As the all-important region schedules draw closer, several northeast Georgia teams find themselves in search of some much-needed confidence and momentum this week. Others, meanwhile, look to continue strong starts to the 2018 campaign.
Unbeaten teams like Flowery Branch (2-0), Union County (2-0), and Dawson County (2-0) will take on former region foes and/or rivals looking to build off some early solid performances. Winless teams East Hall and Chestatee, which take on each other this week, and Banks County, which takes on East Jackson (1-1), all are looking for their first wins of the season with daunting schedules looming.
Jackson County (2-1) and Habersham Central (2-1) look for wins to continue their best starts in several years while Riverside Military Academy (1-1) and Johnson (2-1) face off in Gainesville with both teams seeking validation on what could be promising campaigns.
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 Sept. 7
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
ANDREWS, N.C. at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
-- ANDREWS, N.C. (1-2): Defeated Gladiator Sports Academy 45-0 last week
-- TOWNS COUNTY (1-1): Lost 45-7 to Union County last week
-- NOTABLE: Andrews leads series 5-1. The Wildcats won 26-0 in 2006. It’s the first meeting since 2006 and the Indian’s only win came in 2003 in Hiawassee. ... The Indians ran into a deeper Union County team last week and turnovers helped turned the momentum against them in the first half. They took the quick lead on a 61-yard touchdown run from Alan Gillis on their first possession but could not get anything going after that. ... Andrews snapped a 10-game streak with its win last week but has lost 11 straight road games going back to 2016. ... Towns County has won four straight against non-Georgia teams going back to 2013.
APALACHEE at JACKSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Panther Stadium, Jefferson
-- APALACHEE (0-3, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Lost 20-14 to Madison County last week
-- JACKSON COUNTY (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Defeated Lumpkin County 45-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Apalachee leads series 2-0. The Wildcats won 13-7 in 2007. The first meeting since that 2007 contest with the other being in 2006, a 31-27 Apalachee victory. ... The Wildcats are rebuilding under former West Hall coach Tony Lotti and they seem to be making progress despite the record. After losing by an average of 28.3 ppg in 2017, they have lost their last two games by just 10 total points. ... The Panthers rebounded from their only loss with a huge game by Tyler Wester, who had 172 yards rushing and 4 TDs last week. The defense also shut down Lumpkin’s wishbone attack. ... It will be the fourth straight power-rushing team the Panthers defense has faced and the second wing-T offense. North Hall’s wing-T posted 35 against them two weeks ago but it was a 14-0 game heading into the fourth quarter. ... Apalachee is 0-25-1 in its last 26 road games going back to 2013. The last road win for the Wildcats came in the 2012 season finale against Winder-Barrow (42-20).
ATHENS ACADEMY at CHEROKEE BLUFF
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Bears Stadium, Flowery Branch
-- ATHENS ACADEMY (2-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Ranked No. 3 in Class A; defeated Stephen County 28-7 last week
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (0-3, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Lost 34-13 to Johnson last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Bluff final got its offense going last week after two shutouts to begin its inaugural season and the Bears took their first lead in a game against the Knights. But the defense could not hold it giving up the final 28 points in the loss. ... It definitely won’t get any easier this week against a Spartans squad that is loaded with talent an experience and was the Class A Private state runner-up in 2017. They dismantled a good Class 4A Indians team last week. ... It will be the fourth consecutive week for the Bears who will get a much-needed bye week next week before jumping into Region 7-3A action against North Hall.
EAST HALL at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 94.5 FM The Lake
-- EAST HALL (0-3, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 55-6 to Woodland-Cartersville last week
-- CHESTATEE (0-2, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Bye last week; lost 58-0 to Dawson County two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Series tied 3-3. East Hall won 59-37 in 2017. ... It’s the third consecutive season the two teams have met in non-region battles with the road team winning each of the last two meetings. ... Both teams came into last year’s showdown riding hot offenses. The 2018 versions of both are in rebuilding mode and both teams have played tough opening schedules. The Vikings have been outscored 160-18 in losses to Flowery Branch, Union County, and Woodland, who are a combined 6-0. Chestatee has been outscored 121-7 in losses to Dawson County and North Hall, who are 5-0 combined. ... East Hall has also battled injuries using four QBs in the first three games. Chestatee is young and still trying to fill several key spots.
EAST JACKSON at BANKS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Leopards Stadium, Homer
-- EAST JACKSON (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Defeated Oglethorpe County 10-7 last week
-- BANKS COUNTY (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Bye last week; lost 17-0 to Franklin County two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 4-4. Banks County won the last meeting 41-14 in 2015 in Commerce. The Leopards have won 3 of the last 4 overall and have won the last two in Homer. ... Offense has been the issue for both teams. Banks County is still implementing a new wing-T offense and has yet to reach the end zone, but also played two very stout defenses in Jackson County and Franklin County. The week off to tweak things may be just what the Leopards needed. ... The Eagles snapped a 7-game losing streak last week but managed just 10 points against a Patriots defense that had allowed 477 points (39.7 ppg) over its previous 12 games and was shutout in a loss to Lumpkin County in their opener. ... Banks County is trying to avoid its first 0-3 start since 2013.
FANNIN COUNTY at UNION COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
-- FANNIN COUNTY (1-1, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Bye last week; lost 28-20 to LaFayette two weeks ago
-- UNION COUNTY (2-0, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Defeated Towns County 45-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 13-13. Union County won 37-14 in 2017 in Blairsville. Its is the 13th consecutive season the on-again, off-again region foes have met. The Panthers have won four straight and 7 of the last 9 overall. ... Fannin County has lost 5 straight on the road in the series. The Rebels’ last win in Blairsville came in 2007. The Panthers are 14-2 in their last 16 home games going back to 2015 with the only 2 losses coming to Dawson County and Greater Atlanta Christian. ... Union County is looking for its fifth straight 3-0 start to a season while Fannin County is looking for its first 2-1 start since 2015. ... The Rebels offense has already made strides in the early going. They averaged just 12.6 ppg in 2017 and already have scored 48 points (24 ppg) in their first two games. ... The Pierson Allison-era has started strong for the Panthers. Allison has taken over at QB for the graduated Cole Wright and has been impressive at times. Allison passed for 217 yards and 2 TDs and also rushed for 32 yards last week.
FRANKLIN COUNTY at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
-- RADIO: 99.3 FM
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Bye last week; defeated Banks County 17-0 two weeks ago
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Defeated White County 34-20 last week
-- NOTABLE: Habersham leads series 16-4. Franklin County won 46-45 in 2017 in Carnesville. It is the third consecutive season the two teams have met after facing each other just twice from 1988 to 2015. ... The Raiders are 8-1 all-time at home against the Lions with Franklin’s only win at Raider Stadium coming in 2000. However, Habersham has dropped 6 straight at home, including its season-opener against Dawson County three weeks ago. ... The Raiders offense has not missed a beat from 2017 (34.6 ppg) averaging exactly that amount so far in the early going behind new QB Tre Luttrell. The defense may have turned the corner in the second half last week pitching a shutout over the final 22 minutes against a stout White County offense while the offense scored 34 unanswered points in the final 22 minutes as well. ... Habersham is looking for its second 3-1 start in the last three seasons. Franklin County, meanwhile, has not started a season 2-1 or better since opening the 2010 campaign 2-0-1.
JOHNSON at RIVERSIDE MILITARY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- JOHNSON (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Defeated Cherokee Bluff 34-13 last week
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-A): Lost 27-14 to Christian Heritage in a game completed after being postponed in the opening week of the season
-- NOTABLE: Johnson leads series 2-0. The Knights won 31-7 in 2015. All three meetings have been since 2014. ... Riverside has won three straight at Maginnis Field. Meanwhile, Johnson beat Oglethorpe County 38-0 three weeks ago to notch its first road win since 2014, when the Knights knocked off Riverside 16-7. ... Johnson is off to its best start since 2012 and a victory on the road against the Eagles will give the Knights their start best start since opening the 2003 season a perfect 4-0. ... Riverside is looking for its first 2-1 start since 2009. ... The matchup should offer fans a look at two of the area’s best quarterbacks. Johnson’s Sam Corbett guides the Knights power rushing attack (over 200 yards a game). The Eagles counter with 6-foot-3 dual threat QB Isaac Teasley to go with Division I RB prospect Khalid Duke for a potent 1-2 punch.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at GILMER
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Huff-Mosley Stadium, Ellijay
-- RADIO: nogasportslink.com
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (1-2, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 45-0 to Jackson County last week
-- GILMER (0-3, 0-0 Region 8-A): Lost 44-15 to Gordon Central last week
-- NOTABLE: Gilmer leads series 24-7-3. The two long-time rivals last met in 2009, a 12-10 Bobcats win. They met every year from 1974 to 2001 but have played just 6 times since with the teams splitting those games. ... After a solid start the Indians have found the going rough the last two weeks being outscored 85-7 in a pair of losses. However, the Bobcats also have struggled averaging just 11.3 ppg on offense while yielding 30.6 ppg. ... Gilmer has lost 23 straight games overall. ...A win for the Indians would give them their second 2-2 start in the last 3 seasons, some needed momentum, and with a bye week to follow they would have time to prepare for their Region 7-3A opener against arch-rival and region title contender Dawson County in two weeks in Dawsonville.
ST. FRANCIS at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Jock Horner Stadium, Gainesville
-- ST. FRANCIS (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-A): Lost 37-28 to Mount Pisgah last week
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-A): Lost to Georgia Force 27-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 2-2. St. Francis won the last meeting 27-7 in 2015 in Gainesville. Both teams have a win on the road and at home in the series. ... Both teams have struggled out of the gate in 2018 but the Lions are rebuilding with a new quarterback and some inexperience with just 8 returning starters. The Knights have been a tough out, however, dropping their two games by just 5 points. They are averaging 24 ppg on offense. ... Lakeview is yielding 30 ppg on defense.
SOUTHSIDE, S.C. at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- SOUTHSIDE (Greenville, S.C.) (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-A): Defeated Riverside (Greer, S.C.) 56-6 last week
-- JEFFERSON (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Ranked No. 8 in Class 3A; defeated West Hall 48-6 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... This is the home opener for the Dragons in the new Memorial Stadium, which added seats, a new track, and a new fieldhouse. ... The Dragons used tremendous special teams play, blocking three kicks, and converted two turnovers into points in a rout of the Spartans last week. They also broke out there old rushing attack with 334 yards on the ground. The Jefferson offense is trying to convert to a more pass-oriented attack but struggled in their season-opening loss to Oconee County. ... Southside is averaging 33.3 ppg and is yielding just 15.7 ppg on defense. The Tigers, however, are 0-1 on the road in 2018 and are just 3-10 in their last 13 trips away from home going back to 2016. ... Jefferson is tough at home winning 11 straight at Memorial Stadium going back to a loss to Thomson in 2016.
STEPHENS COUNTY at RABUN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-4A): Lost 28-7 to Athens Academy last week
-- RABUN COUNTY (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Ranked No. 8 in Class 2A; defeated North Murray 52-42 last week
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 4-4. Rabun County won 28-6 in 2017 in Toccoa. The Wildcats have won two straight in the series which resumed in 2016 after a 57-year hiatus. The last Stephens County win came in 1959, 3-0 in Tiger. ... The Wildcats rebounded well last week after suffering their first regular season loss since 2015 (Jefferson) in their opener. However, the defense gave up several late scores. ... The Indians looked solid on defense allowing just 10 total points in their first two games, both wins, but could not contain the Spartans, who were the Class A Private state runners-up in 2017. Offensively they are averaging just 10 ppg. ... The Rabun offense is under new management with Fr. QB Gunnar Stockton and has shown tremendous balance averaging 189 yards rushing and 185 yards passing and just one turnover so far. ... The Wildcats certainly will want to fine-tune things but also avoid injuries as they open their Region 8-2A schedule next week on the road against Putnam County.
WEST HALL at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: nogasportslink.com
-- WEST HALL (1-2, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Lost 48-6 to Jefferson last week
-- DAWSON COUNTY (2-0, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Bye last week; defeated Chestatee 58-0 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: West Hall leads series 6-3. The Spartans won 13-10 in 2017 in Dawsonville. West Hall has won 4 of last 5 meetings with 3 of the last 5 being decided by one possession. The Spartans also have won the last four in Dawsonville. ... The Tigers have been dominant in their first two games with their new run-first mentality averaging 422.5 ypg rushing behind Sr. QB SeVaughn Clark (29-272, 4 TD) and Ahmad Kamara (24-240, 3 TD). ... The Spartans defense gave up 334 yards on the ground in last week’s loss but just as concerning was their special teams, which had three kicks blocked and led to 21 points. ... West Hall is trying to avoid its worst start to a season since opening 0-4 in 2011. For Dawson County, a win would be its first 3-0 start to a season since 2001.
WINDER-BARROW at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- WINDER-BARROW (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Bye last week; defeated Cedar Shoals 14-7 two weeks ago
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (2-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Ranked No. 5 in Class 5A; defeated Clarke Central 28-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 4-2. The two teams met each season from 2010 to 2015 and the last four as region opponents. Winder-Barrow won 24-17 in 2015 in Winder and has won two straight over the Falcons. ... The Falcons defense has been stout so far allowing just 10 ppg and holding Clarke Central’s powerful rushing attack to just over 100 yards last week. Meanwhile, QB Elijah Gainey and WR Jalin Strown have continued to be a potent combination. Strown already has 10 catches foor 259 yards and 3 TDs in the first two games. ... Winder lost 22-19 to Clarke Central in its opener but rebounded with a win last week. The Bulldoggs offense has struggled with some new pieces in place. They are averaging just 143 yards passing and 95 yards a game rushing. The Winder defense, however, has yielded just 29 points (14.5 ppg) with 10 TFL and 6 sacks and three forced turnovers. Sr. DE Logan Cash has 3 TFL and 3 sacks to lead Winder.
WHITE COUNTY at PICKENS
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Dragon Stadium, Jasper
-- RADIO: 93.9 FM
-- WHITE COUNTY (1-1, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Lost 34-20 to Habersham Central last week
-- PICKENS (2-0, 0-0 Region 6-4A): Defeated Pepperell 43-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 22-18-2. Pickens won 13-6 in 2015. They have split the last eight meetings. ... The Dragons are off to their best start since 2015 and have been dominant outscoring their first two opponents 87-20. However, their first two opponents are a combined 0-5 so far. ... The Warriors led 20-0 last week with 10 minutes left in the third quarter before unraveling with two big turnovers as the defense gave up 34 points over the final 22 minutes. ... White County needs a win for some confidence with a brutal 3-game stretch against North Hall (3-0), 2017 Class 4A state runner-up Marist (2-0), and Flowery Branch (2-0) to follow, and the last two to open Region 7-4A play.
