Photo by Don Jackson

No. 4 Stephenson travels to Newnan for the first time ever tonight looking to tighten their grip on Region 2. Last week, the Jaguars handed East Coweta their first loss of the year and will try to defeat the Indians’ arch rival tonight. Stephenson and Newnan have rarely played over the years, but are forced to clash now due to recent region alignment. Newnan won Region 4 the past five years, but are now in Region 2. … Meanwhile, in south DeKalb County, ML King will host East Coweta in another key Region 2 game. Both squads come in 4-1 in region play and can stay alive in the region race with a win. However, if Stephenson and East Coweta win tonight the Jags will clinch the region title even if they lose next week to ML King. Otherwise, Stephenson will need to win their final two games to win the region outright. … No. 2 Clarke Central faces Rockdale County for the third time in just over a year tonight. The Gladiators (8-0) and Bulldogs (4-4) split meetings last season, when Rockdale ruined Central’s homecoming with a 26-23 overtime win in the regular season. The pair then met again in the Class 4A semifinals when the Glads shutout the Bulldogs 28-0. A lot is on the line again this year, as Central is tied with Flowery Branch for first place in the region. Rockdale County can still clinch a playoff spot, as they are in a group of five teams fighting for the final two playoff spots.