With just two weeks to go, the winner will control their destiny to capture the Region 7-7A title.

NORCROSS, Ga. — With just two weeks left in the high school football season, a pivotal Friday night matchup could very well decide a major region in metro Atlanta.

Peachtree Ridge is off to their best start in program history -- winning the first eight games of the season by an average of over 30 points. The Lions are searching for their first region title since 2008, but first, they have to knock off Norcross on the road.

Both the 7-1 Blue Devils of Norcross and the 8-0 Lions of Peachtree Ridge are 4-0 in Region 7-7A play.

Under longtime head coach Keith Maloof -- who has been at the helm since 1999 -- Norcross has made the playoffs for the past 13 years. However, they've failed to get past the second round in 10 of those seasons. They're searching for their first region championship since 2020 and their first state title since they won back-to-back in 2012 and 2013.

The Blue Devils' rushing attack is legit. Their quarterback, AJ Watkins, has run for 697 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding another 563 yards and four scores through the air. Their halfback, Kevin Maven-Winchester, has dashed for 515 yards and five TDs himself, according to MaxPreps.

Peachtree Ridge's offense, on the other hand, likes to air it out. Sophomore quarterback Darnell Kelly has been the sparkplug behind their 8-0 start, throwing for 1,811 yards and 23 touchdowns thus far. They also have a balanced rushing attack. They've had three players rush for more than 200 yards and have a team total of 19 rushing touchdowns.

As a sophomore, Kelly has collegiate offers from Middle Tennessee State and Eastern Kentucky.

Peachtree Ridge has been much more dominant during their games this season:

  • Peachtree Ridge def. Seckinger 42-7
  • Peachtree Ridge def. Lanier 44-36
  • Peachtree Ridge def. Loganville 40-14
  • Peachtree Ridge def. Winder-Barrow 46-0
  • Peachtree Ridge def. Berkmar 39-7
  • Peachtree Ridge def. Meadowcreek 34-12
  • Peachtree Ridge def. North Gwinnett 27-17
  • Peachtree Ridge def. Discovery 62-0

Norcross' loss came on the road against the current No. 1 team in the state, Mill Creek.

  • Norcross def. Marietta 45-23
  • Mill Creek def. Norcross 27-13
  • Norcross def. Archer 25-21
  • Norcross def. Discovery 49-0
  • Norcross def. South Gwinnett 27-20
  • Norcross def. Berkmar 41-0
  • Norcross def. Meadowcreek 48-0

Kickoff between the two teams is at 7:30 p.m. at Norcross High School on Friday night.

Watch highlights of Norcross' win over South Gwinnett in Week 5: