WEEK 6: At halfway point, teams try to keep playoff cha...

Despite just now hitting the halfway point of the season, several teams already face must-win situations Friday night if they want to stay in the playoff race in their respective regions. Maybe none more so than Flowery Branch in Region 8-AAAAA. The Falcons (2-2, 1-2 Region 8-AAAAA) are trying to climb out of an 0-2 start but face a resurgent Winder-Barrow (2-3, 2-2 Region 8-AAAAA) team that is off to its best start since 2007. Neither team can afford a loss with five teams within a game of each for the fourth spot in the region standings. East Hall and Dawson County in Region 7-AAA also are in a similar position and will square-off in Dawsonville. Both teams have battled injuries. The Vikings (1-3, 0-1 Region 7-AAA) have lost three straight while the Tigers (0-4, 0-1) are still looking for their first win. The winner is still alive with the loser facing a tough uphill battle the rest of the way. There are some tremendous matchups on tap as well, highlighted by Norcross traveling to North Gwinnett in their annual Region 7-AAAAAA battle. The two teams last met in the Class AAAAAA championship game. The winner of this matchup has decided the region title eight of the last 10 years. Meanwhile, Jefferson, Buford, and Union County will try to keep their unbeaten streaks alive. For a look at all of the night's contests involving area teams, simply scroll down. And be sure to check back with Access North Georgia and our <a href="http://www.accessnorthga.com/s15-football-central.php">Friday Game Night</a> page throughout the night for score updates and game stories and video highlights. You can also check for scores and highlights on our Twitter feed <a href="https://twitter.com/">@FridayGameNight</a> HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR Oct. 3 APALACHEE at LOGANVILLE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Red Devil Stadium, Loganville -- APALACHEE (0-5, 0-4 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 35-21 to Clarke Central last week. -- LOGANVILLE (2-2, 1-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 28-14 to Lanier last week. -- NOTABLE: Loganville leads series 4-2. The Red Devils won 29-21 last year. ... The Wildcats are mired in a program-record 15-game losing streak. Defense has been the problem They have yielded 38.4 ppg in 2014 and have allowed 26 or more points in 15 straight games. ... It is a must-win for the Red Devils, who have lost two straight in the region. There are five teams within a game of each other for the fourth spot in the region. ... Defense has also been a problem for Loganville, which has surrendered 74 points during the losing streak. ATHENS ACADEMY at TOWNS COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee -- ATHENS ACADEMY (1-2, 0-2 Region 8-A): Off last week. Lost 27-20 to Commerce two weeks ago. -- TOWNS COUNTY (1-4, 1-2 Region 8-A): Lost 58-28 to George Walton Academy last week. -- NOTABLE: Athens Academy leads series 12-0. The Spartans won the last meeting 34-0 in 2005. ... Towns County is 3-2 in its last five home games. Athens Academy is 1-1 on the road in 2014. ... The Spartans were considered a playoff contender but sit on the bottom of the standings after the first two weeks. ... Towns County has allowed the most points of any 8-A team (208) but encounters an Athens Academy offense that has scored just 62 points, second fewest in the region. ... The last time Athens Academy started a season 1-3 was in 1990. BANKS COUNTY at FANNIN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge -- BANKS COUNTY (3-2, 0-1 Region 7-AAA): Lost 22-21 to franklin County last week. -- FANNIN COUNTY (2-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Off last week. Lost 35-8 to Union County two weeks ago. -- NOTABLE: Fannin County leads the series 5-3. The Rebels won 6-0 last year. ... It has been a back-and-forth series with the two teams splitting the last six meetings. ... It's the region opener for Fannin County. Expect some points in this one. Banks County is second in points scored in the region and Fannin is third but has played one less game. ... The Leopards need a win to avoid an 0-2 start in the region with games still left against Lumpkin County, East Hall, and West Hall. ... It's an important stretch for the Rebels with a home game next week against Lumpkin before finishing the season with three of their last four games on the road. BUFORD at CHESTATEE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Chestatee Stadium, Gainesville -- BUFORD (4-0, 1-0 Region 8-AAAA): Off last week. Beat White County 42-10 two weeks ago. The Wolves are ranked No. 1 in Class AAAAAA. -- CHESTATEE (1-3, 0-1 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 51-7 to North Oconee last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It looks a mismatch on paper with a rebuilding Chestatee having scored just 31 points on the season while the Wolves defense has allowed just 30 points on the season. ... Chestatee had won five straight at home until falling to Flowery Branch in its season-opener. The War Eagles are back home for the first time since then after three straight road games. ... Buford is just as tough on the road as at home. It is the first road game of the season for the Wolves, who have won 18 straight away from Tom Riden Stadium going back to a 14-0 loss to Carver-Columbus in 2010. ... Including Chestatee, Buford's next three opponents (North Hall and Monroe Area) are a combined 1-11 in 2014. COMMERCE at PRINCE AVENUE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Wolverine Field, Bogart -- COMMERCE (4-1, 3-0 Region 8-A): beat Athens Christian 10-7 last week. -- PRINCE AVENUE (3-2, 2-1 Region 8-A): Beat Hebron Christian 23-20 last week. -- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 5-3. Prince Avenue won 28-14 last year. ... A streaky series. The Wolverines have won the last three meetings after Commerce won the first five. Only one game in the series, in 2007, a 36-33 Commerce win, has been decided by less than 13 points. ... Commerce is the only unbeaten team left in 8-A. ... Both teams showed grit last week hanging on late to get victories. The Commerce defense has been clutch all season stopping teams on final drives to preserve three of its four wins. ... The Tigers ground game, which has produced over 1,200 yards on the season so far, could be key. The Wolverines have allowed the second-most points (69) in region contests. Only Hebron (167) has scored more points than Prince Avenue (142) on the season. EAST HALL at DAWSON COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville -- EAST HALL (1-3, 0-1 Region 7-AAA): Lost 38-35 to Lumpkin County last week. -- DAWSON COUNTY (0-4, 0-1 Region 7-AAA): Lost 26-3 to West Hall last week. -- NOTABLE: Dawson County leads series 7-1. The Tigers won 29-27 last year. ... Both teams came into 2014 expecting to challenge for a region title. Now, both teams face a must-win just to stay in the playoff race. ... After East Hall, Dawson County will play 3 of its next 4 games on the road. The Vikings face region unbeaten Werst Hall next week on the road. ... Both teams have battled injuries over the past few weeks. East Hall did get Devin Watson back last week and he responded with 202 yards passing and 178 yards rushing in the close loss. ... Dawson County was held to just 161 yards in the loss to West Hall. The Tigers have struggled on offense all season scoring just 16 total points. But, the records of the Tigers four opponents are a combined 12-6 on the season. EAST JACKSON at MORGAN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Bill Corey Stadium, Madison -- EAST JACKSON (1-4, 0-1 Region 8-AAA): Lost 42-7 to Oconee County lst week. -- MORGAN COUNTY (2-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Off last week. Lost 28-21 to Monticello two weeks ago. -- NOTABLE: Morgan County leads series 2-0. The Bulldogs won 38-19 last year. ... The Eagles need a breakout game and Morgan County, which has allowed over 25 ppg on defense, could provide just the opportunity. However, East Jackson has scored just 42 points (8.5 ppg) on the season. The Eagles also have not been a good road team going 1-14 on road since the last half of the 2010 season. ... The Bulldogs are 1--1 at home this season and just 2-3 in their last 5 home games. ELBERT COUNTY at JEFFERSON -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson -- ELBERT COUNTY (3-2, 0-1 Region 8-AAA): Lost 19-7 to Hart County last week. -- JEFFERSON (5-0, 1-0): Beat Jackson County 34-7 last week. The Dragons are ranked No. 4 in Class AAA. -- NOTABLE: Elbert County leads series 4-1-1. Elbert won the last meeting in 2011 14-0 in Jefferson. ... They have only met two times (2010 and 2011) since 1977. Jefferson's only win in the series came in 1976, a 12-7 win at The Granite Bowl. ... The Dragons piled up some big offensive numbers last week but also turned the ball over four times. It will hard to knock off the Blue Devils with that many mistakes. But, Jefferson also has given up just 39 points (7.8 ppg) on the season. ... Jefferson is tough at home, winning 15 of its last 16 going back to 2012. Elbert County, however, is a proven winner away from Elbertson having six straight road games. ... The Blue Devils are averaging 26 ppg but it has been a Jekyll-and-Hyde offense. In their three wins they have averaged 39 ppg; they have scored just 14 total points in their two losses. ... The Dragons need as many wins as possible for a run at the region title with a finish against resurgent Oconee County and No. 10 Hart County, both of whom are undefeated. FRANKLIN COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega -- RADIO: 102.9 FM -- FRANKLIN COUNTY (2-2, 1-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Banks County 22-21 last week. -- LUMPKIN COUNTY (2-3, 1-0 Region 7-AAA): Beat East Hall 38-35 last week. -- NOTABLE: Series tied 1-1. Franklin County won 32-6 in 2011. ... Two of the early surprise teams in the area. Both are coming off huge region wins last week. ... The winner will have the early lead in the region with West Hall, which is also unbeaten, enjoying an off week. ... The Indians are grinding up defenses of late rushing for 930 yards in the last two games and averaging 36.5 ppg in that span. Bradley Womack and Gunnar Wood combined for over 300 yards and four TDs last week for Lumpkin. ... Franklin County has only averaged 17.5 ppg on offense but has won two straight. ... Both teams have given up some points yielding more than 24 ppg each on defense. HEBRON CHRISTIAN at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Lakeview Stadium, Gainesville -- HEBRON CHRISTIAN (3-2, 1-2 Region 8-A): Lost 23-20 to Prince Avenue last week. -- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (1-3, 1-1 Region 8-A): Beat Providence Christian 38-3 last week. -- NOTABLE: Series tied 3-3. Hebron won 23-7 last year. ... The Spartans lead 8-A in scoring but have lost 2 of their last 3 allowing 59 points in the two losses. ... Lakeview had its biggest offensive output of the season, scoring more against Providence than in the three previous games combined (26). ... Junior Tae Turner ran for 240 yards and five touchdowns for the Lions last week JACKSON COUNTY at OCONEE COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Warrior Stadium, Watkinsville -- JACKSON COUNTY (1-4, 0-1 Region 8-AAA): Lost 34-7 to Jefferson last week. -- OCONEE COUNTY (5-0, 1-0 Region 8-AAA): Defeated East Jackson 42-7 last week. -- NOTABLE: oconee County leads series 8-2. Jackson County won 56-27 last year. ... The Panthers have won two straight in the series but former Stephens County coach Travis Noland has the Warriors playing at a high level over the first half of the season. ... The Oconee County defense has been outstanding yielding just 24 points. Jackson County was averaging 25 ppg until running into a brick wall in Jefferson. The Panthers did force four Jefferson turnovers but could not cash any into points. ... Jackson County needs a win with games against Elbert County and Hart County the following two weeks. Oconee needs a win to keep momentum going with a closing stretch of Hart, Jefferson, and Elbert. MADISON COUNTY at WHITE COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland -- RADIO: www.wrwh.com -- MADISON COUNTY (3-1, 1-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Monroe Area 19-6 last week. -- WHITE COUNTY (2-2, 0-1 Region 8-AAAA): Off last week. Lost 42-10 to Buford two weeks ago. -- NOTABLE: Madison County leads the series 5-1-1. First meeting in 33 years. The Red Raiders won last meeting 13-0 in 1981. ... Madison County is another of the early surprises in 2014. The last time the Red Raiders started a season 3-1 was in 2005. They aren't flashy on offense averaging under 25 pgg and yielding just under 15 ppg on defense. However, their first four opponents are a combined 5-15. ... White County was finding its groove with two straight wins before running into No. 1 Buford. The Warriors managed nearly 200 yards rushing against a Wolves defense that had allowed less than 100 total yards on the season. ... It's the beginning of a critical stretch for the Warriors, who face Stephens County and North Oconee in the next two weeks. They are 8-2 at home in their last 10 games. ... Madison County, however, is 3-3 in its last six road games. MILL CREEK at MEADOWCREEK -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Meadowcreek Stadium, Norcross -- MILL CREEK (2-3, 1-1 Region 7-AAAAAA): Lost 51-41 to North Gwinnett last week. -- MEADOWCREEK (1-4, 0-2 Region 7-AAAAAA): Lost 49-7 to Collins Hill last week. -- NOTABLE: Mill Creek leads series 4-0. The Hawks won 47-0 last year. ... Another game that has mismatch written all over it. Meadowcreek has scored just 28 points and given up a staggering 247 points (49.4 ppg) so far. The Hawks are averaging 36.6 ppg behind QB Daniel David. ... The Hawks let another lead to North Gwinnett slip away last week and will now need some help to get back into the playoff race. They need wins this week and against Mountain View next week to set up a chance for a playoff run with a finish against Collins Hill, Norcross, and Peachtree Ridge. NORCROSS at NORTH GWINNETT -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Tom Robinson Memorial Stadium, Suwanee -- NORCROSS (4-1, 2-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Beat Duluth 38-0 last week. The Blue Devils are ranked tenth in Class AAAAAA. -- NORTH GWINNETT (4-1, 2-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Beat Mill Creek 51-41 last week. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 6 in Class AAAAAA. -- NOTABLE: Norcross leads series 12-8. The two teams split a pair of games in 2013. The Bulldogs won 36-17 in the regular season and the Blue Devils took a 31-14 victory in the Class AAAAAA championship game. ... A crucial game in the region. Both teams are tied with Peachtree Ridge atop the standings. ... The Bulldogs are the masters of the comeback. They have trailed in every game this season and have pulled out three wins with fourth quarter rallies. However, don't look for that game plan against the defending state champions. ... Norcross, which has won two straight, is not as potent as in 2013 averaging just 22 ppg but the defense is yielding just 14.5 ppg. ... North Gwinnett has been on fire from opening week averaging 40.5 ppg behind National Bank of Georgia Player of the Week John Urzua, who threw for 369 yards and four TDs in the comeback win last week. The Bulldogs defense has yielded 171 points (34.2 ppg) but also has been matched up against some of the best offenses in the state. ... The winner of this game has gone on to win the region 8 of the last 10 years. NORTH OCONEE at NORTH HALL -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville -- NORTH OCONEE (2-2, 1-0 Region 8-AAAA): Beat Chestatee 51-7 last week. -- NORTH HALL (0-4, 0-1 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 48-19 to Stephens County last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It continues to be a rebuilding process for the Trojans, who have not had a start to a season like this since 2001. And things won't get any easier. This is the second of four consecutive weeks against the top four teams in the region. ... North Oconee is finding its groove with two straight wins behind Kawon Bryant, who has rushed for over 400 yards in his last two games. The Titans have scored 70 points in that span and the defense has allowed just 17 total points. However, the Titans are 0-4 in their last four games away from home. RABUN COUNTY at SOCIAL CIRCLE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Redskin Stadium, Social Circle -- RABUN COUNTY (3-2, 1-0 Region 8-AA): Off last week. Beat Riverside Military 24-3 two weeks ago. -- SOCIAL CIRCLE (0-4, 0-1 Region 8-AA): Lost 52-19 to Union County last week. -- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 2-0. The Wildcats won 64-0 last year. ... After a tough opening three weeks, Rabun County has turned the corner with two straight wins. Offense is the key for the Wildcats. When they score 23 or more points, they are 3-0. They have scored just 23 total points in their to losses. They should be able to continue things this week. ... Social Circle is in the midst of a program-record 30-game losing streak going back to the 2011 season that has spanned three different coaches. And the Redskins have not been competitive during the streak. During that span only two games have been decided by a touchdown or less. ... The Wildcats need to keep building momentum with key region games against Union County and Washington-Wilkes looming in two weeks. RIVERSIDE MILITARY at STRONG ROCK CHRISTIAN -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Locust Grove -- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (1-3, 0-1 Region 8-AA): Lost 16-7 to Johnson last week. -- STRONG ROCK CHRISTIAN (2-2, 0-0 Region 5-A): Lost 28-14 to Mount de Sales two weeks ago. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Both teams come on a downturn. Riverside has lost three straight while the Patriots have dropped two straight. ... Defensively the Eagles have played well allowing just 65 points (16.2 ppg). The offense has struggled, albeit against some tough defenses, scoring just 11 ppg, and just 10 in the last two games. The Patriots have yielded 20.5 ppg and 61 points in their last two games. ... Eagles' QB Hunter Sims could be poised for a breakout game. The Eagles need some momentum before jumping back into region play against No. 6 Washington-Wilkes next week. SALEM at GAINESVILLE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville -- RADIO: 1240 AM -- SALEM (4-1, 4-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Winder-Barrow 31-24 last week. -- GAINESVILLE (3-1, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Heritage, Conyers 47-13 last week. -- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 4-0. The Red Elephants won 58-8 last week. ... Both teams come in riding win streak. The key could be the GHS offense against the Salem defense. ... Gainesville shook off its opening loss to high-powered Grayson and has made 8-AAAAA teams pay in three straight wins. The Elephants lead the region in scoring despite one fewer game played and have averaged 47 ppg in region contests. ... The Seminoles have won four straight, including two nail-biters. They have averaged 26 ppg and have yet to give up more than 24 in a game. ... Mikey Gonzalez improves with each game. He had 240 yards passing with 4 TDs. Kicker Chandler Staton proved a big weapon last week booting four field goals. ... This begins a key stretch in the region for the Elephants, who travel to No. 10 Lanier next week and then return home to face Clarke Central in two weeks. STEPHENS COUNTY at MONROE AREA -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Legion Field, Monroe -- STEPHENS COUNTY (3-1, 1-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated North Hall 48-19 last week. -- MONROE AREA (0-4, 0-1 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 19-6 to Madison County last week. -- NOTABLE: Stephens County leads the series 24-11-1. Monroe Area won 47-0 last year. ... The Hurricanes have won two straight in the series but are in a rebuilding mode this season. They have really struggled on offense scoring just 48 total points. Only North Hall and Chestatee have scored fewer in the region. ... That could bode well for the Indians, who have won two straight and allowed just 19 total points in that span. The Indians new spread attack has gotten better each week and they lead the region in scoring with 143 points (35.7 ppg). They can't afford a letdown with a tough White County team headed to The Reservation next week. UNION COUNTY at OGLETHORPE COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Patriots Stadium, Lexington -- UNION COUNTY (5-0, 1-0 Region 8-AA): Beat Social Circle 52-19 last week. -- OGLETHORPE COUNTY (0-4, 0-1 Region 8-AA): Lost 42-6 to Greene County last week. -- NOTABLE: Oglethorpe County leads series 6-5. Union County won 46-26 last year. ... The Panthers have won four straight in the series but two games were decided by a touchdown or less and both were in Lexington. However, this year's contest has blowout potential. ... Union County is rolling on offense leading the region in points (221) and average (44.2 ppg). The Patriots have given up the most points in the region (181) and have scored just 18 total points on the season. ... Union County cannot afford a letdown with tough road games against Greene County and Rabun County over the next two weeks. WINDER-BARROW at FLOWERY BRANCH -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch -- RADIO: AM 550 -- WINDER-BARROW (2-3, 2-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 31-24 to Salem last week. -- FLOWERY BRANCH (2-2, 1-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Cedar Shoals 17-7 last week. -- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 4-0. The Falcons won 44-7 last year. ... This has not been a close series with the Falcons average margin of victory being 40.5 points. However, expect a close game this time around. A huge game for both teams if they want to remain in the playoff race with five teams within a game of each other for fourth place in the region. ... The Bulldoggs are the biggest surprise in the region with as many region wins already than in the previous four years combined. They have yielded the second-most points in the region (145) but 87 came in two losses to the high-powered offenses of Jefferson and Gainesville. ... The Falcons have backed off their usual spread attack for a conventional ground game of late letting their defense, which is yielding just 17.2 ppg, keep them in games. ... So. Jeremiah Goss continues to have a standout season for Flowery Branch rushing for 139 yards last week. ... The Bulldoggs will counter with RB Cece Green and QB Noah Chapman, who have helped them average 22 ppg, their highest scoring average in more than a decade.

WEEK 6: At halfway point, teams try to keep playoff chances alive