West Laurens and Mary Persons will once again meet on the field this Friday, marking the 17th matchup in an over two-decade-long rivalry. The first game of the series took place in 1994, in which the Bulldogs spanked the Raiders 42-0. The rivalry has long been dominated by Mary Persons, who are now 14-2 against West Laurens. This Friday could mark a change in the tide though, as West Laurens is proving to be a truly fierce competitor in 2019.
Last Friday, Mary Person’s enjoyed a bye week. Prior to this, the team earned a 37-28 region victory against the Upson-Lee Knights. They are currently 4-3 overall this season and 2-0 in region play. In the seven games thus far, MP has averaged 28.71 points per game on offense and allowed 28.29 on defense. The team is currently also on a miraculous 23-game winning streak in region play. Coincidentally, their last region defeat was in 2014 against West Laurens. The team overall has only managed to lose three region games since upgrading to Class AAAA in 2012. The Bulldogs are led by returning head coach Brian Nelson, who’s now on his 8th year with the program.
West Laurens also enters this game following a bye week. Their team is currently 6-1 overall and 2-0 in region play. In the seven games so far, WL has averaged 36.39 ppg on offense and allowed 13.14 on D. The Raiders have found a star-player in #15 AJ Mathis, a lefty quarterback and fourth-year returning senior. The team also has in its arsenal two immensely talented receivers: #12 Tyler Franks and #6 Daniel Dorsey. All this adds up to a powerhouse offense that Mary Persons has every reason to be nervous about. The Raiders are led by 3rd-year head coach Kagan McClain.
The game will be held at Mary Person’s stadium, offering them home-field advantage. Having said that, the Bulldogs are not the same team they were last year. With a roster consisting of many inexperienced players, this is undeniably a rebuilding year. Meanwhile, West Laurens is the best they’ve been in years. It’s not a surefire victory, but Mary Persons will have to find a way to hold the Raiders’ offense and match the points they put down. The Bulldogs have a rare-opportunity this season of setting a new school record of five-consecutive region championships; but to do so, they first must find a way to survive against West Laurens.
Games for Friday, October 25
Aucilla Christian Academy (FL) @ ACE Charter
Cairo @ Americus-Sumter
Warner Robins @ Bainbridge
Putnam Co @ Banks Co
Lamar Co @ Bremen
Peach Co @ Central (Macon)
Telfair Co @ Charlton Co
Schley Co @ Crawford Co
Worth Co @ Crisp Co
East Laurens @ Dodge Co
Taylor Co @ Dooly Co
Jones Co @ Eagle’s Landing
Mt. de Sales @ FPD
Macon Co @ Hawkinsville
Coffee @ Houston Co
Wilcox Co @ Irwin Co
Montgomery Co @ Johnson Co
Westside (Macon) @ Kendrick
GMC @ Lincoln Co
West Laurens @ Mary Persons
Elbert Co @ Monticello
Dublin @ Northeast
Spalding @ Perry
Jackson @ Pike Co
Washington Co @ Southwest
Central Fellowship @ Tattnall Square
Howard @ Upson-Lee
Hancock-Central @ Warren Co
Treutlen @ Wheeler Co
Stratford Academy @ Wilkinson Co