Non-conference showdowns are in the cards for the fourth week of the regular season as Rockmart comes off a bye week at Dalton, and Cedartown looks to keep their undefeated streak going in a rematch at Calhoun tonight.

There’s a lot of football happening around the region, so here’s a rundown of the competition the local squads face, and some quick info about other games happening around the regions.

Cedartown at Calhoun

The Cedartown Bulldogs on paper should have a big advantage in this rematch after being drummed on Calhoun’s home turf last season in a Thursday night showdown.

A 3-0 Bulldogs squad has put up positive performances on the field through their first three weeks of the season: an opening win on the road over rival Rockmart in the 27-14 final for the Battle of Polk County. Cedartown since followed that up with a 47-7 win over Callaway (essentially a shutout for the first team kids, the Cavaliers scored late on the younger second team players.) Then followed it up with a 35-0 victory over Sequoyah.

One thing is for certain: Cedartown’s ground game is keeping the offense on the field and eating the clock throughout their first three games, and the defense is keeping other teams from making significant gains.

The Bulldogs will continue to rely on senior leadership in Harlem Diamond and Patrick Gardner in the backfield, and Reece Tanner under center.

However, let’s be clear: this is Calhoun, and this is the Jackets at home.

A 2-1 Calhoun squad coming off of two road victories in Alabama at Gardendale HS by one (31-30) and a five point game over Creekview (26-21.) The Yellow Jackets opened their year against a recent rival Blessed Trinity, who sent Calhoun packing with an L to start the season.

It’s worth noting Creekview didn’t score at all in the second half of their matchup with Calhoun last week, and the week prior Gardendale forced Calhoun to give up a safety in the fourth quarter, but the Jackets stormed back with a touchdown for their one-point win.

Is this a different Calhoun squad than the dominant team of the past 20+ years? Bulldogs might be able to find that out.

Last year, Cedartown fell in a 35-14 road trip to Calhoun. At least here at PSW, we’re hoping for a reversal of fortunes for the Bulldogs in the return matchup (again, on the road…)

Rockmart at Dalton

This should be PSW’s Game of the Week, if not for car breakdowns. That’s a subject for another day.

Two storied programs who have only met five times in the past are playing for the first time in over four decades tonight. Rockmart, a 1-1 squad coming off a bye week, has the opportunity to show their metal against Dalton, who is now a 7-5A school.

Last time they played, the Jackets and the Catamounts were in a quarterfinal game against one another in 1979, and Dalton took a narrow 7-3 victory in the game.

Dalton has a 4-1 record against Rockmart, and the only time the Jackets have won was back in 1948, when Head Coach J.D. Langley was on the sidelines leading Rockmart to a 14-7 victory. Rockmart has since lost every single time: 1949, 1962 & 63, and in the playoffs in 1979.

The two teams are vastly different in makeup many decades later, but right now on paper look evenly matched.

A 1-1 Rockmart team faces a 1-1 Dalton squad. The Jackets had a bye week on Sept. 2, meaning they got a chance to rest up and spend this past two weeks of practice getting ready for this road trip, coming off a needed win over Cass on the road (30-21.)

Dalton on the other hand a bye in between a home victory over North Murray (49-27) and a close road loss to Sonoraville (27-21.) The defeat to the Phoenix on the road came after the Catamounts had Week 2 off after a win over North Murray.

Expect the Jackets to rely on a corps of running backs and JD Davis to move the ball for the offense, which can score just about on any play they wish based on how other defenses are setup. Dalton’s defense having given up 54 points in their past two outings could be in trouble if Rockmart can score early and keep the pressure on for a full game.

The Catamount’s advantage might be in size and home field advantage. Dalton’s 7-5A stature means they have the depth to rotate out defensive players who can get gassed by Rockmart’s fast-paced offense. Jackets have to put the Catamounts to bed early if they want to come away with a big win tonight.

Of note, Dalton is a common opponent this year for Cedartown and Rockmart on the regular season. Jackets have them on the road this week, Cedartown plays them at home on Sept. 23.

Around the Region

Just as exciting as our local squads facing off is the matchups between some of the teams around the area. Here’s a look at a few of the games that could get interesting tonight:

North Paulding at South Paulding

Rivalry games are always interesting, and its a good thing this one doesn’t count. North Paulding sits at 2-1 on the year and travels to face a South Paulding squad that is 1-1 after a Week 3 bye.

Spartans are an interesting squad this year, sitting with an early season win and loss after winning 28-20 over Harrison, but falling 28-21 to Carrollton for their home opener the following week. (Anyone who can play Carrollton to that close a score is a dang good football team, no doubt.)

The Wolfpack on the northside of the county are sitting with a pair of wins and a loss, electing to have a bye week on Sept. 23 and Oct. 7.

North Paulding opened with a 35-13 victory over Allatoona at home in Week 1, and soundly defeated East Paulding 49-24 in Week 2.

They played Kennesaw Mountain close in a 37-36 loss at home. (Mustangs moved to 3-0 with that win on the year.)

Expect a close one, but advantage goes to South Paulding since its on their home turf.

Columbia at Cartersville

Two undefeated squads heading into a Week 4 showdown than promises to spark fireworks, since this one has the potential to see the Hurricanes get blown away.

Cartersville has gone three-up, three-wins for the opening of their year. Cherokee was a shutout to open the season 35-0, followed by Jonesboro in Week 2 with a 38-16 victory at home. Allatoona was probably closer than the Hurricanes would like: 28-20 final score.

The Columbia record so far this season is also undefeated, but in much closer games. Camden County hosed the Eagles and Columbia came home with 13-10 win, then played a close one against Woodland-Stockbridge 26-21. They are coming off a 20-0 shutout over Washington-Atlanta.

Do the Eagles have what it takes to upset Cartersville’s continued perfect storm? Probably not.

Expect a Cartersville win out of this one.

Haralson County at Mary Persons

The Rebels are in desperate need of this win after starting the season 1-1, and having last week off. Rabun County came to Tallapoosa and left with a 49-3 victory over Haralson County, but the Rebels bounced back with a close rival win over Bremen 15-14.

Now they have Mary Persons at home, and are facing a 2-1 Bulldogs squad, who have a mixed bag season so far on paper. They took a 14-12 win over Northeast (Macon) and a 41-28 win over Spalding, but fell 31-20 to Trinity Christian at home this past week.

Haralson is a host squad coming off bye week and a rivalry win, so I’m suspecting they might come away with a close win over the 2-AAA visiting squad. Look for the Rebels to come to Rockmart on October 7. (We’re looking forward to it for sure!)

Woodland-Cartersville at Pepperell

The Dragons need this win, but are facing a much bigger squad with a coach who understands the football tradition in Lindale, having past experience against the team at Rockmart.

Woodland-Cartersville comes to Floyd County with a 1-2 record against a 1-1 Pepperell squad coming off a bye week.

The Wildcats opened the year with a loss to East Paulding (38-13) then won in Week 2 when they hosted Coosa with a 34-0 shutout. Model just barely squeaked out a 17-14 overtime win over Woodland last week, and now the Cats are traveling for a third Floyd matchup this year.

Dragons on the other hand have rest after a 1-1 start, falling in Week 1 to Northwest Whitfield (Bruins win 46-17,) but won out over Model by 1 (15-14.)

Wildcats need this one as much as Pepperell, so expect it to turn into a real battle on the gridiron.