The second week of Friday high school football was an excellent week for the Tiftarea if for no other reason, the break-out performances of the Berrien High Rebels and the Worth County Rams.

Both teams notched their first wins of the season and in Cook’s case, matched the number of wins from last season. Undoubtedly, they are both teams on the rise.

I expect both teams to go to 2-1 this week, and winning to be rampant around the Tiftarea.

The Tift County Blue Devils are now ranked No. 6 in the Associated Press high school football poll. Not bad, and honestly, the ranking is deserved. Everyone knows about Tift’s defense the past few years and now the offense has begun to show life. The 7-2 win over Collins Hill may make you question that last statement, but Collins Hill had a great defense. Kaream Hess again rushed for over 80 yards in the game and right now, he’s not only the leading rusher in the area but also the leading receiver. Americus-Sumter should not be much of a challenge and is arguably the weakest team Tift has faced.

Tift County 30, Americus-Sumter 3

The Tiftarea Academy Panthers faced a bigger team last week, in both roster and player size. The final score showed that Tiftarea was outclassed against Deerfield-Windsor, but that will be one of the few times this talented GISA team is outmatched. The Panthers are also possibly facing the weakest team they’ve seen all season in Cumming against Pinecrest. Look for the Panthers to put on a show, even if few are able to make the trip north to actually witness it.

Tiftarea 44, Pinecrest 17

The Irwin County Indians were another team that earned its first win, but maybe that wasn’t such a breakthrough for the Indians. Most people should expect Irwin to be a winning team at the end of the season after moving down to the state’s lowest classification. Still, the win was important so that the Indians could get the ball rolling. The ball should continue to roll this week. The last time Stewart-Quitman had a winning season was my senior year at Irwin County. I’ll be 31 Wednesday.

Irwin County 31, Stewart-Quitman 14

Cook has been perhaps the biggest surprise of the area after starting 0-2. That’s more losses than I predicted at the beginning of the season, and probably more than fans in Adel expected. Now, judging by the picks in yesterday’s Gazette, not many believe in the Hornets. I’m not among the doubters. Early usually plays Cook close, but I think the Hornets are mad and ready to get back to winning.

Cook 28, Early County 21

The Fitzgerald game against Randolph-Clay should be a good one. Randolph-Clay has one of the best runners in the state in Chris Clay, who I believe has run for over 4,000 yards in his first two years of high school. There’s no doubt that the Hurricane is a good team, but I think that inexperience at key positions and some costly injuries to Fitzgerald will allow the Red Devils and Clay to eke out a win.

Randolph-Clay 27, Fitzgerald 20

Turner has won a couple of close games to start the season, and this week’s contest against the neighboring Crisp County Cougars may be another. Crisp has a new coach and who knows how good they really are. I’ll put my money on the known quality though and bet on the Turner offense and its bruising group of linebackers.

Turner 21, Crisp County 17