The Neighbor previews the Week 2 football matchups for north Fulton schools…

Peck’s Picks
Last Week: 7-3
Season: 7-3

ROSWELL AT PEACHTREE RIDGE

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at the Lion’s Den in Suwanee
Records: RHS 0-1 (0-0 6AAAAA); PTR 1-0 (0-0 7AAAAA)
Last meeting: The Hornets defeated the Lions, 23-20 (OT), on Nov. 23, 2007
Breakdown: The schools’ first two meetings have been epic, if not somewhat unsatisfying. The teams split the 2006 Class-AAAAA state title with an unprecedented 14-14 tie at McEachern High School. One year later, Roswell bounced the Lions from the postseason with a second-round overtime win. This year, they meet at Peachtree Ridge for the first time. Roswell dropped a game to the Lions’ region foe (Collins Hill) last week that it cannot forget soon enough. The Hornets essentially dominated, but ran into redzone troubles and saw the Eagles prevail following a controversial (understated?) completion-that-wasn’t in the final minutes. In order to win tonight, Roswell must finish drives and continue to play tough on defense. The Lions — state quarterfinalists from 2009 — are well-rested after defeating McEachern, 24-21, on Aug. 21 at the Georgia Dome. PTR has won 14 straight at home. Make it 15.
Peck’s Pick: Peachtree Ridge

MILTON AT WALTON

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Raider Valley in Marietta
Records: MHS 1-0 (0-0 6AAAAA); WHS 0-1 (0-0 5AAAAA)
Last meeting: The Raiders defeated the Eagles, 28-23, on Oct. 9, 2009
Breakdown: The former region foes meet for the seventh time in 11 years. Milton head coach Scott Walker is feeling pretty good following his team’s 41-19 opening season victory. The Eagles shook off the cobwebs early against Cherokee, running the ball at will and enjoying an exceptional passing night from Colin McElroy and a supberb all-around night from A.J. Canara. However, 296 rushing yards allowed on defense are a concern. Walton’s Kyle Vorster is a proven back. Unfortunately, he is surrounded by 10 first year starters in the same offensive huddle, including five inexperienced linemen. The Raiders’ youth was evident in a 17-point loss to Brookwood at the Georgia Dome 13 days ago. Walton has won nine straight in the series and has not lost to Milton in Marietta since 1994. The drought ends Friday.
Peck’s Pick: Milton

CENTENNIAL AT NORTH COBB

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Emory Sewell Stadium in Kennesaw
Records: CHS 1-0 (0-0 6AAAAA); NCHS 0-1 (0-0 4AAAAA)
Last meeting: This is the first ever meeting between the two schools
Breakdown: Quarterback Sean Gilrain stepped right in under center last week and did his best Scott Laffler impersonation. After carving up Campbell with great decisions in the option game and tossing an 18-yard touchdown, the former drop-back passer may be on the way to making quite a name for himself in Centennial’s run-first attack. North Cobb, on the other hand, is reeling from an ugly opening-season loss at Alpharetta. The Raiders ran circles around the Warriors in the first half and led 28-0 in the blink of an eye. North Cobb will give a better effort this time out, but Centennial will hit enough big plays behind Gilrain and Co. in the backfield and transfer Tony Bradley in the passing game. It will be the blue and white’s night once more.
Peck’s Pick: Centennial

ALPHARETTA AT MILL CREEK

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Mill Creek Community Stadium in Hochston
Records: AHS 1-0 (0-0 6AAAAA); MCHS 0-1 (0-0 7AAAAA)
Last meeting: The Raiders defeated the Hawks, 10-6, on Sept. 30, 2005
Breakdown: The Raiders and Hawks clash for the first time in five years. Alpharetta could not have scripted a better start to the season, as the Raiders blasted Region 4AAAAA hopeful North Cobb last week at home behind a magnificent all-around game under center from Mikal Abdul-Saboor. The offense is no doubt licking its chops to face a Mill Creek defense that allowed 34 points last week in a loss to Dacula. Non-region road games are never easy, but Abdul-Saboor and the Raiders made me (and North Cobb) look flat-out silly last week…lesson learned.
Peck’s Pick: Alpharetta

DULUTH AT NORTHVIEW

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Northview Stadium in Johns Creek
Records: DHS 1-0 (0-0 7AAAAA); NHS 1-0 (0-0 6AAAAA)
Last meeting: The Titans defeated the Wildcats, 20-14, on Sept. 2, 2005
Breakdown: Call it confidence in Chad Davenport. Call it a modest gamble against a bad Meadowcreek program. But if you picked Northview to win last weekend, raise your hand. Thank you very much. The Titans won for just the second time since 2007 last Friday, as Evan Jacks threw for over 200 yards and Denis Onwualu was an all-purpose nightmare for the Mustangs’ defense. Northview welcomes Duluth for its home opener, holding a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series. The Wildcats have not enjoyed many kind fall seasons in recent years either, but they did make Corey Jarvis a winner in his first game as head coach last weekend. But the Titans are re-energized. They are undefeated and they will don the home threads for the first time in 2010 tonight. Don’t look now, but Northview is 2-0.
Peck’s Pick: Northview

CHATTAHOOCHEE AT LAMBERT

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. in Suwanee
Records: HOOCH 0-0 (0-0 7AAAA); LHS 1-0 (1-0 7AAAA)
Last meeting: This is the first ever meeting between the two schools
Breakdown: The wait is over for the Cougars, the only north Fulton team to have its bye in Week 1. ‘Hooch returns a monster OL, a star QB and some skill players chomping at the bit to grind out yardage. Feeling more at home in AAAA, ‘Hooch returns the bulk of an offense that lit up the majority of the 10 Class-AAAAA defenses it faced last year. The Longhorns of Lambert pitched a shutout at Northwest Whitfield last week, and have allowed just 17 points in five career games for the program (including four at JV last year). But this ain’t JV and this ain’t your average AAAA school. The Cougars are battle tested and hungry for a region championship. They are my 7AAAA favorite, and they make an early statement on Friday.
Peck’s Pick: ‘Hooch

SEQUOYAH AT JOHNS CREEK

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. in Johns Creek
Records: SHS 0-1 (0-1 7AAAA); JCHS 0-1 (0-1 7AAAA)
Last meeting: This is the first ever meeting between the two schools
Breakdown: The Gladiators were a mixed bag last week at Rome in their first ever GHSA varsity game. The defensive showing (10 points allowed) was about as good as one could hope for on the road, while the offense…well. A shutout is a shutout. Next up are the Chiefs of Sequoyah, who dropped a tough one to Creekview last week and are already in desperation mode after carrying high region expecations into the 2010 season. That does not bode well for the home team wearing Johns Creek red and gold, though it should make for a great atmosphere in the Gladiator’s first ever GHSA home game.
Peck’s Pick: Sequoyah

GRADY AT BLESSED TRINITY

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at BT Stadium in Roswell
Records: BT 1-0 (0-0 6AA-B); GHS 1-0 (0-0 5AAA-A)
Last meeting: The Titans defeated the Grey Knights, 24-7, on Nov. 9, 2007
Breakdown: In my other Whoops! pick from Week 1, BT bussed down to Savannah and promptly smacked Benedictine…hard. The 44-0 shellacking was a nice way to start the season on the heels of a — shall we say — offensively challenged 2009. The Titans were dominant on the ground and efficient through the air last week with quarterback Spencer McManes. As has been seen in recent seasons, the defense was also spectacular. This week figures to present a stiffer challenge. The Grey Knights are coming off a 10-win season and smacked McNair, 33-6, in Week 1. Grady features one of the nation’s top players in athlete Damian Swann, along with a roster loaded with senior leadership. If BT pulls out a win, look out. But I don’t see it happening. Hopefully, for the Titans’ sake, I put the anti-hex on them once more.
Peck’s Pick: Grady

RIVER RIDGE AT MT. PISGAH

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Savior Field in Johns Creek
Records: RR 0-0 (0-0 7AA-A); MP 1-0 (0-0 5A-North)
Last meeting: This is the first ever meeting between the two schools
Breakdown: Pisgah welcomes the GHSA newcomer Knights to Savior Field, where the Patriots ran wild last week and hammered Cross Keys behind nearly 500 yards on the ground. Pisgah had two backs — Max Aden and Ben Mozingo — put on a clinic last week, and quarterback Ryan Felice managed the game well filling in for Kyle Sloter. The resistence should be even less this week against a River Ridge team that was winless against five JV opponents in 2009. Tonight marks the Knights’ first varsity game in school history. If nothing else, it should be an exciting experience.
Peck’s Pick: Pisgah

KING’S RIDGE AT LAKEVIEW ACADEMY

When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m. in Gainesville
Records: KRCS 1-0 (0-0 5A-North); LA 1-0 (0-0 8A)
Last meeting: This is the first ever meeting between the two schools
Breakdown: Both teams are coming off season-opening home shutouts. The Tigers’ offense was multiple and efficient in the team’s 45-0 rout over St. Francis last week, and the Lions of Lakeview Academy jumped on FCS in the first half en route to a 29-0 triumph in Roswell. This is a matchup between two young programs, but the Lions have a great deal of senior leadership, one more year of playing experience and the all-important homefield advantage. I give them the edge.
Peck’s Pick: Lakeview