Let's get to another week of predictions and preview for high school football.



Last week: 6-3 (10-3 overall)



Holy Innocents’ (2-0) at Riverwood (1-0)

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Hoskyn Stadium

Last time they met: Holy Innocents’ won 17-7 on Aug. 26, 2011 and leads the all-time series 3-1.

Scouting the matchup: Get ready for a double dose of the triple-option. Both these teams are feeling great heading into this one. Holy Innocents’ has punked two straight larger schools in Lakeside-DeKalb and rival Wesleyan, while Riverwood thrashed Cambridge 48-0 for its first opening win since 2008, a 15-13 triumph over the Golden Bears that was also its last victory in this hotly contested series . In a game like this, it comes down to who makes fewer mistakes, as one bad pitch or one drop can be the difference. Holy Innocents’ has done it three times in a row over its friendly Sandy Springs rivals, and it’ll make it four given its ability to win these kinds of games in the past.

Prediction: Holy Innocents’



Tucker (1-0) at North Atlanta (0-1)

When/Where: Friday, 8 p.m. at Grady Stadium

Last time they met: Tucker won 41-0 on Sept. 19, 1997 and leads the all-time series 2-1.

Scouting the matchup: The Warriors get a rude welcome to Region 6-AAAAA play with the defending Class AAAA champion Tigers. Put it this way: not only did Tucker go 15-0 last season, but the Tigers have won 29 of their last 30 games overall and haven’t lost a regular season contest since 2009. North Atlanta fights the good fight but won’t be able to stop this train.

Prediction: Tucker



North Springs (0-1) at Hapeville Charter (0-1)

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Hapeville Charter (Union City)

Last time they met: This is their first meeting.

Scouting the matchup: The Spartans have a golden opportunity to get their first official win since 2008 when they travel to face the Hornets, a new program that played four varsity games last season (all losses), and opened this year with a 47-6 drubbing at the hands of Prince Avenue Christian. Something’s got to give. The larger school gets the edge.

Prediction: North Springs



Westminster (0-2) at Laney (1-0)

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Laney Memorial Stadium

Last time they met: This is their first meeting.

Scouting the matchup: Westminster’s offense is looking to get on track after two rough performances in its first two games, albeit against excellent competition. St. Pius X held the Wildcats to 124 yards of offense in a 21-3 victory. Host Laney pitched a 43-0 shutout in its opener over Butler and has the benefit of homefield advantage, but I look for the Wildcats to rebound here with a hard-nosed, low-scoring victory.

Prediction: Westminster



Pace (1-0) at Athens Academy (1-0)

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Slaughter Field

Last time they met: This is their first meeting.

Scouting the matchup: After a convincing 24-8 victory over Whitefield to open the season, the Knights, now 21-21 all-time in their short history, are looking to move above .500 with a win against the Spartans, a perennial power with six straight playoff appearances. I got to see Pace play last week, and as good as its offense was, despite having receiver Kameron Uter sidelined with a lingering foot injury, its disciplined defense against Whitefield’s triple option was very impressive and a reason why the Knights could really do some special things this fall. That being said, the Spartans are a much stronger opponent. Maxwell ratings have Athens as a 9-point favorite in this one, but I’ll take the Knights to pull the upset. I think they’re getting misunderestimated, to paraphrase our former President.

Prediction: Pace



Holy Spirit (0-1) at Grace Baptist (1-2)

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Jesse Davis Park (Douglasville)

Last time they met: This is their first meeting.

Scouting the matchup: The Cougars lost 32-0 in their opener to East Atlanta last week and will need to show a lot more in order to contend for a repeat of the Glory for Christ league title. Grace takes this one to move to 2-2.

Prediction: Grace Baptist