Photo by Elisa Herring

No. 1 Northside-Warner Robins will play No. 7 Thomas County Central tonight in an interesting duel between two traditional state football powers. The two have only played once in their illustrious histories, in the second round of the 2005 playoffs when the Eagles eliminated the Yellow Jackets. TCC has won five state titles, all at the Class 3A level, while Northside has won two titles, both in Class 4A. The two programs are in the same region for the first time. … Apalachee and No. 2 Clarke Central play tonight in a grudgematch that could decide the Region 8-AAAA title. The Wildcats (5-1) won the region last year with a perfect record but the Glads (6-0) are threatening to do the same this year. However, even if Central wins tonight, they still have to face No. 6 Flowery Branch, who are also 6-0 and defeated Apalachee 52-35 earlier this season. Both games will be crucial in determining the region title. … There could be a shootout in Gwinnett tonight. When Mill Creek and Collins Hill get together in Suwanee, two of Class 5A’s most potent offenses will get together. Mill Creek, who features Score 44 fullback Tyler Cierski, is averaging 34.2 points per game and are coming off a 47-0 win over Meadowcreek, while the Eagles are led by Score 44 member Brett Heinecke, who is one of the top quarterbacks in the state, and average 28.3 points per game. Collins Hill upset previously unbeaten Peachtree Ridge last week. … The 38-0 loss by Norcross to North Gwinnett last week was the Blue Devils’ worst since 1999 and the first time they had been shut out since 2003. Norcross managed just 75 yards of total offense in the game. Keith Maloof’s squad will face a Peachtree Ridge team tonight that also lost their first game last week as well. The Lions suffered several injuries prior to and during their loss to Collins Hill, but still managed to lose just 14-10. One of these two programs won the Region 7 title from 2006-2008, but are now looking to stay in the playoff race.