Here's a look at five things we learned from Week 4 of the high school football season...
1. Jefferson is on a mission
The Dragons found tough sleding in the early going Friday night, facing a Branch team harboring many of the hallmarks that have made Jefferson one of the best programs in northeast Georgia (and GHSA for that matter) over the past decade or so. It was their response to that adversity that made it obvious why the Dragons are still very much one of those premier programs. Relying on smart coaching and players with talent that dig deep is a recipe for success -- and we saw just that from Jefferson. Whether it was the decision to have standout running back Colby Wood take an equal role on defense, covering Falcons receiver Jalin Strown (a receiver that had been giving the Dragons fits), Wood's response to that move or the Dragons offensive determination to gain traction with the game still on the line -- it all culminated in an impressive recovery that hauled Jefferson into the lead and to an emotional 35-29 win. Yes, this program graduated plenty of talent from last season and underwent some coaching changes this offseason. But the spirit and ability on display over the past few seasons are still very much in place, and that could lead to yet more big things this postseason.
2. The Branch is very much for real
No one doubted when Flowery Branch tapped Jefferson coach Ben Hall (a former Falcons assistant under Lee Shaw) that things were on the upswing before the 2017 season had even gotten uder way. Hall juggled the roster, including moving Nick Lance, the Falcons' starting quarterback the past two seasons, to tight end, revamped the offensive line and moved offensive players like Myles Janess to the defense. The changes resulted in the Falcons opening with three impressive wins, equaling their entire total for 2016, before falling short in an emotional return to Jefferson for Hall on Friday night. But not only did they go toe-to-toe with one of the top programs in the state, they took a 22-13 lead into the fourth quarter behind a power rushing attack led by Malik Damons and an outstanding defensive effort until the deeper Dragons eventually wore them down in the fourth quarter. Young sophomore quarterback Elijah Gainey and and junior receiver Jalin Strown are becoming a dangerous combination; add senior speedster and jack-of-all-positions Malik Drayton to the mix, and the Falcons are proving that not only have they risen from the ashes, they will be a factor in Region 8-AAAAA, and not just to qualify for a playoff spot.
3. 7-AAA in for a very interesting start
While most everyone agrees that Greater Atlanta Christian is the favorite -- and the third-ranked Spartans have done little to dissuade that notion in their non-region schedule -- everything else seems wide open in a region that features plenty of offensive playmakers, as well as some defenses on the rise and experienced playmakers. East Hall's wide-open spread attack has been virtually unstoppable so far, and the Vikings (3-1) have begun making defensive plays to match. Union County is in much the same boat, with a standout quarterback pacing an explosive attack but a defense that is starting to make headlines too -- look at Friday's 31-6 win over Banks County for example, as the Panthers (4-0) held the Leopards to season lows in points, total yards (188) and pass yards (56). Dawson County (2-1) is looking as defensively stout as ever (allowing just 9 points per game), along with playmakers manning the offene, and Fannin County (2-2) is also much improved. And while North Hall and Lumpkin County may have suffered a tough start, both have shown that they will fight to the end -- just ask White County. The high-flying Warriors had to fight to end to hold off a young Trojans team. And while Dawson is still playing non-region this week, the rest of the league gets going with contests we'll all be keeping an eye on.
4. Nick Lyles is scorching his way through 2017
We already knew the Chestatee running back was good, but the numbers he's put up so far this season are staggering. After five game Lyles is averaging 135.4 rushing yards per game, 158 total yards per game and 3.2 touchdowns per game. In fact the running back has 16 of the 21 touchdowns scored so far for Chestatee. His 801 total yards is also nearly half of the War Eagles offensive production this season -- everyone else on the team has a combined 822 yards. Lyles dominated again on Friday, rushing 25 times for 208 yards and five touchdowns as the War Eagles (3-2) stormed past Lumpkin County 60-32 in Gainesville. And with region season just around the corner, it can be a comfort for Chestatee that their standout is in stellar form.
5. Michael Thompson's development on course for West Hall
The Spartans have won four straight, and while West Hall's defense deserves plenty of credit -- the Spartans are allowing 9.6 points per game through the win streak -- the development of West Hall's offense should not go overlooked. And it is the play of sophomore quarterback Thompson that is helping the resurgence. West Hall knew it faced a tough proposition in 2017, replacing the majority of its starters in the offensive backfield. But Thompson's performances are starting to show the understanding and ability of a player that is coming into his own. The signal caller rushed for 150 yards and a touchdown in a 13-10 win over Dawson County on Friday -- and in the defensive struggle, every single point and yard proved huge. The sophomore will receive another huge test on Friday, as West Hall travels to face Rabun County, and if Thompson continues to impress in Tiger something very impressive could be in the offing sooner rather than later. He's already impressing, but a big performance this week will speak volumes.
WEEK 4 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES
Chestatee 60, Lumpkin County 32
East Hall 45, Jackson County 26
Fannin County 26, Andrews (N.C.) 0
Jefferson 35, Flowery Branch 29
Lanier 15, Lambert 6
North Forsyth 58, Pickens 35
South Pointe (S.C.) 33, Buford 27
Stephens County 49, Habersham Central 46
Towns County 35, Riverside Military Academy 21
Union County 38, Banks County 6
Walnut Grove 40, Apalachee 26
West Hall 13, Dawson County 10
Woodstock at North Forsyth
White County 28, North Hall 18
Winder-Barrow 17, Loganville 14
WEEK 5 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Apalachee at Monroe Area
Athens Academy at Towns County
Athens Christian at Commerce
Banks County at Monticello
Chestatee at Habersham Central
Collins Hill at Mill Creek
Dawson County at White County
Fannin County at North Hall
Flowery Branch at Johnson
Greater Atlanta Christian at Union County
Hart County at Stephens County
Jefferson at Gainesville
Lumpkin County at East Hall
North Gwinnett at Mountain View
Providence Christian at Lakeview Academy
Riverside Military Academy at Hebron Christian Academy
St. Pius at Lanier
West Hall at Rabun County
Winder-Barrow at North Oconee
