Thomas Jefferson Academy senior Derrick Mathis eclipsed the 6,000-yard career rushing mark last week.

His career total of 6,029 yards is 108 behind Georgia alum Herschel Walker on the state's all-time rushing list. Other than Mathis, 14 players have rushed for more than 6,000 yards, according to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. Commerce's Monte Williams (8,844 yards from 1997-2000) is the state's all-time leading rusher.

While Mathis scored two touchdowns and kicked a field goal against Edmund Burke last Friday, it was his play on defense -- the Jaguars held the Spartans to one score in a 23-6 win -- that drew the praise of Thomas Jefferson coach Chuck Wimberly .

"He has an uncanny ability to know what's going to happen," Wimberly said.

Mathis has rushed for 406 yards on 44 carries this season. He is sharing the workload with Logan Perdue and Taylor Barrentine , who each have more than 25 carries.

REJUVENATED WILDCATS: The folks around Region 3-AA call it the gauntlet: the four-week stretch where you face, in order, Jefferson County, Screven County, Dublin and Laney.

Laney drew the gauntlet to open its season and has emerged with a 2-1 record and viable playoff aspirations (only Jefferson County and Vidalia remain unbeaten in the 11-team region).

Last week's win over Dublin was Laney's best result in 13 games under coach Lemuel Lackey .

Laney is off this week, but the Wildcats are not worried they will lose momentum. Lackey cited momentum as a reason his team was confident enough to knock off Dublin one week after topping Screven County in overtime.

"The (bye) came at a good time. ... we'll work and prepare for the second part of our season," Lackey said. "Right now, we feel good."

PICK-6: Jefferson County quarterback B.J. Bostic , who is averaging 313 yards of total offense per game, is nearly on pace to run and pass for more than 1,500 yards.

Even more remarkable: all three of his interceptions have been returned for touchdowns, including two last Friday at Toombs County.

Bostic, a junior, more than made up for the turnovers by scoring five touchdowns in the Warriors' 34-13 win.

THIS AND THAT: Fox Creek's game Friday against C.A. Johnson will be played at Merriwether Middle School on Murrah Road in North Augusta. ... Thomson, Washington-Wilkes, Aquinas, Augusta Christian and Aiken all have road trips of more than 100 miles each way this week. ... Blackville-Hilda has won seven games in a row dating back to last season. No one else in the area has won more than three.