Woodward Academy @ Sandy Creek. We will be live at 7pm Eastern time on 680 The Fan/93.7 FM/680thefan.com

Our Game of the Week features two of the top programs in the 4A classification (the state of Georgia has six classifications).

Woodward and SC are tied for first place in the region; so at this late juncture in the season, and given the schedule of both teams moving forward, this is a de-facto region championship game. The region standings are at the bottom of the article.

The Sandy Creek Patriots enter the ballgame at 7-0 overall and 2-0 inside of Region 5 4A. The Pats are outscoring opponents 221-91 overall (32-13 per game). SC is one of the dominate teams in the state regardless of classification having won three state titles (2009-10/12). The program began in 1992 and has an all-time win percentage of 71%; having posted double-digit win seasons every year since 2008. Their record from 2008 up to this week is 85-4-1.  All that is even more amazing when you consider they did not reach the playoffs AT ALL in their first SEVEN seasons.

The Patriots are led by Head Coach Chip Walker, who is now in his 10^th season; in that time coach has amassed a 106-17-1 record.

Meanwhile, the Woodward Academy War Eagles enter the affair at 6-1 overall in their first season in the 4A classification. They too are 2-0 in Region 5 4A. The War Eagles are outscoring opponents 268-93 overall and 38-13 per game. WA has been playing football in College Park since 1948 and they own a 65 % all-time win percentage. The War Eagles won the 1970 and 1980 state championship behind legendary Georgia Head Coach Graham Hixon, a 276 game winner.

Over the last four seasons the War Eagles have been led by Head Coach John Hunt, who has posted a 30-12 record.

Of course, both of these teams are loaded with future college talent, but there are a few young men that will be the focal point of the broadcast tonight:

Sandy Creek SR RB Eric Swinney is a four star national caliber player. As a Sophomore: 1400 yards and 23 touchdowns. Last year, as a Junior: 1,289 yards and 24 touchdowns; both seasons the Pats had another 1,000-yard rusher (Delvin Weems, now at Tucker High School in metro Atlanta). The 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior has already eclipsed the 1000 yard mark here in 2014, sitting at 170 carries/ 1094 yards/ and 13 touchdowns. Swinney committed to Ole Miss in May and his highlight performance of 2014 came against Newnan, in a 31-14 victory. He rushed for 211 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries.

Woodward Academy’s All everything offensive weapon Elijah Holyfield is turning into a walking highlight film. In 2014, Holyfield’s stat line is impressive: 126 carries/ 984 rushing yards/ 16 touchdowns/ 9 receptions/ 107 yards/ 1 touchdown/ 4 Kickoff returns. Versus Decatur he scored seven touchdowns; the first on a return of the opening kickoff, and rushed for 147 yards on 11 carries, scoring six times, in a 45-13 victory. He is the son of former Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World Evander Holyfield.

Defensive Back Arrington Farrar, also of Woodward Academy, was named first-team all-state in Class AAA last season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior finished with 97 tackles, four pass break-ups, three interceptions, three tackles for losses, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick. One of the top defenders in the Peach State is committed to Stanford.

School                                               Region    Overall
Sandy Creek                                       2-0          7-0
Woodward Academy                        2-0          6-1
Carrollton                                           1-1           3-4
Fayette County                                  1-1           3-4
Whitewater                                        0-2          4-3
Troup                                                  0-2          3-4