Week 5 may be the first major window into the playoff picture for the 2018 season -- and more than a handful of northeast Georgia teams will be right in the middle of things.
Several huge region matchups are on tap around the area involving ranked teams.
Region 7-4A opens with a bang with Chestatee and White County playing host to key openers against Denmark and No. 2-ranked Marist, respectively, while West Hall travels to No. 1-ranked Blessed Trinity.
Flowery Branch is the only 7-4A team not playing a region tilt, but the Falcons head to rival Gainesville for a huge final non-region showdown at City Park Stadium.
Region 7-3A also gets underway, highlighted by Dawson County playing host to arch-rival Lumpkin County in a battle of power rushing offenses. North Hall will travel to newcomer Cherokee Bluff, while East Hall heads to powerhouse Greater Atlanta Christian.
In Region 8-3A, Jackson County entertains Hart County in a showdown that has decided playoff spots and positioning each of the last two seasons for both teams. Jefferson plays host to county rival East Jackson.
Region 8-2A continues its region schedule, while Region 8-A has some big crossover games before diving into subregion play next week.
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. 21
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
ATHENS ACADEMY at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
-- ATHENS ACADEMY (3-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Ranked No. 2 in Class A, No. 2 in Class A Private power rankings; bye last week; defeated Cherokee Bluff 35-14 on Sept. 7
-- TOWNS COUNTY (2-2, 0-0 Region 8-A): No. 10 in Class A Public power rankings; lost 41-7 to George Walton last week
-- NOTABLE: Athens Academy leads series 16-0. The Spartans won 53-13 in Athens in 2017. ... It is the second straight week the Indians have faced a top 6 team and the Spartans, the 2017 Class A Private state runner-up, offer another huge challenge. ... The Indians’ defense was blitzed early by the Bulldogs as George Walton scored on five consecutive possessions to open the game and put up 318 yards in the first half. The Spartans offense is explosive as well jumping on the Bears for 28 first quarter points behind QB Palmer Bush, who threw two TD passes and had 2 rushing TDs. Payton Bowles returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown. ... Towns is led by Sr. QB Trent Bradshaw, who has 257 yards passing and 238 yards rushing (through 3 games stats). He is completing 63 percent of his passes. Sr. RB Alan Gillis has 237 yards rushing. ... Turnovers have been an issue, however, as the Indians had 6 turnovers in their first three games and are a minus-4 on turnover ratio. ... The key for Towns will be coming out relatively injury free as the critical subregion matchups begin next week.
BUFORD at ARCHER
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Archer Stadium, Lawrenceville
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- BUFORD (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Ranked No. 2 in Class 5A; defeated Newton 54-27 last week
-- ARCHER (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-7A): Defeated Norcross 37-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Both teams come in highly ranked with a wealth of Division I talent on both sides of the ball. Archer’s win last week was the worst loss for the Blue Devils against a Georgia opponent since a 42-0 defeat against Collins Hill in 2010. The Tigers held a good Norcross offense to less than 100 yards for the game. ... It will be a tremendous matchup of the Tigers defense, which has pitched two consecutive shutouts of 2017 playoff teams, and the Wolves offensive line and Derrian Brown, who has over 600 yards and 10 TDs after last week’s 198-yard effort. Elijah Turner rushed for 152 yards and three touchdowns and intercepted a pass in last week’s victory. ... Something will also have to give as the Tigers are 7-1 at home since the start of 2017 season. Buford is 11-1 in its last dozen road contests with its only loss to 2017 Class 5A state champion Rome in last year’s semifinals. ... Buford is 3rd in scoring average in 5A (166, 41.5 ppg) while the Tigers are 3rd in scoring defense in 7A (38, 9.5 ppg). The Wolves are just 9th, however, in defense in 5A (67, 16.7 ppg) while Archer is 4th in scoring in Georgia’s largest classification (149, 37.2 ppg).
COMMERCE at MADISON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Red Raider Stadium, Danielsville
-- COMMERCE (4-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Ranked No. 8 in Class A, No. 3 in Class A Public power rankings; bye last week; defeated Providence Christian 56-0 last week
-- MADISON COUNTY (2-3, 0-0 Region 8-4A): Defeated East Jackson 55-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 33-11. The two teams met every year from 1958 to 1999 but have not met since 2003. Commerce won the last meeting 28-14 in 2003 in Danielsville. The Tigers have won 7 straight in the series with the last Red Raiders win coming in 1994 in Commerce. ... The Tigers have been rolling over everyone behind their patented triple-option attack averaging more than 300 yards on the ground and 40.5 ppg. Commerce had 428 yards rushing, 121 by Caleb Mason on three carries, last week. ... But it has been the defense that has turned heads. They have yielded just 39 points (9.7 ppg). Commerce held Providence to 54 total yards and four first downs and forced five turnovers. ... The Red Raiders offer a similar rushing style pounding out 257 yards a game behind Jr. QB Colby Smith (60-386, 6 TDs) and three other players -- Traveon Lattimore (37-252, 4 TD), Jaylen Sims (32-222), Martavian (19-158) [all stats through just 4 games] -- getting significant carries. ... Defense has been the issue for Madison. In their two wins the Red Raiders have yielded just 14 points. In their three losses they are giving up 31 ppg. ... Madison also is 0-2 a home in 2018 and has lost three straight overall. Commerce has won 6 straight road games and is 8-1 in its last 9 road games going back to the 2016 season.
DENMARK at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 94.5 The Lake
-- DENMARK (3-1, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Lost 38-21 to Dawson County last week
-- CHESTATEE (1-3, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Defeated Fannin County 45-42 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. Region opener for both teams. ... Chestatee begins a brutal 4-game stretch in the region that may decide its playoff fate. The War Eagles follow the Danes with Marist, Flowery Branch, and Blessed Trinity and the four have a combined 13-2 record. ... The War Eagles snapped their 7-game losing streak going back to last season and also seem to have found an offensive identity, namely in So. QB Christian Charles, scoring 86 points (43 ppg) in their last two contests after scoring just 7 total points in their first two games. ... Charles, behind an improving offensive line, is establishing himself as one of the most dynamic players in the state. His 834 yards rushing (208.5/ypg) and 11 TDs is among the state leaders and he has 536 yards passing. The combined 1,370 yards is an astounding 90 percent of the Chestatee total yardage so far on the season. He will need some help against a Danes defense that is allowing just 18.2 ppg. ... Jr. WR Seth Pressley has 30 catches for 374 yards for Chestatee. ... Denmark is in its first season of varsity play and come out strong with 3 wins to open the season but after averaging 41 ppg in its first two games, both wins, the Danes have scored 28 points in their last two contests. ... Denmark LB Nick Carozza had 12 tackles, one for a loss, forced a fumble, broke up a pass and blocked a punt against Dawson County. ... The Chestatee defense, however, has yielded 219 points (54.7 ppg) so far. The War Eagles also are minus-5 in turnover ratio.
EAST HALL at GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartan Sports Complex, Norcross
-- EAST HALL (1-3, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Bye last week; defeated Chestatee 56-41 on Sept. 7
-- GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN (2-2, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Ranked No. 5 in Class 3A; defeated Class 4A No. 6 Thomson 42-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: GAC leads series 6-0. The Spartans won 59-0 in 2017 in Norcross. It has not been a close series with only one game being decided by 7 points or less. ... Region opener for both teams. ... This is first of two consecutive games against ranked teams for East Hall. ... The Vikings, who have been battling a ton of early-season injuries, got their first win for Scott Patrick two weeks ago. Sr. RBs Kylan Curry and Gimel Patta had over 200 yards rushing combined and TD runs of 20, 18, 65 and 78 yards between them. Sr. QB Zander Mann completed 12 of 20 passes for 265 yards and 4 TDs for the Vikings as well. ... But they’ll be challenged by a Spartans defense that has yielded just 70 points (17.5 ppg) against four ranked teams. The GAC offense is not as explosive as in years past but they throttled a solid Bulldogs defense last week piling up nearly 400 yards. ... The Spartans could be caught looking ahead to a monster showdown with North Hall next week at The Brickyard. ... GAC didn't punt and got great games from its QB pair of Josh Rose (10-of-14 passing, 156 yards) and Jackson Hardy (8-of-13, 116). Ty James had nine catches for 160 yards and a touchdown.
EAST JACKSON at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- EAST JACKSON (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Lost 55-0 to Madison County last week
-- JEFFERSON (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Ranked No. 8 in Class 3A; defeated Gainesville 42-10 last week
-- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads series 6-0. First meeting since 2015. The Dragons wn 49-0 in 2015 in Commerce. ... Jefferson has dominated the series outscoring the Eagles 279-43 with three shutouts. It should be another tough matchup for East Jackson, which has surrendered 154 points (38.5 ppg), the 4th-most in Class 3A. Meanwhile, the Jefferson offense has found its stride since a season-opening loss to Oconee County (20-13). The Dragons are averaging 40.3 ppg since, led by a punishing ground game behind Jr. QB Colby Clark and Jr. RB Kade McNally, who are combining for nearly 200 yards a game rushing over their past three games. ... The Jefferson defense, which sits 6th in 3A (43 points, 10.7 ppg) allowed just 23 points (7.6 ppg) in wins over West Hall, Southside (S.C.), and Gainesville. The Eagles offense has scored just 20 points (5.0 ppg) which is tied for last in Class 3A, and been shutout twice in their first four games.
FLOWERY BRANCH at GAINESVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (3-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Ranked No. 5 in Class 4A; bye last week; defeated Winder-Barrow 23-7 on Sept. 7
-- GAINESVILLE (0-4, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Lost 42-10 to Jefferson last week
-- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 10-3. Gainesville won 29-26 in 2015 at City Park. The Red Elephants have won 3 straight in the series. Gainesville is 6-1 all-time against the Branch at City Park, with the Falcons’ only win coming in 2007. ... As difficult as Region 8-6A has been over the years, the Red Elephants may be glad to get to region play next week. Gainesville wraps up a ridiculous non-region schedule against the Falcons and the five non-region opponents for Gainesville are 16-4 heading into this week. Last week’s loss gave Gainesville its first 0-4 start since 1964 and the Red Elephants have never opened a season 0-5 in their storied history. ... The Falcons are looking for their first 4-0 start since Lee Shaw’s last season in 2011 when they opened 9-0. ... It will be another huge challenge for the Red Elephants as the Falcons have yielded the 3rd-fewest points in Class 4A (27, 9.0 ppg) and allowed just 148 total yards, including a paltry 24 rush yards, to a good Bulldoggs offense two weeks ago. The Flowery Branch offense is averaging 40 ppg behind QB Elijah Gainey, WR Jalin Strown, and RB Jaizen Ellingham, who is averaging 108 ypg and has 3 straight 100-yard games rushing on the season. ... The Red Elephants had a 10-7 lead late in the first half last week but collapsed the rest of the way surrendering 35 consecutive points. Gainesville RB Quintavious Haynes finished with 115 yards rushing on 25 attempts but 101 of those came in the first half.
GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Jock Horner Field, Gainesville
-- GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY (4-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): No. 6 in Class A Private power rankings; defeated Towns County 41-6 last week
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-3, 0-0 Region 8-A): Bye last week; lost 40-0 to St. Francis on Sept. 7
-- NOTABLE: George Walton leads series 4-0. The Bulldogs won 49-35 in 2017 in Gainesville. All four meetings have been since 2014. ... The Lions played the Bulldogs tough over the last two seasons but that was with Alec Bornhorst running the offense. Lakeview is rebuilding behind a young group and is still looking for consistency having scored just 7 total points in its last two contests. ... And as if the schedule couldn’t get any tougher, the Bulldogs are the first of three highly-ranked teams over the next five weeks and the first of five straight opponents that are a combined 14-4 so far in 2018. ... The George Walton offense is averaging 31.7 ppg and last week scored on five consecutive possessions behind Darius Barnum, who rushed for 93 yards on just three carries. Andre Payne rushed for 63 yards on two carries, both for touchdowns. ... The Lions defense is yielding 33.3 ppg.
HART COUNTY at JACKSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Panther Stadium, Jefferson
-- HART COUNTY (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Bye last week; defeated Madison County 24-14 on Sept. 7
-- JACKSON COUNTY (2-2, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Bye last week; lost 16-0 to Class 6A Apalachee on Sept. 7
-- NOTABLE: Hart County leads series 14-1. The Bulldogs won 44-14 in 2017. The Panthers only win, however, came in 2016 (18-14) in Jefferson. ... The two teams have played every season since 2007 and it has been a series dominated by the Bulldogs. But the last time the two teams met at Panther Stadium in 2016, Jackson County notched its first-ever win in the series (18-14). ... It has been a hit-or-miss season so far for the Panthers. Both of their wins came in shutout victories over Banks County and Lumpkin County. But their two losses to North Hall and Apalachee were also by shutout. ... Do not expect an offensive shootout as both teams have struggled scoring. Jackson County is tied for 33rd out of 57 Class 3A teams (68 points, 17 ppg) and Hart County is 36th (58 points, 14.5 ppg). Jr. QB Tyler Wester has accounted for 530 (410 rushing, 120 passing) of the Panthers’ 793 total yards and 8 of their 9 offensive touchdowns on the season. ... The difference may be the Panthers defense, which has two shutouts on the season and has given up just 51 points (12.7 ppg) which is good for 8th-best in 3A. The Bulldogs have allowed 92 points (23 ppg) on defense.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: www.nogasportslink.com
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (2-2, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Bye last week; defeated Gilmer 23-13 on Sept. 7
-- DAWSON COUNTY (4-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Ranked No. 9 in Class 3A; defeated Denmark 38-21 last week
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 19-19-2. Dawson County won 42-21 in 2017 in Dahlonega. The Tigers have won 8 of the last 10 matchups going back to 2004. ... Region opener for both teams. ... It is the 3rd time the two teams have played in Dawsonville in the last 4 meetings. Tiger Stadium has been a house of horrors in the 21st Century for the Indians, who have lost 7 straight in Dawsonville. The last Lumpkin win at Tiger Stadium was in 1998, 31-10. However, both of Lumpkin’s wins in 2018 have been on the road. ... A pair of power rushing teams will slug it out as the Indians are averaging 237 yards a game behind Sr. RB Luke Smith (49-448, 5 TDs) and Jr. RB Kevin Harkins (22-205, 1 TD). The Indians have just 86 yards passing on the season. ... The Tigers are averaging 43.2 ppg and over 400 yards rushing a game behind the dynamic duo of Sr. QB SeVaughn Clark (62-397, 8 TDs rush; 391 yards, 4 TD passing) and Ahmad Kamara (51-480, 5 TDs rush). They aren’t the only weapons, however, as Shawn Thomas, Evan Abernathy, Ethan Cameron, and Isaiah Grindle all have over 100 yards rushing on the season. ... The Tigers are second in Class 3A in scoring (43.2 ppg) and the defense is allowing just 15.7 ppg. Lumpkin is yielding 24.5 ppg on defense.
MARIST at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warriors Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: 93.9 FM
-- MARIST (3-1, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Ranked No. 6 in Class 4A; lost 17-0 to St. Pius last week
-- WHITE COUNTY (1-3, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Lost 27-20 to North Hall last week
-- NOTABLE: Marist leads the series 2-0. The War Eagles won 35-7 in 2017 and 35-0 in 2016. Region opener for both teams. ... Marist had its 15-game regular season win streak snapped last week. White County has dropped three straight for the first time under Tim Cokely, but the War Eagles completed a very tough non-region schedule against teams that are 13-4 on the season. ... The War Eagles, who finished as Class 4A state runners-up in 2017, may offer their biggest challenge yet. Marist allowed just 14.5 ppg in a non-region schedule that featured three top five teams. However, Marist is averaging just 23.2 ppg on offense. ... White County is yielding 27.5 ppg on defense and is scoring 28.7 ppg but turnovers and key penalties have halted several potential scoring drives during the losing streak. ... White County So. QB J Ben Haynes has not been able to find a consistent groove as the running game, which averaged well over 200 yards a game in 2017 behind Kaleb Crane, is managing just 159 yards in 2018. Haynes has thrown for 847 yards and 5 TDs but also has 5 INTs and is completing just 48.6 percent of his passes through the first four games. ... After going 4-2 at home in 2017 the Warriors are 0-2 at Warrior Stadium so far in 2018. Marist has won an astounding 11-straight road games going back to a 32-0 loss to Woodward Academy in 2016. ... Marist was shut out at home for the first time since 2001 and held to 165 yards of total offense.
MONTICELLO at RABUN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Fank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
-- MONTICELLO (1-3, 0-1 Region 8-2A): Lost 38-22 to Union County last week
-- RABUN COUNTY (3-1, 1-0 Region 8-2A): Ranked No. 5 in Class 2A; defeated Putnam County 42-20 last week
-- NOTABLE: Monticello leads series 4-2. Rabun County won 52-7 in 2017. The Wildcats have won two straight since the series resumed in 2016. The last Monticello win came in 1995, 28-0, in Tiger. ... After a slow start, Rabun County is now 4th in scoring in Class 2A (145, 36.2 ppg) behind Fr. QB Gunner Stockton and SR. WR Austin Jones. The Monticello defense has yielded just 90 points (22.5 ppg) but gave up a season-high last week to the Panthers, who run a similar spread attack. ... The Wildcats defense has been vulnerable allowing 22.2 ppg (they allowed just 11.6 ppg in all of 2017) but the Purple Hurricanes have scored just 70 points (17.5 ppg) on the season. Sr. QB Jaymerious Fleetwood, however, is a dual-threat with 337 yards passing and 256 yards rushing on the season. They are minus-2, however, on turnover ratio and have scored just 21 total points the last two seasons vs. the Wildcats.
NORTH HALL at CHEROKEE BLUFF
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Bears Field, Flowery Branch
-- NORTH HALL (4-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Defeated White County 27-20 least week
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (0-4, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Bye last week; lost 35-14 to Class A No. 3-ranked Athens Academy on Sept. 7
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Bluff is still in its inaugural season but put up a good showing against the Class A Private state runner-up Spartans two weeks ago. The offense has begun to show signs averaging 13.5 ppg the last two contests after the Bears were shut out in their first two games. The defense, which is giving up 36.2 ppg, will be challenged once again.... The Trojans are 4th in Class 3A in offense (152 points, 38 ppg) and 7th in defense (44 points, 11 ppg). ... North Hall is off to its best since opening the 2013 season with six straight wins. The main reason is the Trojans may have their most explosive offensive group since then. They are averaging 236 yards a game and 8.9 yards a carry in their vaunted wing-T led by Sr. QB David Seavey, who is a wizard in finding the correct read of the defense. Seavey (17-130, 5 TDs), Daniel Jackson (25-349, 5 TDs), Drew Faulkner (35-218, 3 TDs), and J.T. Fair (18-153) all have over 100 yards on the young season. ... North Hall will have to stay focused and not look ahead to next week’s monster showdown with GAC at The Brickyard in what is expected to be the first major skirmish for the 7-3A title.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY at BANKS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Leopards Stadium, Homer
-- OGLETHORPE COUNTY (0-4, 0-1 Region 8-2A): Lost 48-10 to Elbert County last week
-- BANKS COUNTY (2-2, 1-0 Region 8-2A): Defeated Social Circle 32-10 last week
-- NOTABLE: Oglethorpe County leads series 10-9. The Leopards won 38-14 in 2017 in Lexington. Banks County has won two straight and 5 of the last 7 since 2003. The last Patriots win in the series came in 2009 in Homer. ... After a rough start to the season while breaking in a new wing-T offense in back-to-back shutouts, the Leopards seem to have worked out the kinks scoring 82 points in their last two games, both wins. The Patriots defense is 9th-worst in Class 2A allowing 131 points (32.7 ppg). ... Oglethorpe is just 1-11 in its last 12 road games. ... The Banks County defense has been solid all season allowing just 70 points (17.5 ppg) while Oglethorpe has scored just 24 total points (6.0 ppg) so far. ... The Leopards cannot be caught looking ahead to next week’s huge showdown with Rabun County at home.
PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN at RIVERSIDE MILITARY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
-- PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN (4-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Ranked No. 4 in Class A, No. 3 in Class A Private power rankings; bye last week; defeated Providence Christian 63-7 on Sept. 7
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (1-2, 0-0 Region 8-A): No. 22 in Class A Private power rankings; bye last week; lost 30-14 to Class 5A Johnson on Sept. 7
-- NOTABLE: Prince Avenue leads series 4-0. The Wolverines won 56-13 in 2017 in Athens. ... The Eagles continue a brutal non-subregion schedule with their second top 3 team in Class A, not to mention Johnson, whose combined records are 12-1. ... The RMA defense is surrendering just 20 ppg so far but the Wolverines are averaging nearly 500 yards of offense behind So. QB Brock Vandagriff (65-100, 1,102 yards, 9 TD, 3 INT; (34-253, 5 TD rush), which is 2nd in Class A (197, 49.2 ppg). ... The Wolverines defense also have been ballhawks forcing 10 turnovers (6 fumbles). The Eagles are averaging 18.7 ppg on offense behind Sr. QB Isaac Teasley (20-42, 352 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT; 33-186, 2 TD rush). Sr. WR Khalid Duke has not been able to get unleashed offensively with just 197 total yards on 13 touches with no TDs but he does have a punt return for a touchdown. So. RB Dylan Parr has 115 yards on 13 carries and is averaging 8.8 yards a carry. ... Both teams open subregion play next week.
PUTNAM COUNTY at UNION COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Blairsville
-- PUTNAM COUNTY (1-3, 0-1 Region 8-2A): Lost 42-20 to Rabun County last week
-- UNION COUNTY (4-0, 1-0 Region 8-2A): Defeated Monticello 38-22 last week
-- NOTABLE: Putnam County leads series 2-0. The two teams have not met since 2007. The War Eagles won 43-41 in 2007 and 14-13 in 2006. ... This may be the week the Panthers get their first win in the series. Union County is No. 1 in scoring in Class 2A (167 points, 41.7 ppg) while the War Eagles have given up the 7th-most points (138, 34.5 ppg) in the classification. ... The Panthers are led by Jr. QB Pierson Allison, who is completing 71 percent of his passes for 931 yards and 5 TDs to just 1 INT on the season. He also has 249 yards and 5 TDs rushing. Sr. RB Chad Buzzard leads the team in rushing with 304 yards and 7 TDs. ... Defensively Union County has given up the 7th-fewest points (42, 10.5 ppg) while Putnam is averaging 20.7 ppg on the season. ... The Panthers are looking for their first 5-0 start since opening the 2015 campaign with 7 straight wins. However, they can’t afford to look ahead to next week’s monster showdown with Elbert County at the Granite Bowl.
WEST HALL at BLESSED TRINITY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Blessed Trinity Stadium, Roswell
-- WEST HALL (1-3, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Bye last week; lost 45-14 to Dawson County on Sept. 7
-- BLESSED TRINITY (4-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Ranked No. 1 in Class 4A; bye last week; defeated Benedictine 38-7 on Sept. 7
-- NOTABLE: Blessed Trinity leads series 2-0. Both meetings have come since 2016. The Titans won 44-21 in 2017. Region opener for both teams. ... The Titans are nearly unbeatable at home having won 28 of their last 29 games at Blessed Trinity Stadium. Their only loss in that span was to then-No. 1 Marist in 2017. West Hall, meanwhile has lost 5 of its last 6 on the road. ... The Titans are not running over people averaging just 330 total yards a game but Sr. RB Steele Chambers has 420 yards and 11 TDs with a pair of 100-yard games already. The Spartans defense is yielding 34 ppg and has struggled against power rushing teams. ... West Hall has scored the fewest points in Region 7-4A (80, 20 ppg) while the Titans have surrendered just 47 points (11.7 ppg). The Titans defense also has a whopping 26.5 TFL and 8 sacks and Blessed Trinity is plus-7 in turnover ratio on the season.
