Tuesday March 19th, 2024 2:12AM

5 things: What we learned from Week 1 of high school football

Here’s a look at five things we learned from week 1 of the high school football season...

1. Commerce hasn’t skipped a beat

With nine starters back on offense from a squad that reached the 2014 Class A public semifinals, plenty of people believed the Tigers’ option attack was in for a big 2015. The only question was on defense... Well, the initial answer had to have Commerce fans buzzing into the Friday night air. The Tigers’ offense indeed proved explosive in their season opener, rolling to 447 yards yards rushing behind a number of key standouts in a 55-13 run away victory over Banks County. Yet what had to be most heartening to coaches was what the Commerce defense did against a Leopards offense that returned eight starters from 2014. After allowing two first half touchdowns, the Tigers shut out Banks County and limited their gains -- the Leopards finished with 226 total yards, 133 of that on the ground. If Commerce can improve on that showing as the season progresses then we could be in for a special treat indeed when the Tigers play host to old and fierce rival Jefferson -- which is also rolling up huge rushing totals so far this season -- on Sept. 11.


2. Branch offense still a work in progress but has some serious playmakers

It was clear the Falcons are still learning their way through the read-option facets of their attack in their season opener (which is to be expected in the kickoff). But halftime adjustments and pure athleticism brought plenty of excitement to the Branch sideline in a 34-10 defeat of Chestatee on Friday. Expected standout Cortez Davis shone, hauling in a touchdown pass and generally being all over the field throughout the contest. Meanwhile, fellow receiver Kyle King also came up with several big plays, including three catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns. But most hope-filled were the performances of senior running back Trey Wilcoxsin (100 yards rushing on 14 carries) and a succession of quarterbacks. Forced into playing a second and then a third string QB due to injuries, each one responded: back-up Jasen Johnson first threw a scoring pass before back-up, back-up Kory Graham entered and lofted two TD passes. Players can always learn and grow comfortable in systems and under the spotlight, but raw talent cannot be taught -- and it is essential for victory. Thanks to a number of playmakers, the Falcons could be looking at several more “W’s” this season.


3. Region 8-AAA is still the gold standard

Last season, the region was unquestionably the best in its classification, three teams from the league reaching the state quarterfinals (Jefferson, Hart County, Elbert County) and a fourth seed (Oconee County) winning in the first round of state. Well, if there was any question about the ability of the region in 2015 it was answered emphatically, again, on Friday. Region 8-AAA teams went 6-1 on Friday, including claiming three victories over teams from Class AAAAA -- Jefferson defeated Winder-Barrow, Elbert County defeated Cedar Shoals and Hart County took out Clarke Central. Jackson County, East Jackson and Oconee County also picked up wins in week 1. The only setback came for Morgan County, which lost to 2014 Class AAAAA quarterfinalist Jones County.


4. It’s better to face White County early this season

With just four returning starters back on each side of the ball, youth and inexperience was definitely a worry for the Warriors entering 2015. Judging from Friday’s 13-6 loss to Pickens, that youth will be winning a few games for White County at some point this campaign. Yes, the Dragons graduated star running back Shannon Brooks -- now at Minnesota -- but Pickens still returned plenty of experience from last year’s state playoff team. And White County pushed it every step of the way on Friday. The Warriors had a chance to pull off the win late, using a heads-up special teams play to move deep into Dragons territory. And while White County could not convert the possession into points, the Warriors showed enough spark amongst its youth to make us think they will be converting moments like that late in the season.


5. Mill Creek laying down an early marker

The Hawks entered the season with the unwanted fact of never having made back-to-back playoff appearances. At this point, however, Mill Creek is looking not only to buck that streak but to make a case for being perhaps the favorite for the Region 7-AAAAAA crown. We know it’s very early, but the Hawks have rolled through two contests already -- outscoring two solid opponents (Brookwood and West Forsyth) 93-20, overcoming the graduation of key offensive players from 2014 in the process. We’ll learn more about Mill Creek’s pedigree this Friday in a big rivalry (non-region) showdown with Dacula. But Hawks fans must be quietly very excited about what their team has shown so far.


Honorable mention: It ain’t easy being the new kid on the block

Of the five new head coaches in northeast Georgia, only one -- Jackson County’s Brandon Worley -- saw his team notch a victory in his first game in charge this past weekend. 
 

AREA PREP FOOTBALL SCORES FOR WEEK 1, AUG. 28
Buford 77, Berkmar 0
Cherokee 33, North Forsyth 24
Commerce 55, Banks County 13
East Jackson 21, Lakeview 16
Fellowship Christian School 28, Riverside Military Academy 0
Flowery Branch 34, Chestatee 10
Forsyth Central 28, Dawson County 8
Gilmer 29, Fannin County 26
Grayson 34, Gainesville 0
Jackson County 48, Madison County 23
Jefferson 32, Winder-Barrow 17
Mill Creek 51, West Forsyth 13
North Gwinnett 29, North Cobb 28
Pickens 13, White County 6
Rabun County 42, Habersham Central 14
Stephens County 34, Franklin County 7
Union County 35, Towns County 7
West Hall 35, Johnson 9
Wesleyan 49, East Hall 6
Woodland 43, Apalachee 9

WEEK 2 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, SEPT. 4
Buford at McEachern
Clarke Central at Lanier
Commerce at Hebron Christian
Dawson County at Gilmer
Fannin County at Murray County
Flowery Branch at Loganville
Hillgrove at North Gwinnett
Jackson County at White County
Johnson at Banks County
Lumpkin County at Union County
Mt. Vernon at Towns County
Mill Creek at Dacula
North Forsyth at Chattahoochee
North Hall at Jefferson
Northview at Habersham Central
Pickens at East Hall
Rabun County at Mt. Pisgah Christian
St. Francis at Lakeview Academy
Stephens County at Elbert County
West Hall at Chestatee
Winder-Barrow at Apalachee

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