Macon games have high stakes as GHSA season ends

Macon’s high school football teams will have a lot on the line the final week of the GHSA regular season. Here’s a look at some of Bibb County’s crucial games this week.

Northeast (7-2, 7-1 in region) vs. East Laurens (3-6, 3-5 in region)

Last meeting: Northeast won 32-7 in 2024. Last week: Northeast defeated Dodge County 33-14; East Laurens lost to Jefferson County 14-13.

Northeast has perhaps the most at stake in its final game of the year. If the Raiders defeat the visiting East Laurens Falcons, they will win the school’s first region championship since 2009 and secure home field advantage through at least two rounds of the playoffs.

It would be tied for the best regular season finish in Northeast history with last year’s 8-2 record, though the Raiders did not come away with the Region 2-A Division I trophy last time around. A ringing 33-14 win over Dodge County last week helped them take control of the region. Now only East Laurens, which sits at an unsteady 3-6, stands in Northeast’s way.

“Just want to get to next week and take care of business. You know East Laurens wants to come in and play spoiler,” Wiggins said after the road win against the Indians. “You just have to go back home and finish it.”

A region championship would give the Raiders a Top 8 seed in the A-Division I tournament automatically. If Northeast falls in an upset, it would likely fall to the mid-teens range.

ACE (5-4/4-4) at Washington County (4-5/4-4)

Last meeting: Washington County won 17-14 in 2024. Last week: ACE lost to Bleckley County 48-9; Washington County defeated Southwest 21-14.

The ACE Gryphons have a lot to play for as well. Despite a 48-9 drubbing at the hands of Bleckley County last week that put their record at 5-4, the Gryphons are very much in playoff contention and are within striking distance of getting the school’s first-ever home playoff game.

The GHSA’s Post Season Rankings have ACE at No. 29 following the loss to Bleckley County. The seven private schools ahead of ACE will have their own bracket, making the school’s true ranking No. 22.

With this seed, the Gryphons should be locked into a playoff spot if they win as a result, but a loss to Washington County this week could put them just outside the bubble. The Golden Hawks are in a similar position — though it’s a bit more must win for them, with Washington County ranked at No. 38 — giving the matchup crucial playoff stakes.

Rutland (0-9/0-4) at Pike County (3-6/0-4)

Last meeting: Pike County won 35-18 in 2024. Last week: Rutland lost 16-14 to Westside; Pike County lost 41-7 to Morgan County.

The Hurricanes have to mend their broken hearts from last week’s loss, when they were yards away from likely the game-winning touchdown in the final minute only to fumble on the 7. Clearly improved in 2025 despite the same record as 2024, Rutland lost by two to a team that won 57-18 last year.

Rutland quarterback Zamerian Johnson completed 9 of 12 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown and ran six times for 94 yards and a score, while linebacker Jaykaden Hill had 11 tackles, three for loss, and two breakups plus a forced fumble.

Rutland is averaging 12.3 points a game and giving up 33.8, a margin of 21.4 points. A year ago, that difference was 32.7. Four losses have been 11 points or less.

Pike County went 5-6 last year, breaking a four-game losing streak with the win over Rutland. The Pirates’ defense improved this year, but the offense stagnated.

The Pirates are on the playoff bubble, barely on the outside, and are done with a loss and probably in with a win.

Jackson (3-6/2-2) at Westside (3-6/2-2)

Last meeting: Westside won 29-23 in 2024. Last week: Jackson lost 47-17 to Callaway: Westside beat Rutland 16-14.

The records aren’t impressive, and neither team has been a contender for a region title or runner-up spot. But the regular-season finale has plenty of meaning. For one thing, it’s the final home game for Westside head coach Spoon Risper,who announced his resignation from the program before the season. For another, it might be his final game with Westside, period.

The Red Devils and Seminoles are both on the Class AA playoff bubble. Westside enters game night as the No. 27 team (of 32) in the 32-team field, two spots ahead of Jackson. There are lot of games with bubble teams playing bubble teams, so it’s kind of a must win scenario for both teams.

Westside broke a six-game losing streak last week, a streak that included three ranked (at the time) teams and two of whom are still undefeated. Jackson had a four-game losing streak with two losses to still-undefeated Class A-Division I teams. And the Red Devils are off consecutive games against the top two teams in the region, Morgan County and Callaway.

Jaiden Stephens ran for 111 yards and a score against Rutland, but the Seminoles had little passing game, completing three passes for 41 yards while giving up 104 yards passing to Rutland.

Westside averages 116.9 yards rushing and 110.6 passing.

Jackson quarterback Canaan Bernhardt has 1,378 passing yards and Danarri Brown 867 rushing yards.