Marshall, Wilcox County shine in showdown with Milton, Charlton County

Wilcox County (Rochelle) quarterback Nick Marshall was a candidate for Georgia football player of the year as a junior in 2009 when he threw for more than 2,900 yards and led his team to a state championship. This year, some wondered if Marshall – who has committed to the University of Georgia -- was even the best quarterback in Region 2-A.

Another quarterback, Chris Milton of Charlton County (Folkston), entered Class A and Wilcox's region during reclassification. Milton, who has committed to Georgia Tech, threw for more than 2,500 yards and rushed for over 1,000 yards last season.

The debate came to a head last week when Milton's Charlton County team (ranked No. 1 in Class A) and Marshall's Wilcox County team (the defending champion in A) played in key Region 2-A game.

Give Wilcox County and Marshall the edge.

Marshall’s team was clearly better Friday night, winning 32-12. Individually, the quarterbacks were a little closer.

Marshall threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns on 14-for-23 passing, and Wilcox County outscored Charlton County 20-0 in the second half after it was 12-12. Marshal also had an 18-yard touchdown run and intercepted a pass.

Milton played pretty well, too. He was 12 of 23 passing for 127 yards and rushed for 142 yards on 16 carries.

This could be the final year that either plays quarterback. Both are being recruited primarily as defensive backs.

Other top games last week:

- Lowndes (Valdosta) scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to beat Valdosta 24-17 in what's probably Georgia's No. 1 rivalry. Lowndes quarterback Cole Parker threw for 189 yards. Valdosta's Ryan Whilden passed for 295 yards but was intercepted three times, including twice in the fourth quarter. Valdosta wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, a major Division I-A recruit, caught 12 passes for 143 yards.

- McEachern (Powder Springs) beat Hillgrove 64-48 as Dondre Purnell was 11-for-16 passing for 242 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown. This was the first football game between the these west Cobb County rivals. Hillgrove opened in 2006, taking most of its students from McEachern in a contentious redistricting process.

- Grayson (Loganville) took over first place in Region 8-AAAAA with a 16-10 victory over Dacula. Grayson broke open a 7-7 game in the second quarter with a blocked punt by Jesse Hogan and got an interception by Tre-Sean McQueen that led to a safety and a touchdown and a 16-7 lead. Grayson outgained Dacula 157-140 in a run-dominated game.

- Collins Hill (Suwanee) quarterback Taylor Heinicke was 29 of 40 passing for 287 yards and two touchdowns in a 14-10 victory over Peachtree Ridge, which had been ranked No. 3 in almost every Class AAAAA poll.

- Carrollton Beat LaGrange 49-0. Carrollton allowed only two first downs and minus-one yard rushing and administered the most lopsided loss for LaGrange since Tift County beat the Grangers 59-6 in the 1983 Class AAAA championship game.

LOOKING AHEAD: FIVE TOP GAMES THIS WEEK

- Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee) at Norcross: Both were undefeated and ranked highly recently. Now, both Gwinnett County schools are coming off surprising losses in Region 7-AAAAA. Peachtree Ridge, a team that was nationally ranked in some polls, was upset 14-10 by Collins Hill. Norcross’ defeat was not unexpected – the opponent was nationally ranked North Gwinnett. But the 38-0 score was humbling.

- Thomas County Central (Thomasville) at Northside (Warner Robins): These are the lone unbeaten teams in Region 1-AAAA. Both are state-ranked. Northside is No. 1 in AAAA.

- Carver (Columbus) at Callaway (Hogansville): It's a matchup of Georgia's top-rated running back prospects – Isaiah Crowell of Carver and Quan Bray of Callaway. Carver is ranked No. 1 in Class AA, but Callaway and Bray have had a disappointing year.

- Swainsboro at Dublin: These are the lone unbeaten teams in Region 3-AA. Both are state-ranked.

- Colquitt County (Moultrie) at Lowndes: Both began the year nationally ranked but have suffered upsets. Lowndes is back on track after beating Valdosta last week. Colquitt County has won four straight after an 0-3 start.

MORE TOP PERFORMANCES:

- Flowery Branch wide receiver Logan Conley had seven receptions for 206 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-7 victory over Habersham Central. Quarterback Austin Brown was 13 of 21 for 263 yards and three touchdowns.

- Lovett (Atlanta) running back Zach Boden rushed for 169 yards and scored two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) in a 51-14 victory over Therrell in which he played barely a half. He had 227 yards of total offense.

- North Cobb (Kennesaw) quarterback Travis Hawkins was 16 of 30 passing for 191 yards and rushed for 117 yards on 12 carries in a 25-21 victory over Pebblebrook.

- Hillgrove (Powder Springs) quarterback Gage Henry was 30 of 43 passing for 472 yards and five touchdowns in the loss to McEachern.