The Matchup: Meadowcreek (0-0) (Region 7-AAAAAAA) at Alcovy Tigers (1-0) (Region 3-AAAAAA). The Mustangs, coached by third-year head coach Jason Carrera, finished their 2016 campaign with a 1-9 mark. Alcovy, led by second-year coach Chris Edgar, has momentum after a 37-22 win against Duluth last Friday. It’s just the second meeting all time between the two schools. Alcovy defeated Meadowcreek, 28-15 last season at Meadowcreek.
The Venue: Homer Sharp Stadium, 3135 Newton Dr., Covington, GA 30014. Kickoff, Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The Playmakers at Meadowcreek: With apologies to the rest of the Mustangs players, 5-foot-9 running back Chauncey Williams will be the one to watch for Meadowcreek. In his junior season, the 5-foot-9 180-pounder rushed for 776 yards and four scores. Meadowcreek has major size on the offensive line with three returning starters and will look to ramp up the physicality, particularly on offense. On defense, Mark Haynes is a 6-foot-5, 365 pounder whose size is rare for Meadowcreek. But it’s notable, given Alcovy’s thinness up front.
The Playmakers at Alcovy: Take your pick. You’ve got Quindrelin Hammonds, the Robinson Twins, Adrian and Andrae. Andrae Robinson rushed for 160 yards on 13 carries in the opener. Then there’s wideouts Jairus Anthony, Dee Fanning, Nico Johnson and Kameron Phuong. But it all starts with junior QB Cameron Anderson. He threw for 178 yards and three scores and rushed for 72 more. Beyond that, the intangibles are clear. Anderson is a strong leader. On defense, the Tigers were fast and swarming. Linebacker Stephon Jefferson totaled 11 stops while forcing and recovering a fumble. Jalen Banks and Dee Fanning were dangerous book end pass rushers and junior safety Jakob Streeter was one of the most menacing hitters we’ve seen in the young season. Several of his eight tackles were highlight real stick. He also caused a fumble and had a pass breakup. What Alcovy lacks in size, they make up for in quickness and tenacity.
The Prediction: Not only did Alcovy play with ferocity, it played with confidence — a confidence not seen perhaps since the days of DeVon Edwards. Meadowcreek has a few pieces offensively, but if the Tigers play with the kind of swagger they displayed last week, and show an ability to close out a game, this one shouldn’t be too close for too long. Score: Alcovy 38, Meadowcreek 14.
