LAGRANGE – It’s not the same old Spencer.

In past years, having Spencer on the schedule basically equaled an automatic victory.

Those days are gone.

After breaking through for a winning record a year ago, Spencer has taken another step this season and has thrust itself into contention for a Region 5-AA championship.

Spencer could take a big step toward achieving that goal with a win over Callaway on Friday night at Callaway Stadium.

If Callaway wins, it would wrap up the region championship, regardless of what happens in the regular-season finale against Jordan.

Spencer would sew up the region title with wins over Callaway and Heard County to finish the regular season.

Spencer (7-2 overall) improved to 3-0 in the region with last week’s 39-0 victory over Lamar County, and it was the team’s second straight shutout victory.

The previous week, Spencer beat Temple 32-0.

In its three region games, Spencer has outscored its opponents 105-14.

Callaway (8-0 overall) is also 3-0 in the region, setting the stage for Friday’s big game.

Also this week, LaGrange will play its regular-season finale against Chapel Hill on Thursday at Callaway Stadium, although it’s not necessarily the final game of the season.

LaGrange still has a chance to finish fourth in Region 5-AAAA and make the state playoffs, and it has to beat Chapel Hill for that to remain a possibility.

LaGrange (2-7 overall) is 1-4 in the region, while Chapel Hill (3-4-1) is 1-3 in the region.

It hasn’t been the season the Grangers were hoping for, but head coach Dialleo Burks has no doubt his players will give it their all Thursday night.

“Just put it all into that game,” Burks said. “With the character of our guys, they’ll do that.”

Troup will be on the road against Central-Carroll on Friday in what will be a tune-up game for next week’s showdown with Cartersville for the Region 5-AAAA championship.

Troup (7-1 overall) is 4-0 in Region 5-AAAA, and the outcome of this week’s game will have no bearing on its position in the region.

For Central-Carroll, it’s the continuation of what has been a difficult season.

The Lions have been on a tremendous run in recent years.

The Lions were a combined 20-2 in the 2014 and 2014 seasons combined, and their only regular-season loss during that stretch came against Callaway in last year’s regular-season finale.

The Lions have fallen on hard times this season, although they have hung tough with Cedartown and Chapel Hill in their past two games.

In eight-man football, Lafayette Christian will put its playoff hopes on the line when it hosts Twiggs Academy on Friday.

It’s a game the Cougars have to win to qualify for the state playoffs.

Lafayette Christian is hoping to get a chance to defend its Georgia Independent Christian Athletic Association state championship.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES

THURSDAY

Chapel Hill at LaGrange, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY

Spencer at Callaway, 7:30 p.m.

Troup at Central-Carroll, 7:30 p.m.

Twiggs Academy at Lafayette Christian, 7:30 p.m.

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