The end of the 2016 regular season has arrived for many area football teams. But, for many others, the playoffs may actually start tonight with entrance into and positioning for the playoffs on the line.
And no region is more up in the air than in Region 8-AAA, where all six teams are still alive to make the postseason. East Jackson and Jackson County both could be eliminated while the Panthers could finish as the runner-up and earn a first round home playoff game.
See our story here on the possible playoff scenarios for every northeast Georgia region heading into tonight’s finales.
Region 7-AAA also has several possibilities and features the marquee matchup of the evening when No. 8 Dawson County, the defending region champ, plays host to No. 1 Greater Atlanta Christian in a winner-take-all showdown for the region title.
In Region 8-AAAA, Jefferson travels to Oconee County looking to avenge a season-finale loss to the Warriors last year in the Region 8-AAA title game. A win for the Dragons would clinch the region outright.
West Hall is one of three teams still alive for the Region 7-AAAA title but will have to find a way past No. 5 Blessed Trinity and get some help from White County against Marist. The Spartans and Chestatee both, however, have already clinched playoff spots in the region.
For a look at all of the night's contests involving area teams, simply scroll down. And be sure to check back with AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night throughout the night for score updates and game stories and video highlights. You can also check for scores and highlights on our Twitter feed: @FridayGameNight
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR Nov. 4
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
APALACHEE at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
-- RADIO: 99.3 WCON
-- APALACHEE (2-6-1, 0-4 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 28-0 to Gainesville last week
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (4-5, 0-4 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 35-25 to Winder-Barrow last week
-- NOTABLE: Apalachee leads series 3-1. Habersham won the last meeting, 38-35, in 2011 at home. ... Both teams were officially eliminated from any postseason play last week but both also have had their most productive seasons in years. ... The Raiders already have won more games than the past four seasons combined and have a chance for their first .500-or-better season since 2011. Apalachee has more wins this season than the last three seasons combined. ... However, both teams bring four-game losing streaks into this one. The Wildcats offense has struggled the last three games in particular scoring just 16 points and has scored a region-low 107 points (11.8 ppg). The Raiders offense broke out of a slump last week and is averaging 20.6 ppg on the season despite scoring just 16 points over a 3-week span as well.
BANKS COUNTY at ELBERT COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Granite Bowl, Elberton
-- BANKS COUNTY (5-4, 4-1 Region 8-AA): Defeated Putnam County 14-0 last week
-- ELBERT COUNTY (7-2, 4-1 Region 8-AA): Defeated Monticello 32-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... This is for second place in the region and a home playoff game in the first round. ... The Leopards’ win last week qualified them for their first playoff appearance since 2011. Now, a win will give them their first winning season since 2011 (they finished 5-5 each of the past two seasons). ... It looks like an even matchup on paper. Both teams have been defense-oriented in region play. The Leopards have allowed 92 points (18.4 ppg) but 46 of that were at the hands of No. 5 Rabun County. The Blue Devils have allowed just 72 points (14.4 ppg), 42 vs. Rabun. The offenses are separated by just 16 points in region play as well. ... Normally a tough road game for anyone, the Blue Devils are just 2-2 at home this season. The Leopards are 2-2 on the road this season. ... Elbert has struggled against passing QBs and Banks County’s Griffin Goodwin has been one of the best in the area in 2016. The senior has amassed 1,494 yards and 14 TDs with 9 INTs on the season. He has spread the ball around to 12 different receivers, led by Sr. Bryce Bennett, who has 766 yards and 9 TDs on the season. Six different receivers have over 100 yards receiving on the season. ... Leopards’ Jr. RB Clayton Dykehouse needs just 18 yards to break the 1,000-yard barrier for the season.
DISCOVERY at NORTH GWINNETT
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Robinson Stadium, Suwanee
-- DISCOVERY (2-7, 1-4 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Lost 38-0 last week to Mountain View
-- NORTH GWINNETT (5-4, 3-2 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Defeated Collins Hill 41-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Bulldogs already have qualified for the playoffs. The only question is where they will finish. A loss could drop them to fourth if Peachtree Ridge also beats Collins Hill. A win and a Peachtree Ridge loss would give them a No. 2 seed. ... Offense is the key for North Gwinnett. The Bulldogs are 5-0 when scoring 25 or more points and 0-4 when they don’t. The Titans are giving up 33.6 ppg on the season. The Titans also have scored just 78 points (8.6 ppg) on the season.
FANNIN COUNTY at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- FANNIN COUNTY (2-7, 0-5 Region 7-AAA): Lost 63-39 to Union County last week
-- EAST HALL (2-7, 0-5 Region 7-AAA): Lost 68-42 to North Hall last week
-- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 8-4. The Vikings won 50-36 in 2015. ... Both teams were eliminated from the playoff race last week. But expect a wide-open offensive game at Valhalla. ... East Hall is averaging 29.8 ppg and the Rebels are averaging 25.2 ppg on the season. But both defenses have been lit up of late and are in the bottom three in all of Class AAA. Fannin has allowed 368 points (40.8 ppg) and East Hall has allowed 367 points (40.7 ppg) on the season. Only Coahulla Creek (432 points) has allowed more in AAA.
FLOWERY BRANCH at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (3-6, 2-3 Region 8-AAAAA): Bye last week; lost 44-21 to Clarke Central two weeks ago
-- BUFORD (8-1, 5-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Ranked No. 2 in Class AAAAA; defeated Loganville 35-10 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Wolves already have clinched the region title after last week’s win. In fact, the top three spots in the region have been decided, with Loganville the No. 2 seed and Clarke Central the third seed. The Falcons, however, are still alive for the final spot. ... It is an improbable road, though, as Flowery Branch, which has lost three straight, will have to beat Buford, which has won 31 straight region games going back to the 2012 season, and get a Walnut Grove loss to Cedar Shoals. That would give them the final spot outright. ... The Falcons can still get in with a loss and a Cedar Shoals win, which would put the Falcons, Walnut Grove, and Cedar Shoals in a 3-way tie and send it to mini games on Monday.
GAINESVILLE at LANIER
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Lanier Community Stadium, Sugar Hill
-- RADIO: 1240 ESPN Radio
-- GAINESVILLE (5-4, 3-1 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Apalachee 28-0 last week
-- LANIER (6-3, 3-1 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 20-0 to Dacula last week
-- NOTABLE: Lanier leads series 2-0. The Longhorns won 16-8 in 2015. Both wins were by a combined 11 points. ... The first two games in the series were for the region title. This one will be for second place and an all-important first round home playoff game. ... Both defenses have been consistent allowing the same amount of points (155, 17.2 ppg). ... The Longhorns had a five-game win streak snapped last week. Offense seems to be the key for Lanier. In their 6 wins, they have averaged 34.1 ppg but scored just a total 7 points (2.3 ppg) in their 3 losses. ... For Gainesville, the offense had been making strides averaging 25.5 ppg over the last four games but the Red Elephants will be without QB DJ Irons, who was kicked out of last week’s game and will have to sit this one out. Jr. Jim Barnett is expected to get his first start with Fr. Tucker Kirk serving as the backup.
GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Ray Lamb Stadium, Commerce
-- GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY (7-2, 6-2 Region 8-A): Defeated Hebron Christian 21-7 last week
-- COMMERCE (7-2, 6-2 Region 8-A): Defeated Athens Academy 42-30 last week
-- NOTABLE: Series tied 3-3. Commerce won 35-9 in 2015. The Tigers have won three straight in the series. ... The Tigers got a huge win last week over previously unbeaten Athens Academy. It jumped them eight spots in the power rankings to the No. 8 spot, which if they can maintain would give them a bye in the first round and a home playoff game in the second round of the playoffs. ... A win for the Tigers, coupled with a Athens Academy loss to No. 1 Prince Avenue, would give them second place in the region, which also could help boost their power rankings. ... Commerce has won four straight averaging 49.7 ppg in that span and has cranked up its ground game, which piled up a stunning 526 yards rushing last week. The Bulldogs defense has been vulnerable of late allowing 57 points (19 ppg) its last three games after yielding just 59 points (9.5 ppg) in their first 6 games.
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN (8-1, 5-0 Region 7-AAA): Ranked No. 1 in Class AAA; bye last week, defeated North Hall 42-14 two weeks ago
-- DAWSON COUNTY (7-1, 5-0 Region 7-AAA): Ranked No. 8 in Class AAA; defeated Lumpkin County 54-8 last week
-- NOTABLE: GAC leads series 5-1. It is the first meeting between the two teams since 2005. ... The Spartans have won five straight in the series. The Tigers only win in the series came in 2000 in Dawsonville. But none of those previous meetings will have the implications this one will. ... The winner will win the 7-AAA title and the loser will take the No. 2 seed. It will also feature two of the most dynamic QBs in Class AAA in the Spartans’ Davis Mills (a Stanford-commit) and the Tigers’ Coey Watson, who is still a junior and one of the more dangerous dual-threat players in the state. ... Mills is 86-of-125 passing on the season for 1,331 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has not thrown an interception and is the consensus No. 1 recruit in Georgia and No. 2 pro-style quarterback prospect nationally. ... Watson has passed for 1,440 yards, 14 TDs, and just 2 INTs and rushed for another 555 yards with 14 more TDs. ... The Spartans are 7th in defense in AAA (119, 13.2 ppg) and the Tigers are 8th in defense (136, 17 ppg).
HART COUNTY at EAST JACKSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Jackson Stadium, Commerce
-- HART COUNTY (1-8, 1-3 Region 8-AAA): Lost 28-0 to Monroe Area last week
-- EAST JACKSON (3-6, 1-3 Region 8-AAA): Defeated Jackson County 21-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Hart County leads series 6-0. The Bulldogs won 62-0 in 2015. ... Despite the region records, both teams are still alive for the playoffs. The loser, however, will be eliminated. [Click here http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/11/464099/friday-could-be-a-tylenol-moment-for-area-teams-as-playoff-scenarios-play-out for look at the playoff scenarios for 8-AAA.] ... The Hart County offense has struggled all season and has scored the 5th-fewest points in Class AAA (95, 10.5 ppg) scoring 6 points or less five times with three shutouts and the Bulldogs defense has allowed the 11th-most points (297, 33 ppg). ... However, the Eagles defense has allowed the most points in 8-AAA play (143, 35.7 ppg) while the offense has scored the fewest points in region play (58, 14.5 ppg).
JACKSON COUNTY at MORGAN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Madison
-- JACKSON COUNTY (3-6, 2-2 Region 8-AAA): Lost 21-14 to East Jackson last week
-- MORGAN COUNTY (7-2, 4-0 Region 8-AAA): Defeated Franklin County 38-13 last week
-- NOTABLE: Morgan County leads series 6-2. The Bulldogs won 13-7 in 2015 in Jefferson. Morgan County has won two straight in the series. ... The Bulldogs already have clinched the region title and the Panthers are in the middle of the playoff race. [Click here http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/11/464099/friday-could-be-a-tylenol-moment-for-area-teams-as-playoff-scenarios-play-out for look at the playoff scenarios for 8-AAA.] A Franklin County win automatically puts them in the playoffs. ... After a 1-4 start, the Panthers have gone 2-2. The defense, which had allowed 164 points (32.8 ppg) in its first 5 games, has given up just 77 points (19.2 ppg) in region play. ... The Morgan County defense is 2nd in Class AAA in points allowed (88, 9.7 ppg) while Jackson County is averaging just 17.2 ppg on the season.
JEFFERSON at OCONEE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warrior Stadium, Watkinsville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- JEFFERSON (8-1, 4-0 Region 8-AAAA): Ranked No. 4 in Class AAAA; defeated Stephens County 35-7 last week
-- OCONEE COUNTY (7-2, 3-1 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Madison County 41-8 last week
-- NOTABLE: Oconee County leads series 10-8. The Warriors won 36-35 in double overtime in 2015 in Watkinsville. Only the third meeting between the two teams since 1987 but they have split a pair of games over the past two seasons. ... It’s simple for the Dragons: win and they take the region crown outright. However, an Oconee County win and a Stephens County loss would give the warriors the region title. ... An Oconee win and a Stephens win would trigger a 3-way tie. If the Warriors beat Jefferson by more than 10 points, it would give them the No. 1 seed and Jefferson would be the No. 2 based on its head-to-head win over Stephens County, which would be the No. 3 seed. A Warriors win by less than 10 points would give Jefferson the No. 1 seed with Stephens County taking the No. 2 seed and Oconee County would be the No. 3 seed. ... It two good matchups between offenses and defenses. Jefferson is 8th in offense (299, 33.3 ppg) and Oconee County is 12th (280, 31.1 ppg) in Class AAAA. The Dragons are 6th in defense (112, 12.4 ppg) and the Warriors 7th (118, 13.1 ppg). However, Jefferson has surrendered just 28 points (7.0 ppg) in region play.
LOGANVILLE at JOHNSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood
-- LOGANVILLE (7-2, 4-1 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 35-10 to No. 2 Buford last week
-- JOHNSON (0-9, 0-5 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 40-0 to Cedar Shoals last week
-- NOTABLE: Loganville leads series 4-2. The two teams have not met since 1999, a 21-0 Loganville win in Loganville. The Knights last win was in in 1996, a 27-10 in 1996 in Oakwood. ... There are no playoff implications in this one. The Red Devils have clinched the No. 2 spot for the playoffs and the Knights have been eliminated from any playoff possibility. ... However, Johnson is trying to avoid their first winless season under coach Jason Roquemore and the first since 2011 and just the fourth time in program history.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at UNION COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
-- RADIO: northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (4-5, 2-3 Region 7-AAA): Lost 54-8 to Dawson County last week
-- UNION COUNTY (7-2, 3-2 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Fannin County 63-39 last week
-- NOTABLE: Union County leads series 22-15-1. Union County won 51-28 in 2015. The Panthers have won two straight in the series after Lumpkin County won six straight from 2002 to 2011. ... Both teams are in a battle with North Hall for the final two playoff spots. North Hall is in no matter the outcomes of Friday’s games and both the Panthers and Indians can be eliminated. ... If Lumpkin beats Union by six or more points on Friday, the Indians would take the fourth spot and eliminate the Panthers, with North Hall grabbing the No. 3 seed. If Lumpkin wins by five points or less, then Union would grab the No. 3 seed with North Hall taking fourth, and the Indians would be eliminated. ... Both offenses have put up big numbers of late but the key may be which defense can make the most stops. ... Union County will have to find a way to slow down the Indians ground game behind RB Zach Matthews, who has 1,210 yards and 12 TDs. The Indians have pounded out over 3,100 yards rushing as a team. ... The Indians defense will be challenged by a Panthers offense behind QB Cole Wright, who has passed for 1,531 yards and 13 TDs and rushed for 1,188 yards and 15 TDs.
MILL CREEK at DULUTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tim Maxwell Stadium, Duluth
-- MILL CREEK (9-0, 5-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Ranked No. 1 in Class AAAAAAA; bye last week, defeated Mountain View 35-23 two weeks ago
-- DULUTH (2-7, 0-5 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Lost 38-20 to Peachtree Ridge last week
-- NOTABLE: Mill Creek leads series 10-0. The Hawks won 41-0 in 2015. ... The Hawks already have clinched their second straight region title. Duluth has been eliminated so there are no playoff implications in this one. ... Mill Creek has dominated the series in general but especially the last three meetings outscoring the Wildcats 126-3 in that span.
MILTON at NORTH FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
-- MILTON (4-5, 2-2 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Defeated Lambert 20-17 last week
-- NORTH FORSYTH (4-5, 1-3 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Lost 55-7 to West Forsyth last week
-- NOTABLE: Series tied 1-1. Milton won the last meeting in 2011, 30-14, in Alpharetta. ... It’s simple for the Raiders: win and they’re in the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Lose, and they’re out. ... The Raiders have lost three straight and struggled on defense allowing 145 points (48.3 ppg) in that span after giving up 147 points (24.5 ppg) through the first 6 games. ... The Milton offense has scored more than 20 points just once in its last 6 games. The Eagles have won two straight for the first time since the end of the 2015 season. ... A win also would give North Forsyth its first non-losing season since 2013.
NORTH OCONEE at STEPHENS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Reservation, Toccoa
-- NORTH OCONEE (0-9, 0-4 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 42-7 to St. Pius last week
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (7-2, 3-1 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 35-7 to Jefferson last week
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 1-1 with each team winning on the road. Stephens County won 24-7 in 2015 in Bogart. ... The Indians already have clinched a playoff spot and could finish no worse than third but no better than second. ...
It’s simple for the region. If Jefferson beats Oconee County, the Dragons take the region crown outright with Stephens finishing second. However, an Oconee County win and a Stephens County loss would give the Warriors the region title. ... An Oconee win and a Stephens win would trigger a 3-way tie. If the Warriors beat Jefferson by more than 10 points, it would give them the No. 1 seed and Jefferson would be the No. 2 based on its head-to-head win over Stephens County, which would be the No. 3 seed. A Warriors win by less than 10 points would give Jefferson the No. 1 seed with Stephens County taking the No. 2 seed and Oconee County would be the No. 3 seed. ... It should be a favorable matchup for the Indians. They are averaging 27.3 ppg while the Titans defense has allowed the 4th-most points (331, 36.7 ppg) in Class AAAA. North Oconee also is averaging just 11 ppg on offense.
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
-- PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN (1-8, 0-8 Region 8-A): Lost 76-0 to Prince Avenue Christian last week
-- TOWNS COUNTY (2-7, 1-7 Region 8-A): Lost 42-35 to Lakeview Academy last week
-- NOTABLE: Towns County leads series 2-0. The Indians won 21-14 in 2015 in Hiawassee. ... Last week’s loss for the Indians probably knocked out any hope they had for a playoff spot. The dropped eight spots to 37th. Class A is taking the top 24 teams based on power rankings. ... Both teams have struggled down the stretch. Towns County has lost five straight and allowed 31 or more points in every game. The Storm has lost eight straight and have given up 215 points (53.7 ppg) over their past four games. ... The Indians are averaging 16.3 ppg on the season and the Storm is scoring just 10.1 ppg.
RABUN COUNTY at MONTICELLO
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Rose Bowl, Monticello
-- RABUN COUNTY (8-0, 5-0 Region 8-AA): Ranked No. 5 in Class AA; defeated Oglethorpe County 58-0 last week
-- MONTICELLO (3-6, 3-2 Region 8-AA): Lost 32-0 to Elbert County last week
-- NOTABLE: Monticello leads series 4-0. The two teams have not met since 1995, a 28-0 Hurricanes victory in Tiger. ... Nothing will be decided in this one. The Wildcats already have clinched the region title and Monticello will be the fourth seed from 8-AA. Avoiding injuries and keeping starters sharp will probably be the key for coach Lee Shaw and his staff. ... However, with a win, Rabun County can complete its first-ever unbeaten regular season since beginning play in 1949. The Wildcats posted 9-1 seasons in 1964, 1998, and 2015.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Gainesville
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY (2-7, 1-7 Region 8-A): Lost 41-7 to Athens Christian last week
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (2-7, 2-6 Region 8-A): Defeated Towns County 42-35 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Lions are knocking on the door of their first-ever playoff spot. Class A Private is taking the top 24 teams based on power rankings and their win last week jumped them into the 27th spot, less than a point behind 24th Walker. Riverside sits in 31st and is probably too far back to jump over eight teams, even with a win. ... Lakeview is averaging 25.6 ppg over its last three games while the Eagles defense has given up 158 points 31.6 ppg over their last 5 games. ... However, Lakeview has yielded the 5th-most points in Class A (345, 38.3 ppg). Riverside, though, has scored the 8th-fewest points in Class A (68, 7.5 ppg).
WEST HALL at BLESSED TRINITY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Blessed Trinity Stadium, Roswell
-- WEST HALL (6-3, 2-1 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated White County 35-14 last week
-- BLESSED TRINITY (7-2, 3-0 Region 7-AAAA): Ranked No. 5 in Class AAAA; bye last week, defeated Marist 28-26 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The four teams have been decided for the playoffs but the Spartans, Blessed Trinity, and Marist are all still alive to capture the region title. ... West Hall needs a win over the Titans and get a White County win over Marist on tonight. Blessed Trinity, the Class AAA 2015 state runner-up, can claim the crown with a win over the Spartans. But, the Titans have not lost to a team from Georgia since last year’s loss in the title game to Westminster. ... Blessed Trinity is averaging 34.6 ppg in region play while West Hall has given up 28.3 ppg in region play.
WHITE COUNTY at MARIST
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Hughes-Spalding Stadium, Atlanta
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com
-- WHITE COUNTY (1-8, 0-3 Region 7-AAAA): Lost 35-14 to West Hall last week
-- MARIST (6-3, 2-1 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated Chestatee 47-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... White County has been eliminated from playoff contention but the War Eagles, with a win and a West Hall win over Blessed Trinity, can win the region so there is plenty to play for. The Warriors can play spoiler with a win over the War Eagles. ... It will be a tough task for White County offense, which has scored just 117 points (13 ppg) on the season, vs. a Marist defense that has yielded just 69 points over its past five games (13.8 ppg). The Warriors defense has allowed the 9th-most points in AAAA (289, 32.1 ppg).
WINDER-BARROW at DACULA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Barron Field, Dacula
-- WINDER-BARROW (5-4, 2-2 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Habersham Central 35-25 last week
-- DACULA (5-4, 4-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Lanier 20-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Dacula leads series 2-0. The Falcons won the last meeting 22-15 in 2007 in Winder. ... Both teams have already clinched playoff spots with the Falcons taking the region title last week with their win over the Longhorns. They own tiebreakers over Lanier and Gainesville. The Bulldoggs earned their third straight playoff spot last week, a program first., and will be No. 4 seed regardless of tonight’s outcome. ... However, both teams would like to continue momentum heading into the playoffs. The Falcons have four straight and the Bulldoggs snapped a two-game losing streak last week. ... Offense is the key for Winder. In their 5 wins the Bulldoggs have averaged 35.4 ppg, in their 4 losses they have scored just 44 total points. They may find the going tough against the top defense in the region. The Falcons have yielded just 27 points (6.7 ppg) in region play and pitched consecutive shutouts.
