Every season there are a handful of high school football games you either wished you had seen in person or were dang sure glad you did.
Rest assured 2018 will be no different. And just looking at the slate, there are already several contests we're salivating over.
Want an idea of where to plan your Friday nights this fall? Check out this list of highly-anticipated showdowns, games sure to shape the playoff and region title races throughout northeast Georgia. A few will even gran the attention of the entire state. (NOTE: Catch up on everything you need to get started for this Friday's kickoff of the 2018 prep football campaign with our Friday Game Night Season Preview section.)
(Games listed by calendar)
AUGUST 17
Buford vs. Tucker (5:30 p.m. Corky Kell Classic at Georgia State) -- A Class 6A semifinalist matched up against a Class 5A semifinalist? Need we say anything more? We will anyway. These are two perennial powers often loaded with top-level collegiate talent. And they'll be facing off in the first game of the season in a collegiate setting. What a way to kick off 2018.
Gainesville at Mary Persons -- Even though it will not be at Bobby Gruhn Field, a lot of eyes will be on the Red Elephants, who will begin the Heath Webb era on the road. Webb probably would have preferred a little lighter opener, however, as the Bulldogs are coming off their second consecutive Class 4A semifinal appearance, and they have produced three straight 11-win seasons. Gainesville will be sporting a new offense and a new defense, and Webb and his staff will certainly learn quickly just how far their team has come since spring and summer. Mary Persons is 23-3 at home since the 2015 season.
Johnson at Oglethorpe County -- For the Knights this could be the catalyst for a rebound season. Johnson is riding a 24-game losing streak. But in the Patriots the Knights face a program that is 2-22 over the same stretch and just 4-45 over the past five seasons. Johnson also comes into the campaign with 19 returning starters and optimism aplenty. A win could give the Knights just the confidence boost needed for a turnaround.
AUGUST 18
Cherokee Bluff vs. Whitefield Academy -- It will be the program-opener for the Bears, who were created out of the Flowery Branch and Johnson clusters. Veteran coach Tommy Jones (a three-time region champion at Dacula) and his staff have had just six months to put things in place and will head into the contest with just one player that has logged varsity snaps (senior quarterback Connor Boyd, at Flowery Branch). The game, a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, will cap a ‘Day of Sports’ at the school as they hold cross country, volleyball, and softball games on the 18th as an unofficial kickoff of the new school’s athletic programs.
Rabun County vs. Bremen (at Georgia Southern) -- While the game itself is a non-region, season opener between the two Class 2A programs, there are several attendant unique storylines:
-- Bremen head coach David Russell is the grandson of former Georgia Southern coaching legend Erk Russell. His father, Jay Russell, was the coach at Rabun County when current Wildcats coach Lee Shaw was an assistant in his early days of coaching.
-- Jaybo Shaw, Rabun County offensive coordinator, and Rob Stockton, Rabun County defensive coordinator, both played at Georgia Southern. Jaybo Shaw was the quarterback for the Eagles (2011) and now Stockton’s son, Gunner, a freshman quarterback, is expected to make his first-ever varsity start for the Wildcats at Paulson Stadium.
AUGUST 24
West Hall at Johnson -- The Battle of Oakwood is always intense. And while the Spartans are riding a 5-game win streak in the series (their longest such streak since winning 5 straight between 1998-2002) the Knights won 4 of 6 before that from 2007-2012. Johnson comes into the season on a 24-game losing streak but opens against Oglethorpe County, which has gone 2-22 in that same span. A win for the Knights in their opener would give them the momentum they are looking for. The Knights also may be catching their arch-rivals at just the right time in 2018 as the Spartans could be battered from a tough showdown against Commerce in their opener and knowing they have Jefferson the following week.
Commerce at Athens Christian -- The Region 8-A opener for both teams and it will be an interesting, and perhaps crucial, opener for the Tigers. After an unceremonious, and unexpected, first round playoff exit last season, Commerce, behind an experienced group, is looking for a quick start to region play. However, the last time the Tigers traveled to Athens to take on the Eagles (2016) they were defeated, 21-14.
AUGUST 31
Habersham Central at White County -- Despite being just 20 minutes apart, this will be just ninth-ever meeting between the two schools but the fifth since 2012. Habersham holds the all-time series lead at 5-3 but White County has won 3 of the last 4, including a 24-21 nail-biter last season. The Warriors defense held Habersham, which finished in the top 10 in Class 6A in offense in 2017, to a season-low in points. Another offensive shootout could be in the works as the Warriors own spread attack behind J Ben Haynes and the Raiders spread offense behind Gainesville-transfer Tre Luttrell should be able to put up some points. However, the Warriors defense will have disrupter Jay Leposke and a revamped Raiders defense under new coordinator Stan Luttrell will be looking for improvement. This one could very well tell both squads where they stand as they near region play.
SEPTEMBER 7
Southside, S.C. at Jefferson -- A meanigless non-region game. Or is it? Jefferson coach Gene Cathcart spent time in South Carolina winning a state title in Greenwood in 2012. He coached against current Southside coach Jerry West and the two are friends. Now they will square off in a cross-state lines battle. It will be Game 3 for the Dragons, who are expected to break out a spread attack in 2018 to complement a plethora of talented receivers. However, with an experienced line returning, the power run game they have exhibited the past four years will still be prevalent. The question by this one, which will be the home opener for Jefferson, will be just how dedicated will the Dragons be to changing over completely to the spread or will they revert back to their tried-and-true power rushing attack. Fans will certainly want their Dragons to show that Georgia is always better than South Carolina. But most may be filling Memorial Stadium to see just which direction the offense is headed.
East Hall at Chestatee -- It was an offensive showcase game for both teams in 2017 as the Vikings took a 59-37 win. With East Hall turning to more of a ground attack in 2018 and the War Eagles without the graduated Nick Lyles, don't look for another run-and-gun game. It will be the home opener for Chestatee after two road games and a bye to open the season. It will feature one of the area's rising young stars in Chestatee quarterback Christian Charles and one the area's most punishing runners in East Hall's Cambren Harrison (280-pounds). Chestatee will be coming off a bye week and should be rested while it will the fourth consecutive game in as many weeks for East Hall. And, the War Eagles also could be catching East Hall looking ahead to its Region 7-3A opener two weeks later against Greater Atlanta Christian.
SEPTEMBER 14
North Hall at White County -- This is one of the longest-running rivalries in Georgia as the two teams have met 45 previous times, including every year since 2002. The Warriors' 28-18 win in 2017 broke a deadlock at 22 wins apiece. It has been a streaky series with White County winning 4 of the last 5 after North Hall took 18 of 19 between 1988 to 2012. This could be one of the marquee matchups of the entire season in northeast Georgia as the Trojans may have one of their deepest teams in years and the Warriors have been rejuvenated under second-year coach Tim Cokely and dynamic sophomore quarterback J Ben Haynes. However, both teams will enter this one with critical region openers looming the following week. It would be understandable if both teams were tempted to hold back ever so slightly as to not risk major injuries. But with bragging rights on the line, expect a border war in the traditional sense.
SEPTEMBER 21
Buford at Archer -- Much like Buford's showdown with Tucker in its season opener (see above) this one will feature two teams coming off playoff runs. The Tigers advanced to the 7A quarterfinals before dropping a nail-biter to eventual state runner-up Colquitt County. It will be the Wolves first true road game of the season while it will be the fourth consecutive week against playoff teams from 2017 for Archer. Buford may catch the Tigers banged up after tilts against powers Spartanburg (S.C.), Mill Creek, and Norcross. It could be tremendous showdown between a pair of punishing offenses and two hard-hitting defenses. Field goals, or lack thereof, could be a deciding factor.
Flowery Branch at Gainesville -- It is the first meeting between the schools since 2015 and the Red Elephants have won three straight and lead the series 10-3 overall. It also marks the end of a brutal non-region schedule for Gainesville. By the time they get to this one the Red Elephants will know whether they will be players in Region 8-6A or just how much is still required in their rebuild under new coach Heath Webb, who is implementing new schemes on both sides of the ball. The Falcons, who will be coming off a bye week, also close out their non-region schedule with this one but are hoping they will be building momentum heading into their Region 7-4A opener the following week against White County.
Prince Avenue Christian at Riverside Military -- The Eagles are expecting big things this season with the maturity of 6-foot-4, 220-pound receiver/safety Khalid Duke and 6-3 dual threat QB Isaac Teasley. This will be the Region 8-A opener for the Eagles, who will also take on Towns County the following week at home. The two-game stretch to open region against a pair of playoff teams may well tell them whether they will be in the chase for a playoff spot. Prince Avenue was a Class A Private semifinalist in 2017 and will offer more than a challenge for Riverside. However, if Duke and Teasley are able to generate plays on both sides of the ball, this has legitimate upset special written all over it, especially at Maginnis Field.
SEPTEMBER 28
Towns County at Riverside Military -- Just as above, this is another chance for the Eagles to show they are a playoff calber team. The Indians, however, are coming off their most successful season in program history qualifying for the Class A Public playoffs for the first time ever. This will be a huge game for the Indians as they will head to Gainesville after taking on George Walton and then 2017 Class A Private state runner-up Athens Academy in back-to-back weeks. Towns has 10 starters returning on offense, including all five offensive linemen, a veteran quarterback in Trent Bradshaw, and a 6-foot-4 receiver in Will Travis -- not to mention a talented transfer from North Carolina in Alan Gillis, who will play all over the field. The Indians will need to bag at least one win in the trio of contests to have any chance of a repeat trip to the playoffs, especially with playoff contenders Hebron Christian and Commerce to follow in coming weeks. The Eagles, meanwhile, have a chance to open region play strong with winnable games against Providence Christian and Lakeview Academy to follow. Expect both teams to pull out all the stops to grab the victory.
Jackson County at Morgan County -- By this Game 6 showdown, the Panthers could find themselves in a position to either make a run at the region title or just trying to stay in the playoff race. They open Region 8-3A play the week prior against Hart County and this road tilt against the two-time defending region champs is the first of three consecutive region road games, including the following week against preseason favorite Monroe Area. If the Panthers can manage a win over Hart County on Sept. 21, they could head to Madison with a chance to sit atop the region standings. Defense will be the key for the Panthers, who will know by Game 6 just how good their front-seven, projected to be one of the best in the area, will be. They hung tough for three quarters with Morgan in last year's 31-12 loss before the Bulldogs pulled away late in the season finale.
Flowery Branch at White County -- This will be the Region 7-4A opener for the Falcons. For White County, it is the second game of a challeging open to 7-4A after taking on Class 4A state runner-up Marist the week before. Both teams are expected to challenge for a playoff spot for sure but the winner could also put themselves in a position to make a run at the region title. The Warriors, however, may have more to lose if they falter against Marist with road games at West Hall and Denmark to follow. The Falcons have Chestatee at home the following week and if they can bag a win over the Warriors and War Eagles, they would certainly put themselves in a position to make a run at the title with Blessed Trinity and then Marist to follow in the four-game stretch.
Greater Atlanta Christian at North Hall -- The Trojans have a tremendous chance starting with this game against the Spartans to make a quick statement in Region 7-3A. It will be the first of three consecutive region contests (Fannin County and Lumpkin County) at The Brickyard and will follow the Trojans' region opener against newcomer Cherokee Bluff. North Hall is opening up the playbook of its vaunted wing-T offense to give it more of a RPO look and by this one, Game 6, they should have worked out all the kinks. The Trojans are tough at home and a revamped defense and a fully throttled offense could make this a serious upset special. And a win could put them in the early driver's seat for a run at their first region title since 2012.
Union County at Elbert County -- After playing up in Class 3A the past two seasons, and doing so rather impressively, the Panthers drop back into familiar territory by re-joining Region 8-2A. Union County still has firepower and what should be a high-flying offense despite some key graduations. And after just missing out on the postseason last year, the Panthers could make a huge statement in this contest against the 8-2A runner-up from last season and a Class 2A second round foe. A trip to the Granite Bowl is never easy, but the Panthers will be set up nicely for the contest after back-to-back games against Monticello and Putnam County teams that won just two region contests apiece last season.
OCTOBER 5
Dawson County at Greater Atlanta Christian -- These two teams squared off for the Region 7-3A crown last season, and the rise of Dawson County as a program to be reckoned with means that the next step would be to claim a scalp like the Spartans'. Over the last three seasons Sid Maxwell's Tigers are 24-11 with a region crown (the program's first), one Sweet 16 appearance and one state quarterfinal (also a first). Yet the Tigers have also struggled against Atlanta-area private schools, falling to Blessed Trinity and Lovett in different postseasons and going 0-2 against GAC so far in 7-3A play. This would make a HUGE statement across the entire state.
Gainesville at Habersham Central -- Gainesville is looking to continue its playoff streak (18 straight and counting). Habersham Central is looking for its first postseason bid since 2011. The winner of this contest will take a huge step toward a state berth. And last year's shootout proved one to remember, as the Red Elephants scored with an 81-yard TD pass -- on fourth down -- to tie the contest late, before kicking a field goal with :01 remaining to win 30-27. Funny enough the GHS QB who tossed the scoring strike is now playing for Habersham, as Tre Luttrell moved north after his father (Stan Luttrell) joined the Raiders staff following a season at Gainesville. Luttrell's hard-nosed, explosive play and leadership should be a boon for Habersham. And it could make this another thriller.
OCTOBER 12
Commerce at Hebron Christian -- A glance at the heritage of these two programs does not measure up, as Commerce is one of the winningest in state history, while Hebron has just 11 seasons and a solid if not eye-catching mark of 45-54. But the Lions made impressive strides under former NFL lineman Jeff Saturday, who took over the program last season, leading Hebron to the state playoffs for a second straight campaign. And Hebron returns a number of the playmakers that keyed that run. Commerce knows it must win this contest to maintain control of its destiny in the now subdivided Region 8-A.
Banks County at Union County -- The Leopards are under a new head coach for the for the fifth time in nine seasons. But Jay Reid has been nothing but impressed with the willingness of his new charges and their resilience. And after back-to-back state playoff berths, Banks County knows that this contest against a strong Union County program could go a long way toward netting a third straight berth. The Panthers, meanwhile, will be coming off a huge road test at Elbert County the week before and will know plenty about their abilities by that point. The two teams have faced off 39 times, with Union holding a slim, 21-18 edge.
Elbert at Rabun County -- This game last season decided the Region 8-2A crown, and both teams enter the season with high expectations again after coming off a state championship appearance for the Wildcats and a Sweet 16 berth for the Blue Devils. Rabun has dominated their two match-ups with Elbert, 42-10 and 35-7. But the Blue Devils have the athleticism to threaten Wildcats dominance, and certainly they would love to make a statement after Rabun graduated perhaps the best player in its history in quarterback Bailey Fisher.
Jefferson at Morgan County -- The Dragons re-enter Region 8-3A (dropping down after two seasons in Region 8-4A) with designs on continuing their dominance of the last six seasons (68-12 record over that span, 1 state title, 3 region titles, 1 Final Four, 3 Elite Eights). The Bulldogs, however, will be eager to say, "not so fast." Morgan County is the two-time defending 8-3A champs, holding off a hard-charging Monroe Area last season. And Jefferson must be keyed in with Monroe Area on the schedule the very next week.
OCTOBER 19
Monroe Area at Jefferson -- What were we just saying? The Dragons will take on the 2017 Class 3A Sweet 16 Purple Hurricanes just seven days after what promises to be a tough road trip to Madison. These two games will do plenty to determine the shape of Jefferson's 2018 campaign -- as well as the fate of all of Region 8-3A. The Purple Hurricanes are led by Chandler Byron, last year's 8-3A Player of the Year, who rushed for 1,902 yards and 25 touchdowns and passed for 1,784 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Winder-Barrow at Gainesville -- New Gainesville coach Heath Webb plays host to his former squad when the Bulldoggs pay a visit to Bobby Gruhn Field. Webb and his staff transformed Winder from also-rans into playoff regulars, reaching the postseason all four years he was with the school -- including the team's first postseason win since 1993 when the Bulldoggs reached the 2017 Class 6A Sweet 16. Now Webb is looking to make that kind of immediate impact with the Red Elephants, who are more than playoff regulars (18 straight state berths). Webb's teams went 0-4 against GHS at Winder, and he will now square off against Ed Dudley, whose 2012 Ware County team fell to the Red Elephants in the 2012 Class 5A state championship game.
OCTOBER 26
Jefferson at Jackson County -- The resumption of the Battle for Highway 129 -- a rarity until the 20-teens when the Dragons and Panthers played six straight seasons (2010-2015) -- could mean plenty for both programs. Jefferson will be wrapping its regular season, while Jackson County closes out the next week against its other county foe, East Jackson. Jackson County has built itself into a solid program over the past six seasons, reaching the state playoffs four times (their only four appearances). And while Jefferson has risen to elite status over that same time the Dragons know they will have to be on their guard against a program that now knows how and expects to have success. And while Jefferson is 8-0 against Jackson County all-time, the Panthers would LOVE to notch win number one this season.
NOVEMBER 2
Union County at Rabun County -- Always one of the most intense of the mountain rivalries -- Rabun County has tackling sleds covered in Union County purple for a reason -- it gets back going after a two-year hiatus due to the Panthers playing up in Class 3A. While the Wildcats elevated to another stratosphere last season, reaching the Class 2A championship game, Union County has no record to sniff at. In fact, the Panthers too are experiencing the best stretch in program history with four state playoff appearances over the last five seasons. Both teams have produced impressive standouts over the last few seasons -- Joseph Mancuso and Cole Wright for the Panthers and Bailey Fisher and Charlie Woerner for the Wildcats to name but two apiece. And while Rabun has won four straight in the rivalry Union had claimed five straight prior to that. The two teams have squared off 51 times (the most for any Union foe, second for Rabun -- Franklin N.C. is number one with 53 meetings). And the recent histories of both programs suggest there could be seeding and more on the line here.
North Hall at Dawson County -- These two teams figure to put up stellar seasons and both enter with high expectations. If either can knock off Greater Atlanta Christian, this game could conceivably be for the Region 7-3A title. You have to figure playoff seeding will be on the line between two programs coming off three straight postseason appearances apiece. It has been a short but fierce rivalry between the pair, with each winning two of their four games against each other -- all played since 2012.
