzgerald, 35-28, and after playing three state-ranked teams, Monroe is a Hail Mary loss against Brooks County away from being unbeaten. Next: vs. Westover, 7 p.m. Saturday at Hugh Mills.

2. Bainbridge (2-1)

Daniel Provence kicked a pair of extra points, and the defense stopped No. 4 Early County on a two-point conversion in the final seconds to win the Fab 5 showdown, 14-12, last week. Next: vs. Westlake, 7:30 p.m., Friday.

3. Lee County (3-0)

The Trojans, the only unbeaten team in the poll, rallied to beat Westover, 42-28, to sweep the three Albany schools on its schedule, scoring 143 points in three games. Next: vs. Morrow, 7:30 p.m., Friday.

4. Early County (2-1)

The Bobcats aren’t penalized after losing, 14-12, to No. 2 Bainbridge, which hasn’t lost to anyone in Georgia. Next: At Calhoun County, 7:30 p.m., Friday.

5. Americus-Sumter (2-1)

The Panthers replace Westover (1-2) at No. 5 after an impressive 34-18 win against Macon County. Next: vs. Albany High, 7:30 p.m., Friday at Hugh Mills.

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 4 who are already making an early case for Player of the Year.

Kenneth Hurley, RB, Lee County: Rushed for 123 yards and three touchdowns and caught seven passes for 91 yards in 42-28 win against Westover. Hurley has now rushed for 398 yards in three games.

Dustin Shattles, RB, Southland: Rushed for 276 yards on 26 carries (10.61 yards per carry) and scored twice in 47-25 win against Sherwood.

Jerkerious Scott, QB, Terrell County: Rushed for 160 yards, threw for 133 yards and also made five tackles in 48-0 win against Central Talbotton.

Thomas Aiken, RB, Seminole County: Rushed for 129 yards on nine carries (14.33 yards per carry) and scored both touchdowns in 13-12 loss to Clinch County.

Jatori Jones, RB, Terrell County: Rushed for 129 yards on nine carries (14.33 yards per carry) and ran for three TDs, as well as ran back a punt 45 yards in the Greenwave’s 48-0 win against Central Talbotton.

GAME OF THE WEEK:

Americus-Sumter at Albany, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

BY THE NUMBERS:

502:

Number of total rushing yards Southland Academy racked up in its 47-25 win against Sherwood this past Friday, despite falling behind early, 13-0.

50:

Number of total yards Randolph Southern’s defense allowed in its 54-15 win against John Hancock this past Friday.

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 176 yards and ran for two touchdowns, and also caught a 5-yard pass for a score in 45-27 win against rival Stratford this past Friday, avenging last year’s state playoff loss.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“I remember them putting 372 yards of rushing on us (last season), and that motivated us. That’s not what we do. Deerfield doesn’t do that. We had to make a statement.”

KE’Marvin Pitts,

DWS running back after DWS got revenge in a 45-27 win against Stratford, which beat the Knights twice last year

WEEK 5 AREA SCHEDULE:

Thursday

Sherwood at Windsor Academy

St. Anne-Pacelli at Baconton Charter

Friday

SGA at Westfield

Early County at Calhoun County

Randolph Southern at Griffin Christian

Randolph-Clay at Stewart County

Pelham at Seminole County

Dougherty at Worth County

Deerfield at Tattnall Square

Americus-Sumter at Albany

Southland at Terrell Academy

Cairo at Crisp County, 8 p.m.

Westlake at Bainbridge

Schley County at Terrell County

Marion County at Miller County, 8 p.m.

Morrow at Lee County

Brooks County at Mitchell County

Saturday

Westover vs. Monroe at Hugh Mills Stadium, 7 p.m.

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.