LAGRANGE – The Troup Tigers just got done playing an unbeaten team with state-championship aspirations.

So how do the Tigers follow that up?

By playing another team with state-title hopes, of course.

After falling to Woodward Academy 51-21 last week, Troup will be on the road on Friday to play a powerful Sandy Creek team.

Sandy Creek isn’t perfect, but it has been extremely impressive.

Sandy Creek’s only loss, which was by two points, came against a strong Jonesboro team.

Since then, the Patriots (5-1) have won four straight games, all by at least 34 points.

In last week’s Region 5-AAAA opener, Sandy Creek overwhelmed Whitewater 42-7.

That’s what will be facing the Tigers on Friday night as they look to break through for their first win of the season.

Also this week, Callaway continues its Region 5-AAA schedule with a road game against Rockmart, and LaGrange and Lafayette Christian are both off.

Troup (0-6) hung tough with Woodward Academy for a while last week before things got out of control.

The Tigers pulled even with the War Eagles on a touchdown pass from Dexter Shealey to Tremayne Tolbert on the first play of the second quarter.

The rest of the second quarter was a difficult one for the Tigers, though.

Woodward Academy scored touchdowns on a kickoff return and a punt return, and another score was set up by a fumble return to the 3-yard line.

By the half, Woodward Academy led 30-7, and it went on to win by 30 points.

All four of Troup’s remaining games are against region opponents.

After this week’s game, Troup will play Carrollton, Fayette County and Whitewater.

Troup likely needs to win two games to earn one of the region’s four playoff spots.

Callaway (5-1 overall), which kicked off its region schedule with a 43-17 victory over Cedartown last week, will try to make it two in a row in region play when it visits Rockmart (1-5) on Friday.

While the Cavaliers are rolling along nicely with five consecutive wins, it has been a struggle for Rockmart.

Rockmart began the season in fine form with a 50-28 win over North Murray, but it has dropped five consecutive games since then.

After losing to Pepperell 50-13 in their region opener last week, the Yellow Jackets have allowed 106 points in their past two games.

Following the Rockmart game, Callaway will return home to face a Pepperell team that is also off to a 5-1 start.

After playing Haralson County on Oct. 29, Callaway will visit an unbeaten Central-Carroll team in the regular-season finale in a game that could determine the region champion.

LaGrange, following its 51-50 loss to Carver last week, will take this off before beginning a critical three-game stretch against Region 1-AAAAA opponents.

The Grangers’ next game is at Shaw on Oct. 22, and after hosting Harris County on Oct. 30, they’ll finish the regular season against Northside.

At 0-2 in Region 1-AAAAA, LaGrange needs a strong finish to make sure it secures a state-playoff spot.

Lafayette Christian, which beat CrossPointe last week to even its region record at 1-1, will return from its off week to host Holy Ground on Oct. 23.

The Cougars will probably need to win that game to make sure they earn one of the region’s two state-playoff spots.

Lafayette Christian finishes its regular season against Ballard Christian on Nov. 6.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES

FRIDAY

Callaway at Rockmart, 7:30 p.m.

Troup at Sandy Creek, 7:30 p.m.

Reach Kevin Eckleberry at (706) 884-7311 or on Twitter @lagrangesports