WEEK 5: Some teams face must-win as playoff races heat...

Time has finally arrived for all northeast Georgia teams to begin what they hope is a march to the playoffs. Regions 7-AAA and 8-AA joins the rest of the area in earnest Friday night with a slew of key games on tap. Meanwhile, some teams in 8-AAAAA face almost must-win situations if they want to continue beyond the regular season. Of all the teams in the area, Flowery Branch may have the most pressure on it when it travels to Athens to take on Cedar Shoals. The Falcons (1-2, 0-2 Region 8-AAAAA) need a win just stay alive. Salem, Gainesville, Lanier are all undefeated with Heritage, Conyers and Loganville both sitting ahead of the Falcons. Also in 8-AAAAA, Gainesville plays host to a dangerous Heritage, Conyers team which is fresh off its upset of Flowery Branch last week. In 7-AAA, East Hall, Dawson County, and Banks County all face tough region home-openers. In 8-A, Commerce travels to take on Athens Christian in a battle of region unbeatens. The winner will have the early track to the region title. In Region 8-AAA, Jefferson and Jackson County will hold the first major skirmish when they meet at Panther Stadium.The Panthers have never beaten Jefferson but is finding its groove after a big win last week. In Region 7-AAAAAA, North Gwinnett travels to Mill Creek in their annual slugfest. The Bulldogs rallied from 19 down in the final six minutes last year to take a thrilling 50-47 win over the Hawks. 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 SEPT. 26th CHESTATEE at NORTH OCONEE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: North Oconee Stadium, Bogart -- CHESTATEE (1-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Off last week. Beat Pepperell 24-19 two weeks ago. -- NORTH OCONEE (1-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Beat West Hall 28-10 last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... North Oconee's Kawon Bryant put on a show for the Titans against West Hall with 215 yards rushing and 2 TDs and Chestatee, which struggled early to stop the run, will have its hands full. ... The War Eagles offense finally put up some points against Pepperell after suffering back-to-back shutouts to open the season. It will be a tough stretch for Chestatee, which follows with games against Buford, Madison County, Stephens County, and White County, which are a combined 10-4 so far. Chestatee has not started a season 1-3 since 2004. ... North Oconee finishes the season against Buford, Stephens, and Madison. CLARKE CENTRAL at APALACHEE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: W. Clair Harris Stadium, Winder -- CLARKE CENTRAL (1-3, 1-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 19-17 to Salem last week. -- APALACHEE (0-4, 0-3 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 48-7 to Gainesville last week. -- NOTABLE: Clarke Central leads series 5-1. The Gladiators won 43-19 last year. ... Clarke Central has to be the biggest surprise of the early going. The Gladiators were considered one of the favorites to challenge for a region title but have struggled on defense. They have allowed 29.2 ppg so far after yielding just 19.5 ppg last season. ... Apalachee has struggled on both sides of the ball. After scoring 26 points in their opener, the Wildcats have scored just 33 points over their last three games. Defensively the Wildcats are yielding 39.2 ppg. ... Apalachee has had a tough schedule with its first four opponents going 11-4 so far. COMMERCE at ATHENS CHRISTIAN -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Eagle Field, Athens -- COMMERCE (3-1, 2-0 Region 8-A): Beat Athens Academy 27-20 last week. -- ATHENS CHRISTIAN (2-2, 2-0 Region 8-A): Beat Prince Avenue 42-32 last week. -- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 7-1. The Tigers won 22-21 in OT last year. ... It could be the game to decide the region title as both teams come in undefeated and tied atop the 8-A standings. ... Commerce has been consistent all year on offense and has averaged 31.5 ppg in region games so far. The Eagles, however, are allowing just 16.7 ppg so this will another big test for the Tigers. ... Commerce's defense has been clutch with two game-saving interceptions on the season a goal-line stand last week late. They are yielding 18.7 ppg but have shown a penchant for creating turnovers. ... Commerce has never lost to the Eagles in Athens (4-0). FLOWERY BRANCH at CEDAR SHOALS -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Waters-Wilkins Stadium, Athens -- FLOWERY BRANCH (1-2, 0-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 35-16 to Heritage, Conyers last week. -- CEDAR SHOALS (0-3, 0-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 21-7 to Lanier last week. -- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 4-0. The Falcons won 39-25 last year. ... Both teams have been struggling and sit on the bottom of the region standings but the Falcons could be getting the Jaguars at the right time. ... It's an unfamiliar spot for the Falcons, who already have more region losses than in the previous two seasons combined. The Falcons offense has scored just 28 points while the defense has surrendered 62 points in their two region games. ... Cedar Shoals has allowed 107 points so far this season (35.6 ppg) but was able to hold Lanier to its lowest output of the season by forcing several turnovers. ... Flowery Branch has not started a season 1-3 since 2004, the last time they did not make the playoffs. FRANKLIN COUNTY at BANKS COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Leopard Stadium, Homer -- FRANKLIN COUNTY (1-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Beat East Jackson 47-7 last week. -- BANKS COUNTY (3-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Beat North Cobb Christian 24-8 last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Leopards are in the midst of their longest winning streak since winning four straight in 2011. They are averaging 29 ppg so far after scoring just 92 total points in 2013 behind RB Trevae Cain. Defensively then have allowed just 32 total points during that streak (10.6 ppg) since yielding 28 to Commerce in their opener. ... Franklin County snapped a three-game losing streak going back to last season but has not beaten a team with a winning record since 2011 (Oconee County in season finale). ... The Lions had been outscored 75-21 in two games until last week. ... Banks County needs a win to carry momentum into a key road game next week against Fannin County, which is off this week and is undefeated at home in 2014. HABERSHAM CENTRAL at ALPHARETTA -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Alpharetta Stadium, Alpharetta -- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (0-4, 0-3 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost 56-35 ro West Forsyth last week. -- ALPHARETTA (3-1, 3-0 Region 6-AAAAAA): Beat Lambert 35-17 last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Raiders losing streak is now at 17, the longest in program history. The offense broke out last week with its biggest output since scoring 31 against Meadowcreek in 2012. But the defense has not found the going any better in 6-AAAAAA this year, allowing 48.6 ppg in region contests. ... Alpharetta is riding a three-game win streak -- all in the region -- outscoring its opposition 104-33 in that span. ... The Raiders have lost 13 straight road games. Their last win away from Mt. Airy came in 2011 against Loganville. ... Alpharetta is just 2-2 in its last two home games. HERITAGE, CONYERS at GAINESVILLE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville -- RADIO: WGGA 1240 AM -- HERITAGE, CONYERS (1-3, 1-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Flowery Branch 35-16 last week. -- GAINESVILLE (2-1, 2-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Apalachee 48-7 last week. -- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 2-0. The Elephants won 48-7 last year. ... This has been a good matchup for the Elephants the past two years outscoring the Patriots 90-21 in two games. Heritage's three losses have all been by 7 points or less. ... The Gainesville offense has found its groove during its win streak averaging 47 ppg and the defense has clamped down allowing just 13 total points. ... The Heritage defense forced five turnovers last week and the Patriots have allowed just 48 points (16 ppg) in region contests. ... This is a crucial stretch for Gainesville, which has games against region unbeatens Salem and Lanier to follow. A sweep of the three games would put the Elephants in the driver's seat for a region title. JEFFERSON at JACKSON COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Panther Stadium, Jefferson -- JEFFERSON (4-0, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Off last week. Beat Commerce 28-3 two weeks ago. Ranked No. 4 in Class AAA. -- JACKSON COUNTY (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Beat East Hall 31-6 last week. -- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads the series 6-0. The Dragons won 49-0 last year. ... The region opener for both teams, who have playoff aspiration. ... Jefferson is sure to be rested and ready for its rival from just two miles down the road. The Dragons have been sharp from the opening week averaging 41.7 ppg while allowing just 30 total points on the season. QB Evan Shirreffs had three TD passes against Commerce. ... Panthers' QB Jacob Lewis has improved each week and threw for 154 yards and two scores last week. The Panthers defense gave up its fewest points since giving up six points to East Jackson last year. They had allowed 31.6 ppg over the first three weeks. JOHNSON at RIVERSIDE MILITARY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Gainesville -- JOHNSON (0-5, non-region schedule): Lost 49-6 to Pickens last week. -- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (1-2, 0-1 Region 8-AA): Lost 24-3 to Rabun County last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It's the home opener for Riverside after three straight road games to open the season. ... The Eagles could use a solid game with the bulk of their 8-AA schedule looming. They have scored fewer points and allowed more points in every game so far this season. ... Johnson has played a tough schedule with its opponents holding a 12-6 record. The Knights have scored more than six points just once (28-24 loss to banks County) and are yielding 30 ppg on the season. ... Riverside, which has lost two straight, had the lead in both games but could not hang on. LAMBERT at NORTH FORSYTH -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain -- LAMBERT (1-3, 1-2 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost 35-17 to Alpharetta last week. -- NORTH FORSYTH (0-4, 0-3 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost 55-3 to South Forsyth last week. -- NOTABLE: Lambert leads series 2-0. The Longhorns won 14-13 last year. ... The Raiders, considered a contender for a region title before the season began, are really struggling scoring just 34 total points while allowing 41.5 ppg on defense. ... Lambert has lost two straight scoring just 19 ppg in that span. The Longhorns are 4-2 in their last six road games. LANIER at LOGANVILLE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Red Devil Stadium, Loganville -- LANIER (4-0, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Cedar Shoals 21-7 last week. Ranked 10th in Class AAAAA. -- LOGANVILLE (2-1, 1-1 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 46-7 to Winder-Barrow last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Longhorns continue to be one of the surprise teams in 2014. While the offense has gotten a lot of attention with RBs Mario Fuller and Ashton Barnes, QB Tahi Tolbert, and WR Timothy Leazer, it has been the defense that has been foundation. Lanier has yielded just 13.2 ppg behind FBS recruit Derrick Brown. The Longhorns got a 95-yard fumble recovery for a TD to preserve the win last week and have allowed just 7 points over their last seven quarters. ... Loganville was rolling until last week but had five turnovers that led to the lopsided loss. The Red Devils had allowed just 18 points over their first two games. ... Lanier would love to get a win with an off-week to follow before key games against Gainesville, Heritage, and Salem, who are a combined 6-2 in the region. LUMPKIN COUNTY at EAST HALL -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Gainesville -- LUMPKIN COUNTY (1-3, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 42-35 to Our Lady of Mercy last week. -- EAST HALL (1-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 31-6 to Jackson County last week. -- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 20-5-1. First meeting since 2009, a 21- 7 Lumpkin County win. ... Region opener for both teams. ... Both teams took a step back last week. The Vikings were without dynamic QB Devin Watson and the offense struggled against Jackson County. The Indians fell behind early, rallied to tie the game, but then lost in the final minutes. ... The Vikings will know over the next three weeks if they are in the playoff race with Dawson County and West Hall to follow. ... The Indians need a strong start with a tough region finish with Banks County, Dawson County, and West Hall to close out the season. NORTH GWINNETT at MILL CREEK -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Mill Creek Community Stadium, Hochston -- RADIO: WDUN 550 AM -- NORTH GWINNETT (3-1, 1-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Beat Collins HIll 42-24 last week. Ranked No. 6 in Class AAAAAA. -- MILL CREEK (2-2, 1-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Beat Duluth 42-0 last week. -- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 8-0. The Bulldogs won 50-47 last year. ... Expect another shootout similar to last year's wild affair. Both offenses are putting up big numbers again this season. The Hawks are averaging 35.5 ppg behind QB Daniel David while the Bulldogs are averaging 37.3 ppg behind QB John Urzua. ... David is just seven TD passes short of the Mill Creek record of 35 held by John Russ (2009-11). ... Mill Creek led all of Class AAAAAA in scoring in 2013 and are 15-5 since 2012 when scoring 35 or more points. However, two of those losses came vs.North Gwinnett. ... The Bulldogs are 26-2 when scoring 28 or more points since 2012. ... It could come down to the final possession or whichever team is able to force the most turnovers. ... The Hawks did not make the playoffs last year and lost two region games by a total of four points. They will need to find a way to slow down the top teams. In their four region losses in 2013, they allowed 38 ppg. NORTH HALL at STEPHENS COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: The Reservation, Toccoa -- NORTH HALL (0-3, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 46-10 to Carrolton last week. -- STEPHENS COUNTY (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Off last week. Beat Blue Ridge-Greer (S.C.) 28-0 two weeks ago. -- NOTABLE: Stephens County leads series 18-1. Stephens County won last meeting 39-14 in 2011. North Hall's only win in the series came in the second round of the 2004 playoffs, 27-9. ... The young Trojans are finding the transition of replacing 21 of 22 starters tough going. Offensively they have scored just 18 points while giving up 132 points (44.0 ppg) in their first three games. But all that will be forgotten with a solid start to region play. ... The Indians are typically tough at home but are just 2-4 in their last six games at The Reservation. They need a quick start in the region with a tough finish with games against North Oconee and Buford. North Hall and Monroe Area should offer that a they are a combined 0-6 so far on the season. ... Stephens County's new spread attack has been potent scoring just under 32 ppg so far. OCONEE COUNTY at EAST JACKSON -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: East Jackson Stadium, Commerce -- OCONEE COUNTY (4-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Beat Greene County 41-14 last week. -- EAST JACKSON (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Lost 47-7 to Franklin County last week. -- NOTABLE: Oconee County leads series 3-1. East Jackson won 20-17 last year. ... Oconee County has been rolling this season and is 4-0 for the first time since 2001. One more win and the Warriors will match their combined wins for the past two seasons. ... The Warriors have a chance for a quick start in the region with following games against Jackson County and Morgan County but will need it with a finish against Hart County, Jefferson, and Elbert County, who are a combined 11-1 so far. ... The Eagles are looking for any positives after getting outscored 90-7 in their last two games. They are 1-1 at home this season. PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Lakeview Stadium, Gainesville -- PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN (0-3, 0-1 Region 8-A): Lost 36-0 to George Walton Academy last week -- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-3, 0-1 Region 8-A): Lost 14-6 to Towns County last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Lakeview begins a stretch of three home games over the next four weeks. The Lions are looking for their first-ever region win and should be favored against the Stars, who are still getting acquainted to varsity football in their first season. ... Providence has scored just 10 points so far and is coming off back-to-back shutouts. ... The Lions are also having a tough start scoring just 26 points but two losses were by eight-points or less as the defense has played well at times. ... It could be a defensive struggle with two offenses that have had troble scoring points. SOCIAL CIRCLE at UNION COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Panther Stadium, Blairsville -- SOCIAL CIRCLE (0-3, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Lost 13-6 to Putnam County last week. -- UNION COUNTY (4-0, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Beat Fannin County 35-8 last week. -- NOTABLE: Series is tied 2-2. Union County won 47-6 last year. ... This could be a danger game for the Panthers against a team they are expected to beat. The Redskins are mired in a program-record 29-game losing streak going back to the 2011 season. ... Social Circle came close to snapping that streak last week but a late rally fell short. ... Union County has been rolling averaging 42.2 ppg and allowed just 49 total points. Panthers' QB Joseph Mancuso is coming off a National Bank of Georgia Player of the Week honor after tossing five TD passes in the win over Fannin County. TOWNS COUNTY at GEORGE WALTON -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Keith Henderson Stadium, Monroe -- TOWNS COUNTY (1-3, 1-1 Region 8-A): Lost 49-7 to Hebron Christian last week. -- GEORGE WALTON (2-2, 1-1 Region 8-A): Beat Providence Christian 36-0 last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It has been a roller-coaster season so far for the Indians. The have suffered two blowout losses but two other games were decided by a touchdown or less. ... They will have their hands full against a Bulldogs team that has averaged 30 ppg in its two wins. George Walton, however, has shown some vulnerability on defense yielding just under 20 ppg. WEST HALL at DAWSON COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville -- RADIO: 102.9 FM -- WEST HALL (3-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 28-10 to North Oconee last week. -- DAWSON COUNTY (0-3, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Off last week. Lost 10-6 to Heritage, Ronggold two weeks ago. -- NOTABLE: West Hall leads series 3-2. The Spartans won 10-7 last year. ... Before the season this was seen as a game that could decide the region title. However, injuries to the Tigers have slowed them down at the beginning of the season. They have had two weeks to get healthy but also have struggled on offense scoring just 13 points. ... That could play right into the hands of West Hall, which had not yielded a single point until last week. The Spartans defense has played solid all season despite allowing two fourth quarter touchdowns last week. ... The West Hall offense is still averaging 26.2 ppg despite being slowed down last week. RB Kwon Williams did not play but is expected to be back this week. ... The Dawson County defense has improved each week and is allowing just 20 ppg. WINDER-BARROW at SALEM -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Evans Stadium, Conyers -- WINDER-BARROW (2-2, 2-1 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Loganville 46-7 last week. -- SALEM (3-1, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Clarke Central 19-17 last week. -- NOTABLE: Salem leads series 7-1. The Seminoles won 60-37 last year. Winder's only win in the series came in 2003, 31-28. ... Salem comes in tied with Lanier atop the region standings. The Seminoles have shown they can win the close games taking two region wins by a total of six points. They have done with a stout defense that is allowing just 14.5 ppg in a region known for its offense. ... The Bulldoggs, meanwhile, are certainly the surprise team of 2014 already matching their entire 2013 win total. Their win last week was the first over a team with a winning record in nearly a decade (35-21 over Mill Creek in 2005). ... Winder has been erractic, however, scoring just 13 points in its two losses but averaging 36 ppg in its two wins.

WEEK 5: Some teams face must-win as playoff races heat up