The talk will undoubtedly center on the number 42 this week -- when the real discussion should be on the football, which promises to be interesting indeed when Buford travels to face McEachern on Friday in Week 2 of the 2015 high school football season.
The Wolves are riding a 42-game win streak, which includes a thrilling, 27-20 defeat of McEachern last season -- a game both programs (and fans) remember well. And certainly fans will be eager for the re-match -- a contest they can listen to live on WDUN AM 550 as part of a doubleheader of contests on the Jacobs Media family of stations.
Also on Friday, on WDUN FM 102.9, North Hall travels to take on Jefferson in the Trojans' season opener. The Dragons, meanwhile, will be embarking on their third contest of the season.
Jefferson (2-0) has rolled over two strong foes so far this campaign, employing a dominating offensive line in concert with a talented running back crops -- led by sophomore Colby Wood -- to push past Rabun County and Winder-Barrow in successive weeks. North Hall's defense, which returns a number of starters, will be prepping for the task of slowing Wood and company. The Trojans (0-0) will be ready to storm the field and undertake the task of erasing memories of last season's 2-8 campaign that was marked by transition and youth.
Coach David Bishop has re-installed North Hall's bread-and-butter wing-T offensive base, and the attack will test itself against a Jefferson defense that features plenty of talent in the trenches.
Certainly the trenches will feature a slugfest in Powder Springs on Friday.
Both the Wolves (2-0) and Indians (1-0) are noted for their offensive and defensive line play, and McEachern's Walter H. Cantrell field should be buzzing in anticipation of this match-up. Granted, Buford graduated plenty of standouts from last season's battle and is dealing with injury and the loss of even more starters so far this campaign. But you can be sure Buford will be at its best for a showdown against a loaded Indians team that features top-level collegiate recruits at a number of positions.
There will be plenty more intensity on display Friday, as area programs continue their early season trek. Elsewhere, Lumpkin County and Union County will face off in Blairsville with both teams looking to make a statement. The Class AAA Indians (0-1) want to bounce back after a week off, while the Class AA Panthers (1-0) would love to knock off a larger classification school and show that they are still rolling despite graduating a number of starters from last year's state playof team. The contest will feature two of the top quarterbacks in the state -- and two very different approaches -- as Lumpkin's Zach Matthews leads his squad's pounding ground game against Union County's Joseph Mancuso, a quarterback capable of slinging it all over the field. The contest will be broadcast by northgeorgiasportslink.com. The website will also feature Dawson County (0-1) and its game at Gilmer, as the Tigers look to bounce back from a season-opening loss.
White County (0-1) is also looking to break into the win column after a hardfought, 13-6 loss at Pickens. The Warriors will play host to a Jackson County squad looking to continue its opening week success after the Panthers (1-0) fought back to defeat Madison County 48-23. The game in Cleveland will feature on www.wrwh.com.
Elsewhere, West Hall (1-0) will travel to Chestatee (0-1), as the Spartans bring their explosive offense to bear against a War Eagles team that held a halftime lead against Flowery Branch last week before succumbing 34-10. West Hall is fresh off a 35-9 "Battle of Oakwood" victory over Johnson.
For a complete look at area contests this week, simply scroll down, and stay tuned to AccessWDUN and Friday Game Night for full coverage of northeast Georgia's slate of showdowns.
WEEK 2 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, SEPT. 4
Buford at McEachern -- Radio: WDUN AM 550
Clarke Central at Lanier
Commerce at Hebron Christian
Dawson County at Gilmer -- Radio: northgeorgiasportslink.com
Fannin County at Murray County
Flowery Branch at Loganville
Hillgrove at North Gwinnett
Jackson County at White County -- Radio: www.wrwh.com
Johnson at Banks County
Lumpkin County at Union County -- Radio: northgeorgiasportslink.com
Mt. Vernon at Towns County
Mill Creek at Dacula
North Forsyth at Chattahoochee
North Hall at Jefferson -- Radio: WDUN FM 102.9
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
