Here's a look at five things we learned from Week 8 of the high school football season...
1. Mill Creek quarterback Cameron Turley shows he can dominate
The Hawks signal caller fits perfectly for what the top-ranked team in the state's largest classification likes: grind opponents to dust while imposing their considerable will. But the senior also proved on Friday that he is much more than just a facilitator for an offense that rarely sees one player standout (many weapons often get the job done, while the Hawks also lean on a dominant defense and special teams). Future playoff opponents would do well to take note after Turley torched Peachtree Ridge for 347 yards passing (setting a new program single-game record) while also connecting on four touchdown passes (tying a program record). Turley was also pretty efficient while doing so, connecting on 18 of 29 passes. He also smashed through the program record for career touchdown passes in the process -- he now has 37, surpassing graduated standouts Daniel David and John Russ, who each have 35. It must be comforting for Hawks players and coaches to know that -- while they usually don't need it -- they have a player capable of airing it out. It's just another option for a team that is starting to look very comfortable as a favorite -- both in Region 6-AAAAAAA and in Class AAAAAAA. Turley and his teammates face Mountain View in what amounts to a region title game this Friday, and the Bears will crowd the line of scrimmage -- focusing on stopping the Hawks' run game -- at their own peril.
2. The de facto Region 8-AA championship game takes place this week
We had this game circled on the calendar as soon as the 2016 schedules came out back in the spring. This region may not be the most competitive top-to-bottom, but the 8-AA leaders -- Rabun County and Elbert County -- are undoubtedly top class with a combined record of 12-1 so far. (The remaining five teams in 8-AA are a combined 8-29.) And now the Wildcats and Blue Devils will face off on Friday in Elberton (is that a Game of the Week we smell?). On paper this is one of those once-a-season enticements that will get high school football fans drooling. Rabun is allowing a miniscule 6.2 points per game and scoring 45.8. Elbert, meanwhile, is yielding just 13.2 while scoring 28. And while those offensive numbers may not look especially imposing consider that the Blue Devils are rushing for 348.7 yards per game. When you can hold on to the ball that long you don't need that many explosive plays -- because the other guys aren't even on the field, let alone in scoring position. Elbert backs Jasquiz Rucker and La'kel Hood are both averaging over 100 yards per contest and will present a tough challenge for a Wildcats defense that has not given much room to any offense this season. Plus, the contest is being played in the Granite Bowl -- one of the more atmospheric stadiums in the state -- and the Wildcats know they better be up for the challenge if they want to hone in on their third straight Region 8-AA crown. Neither team can claim the 8-AA crown outright on Friday -- they each still have two region contests to play following the tilt. But the winner will most definitely have one hand on the trophy.
3. Flowery Branch enters this week fighting for its playoff life
After storming into the start of the Region 8-AAAAA portion of their schedule, the Falcons suddenly find themselves with their collective backs to the wall. The good news for Flowery Branch is that they still very much hold their playoff fortunes in their own hands. At 2-2 in 8-AAAAA (3-5 overall) the Branch is currently tied for the fourth and final state playoff spot in region with Clarke Central -- and guess who the Falcons travel to face on Friday? That's right, the Branch will head to Athens to tackle a Gladiators team also sitting a 2-2 in 8-AAAAA (4-4 overall). Win this week and things suddenly look very much brighter. Flowery Branch must find a way to kickstart its offense, however. The Falcons have just seven points combined in back-to-back defeats to Walnut Grove and Loganville -- though the Branch defense played extraordinarily hard in last week's defeat to Loganville, yielding just seven points until less than a minute remained in the first half. And with Buford looming in the final week of the regular season the time to get going is at hand. A victory on Friday won't guarantee a postseason spot, as Clarke Central still has Walnut Grove to face, and it's possible all three teams could end up with identical records in region play, enacting some tiebreakers. But a win this week would go a long way toward the postseason for a program looking to end a two-year state drought.
4. Banks County is looking good for a postseason spot
The Leopards still have three region games to go in 8-AA, but coach Josh Shoemaker and his staff and players are to be commended for kicking things into gear in league play. Banks County already has a head-to-head win over Monticello -- the only other team outside of leaders Rabun County and Elbert County in 8-AA with a winning mark in region play. And if they can keep things rolling, the Leopards are in great shape to land the program's first state berth since 2011. Banks County has leaned on its offense to get things done in its two region victories, averaging 32 points. And anyone that has seen the Leopards play know that they have players capable of electric moments in quarterback Griffin Goodwin, running back Clayton Dykehouse and receiver Bryce Bennett. And you can be certain the trio will play a key role if Banks County is to find success in its remaining games. The next two contests will prove especially important as the Leopards play host to Social Circle and then travel to Putnam County.
5. You could call Week 9 night "separation week"
We don't generally go in for the whole naming big nights of action -- like "showdown Satuday," "momentous Monday" or some such silliness. And we're not actually trying to name Week 9 now. But it is clear that this is a week that will decide much. There are potential region crowns up for grabs (the aformentioned 6-AAAAAAA and 8-AA) and plenty more playoff races at stake -- which is exactly what you expect from a late-season Friday night. (Is it really late-season already? Answer: Yes, there are only three weeks of action left, sadly.) Region 8-AAAA features a huge showdown between two teams undefeated in league play, as Oconee County travels to Stephens County (Jefferson is also undefeated and will take on the Warriors and Indians in the next two weeks). Meanwhile, Region 7-AAAA sees a potential playoff elimination contest, as Chestatee travels to White County. Both teams have yet to win a game in region play, but a victory in the five-team league could ostensibly secure a postseason spot, and both teams will know just how big this one is. We already discussed the Branch at Clarke Central in 8-AAAAA, and, in 8-AAAAAA, Gainesville and Winder-Barrow battle in the race to stay just behind league leaders Dacula and Lanier. A loss will leave the Red Elephants or Bulldoggs knowing that they have no more room for error the rest of the season. In 7-AAA there are several scenarios at play, and while GAC and Dawson County have begun to pull away at the top, Union County (which is actually on a bye this week) North Hall, and Lumpkin County each know they must keep winning to keep pace in one of the most competitive leagues in the state. The Indians face what could prove a telling battle with Fannin County on Friday. At 1-2 in 7-AAA (including a loss to North Hall), Lumpkin knows it must win to stay in the mix. Get the popcorn ready and settle in for a big one this week. Oh, and some long range forecasts are calling for rain and potential storms, so be prepared for anything.
WEEK 8 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES, Oct. 14
Athens Christian 32, Towns County 0
Banks County 35, Oglethorpe County 3
Blessed Trinity 42, Chestate 6
Buford 56, Cedar Shoals 14
Clarke Central 52, Johnson 14
Commerce 38, Riverside Military Academy 0
Dacula 25, Gainesville 20
Dawson County 52, Fannin County 13
Franklin County 49, East Jackson 21
George Walton Academy 52, Lakeview Academy 21
Greater Atlanta Christian 49, Lumpkin County 21
Lanier 31, Habersham Central 9
Jackson County 18, Hart County 14
Jefferson 42, North Oconee 14
Lambert 48, North Forsyth 40
Loganville 42, Flowery Branch 0
Marist 43, West Hall 3
Mill Creek 31, Peachtree Ridge 12
North Gwinnett 45, Duluth 14
Rabun County 65, Social Circle 7
Stephens County 34, Madison County 7
Union County 35, North Hall 32
WEEK 9 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, Oct. 21
Apalachee at Lanier
Buford at Walnut Grove
Chestatee at White County
Dacula at Habersham Central
Dawson County at East Hall
Fannin County at Lumpkin County
Flowery Branch at Clarke Central
Greater Atlanta Christian at North Hall
Haralson County at East Jackson
Johnson at Cedar Shoals
Lakeview Academy at Hebron Christian Academy
Mountain View at Mill Creek
North Forsyth at South Forsyth
North Gwinnett at Peachtree Ridge
Oconee County at Stephens County
Rabun County at Elbert County
Riverside Military Academy at Georgia Military College
Social Circle at Banks County
St. Pius X at Jefferson
Towns County at Commerce
Winder-Barrow at Gainesville
