Albany Herald

HERALD FAB 5 POLL:

1. Bainbridge (3-1)

The Bearcats, who haven’t lost a game in Georgia, have been No. 2 all year but move up to the top spot, replacing Monroe, which lost to Westover, 17-14, while Bainbridge beat Class AAAAAA Westlake, 38-14.

Next: at Thomas County Central, 8 p.m., Oct. 5.

2. Lee County (4-0)

The Trojans have one of the top offenses in Georgia and move up a notch this week to the No. 2 spot after beating Class AAAAAA Morrow, 42-6 last Friday. Next: at Dodge County, 7:30 p.m. Friday.

3. Early County (3-1)

The Bobcats beat Calhoun County, 20-6, and move up to No. 3 but face their biggest test of the season Friday night. Next: at Brooks County, 7:30 p.m., Friday.

4. Americus-Sumter (3-1)

The Panthers have scored 77 points in two games without suspended coach Michael Pollock and move up in the poll to No. 4 after a 43-0 win against Albany High. Next: at Worth County, 7:30 p.m., Friday.

5. Westover (2-2)

The Pats toppled No. 1 Monroe, 17-14, and move back into the poll, dropping Monroe from first to all the way out of the poll. Next: at Cairo, 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 5 who are already making an early case for Player of the Year.

KENNETH HURLEY, RB, LEE COUNTY: Rushed for 154 yards and scored two touchdowns to lead the Trojans to a 42-6 win against Class AAAAAA Morrow.

DEMARKES CARTER, RB, TERRELL COUNTY: Rushed for 225 yards and scored three touchdowns to help Terrell County beat Schley County, 54-24.

TANNER STUMPE, KICKER, WESTOVER: Kicked a 43-yard field goal with 3:19 left to beat Herald No. 1 and Class AAAA No. 10 Monroe, 17-14. It was Stumpe’s first field goal of the year, and he was also perfect on extra points in the victory.

ZYTAVIOUS ANDERSON: Rushed for 123 yards on 23 carries, and scored three touchdowns in Worth County’s Region 1-AAAA opening night 35-8 win against Dougherty.

JATORI JONES, RB, TERRELL COUNTY: Rushed for 150 yards, scored two touchdowns and also ran a punt back 47 yards in the Greenwave’s 54-24 win against Schley County.

GAME OF THE WEEK:

Sherwood at Deerfield, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

BY THE NUMBERS:

42:

Number of points Lee County scored against Morrow in the first half of its 42-6 win last week. The Trojans, who are 4-0, have now scored 42 points or more in the first half of three of their four games.

1:

Number of times that Sherwood has beaten Deerfield in their 20-year crosstown rivalry as the two teams get set to renew it again Friday at Webb Memorial.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“They don’t tell us much. Coach (Chris) Wade told us to just keep our minds on football and all the outside stuff will take care of itself.”

Bryce Benton,

Americus-Sumter QB on why the Panthers are playing well despite the turmoil of losing head coach Michael Pollock, who has been suspended, and offensive coordinator Chris Wade runs the team

DYNAMITE DROP-IN:

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

WHO: Charles Stafford, Monroe, Sr., QB.

WHY: Even in a loss, threw for 193 yards in the second half and finished with 247 yards and one touchdown in Monroe’s 17-14 defeat to Westover in the Region 1-AAAA opener for both teams.

AREA SCHEDULE --- WEEK 6:

(all game times 7:30 p.m. unless noted)

Friday

Early County at Brooks County

Barbour County (Ala.) at Randolph-Clay

Fitzgerald at Pelham

Terrell Academy at Crisp Academy

Sherwood christian academy at Deerfield-Windsor

Americus-Sumter at Worth County

Heritage at Southland

Crisp County at Dougherty

Westwood at Tiftarea Academy

Terrell County at Calhoun County

Miller County at Mitchell County

Lee County at Dodge County

Westover at Cairo

Baconton Charter at Stewart County

Saturday

Albany vs. Monroe, 7 p.m. 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.