Week 10 will almost be like the calm before the storm for area high school football teams on Friday night.
There are 15 games on tap but only a handful will have major ramifications on the playoff picture as several high-profile games to decide region titles already have been set for next week’s regular season finales.
(NOTE: Johnson lost to Clarke Central 55-3 on Thursday in Athens in a Region 8-5A showdown that was moved up a day. Also East Jackson lost to Morgan County 45-0 in Madison on Thursday in a Region 8-3A tilt.)
That being said, Regions 7-4A and 8-6A, at least for the third and fourth playoff spots, are as wide open as the western plains. Both regions offer two large road matchups.
Gainesville and Habersham Central have big road showdowns in Barrow County against Apalachee and Winder-Barrow, respectively, in Region 8-6A. In Region 7-4A, former rivals Flowery Branch and West Hall meet in Oakwood while White County has a huge home game against Chestatee as the Warriors try to stay in the playoff race.
Banks County has a crucial, and long, road trip against Monticello as the two teams battle for to stay in the top four in Region 8-2A. Lumpkin County plays host to Fannin County as the Indians try to stay in the playoff race in Region 7-3A.
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 Oct. 26
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
BANKS COUNTY at MONTICELLO
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Rose Bowl, Monticello
-- BANKS COUNTY (4-4, 3-2 Region 8-2A): Defeated Putnam County 24-12 last week
-- MONTICELLO (3-5, 2-3 Region 8-2A): Lost 47-8 to Elbert County last week
-- NOTABLE: Monticello leads series 10-5. Banks County won 35-21 in Monticello in 2017. The Leopards have won two straight since the series resumed in 2016 after a 21-year hiatus. ... A huge game for teams but the scenarios are simple. Banks is currently tied with Elbert County for third and the two teams will square off in next week’s season finale. The Hurricanes are a game back of both. ... Banks County can eliminate Monticello and clinch a playoff spot with a win. However, assuming Elbert takes care of business against Putnam on Friday, a Monticello win would leave the Leopards on the outside-looking-in due to tiebreakers and then having to beat Elbert and get a Hurricanes loss to Social Circle in their finale. ... Monticello is 0-5 vs. teams with a .500 or better record while the Leopards have not lost to a team with a losing record this season.
CHEROKEE BLUFF at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: nogasportslink.com
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (0-9, 0-5 Region 7-3A): Lost 45-7 to No. 5 Greater Atlanta Christian last week
-- DAWSON COUNTY (7-1, 3-1 Region 7-3A): Ranked No. 7 in Class 3A; defeated Fannin County 53-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Bears will close out their first season this week and they had the toughest finish in the region with GAC and then the Tigers. ... Defensively the Bluff has found the going rough allowing 234 points (46.8 ppg) in region play. It doesn’t get any easier this week as the Tigers (346, 43.2 ppg) are No. 5 in scoring in Class 3A behind a bruising ground game averaging 359 yards a game led by Sr. QB Sevaughn Clark (647 yards, 12 TDs) and Sr. RB Ahmad Kamara (871 yards, 9.8 ypc, 1 TDs). ... The Bluff has not been shutout since the second week of the season averaging 16.8 ppg over its last six games. ... The Tigers, who are tied for second with North Hall and just a game ahead of Fannin County, cannot afford a letdown. A win Friday would clinch no worse than third place but two losses to end the season coupled with Fannin County winning out could drop them to fourth place.
CHESTATEE at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warrior Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: 93.9 FM
-- CHESTATEE (1-7, 0-4 Region 7-4A): Lost 42-0 to Class 4A No. 1 Blessed Trinity last week
-- WHITE COUNTY (2-6, 1-3 Region 7-4A): Lost 28-27 to Denmark last week
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 11-3. The Warriors won 56-27 in 2017 in Gainesville. ... The Warriors had their playoff destiny in their hands until last week’ gut-wrenching loss in the final minute to the Danes. Now, they have to win out and hope that West Hall and Denmark lose out. The problem is that White County closes out the season next week at No. 1 Blessed Trinity. ... Chestatee has been eliminated but can play spoiler the final two weeks against the Warriors this week and West Hall next week. ... The War Eagles still offer a tough matchup with So. QB Christian Charles, who has 2,570 yards combined (1,341 passing, 1,229 rushing with 20 TDs). His 1,229 yards rushing still leads all of Class 4A. But Charles also has thrown 11 INTs. Jr. WR Seth Pressley is among the state leaders with 62 receptions for 853 yards (6th in the state and 3rd in Class 4A) and 6 TDs. ... The Chestatee defense, however, has yielded the most points in Class 4A (450, 56.2 ppg). ... The Warriors have scored 75 points (38.5 ppg) the past two weeks but is allowing 31.8 ppg on defense on the season. They are balanced on offense averaging 177 yards passing and 145 yards rushing but 16 turnovers and a minus-8 turnover ratio have been big issues in several close losses.
FANNIN COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Ground, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: nogasportslink.com
-- FANNIN COUNTY (3-5, 2-2 Region 7-3A): Lost 53-7 to No. 9 Dawson County last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (3-5, 1-3 Region 7-3A): Lost 70-0 to North Hall last week
-- NOTABLE: Fannin County leads series 13-5. The Indians won 10-0 in 2017 in Blue Ridge. Lumpkin has won 3 of 4 games since series resumed in 2014 after a 15-year hiatus. ... A huge game for playoff implications. Both teams are still alive for a playoff berth along with East Hall. Fannin County can clinch the No. 4 spot with a win and an East Hall loss. However, Lumpkin would climb into the fourth spot with a win. The Indians and East Hall, which plays at North Hall, this week, close out the regular season. Two Fannin losses, which plays at No. 5 GAC next week, and an East Hall win over Lumpkin would send things to a three-way tiebreaker for fourth place. ... Both teams come having lost two straight and giving up points. The Rebels have allowed 281 points (35.1 ppg) while the Indians have yielded 261 points (32.6 ppg) on the season. But the Rebels have generated 11 turnovers while the Indians have scored just 117 points (14.6 ppg).
FLOWERY BRANCH at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartan Field
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (6-2, 2-2 Region 7-4A): Ranked No. 9 in Class 4A; Lost 20-0 to No. 5 Marist last week
-- WEST HALL (2-6, 1-3 Region 7-4A): Bye last week; lost 48-34 to White County on Oct. 12
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 6-2. The two teams have not met since 2009. The Falcons won 62-14 in 2009 and have won five straight over the Spartans. The last West Hall victory came in 2004, 24-10. ... Just two weeks ago the Falcons were just a 2-point conversion from playing for a region title. Now, after two straight losses and a slew of untimely injuries, they find themselves fighting for a playoff spot. They sit in third place but a loss to the Spartans would drop them into a tie for fourth place with Denmark and throwing them into a must-win scenario next week against the Danes. However, they can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Spartans. ... The Spartans are very much alive for the playoffs. If they can win out (they have Chestatee next week) and get a Denmark loss to the Falcons next week they will clinch a spot. ... The Falcons offense (280 points, 35.0 ppg) has been potent all season but is battling injuries to several key people this week. Sr. WR Jalin Strown is healthy and is 5th in the state in receiving (859 yards). The Branch defense has been stout all season (100, 12.5 ppg) but is also fighting some injury issues as well. ... West Hall has struggled on defense all season allowing 307 points (38.1 ppg). The offense, however, has picked things up over the past month. After scoring just 83 points in their first five games (16.6 ppg) they have averaged 32.0 ppg over their past three games.
GAINESVILLE at APALACHEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: R. Harold Harrison Stadium, Bethlehem
-- RADIO: 94.5 FM The Lake
-- GAINESVILLE (1-7, 1-2 Region 8-6A): Defeated Winder-Barrow 20-7 last week
-- APALACHEE (3-5, 1-2 Region 8-6A): Lost 21-3 to Lanier last week
-- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 6-0. The Red Elephants won 35-12 in Gainesville. ... Gainesville snapped its second-longest losing streak in program history (9) last week and now have a chance to extend one of the longest playoff streaks (18 consecutive seasons) in the state. However, a loss to the Wildcats and a Habersham win over Winder-Barrow this week would eliminate them for the first time since the 1999 season. A Gainesville win and Habersham loss would put the Red Elephants into third place all alone with one game left and tiebreakers over both Winder and Apalachee. ... Apalachee can clinch its first playoff berth since 2009 with a win and a Habersham win. ... But the Red Elephants have never lost to the Wildcats in their brief history and are riding an emotional high after getting their win of the season. Apalachee comes in riding a two-game losing streak. ... Despite allowing 245 points (30.6 ppg) the Gainesville defense has been better than the numbers. Two of their losses are by just 4 points. Also, the Wildcats have scored the 7th-fewest points (95, 11.8ppg) in Class 6A. ... Apalachee’s 3 wins are the most for the Wildcats in a season since going 5-5 in 2012
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at WINDER-BARROW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: W. Clair Harris Stadium, Winder
-- RADIO: 99.3 FM
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (4-4, 1-2 Region 8-6A): Lost 49-7 to Dacula last week
-- WINDER-BARROW (2-6, 0-3 Region 8-6A): Lost 20-7 to Gainesville last week
-- NOTABLE: Habersham leads series 15-8. The Raiders won 40-28 in 2017 in Mt. Airy. Winder has won two straight but Habersham has won 8 of the last 11 meetings going back to 1997. The Raiders lost 35-28 in 2016 in Winder but had won four straight in Winder before that. ... Habersham controls its own playoff destiny. Win out and they are in the playoffs for the first time since 2011. ... However, a loss would throw the playoff scenarios into a mess involving four teams heading into next week’s season finales. ... The Habersham offense, behind Tre Luttrell, who is in the top 5 in Class 6A in passing (1,614 yards), has been the key. In their four wins, the Raiders have averaged 42.0 ppg. In their four losses, they have scored just 73 points (18.2 ppg). The Habersham defense is in the bottom 10 in Class 6A and has yielded 119 points (39.6 ppg) in region play. ... The Bulldoggs have struggled over the past four contests scoring just 33 points (8.2 ppg) and giving up 92 points (23.0 ppg) during their 4-game losing streak. ... A loss would eliminate Winder-Barrow.
JEFFERSON at JACKSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Panthers Stadium, Jefferson
-- JEFFERSON (7-2, 4-1 Region 8-3A): Ranked No. 10 in Class 3A; lost 35-21 to No. 2 Monroe Area last week
-- JACKSON COUNTY (2-6, 0-4 Region 8-3A): Lost 24-6 to Franklin County last week
-- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads series 8-0. The two teams have not met since 2015, a 24-7 Dragons victory at Memorial Stadium. ... There are no playoff implications in this one. The Dragons already have clinched the No. 2 seed and the Panthers have been eliminated from the playoffs. ... Jefferson is still battling some injury issues but may be able to rest some banged up players to coincide with having next week off before the playoffs begin in two weeks. ... The Panthers would love nothing more than to knock of their cross-town rivals for the first time to help ease what has been a disappointing season in which they were considered a playoff contender. The offense has been the problem most of the season. They have scored more than 20 points only twice and have tallied just 33 total points during their current 5-game losing streak (6.6 ppg). ... The Jefferson defense has allowed just 109 points (12.1 ppg) on the season.
NORTH HALL at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
-- RADIO: WDUN FM 102.9
-- NORTH HALL (7-1, 3-1 Region 7-3A): Defeated Lumpkin County 70-0 last week
-- EAST HALL (2-6, 1-3 Region 7-3A): Bye last week; defeated Cherokee Bluff 42-35 on Oct. 12
-- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 33-20-1. North Hall won 31-20 in in 2017 in Rabbittown. The Trojans have won 10 straight, the longest streak by either team in the series, going back to 2002. The Last East Hall win came in 2001, 10-7, at East Hall Stadium. ... It has been a lopsided series the past 20-plus years with North Hall winning 13 of the last 16 meetings overall. The should be another tough matchup for the Vikings, who have given up the most points in Class 3A (411, 51.3 ppg) while the Trojans are 6th in 3A in scoring (345, 43.1 ppg) and are averaging 324 yards rushing a game. Five different players have over 245 yards on the ground for the season for North Hall. ... The Trojans also are 4th in 3A in defense allowing just 84 points (10.5 ppg) while the Vikings are averaging 21.5 ppg on the season. ... The Trojans need one win to clinch a playoff spot. ... North Hall RB/DB Daniel Jackson had 123 yards and 3 TDs rushing and returned a 60-yard punts return for a TD. .... One loss would eliminate the Vikings. However, if they can beat the Trojans this week and Lumpkin next week and get a North Hall loss to Dawson County along with Fannin County losing one of its last two games they can sent it to a tiebreaker for the fourth playoff berth.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY at RABUN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
-- OGLETHORPE COUNTY (0-8, 0-5 Region 8-2A): Lost 59-0 to Union County last week
-- RABUN COUNTY (7-1, 5-0 Region 8-2A): Ranked No. 3 in Class 2A; defeated Social Circle 63-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 15-9. The Wildcats won 56-14 in Lexington in 2017. Rabun has won six straight. The last Patriots win came in 2011, 28-0, in Lexington. Rabun is 10-3 all-time vs. Oglethorpe at home and has won the last four at Frank Snyder. ... Rabun County already has clinched at least the No. 2 seed in the region. They will take on Union County next week for the title no matter what happens this week. ... The Wildcats have won seven straight and gotten better as the season has gone along. They sit No. 1 in scoring in Class 2A (363, 45.3 ppg) while Oglethorpe has allowed 292 points (36.5 ppg). ... Rabun Fr. QB Gunner Stockton continues to improve. Last week he torched the Redskins for 326 yards and 4 TDs on 12-of-14 passing. He is 2nd in Class 2A (1,830 yards) and 13th in the state. Braxton Hicks had five catches for 127 yards. ... The Wildcats held Social Circle to 96 yards and four first downs. Oglethorpe has scored the fewest points in Class 2A (54, 6.7 ppg).
RIVERSIDE MILITARY at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (4-4, 2-1 Region 8-A North): Lost 17-7 to Hebron Christian last week
-- COMMERCE (8-0, 3-0 Region 8-A North): Ranked No. 6 in Class A; defeated Towns County 49-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 4-1. The Tigers won 53-28 in 2017 in Commerce. The Tigers have won four straight since the series resumed in 2010. The only RMA victory came in 1944. ... The Eagles chance to outright win the subregion was dealt a blow last week but they can force a tiebreaker issue if they can upset the Tigers. A Tigers win and they clinch the ubregion and move on to next week’s region title game against No. 1 Athens Academy. ... Commerce has won 19 straight home games against non-ranked teams going back to a loss to Charlton County in the first round of the 2013 playoffs. ... The Eagles offense faces a tough assignment in a Tigers defense that is 5th in Class A in points allowed (72, 9.0 ppg). RMA managed just 13 yards on 14 plays in the second half of last week’s loss. Their only score came on the opening play of the game on a 60-yard TD pass from Isaac Teasley to Jashod Dabney. ... The Commerce triple-option offense is 10th in scoring (309, 38.6 ppg) and had 301 yards rushing, led by Caleb Mason and Dylan Deaton last week. The RMA defense has yielded just 147 points (18.3 ppg) but has given up 120 in its four losses (30.0 ppg). ... RMA dropped two spots in the power rankings to No. 25 and is now .04 points out of the final playoff spot.
SOCIAL CIRCLE at UNION COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Blairsville
-- SOCIAL CIRCLE (4-4, 1-4 Region 8-2A): Lost 63-7 to No. 3 Rabun County last week
-- UNION COUNTY (8-0, 5-0 Region 8-2A): Defeated Oglethorpe County 59-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Union County leads series 4-2. The Panthers won 42-21 in 2017 in Social Circle. Union has won four straight, all since 2012 when the series resumed. The Redskins last victory in the series came in 1995, 26-7 in Blairsville. ... Like Rabun County above, the Panthers already have clinched at least a No. 2 seed in the region regardless of any outcomes this week. They will play the Wildcats next week for the region title. ... Last week’s win for the Panthers set a new school record for consecutive wins (10) breaking the old record set in 2001. ... Union County sits No. 2 in scoring in Class 2A (359, 44.8 ppg) and is 5th in defense allowing just 87 points (10.8 ppg). Jr. Pierson Allison is 9th in the state and leads Class 2A in passing with 2,133 yards. ... Social Circle already has been eliminated from the playoffs but the four wins is the most since 2015. One more win would give the Redskins their most since going 5-5 in 2008.
TOWNS COUNTY at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Jock Horner Stadium, Gainesville
-- TOWNS COUNTY (2-6, 0-3 Region 8-A North): Lost 49-7 to No. 6 Commerce last week
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-8, 0-3 Region 8-A North): Lost 55-6 to No. 4 Prince Avenue Christian last week
-- NOTABLE: Lakeview Academy leads series 6-5. Towns County won 56-13 in 2017 and has won 4 of the last 5 meetings overall. Lakeview’s last win came in 2016 at Jock Horner. ... A huge game for Towns County, which is seeking a second straight playoff berth. The Indians are just .12 out of the final spot in Class A Public and could climb back into the top 24 with a win over the Lions and a win in the Region 8-A crossover game next week. ... The Indians, who have played a very tough schedule with three top-6 ranked teams and an undefeated Union County in Class 2A, have shown moments on offense scoring 14.8 ppg against some of the best defenses in the state. ... The Lions are on the other end of the defensive spectrum. They have allowed the 7th-most points in Class A (334, 41.7 ppg). ... The Lakeview offense has scored 6th-fewest points (63, 7,8 ppg) while the Towns defense has yielded 39.8 ppg on the season against four offenses ranked in the top 10 in their respective classifications.
WALNUT GROVE at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- WALNUT GROVE (2-6, 1-2 Region 8-5A): Bye last week; lost 40-3 to Clarke Central on Oct. 12
-- BUFORD (6-2, 3-0 Region 8-5A): Ranked No. 2 in Class 5A; bye last week; defeated Loganville 43-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Buford leads series 2-0. The Wolves won 49-0 in 2017 and 38-6 in 2016. ... Buford can set up a showdown for the region title with a win this week. The Warriors need a win to stave off elimination. ... It will be a monumental task for the Warriors. Buford has allowed just 6 points with two shutouts in region play. Walnut Grove is averaging just 16.4 ppg on the season. ... Meanwhile, the Wolves are 4th in Class 5A averaging 42.1 ppg and the Warriors are yielding 25.6 ppg. ... Buford’s Derrian Brown is among the state leaders in rushing with 1,164 yards and 16 TDs.
