The Week Seven Game of the Week takes us to John Larry Black Field for the second visit this season.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL
The Raiders have a pattern that they’re hoping to break. Win-loss-win-loss-win. After a BYE week, a 3-2 Habersham Central is hoping to put together its first win streak. Paris Wilbanks had perhaps his best game of the season last time out and now has 11 total TDs halfway through the regular season. Donnie Warren is having a stellar season, and the defense has been so good in the second half of games this year. To that point, Hab Central has been outscored in the opening quarter 38-21, but has owned the second quarter with a score spread of 106-34. That’s a great stat line.
WINDER-BARROW
The Bulldoggs (yes, that’s spelled the way it’s written – don’t ask…) are riding a 2-game win streak after region wins over Apalachee and Alcovy. The prior four games contained a 1-3 record and getting outscored 136-128. A 50-point win last week over Alcovy skews the numbers, but this offense is good (36.7/game). The defense (26.5), even with giving up just seven to Alcovy, lacks urgency. But that RB…Demetrius ‘M.J.’ Dowdy already has 1,000 yards through six games. He’s something special and is the 5A rushing leader and second overall in yardage in the state right now.
BY THE NUMBERS
HABERSHAM CENTRAL
3-2 (1-0 IN 8-AAAAA)
Region Standings: T-2nd
25.4 OFFENSE AVG
14.4 DEFENSE AVG (8th in Class 5A)
N/A State Ranking
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WINDER-BARROW
3-3 (2-0 IN 8-AAAAA)
Region Standings: 1st
36.7 OFFENSE AVG
26.5 DEFENSE AVG
N/A State Ranking
HOW THEY STACK UP
We typically make a case for both, with our official pick linked below. Let’s begin with the Raiders. There needs to be more consistency. The 41-0 win over Loganville a couple of weeks ago was the most complete game the Raiders have played, and perhaps the opener against rivals Stephens County. Habersham wins if it has a lead at the half, and limits penalties and turnovers. The way for Winder to win this game is to get into a track meet of back-and-forth scoring. In that scenario, the Bulldoggs offense can go toe-to-toe and might just have that one extra play to earn an upset win.
STATS
For Habersham Central, we’ve taken in 54 games since 2009. In that span, the Raiders have gone 18-36, but have won five of the last eight.
DETAILS OF THE MATCHUP
TIME: 7:30 PM Kickoff
PLACE: John Larry Black Field @ Raider Stadium / Mt. Airy, GA
LAST MEETING: 2024: Winder-Barrow 57, Habersham Central 43
ALL-TIME RECORD: Habersham leads the all-time series 17-11
RECORDS: Habersham Central Raiders (3-2) vs Winder-Barrow Bulldoggs (3-3)
HEAD COACHES: Benji Harrison (54-88; 14 Seasons); Robert Paxia (12-14; 3 Seasons)
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING
These opponents have many times been region foes. Therefore, this matchup dates back to 1984. Habersham won the first six editions before WB won five out of six from 1991-1996. Between 2006-2011, the Raiders won all six meetings. But since 2016, it’s been the Bulldoggs coming out on top more often than not, as Winder has a 5-2 mark in the seven most recent games. Last year was a 100-point outburst between the teams, as Winder won 57-43.
TEAM LEADERS (2025 Stats)
*Stats accumulated by team-published data on Ga MaxPreps
HABERSHAM CENTRAL
PASSING
Paris Wilbanks – 799 yds, 6 TD, 2 INT, 54% completion
RUSHING
Donnie Warren – 647 yds, 6 TD, 6.5 YPC
Paris Wilbanks – 176 yds, 5 TD, 4.2 YPC
RECEIVING
Jay Feltus – 324 yds, 2 TD, 19 rec
Tylon Davis – 151 yds, 1 TD, 14 rec
Donnie Warren – 116 yds, 0 TD, 10 rec
Drake Roland – 116 yds, 1 TD, 4 rec
Tay Spencer – 31 yds, 1 TD, 3 rec
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Jackson Adams – 40 TKL, 6 TFL, 3 Sacks
CJ Davis – 40 TKL, 10 TFL, 2 Sacks, 1 FR, 1 BLK
Parks York – 38 TKL, 7 TFL, 2 INT,
Griffin Cunningham – 37 TKL, 4.5 TFL, 1 INT, 2 FF
Noah Harkins – 35 TKL, 5 TFL, 1 Sack
Sutton Porter – 30 TKL, 1 INT, 2 FR, 1 FF
WINDER BARROW
PASSING
Harrison Raley – 430 yds, 4 TD, 3 INT, 52% completion
Westley Booth – 399 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT, 53% completion
RUSHING
M.J. Dowdy – 1,068 yds, 14 TD, 8.5 YPC
Marquon Gresham – 117 yds, 3 TD, 7.8 YPC
Tremaine Goolsby – 115 yds, 1 TD, 5.8 YPC
RECEIVING
London Munoz – 288 yds, 3 TD, 21 rec
Grayson Engel – 284 yds, 1 TD, 15 rec
Kenyan Glasper – 208 yds, 2 TD, 12 rec
M.J. Dowdy – 36 yds, 1 TD, 4 rec
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Xavier McCoy – 62 TKL, 6 TFL, 1 INT
Pierce Baillargeon – 54 TKL, 2 TFL, 1 FF
Devonte Livingston – 41 TKL, 7 TFL, 1 FF
Giovanni Tuggle – 40 TKL, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 1 FF
Rylen Wilcox – 38 TKL, 4 TFL
Frankie Boyle – 33 TKL, 4 TFL, 2 Sacks
Braylen Billings – 25 TKL, 11 TFL
Emmanuel Robinson – 14 TKL, 6 TFL, 4 Sacks
