Dougherty football hosts No. 4 Cairo with region lead at stake

ALBANY — First place will be waiting beneath the Friday night lights at Hugh Mills Stadium.

So will Cairo’s defensive front.

That is where Dougherty’s biggest game of the season figures to begin—not with the celebrated quarterbacks, dangerous receivers or future college stars, but in the crowded, violent space along the line of scrimmage.

Dougherty (5-1) will host No. 4 Cairo (7-0) in a matchup of unbeaten Region 1-AAAA teams. The winner will walk away alone atop the standings and gain control of the race for the region championship.

“They have one of the best defensive lines in the state, no doubt,” Dougherty coach Uyl Joyner said.

The Trojans believe they have an answer.

It is an offensive line without much fanfare but with six games of evidence behind it. Joyner jokingly refers to the group as “the misfits,” though there has been nothing mismatched about its production.

From left to right, the group includes tackle Richard Washington, guard Amaree Jones, center Jayden Walker, guard K’Nyron Holliday and tackle Kyle Jackson. Together, they have given Dougherty the protection and continuity necessary to build one of the area’s most explosive offenses.

“You might call them the misfits, but the way they play together has been effective,” Joyner said. “I’m really happy with the way our offensive line has been playing. They’ve been giving Micah time all season.”

Micah Joyner has made good use of it.

The sophomore quarterback has thrown for more than 1,400 yards and 22 touchdowns in six games, directing an offense capable of attacking every blade of artificial grass at Hugh Mills.

Senior David “Blue” Burgess has been his leading target, catching 20 passes for 445 yards and nine touchdowns. He is hardly the Trojans’ only problem for opposing defenses.

Jherel Gibson can stretch the field. Alonzo Hammond, Detavious Poole and Jayden Richardson give Joyner additional options. Morris Hill has supplied balance with 330 rushing yards on 46 carries.

That collection of weapons has made Dougherty difficult to defend.

Cairo will make it difficult to operate.

The Syrupmakers arrive unbeaten after overpowering Shaw 53-24. Their defense can create pressure without sacrificing coverage, and it has repeatedly turned opponents’ mistakes into points.

That makes ball security more than a coaching cliché Friday night. It could decide the region.

“If you make a mistake, they will make you pay,” Uyl Joyner said. “We have to protect the football and not give them any free points.”

The same warning applies when Cairo has possession.

Most of the attention follows running back Bryian Duncan, a West Virginia commitment who wears No. 4. Dougherty’s defensive plan, however, cannot begin and end with him.

“We are not preparing for No. 4; we are preparing for Cairo,” Joyner said. “You can’t just focus on one player because Cairo has so many talented athletes.”

Among those athletes are Xiquavian Teal and Laderrick Perkins, two playmakers capable of turning one missed tackle into six points. Quarterback Bryce Puckett gives the Syrupmakers another way to strike.

“That No. 1 and that No. 2 can hurt you at any time,” Joyner said. “And their quarterback is good, too. He can make big plays.”

The responsibility of containing them falls to a Dougherty defense with playmakers of its own.

Georgia Southern commitment Eric Spann leads the Trojans with nine tackles per game. Trevon Williams and JerMarcus Potts average 8.4 apiece, while sophomore defensive end Mekaih Redding has recorded a team-high five sacks.

Dougherty has had an open week to rest, study and prepare. Cairo enters with momentum, seven victories and a No. 4 state ranking.

Neither advantage will matter much after kickoff.

Cairo finishes its schedule against Columbus and Bainbridge. Dougherty still must play Bainbridge, Westover and Hardaway. Friday’s winner will not clinch the region championship, but it will seize control of the race.

There will be stars all over the field. There will be college prospects, explosive receivers and two quarterbacks capable of changing the game with one throw.

But first place may belong to whichever group controls that crowded space up front.

Cairo brings one of Georgia’s best defensive lines.

Dougherty counters with its “misfits.”

Friday night, somebody takes first place.