After coasting to a 40-6 win last Friday at Crisp Academy in Cordele, First Presbyterian Christian Academy is headed to Damascus to play at Southwest Georgia Academy.

Last year, the Highlander football team went 0-2 against the Warriors. FPCA lost 47-12 at Long Bell Stadium in the first matchup. Less than a month later, the Highlanders lost 42-14 at SWGA.
The Warriors are coming into the game at 3-3 overall.

According to stats posted on maxpreps.com, the Warriors’ offense is led by senior quarterback Quinn Laguardia. He has completed
37 of 76 pass attempts for 526 yards and four touchdowns. Laguardia is second in rushing with 455 yards, two for 100-plus yards, and six touchdowns. Senior Warrior Stephen Jackson is leading the ground game with 775 yards, five games with 100-plus yards and 12 touchdowns for the Warriors.
Payson Trawick leads Southwest Georgia in receptions with 18 for 357 yards and three touchdowns.

The defense has combined for 399 tackles, including 32 for loss and seven sacks for 31 yards lost, along with four interceptions for 25 yards.
Official stats are not posted for FPCA, but the roster of 24 players needs to stand head-to-head against the Warriors’ 28.

Last year, the Highlanders had to play ironman football with 14 players, most of whom went the distance on offense and defense. This year, the expanded roster gives FPCA the opportunity to rotate in fresh legs.

But the coaching staff knows the Warriors will be an uphill battle.

Highlander head coach Terry Middleton said he hopes last Friday’s win will keep his team focused on the fundamentals and that they once again will come out playing hardnosed football. He said Brandon Attical might miss the game with an injury, but the coach is happy that most of his players were able to return to action last week for the win.

The road game will be the fourth in a row for FPCA.
The Highlanders return to Long Bell Stadium on Oct. 9 to host Bethlehem Christian. The Oct. 17 game against Memorial Day might become a home game because of scheduling issues with the stadium the Matadors use in Savannah.

Kickoff in Damascus is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday.