Here's a look at five things we learned from Week 4 of the high school football season...
1. Chestatee offense is sparking to life
The War Eagles may have struggled through the early part of the campaign -- though they did earn a sweet first victory on Friday, fighting back to defeat Fannin County 45-42 on the road after trailing for a large portion of the contest. Even at 1-3, however, Chestatee has kept fighting, and it has flashed the kind of play-making ability to give any defense fits. The War Eagles rolled up 493 total yards on Friday, on the heels of 554 yards two weeks ago versus East Hall, scoring 86 points combined in the process. A big reason for Chestatee's ascent is the play of sophomore quarterback Christian Charles. The dual-threat signal caller has rolled up an astounding 1,030 total yards in each of the last two games, scoring 11 touchdowns in the process. Charles has developed an impressive chemistry with junior receiver Seth Pressley, who has caught 22 passes for 337 yards over the last two games, and Charles' offensive line has given him room to rush for 611 yards. Chestatee opens its Region 7-4A campaign this week, and finding its offensive rhythm could not have come at a better time. And you can be certain this is a group only scratching the surface.
2. Region 8-2A is heavily tilted toward north Georgia
We already knew the road to the Region 8-2A crown went through Tiger. After all, Rabun County owns four straight league titles and reached the Class 2A championship game in 2017. But while we had an idea that Union County and Banks County would be among the front-runners in 8-2A, we were not sure what to expect from the southern half of this vast stretch of a league that reaches from the mountains to middle Georgia. Friday, however, showed that, indeed, the power of the region rests in the mountains. The Panthers and Leopards each flexed their muscles for realtively comfortable wins in road trips to Monticello (38-22) and Social Circle (32-10), respectively. Meanwhile, Rabun County rolled at Putnam County (42-20). Obviously, Elbert County will also have plenty to say about the race to the top of 8-2A, but right now, the road to the playoffs heads north.
3. Jefferson is back in stride
In talking with Dragons coach Gene Cathcart last week, the Jefferson head man discussed his team playing its way into form due in 2018 to a combination of factors through the offseason: A number of football players missing spring ball through prolonged postseasons for the baseball and track and field programs (for which several football players also play), as well as losing the scrimmage due to severe weather. As much as we have seen the Dragons develop into one of the power programs in the state over the last decade, and as much talent as Jefferson possesses, it does not coalesce into a great squad and winning results instantly. It still takes time. That point came home after dropping the season opener to a solid Oconee County team. The point we saw on Friday, however, is that Jefferson is coalescing -- again. The Dragons rolled after a tough early battle with Gainesville, pulling away 42-10, and have dominated their last three finales, winning by an average of 40-8. They also look to be growing comfortable in their identity, as Colby Clark and Kade McNally take on leadership roles, joining with All-State safety Zac Corbin. Jefferson begins region play this week, and if they keep improving at their current rate, we see an impressive return to Region 8-3A -- one that could end up in a mammoth showdown with Monroe Area in five weeks time.
4. North Hall confirms its psychological strength
The Trojans have done a lot to show that they are more than just a collection of talent this season. They also have leadership and experience -- the kind of combination that allows you to make the fourth quarter plays to beat a Class 7A team like North Hall did on Aug. 31 against Cherokee, and the kind that allows you to fight back from a 12-0 first half deficit against one of your oldest and fiercest rivals in White County. The Trojans fought back to score 27 points after the interval on Friday, taking a 27-20 victory in Cleveland to halt what would have been three straight losses in a series now tied at 23-23. WIth the Region 7-3A schedule beginning this week, North Hall finds itself undefeated and, most importantly, tested.
5. Buford ground game still grinding foes to pieces
The Wolves can hit opponents for big plays through the air -- as Xyrie Wilson's impressive, 27-yard touchdown catch from Aaron McLaughlin showed in Friday night's 54-27 defeat of Newton. But when the Wolves needed traction after a slow offensive start -- the Wolves led 7-0 after the first quarter -- and when the Rams came up with a few big plays on offense to keep the game within reach, it was to their traditional bread-and-butter that Buford turned. And, boy, was it comfort food. Running behind a mammoth offensive line, backs Derrian Brown and Elijah Turner took center stage, rushing for 193 and 145 yards, respectively. The duo ripped off touchdown runs of 36, 18, 58 and 48 yards (along with a 2-yard plunge for Turner in the first quarter) to keep the Wolves in firm control. And you can bet when Buford travels to Archer on Friday in a huge non-region showdown with the Class 7A power, it will be that running game that plays a key role once again.
FRIDAY'S AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES
Banks County 32, Social Circle 10
Buford 54, Newton 27
Chestatee 45, Fannin County 42
Commerce 56, Providence 0
Dawson County 38, Denmark 21
George Walton Academy 41, Towns County 7
Jefferson 42, Gainesville 10
Johnson 58, Cross Keys 0
Lanier Christian Academy 41, Holy Spirit Prep 0
Madison County 55, East Jackson 0
North Hall 27, White County 20
Rabun County 42, Putnam County 20
Stephens County 41, Habersham Central 28
Union County 38, Monticello 22
AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR SEPT. 21
Athens Academy at Towns County*
Buford at Archer
Commerce at Madison County
Denmark at Chestatee*
East Hall at Greater Atlanta Christian*
East Jackson at Jefferson*
Flowery Branch at Gainesville
George Walton Academy at Lakeview Academy*
Hart County at Jackson County*
John Hancock at Lanier Christian Academy
Lumpkin County at Dawson County*
Monticello at Rabun County*
North Hall at Cherokee Bluff*
Oglethorpe County at Banks County*
Prince Avenue Christian at Riverside Military*
Putnam County at Union County*
Marist at White County*
West Hall at Blessed Trinity*
*-Indicates region game
