WEEK 10: Still plenty to play for with only two weeks left to go

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter

Posted 7:25PM on Friday, October 31, 2014

There are only two weeks left in the 2014 regular season -- and yet there is plenty left to play for, even now. Region titles, playoff spots and pride are all on the line tonight in yet another big week of regular season action. Every region features at least one intriguing showdown -- whether it is 7-AAAAAA, 6-AAAAAA, 8-AAAAA, 8-AAAA, 8-AAA, 7-AAA, 8-AA or 8-A. And yet only one of those regions features a game where the winner takes home a title. The Region 8-AAAAA showdown between Winder-Barrow and Lanier sets up very nicely indeed: A win for the Longhorns yields their first region crown, while a win for the Bulldoggs secures their first playoff berth since 2003. Other teams can clinch region crowns on Friday, but it would take multiple results to obtain a title -- and there are plenty of contests with postseason implications. For instance, Mill Creek will travel to Norcross in Region 7-AAAAAA in a game between two playoff hopefuls that still have region championship capabilities. Meanwhile, Region 8-AAAA includes a big contest between North Oconee and Stephens County, as the Indians look to keep their region record spotless before a season-ending showdown with Buford. Region 8-AAA contains a key battle between Jefferson and Oconee County, as the Dragons look to stay undefeated against a Warriors team that has been one of the stories in the entire state. Jefferson faces a season-ending showdown at Hart County next week (also undefeated). Region 7-AAA features a number of playoff-tinged contests. West Hall will travel to Banks County looking to increase its lead at the top of the standings -- a win over the Leopards and a Dawson County victory at Lumpkin County could clinch a region crown. Yet the Indians will be looking to set up a winner-take-all battle with the Spartans next week when they play host to the Tigers. East Hall and Fannin County will also look to stay in the thick of the postseason hunt when they tangle in Blue Ridge. Union County will look to bounce back from its first defeat -- after a week off -- when the Panthers travel to battle Riverside Military in Region 8-AA. And, Commerce will also look to keep pace in a current three-way tie for first in Region 8-A when it takes on George Walton. For a look at all of the night's contests involving area teams, simply scroll down. And be sure to check back with Access North Georgia and our <a href="http://www.accessnorthga.com/s15-football-central.php">Friday Game Night</a> page throughout the night for score updates and game stories and video highlights. You can also check for scores and highlights on our Twitter feed <a href="https://twitter.com/">@FridayGameNight</a> HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR Oct. 31 CEDAR SHOALS at APALACHEE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: R. Harold Harrison Stadium, Winder -- CEDAR SHOALS (0-8, 0-7 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 61-26 last week to Gainesville. -- APALACHEE (0-8, 0-7 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 35-28 to Heritage, Conyers last week. -- NOTABLE: Apalachee leads series, 4-2. Cedar Shoals won 35-6 last year. ... The loser will be in the cellar in the region with the loss. The Wildcats are also looking to snap an 18-game losing streak. Cedar Shoals is working on a 9-game losing streak. ... Both teams are averaging right at 20 ppg but Apalachee has given up the most points in the region with 308 (38.5 ppg). The Jaguars are not much better defensively yielding 34.3 ppg on the season. COMMERCE at GEORGE WALTON -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Keith Henderson Stadium, Monroe -- COMMERCE (6-2, 5-1 Region 8-A): Beat Towns County 58-0 last week. -- GEORGE WALTON (5-3, 4-2 Region 8-A): Beat Hebron Christian 21-17 last week. -- NOTABLE: George Walton leads series 3-1. Commerce won 31-21 last year. ... This game probably won't move the Tigers in the power ratings (5th in public standings) no matter the outcome, but it has trap potential as the Bulldogs are sitting 19th in the power ratings in the private standings and need a win. ... George Walton has won 4 of 5 since a slow start but has not beaten a team with a winning record. ... The Commerce offense may peaking averaging 44.6 ppg over its last three games. The Bulldogs defense has allowed just 21 ppg. DAWSON COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega -- DAWSON COUNTY (1-7, 1-4 Region 7-AAA): Lost 27-21 to Banks County last week. -- LUMPKIN COUNTY (4-4, 3-1 Region 7-AAA): Off last week. Lost 49-46 to Banks County two weeks ago -- NOTABLE: Lumpkin County leads series 18-16-2. Dawson County won 27-13 last year. ... The Tigers have owned the series of late winning 5 of the last 6. But Lumpkin County is fighting for a region title this year and has had two weeks to ruminate over a tough loss to Banks County and Dawson County is still fighting injuries. ... Lumpkin still has a chance to win the region but will need some help. The Indians need to win out and need Banks County to knock off West Hall Friday, which would set up a one-game showdown with the Spartans next week for the title. A West Hall win over Banks County, however, would seal the region title for the Spartans. ... West Hall is the only team to clinch a playoff spot and Lumpkin County leads a pack of four teams within one game of each other for the three other spots with two games to play. .. The key matchup with be the Lumpkin offense vs. the Dawson defense. The Indians are averaging 36.2 ppg in region play while the Tigers are yielding 23 ppg on the season. EAST HALL at FANNIN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge -- RADIO: AM 550 -- EAST HALL (4-4, 2-2 Region 7-AAA): Beat Franklin County 34-7 last week. -- FANNIN COUNTY (4-4, 2-2 Region 7-AAA): Lost 49-0 to West Hall last week. -- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 6-4. The Vikings won 55-20 last year. ... Huge game for both teams as they are locked in a five-team duel for three playoff spots. The winner is still alive while the loser is out of any chance for the playoffs. Expect a shootout in the mountains. ... East Hall is on an upward trend having won 3 of its last 4 games behind Devin Watson, last week's National Bank of Georgia Player of the Week. The Vikings offense has found its groove averaging 33.6 ppg over their last five games. ... But the key may be the Fannin offense. The Rebels are 4-0 when scoring 30 or more points and 0-4 when scoring less than 30. The East Hall defense has had its share of problems this year yielding 28.7 ppg. The Rebels defense has not been much better allowing 27.1 ppg. EAST JACKSON at ELBERT COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: The Granite Bowl, Elberton -- EAST JACKSON (1-8, 0-5 Region 8-AAA): Lost 35-15 to Jackson County last week. -- ELBERT COUNTY (5-3, 2-2 Region 8-AAA): Beat Morgan County 41-7 last week. -- NOTABLE: Elbert County leads series 4-0. The Blue Devils won 54-3 last year. ... This has been a lopsided series with Elbert County outscoring the Eagles 161-19 in the four games. It may be more of the same as Elbert's offense is rolling again averaging 41.5 ppg in a two-game winning streak. The Eagles defense is yielding just under 40 ppg on the season. ... The Blue Devils are sitting fourth in the region standings but could still catch Oconee County for third. The two teams meet in the season finale next week. FLOWERY BRANCH at SALEM -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Evans Stadium, Conyers -- FLOWERY BRANCH (4-4, 3-4 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Loganville 29-14 last week. -- SALEM (5-3, 5-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 42-35 to Lanier last week. -- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 4-0. The Falcons won 38-7 last year. ... Despite sitting tied for fifth place and two games behind for the fourth playoff position, the Falcons are still alive in the playoff race. They will need to win out and get some help. It will be tough with Gainesville to follow next week. Salem also has winless Cedar Shoals left but Winder-Barrow has Lanier and Heritage and the Falcons own the head to head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bulldoggs in the event of a tie. ... Flowery Branch has played much better of late putting together a two-game win streak. But, the Seminoles feature a high-powered spread attack that has given the Falcons trouble this season. ... A loss for the Falcons and they would be eliminated. FRANKLIN COUNTY at JOHNSON -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood -- FRANKLIN COUNTY (2-6, 1-4 Region 7-AAA): Lost 34-7 to East Hall last week. -- JOHNSON (2-6, non-region schedule): Off last week. Lost 42-23 to East Hall two weeks ago. -- NOTABLE: Franklin County leads series 9-4-1 but it is the first meeting since 1999. The Lion won 42-14 in 1999. ... Two teams headed in opposite directions. Johnson had its two-game win streak snapped by East Hall while Franklin County has dropped four straight. ... The Knights offense has improved each of its last three games averaging 17.3 ppg in that span after scoring just 36 total points in their first five games (7.2 ppg). The Lions defense is yielding 26.8 ppg on the season. ... Franklin County is scoring just 11.7 ppg in its losing streak. ... A win for Johnson would eclipse last year's win total. LOGANVILLE at GAINESVILLE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville -- RADIO: 1240 AM -- LOGANVILLE (4-4, 3-4 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 29-14 to Flowery Branch last week. -- GAINESVILLE (6-2, 6-1 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Cedar Shoals 61-26 last week. -- NOTABLE: Loganville leads series 7-2. Gainesville won 63-0 last year, its first win over the Red Devils since 1996. ... The Elephants need one more win to clinch no worse than second place in the region. They still have a shot at the region title but would need to win out and have Lanier drop its final two games of the season. ... This has danger written all over it, however. The Red Devils have played the top teams tough and are 3-1 in games decided by 11-points or less this season. Gainesville could be caught looking ahead to next week's showdown with rival Flowery Branch. ... Gainesville's Mikey Gonzalez last week broke the school-record for most passing yardage in a single game with 457 yards. The previous record was held by Deshuan Watson with 433 against South Paulding. Also, Messiah Dorsey last week broke the school-record for most receiving yardage in a single game also with 234 yards. ... The Red Devils are 4-0 against teams with losing records and 0-4 vs. teams with winning records this season. MADISON COUNTY at BUFORD -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford -- MADISON COUNTY (5-3, 3-2 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 31-10 to Stephens County last week. -- BUFORD (8-0, 5-0 Region 8-AAAA): Beat North Oconee 58-3 last week. Ranked No. 1 in Class AAAA. -- NOTABLE: Buford leads series 2-0. The Wolves won last meeting 41-8 in 2003. ... The Wolves can wrap up at least no worse than second in the region with a win. The Red Raiders are fighting for their playoff lives. They must win 1 of their last 2 games and hope for a White County loss to get in. They close out the season against North Oconee on the road. ... Buford does not want a letdown with a potential one-game showdown with Stephens County next week for the region title on the line. Don't expect one. ... The Wolves trounced a good North Oconee team that had allowed just 77 total points until last week. The Buford defense is equally devastating yielding just 32 total points (6.4 ppg) in region contests. MEADOWCREEK at NORTH GWINNETT -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Suwannee -- MEADOWCREEK (1-7, 0-5 Region 7-AAAAAA): Lost 42-0 to Mountain View last week. -- NORTH GWINNETT (6-2, 4-1 Region 7-AAAAAA): Beat Duluth 71-24 last week. Ranked No. 7 in Class AAAAAA. -- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 4-0. The Bulldogs won 63-0 last year. ... The Bulldogs are locked in a four-way tie for first place with two games left. They own tiebreakers over Peachtree Ridge, Mill Creek, and Collins Hill but need to win out and hope for another Norcross loss to win the region title. ... North Gwinnett's offense continues to blister opponents scoring 122 points the past two weeks. It could be another blowout as the Mustangs have allowed a whopping 50 ppg on the season. John Urzua had 7 TD passes, five to Josh Imatorbhebhe, in last week's win. MILL CREEK at NORCROSS -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Norcross Stadium, Norcross -- MILL CREEK (5-3, 4-1 Region 7-AAAAAA): Beat Collins Hill 51-7 last week. -- NORCROSS (6-2, 4-1 Region 7-AAAAAA): Lost 35-2 to Peachtree Ridge last week. -- NOTABLE: Norcross leads series 8-0. The Blue devils won 27-13 last year. ... This could be one of the more interesting matchups in the state this week. If the Hawks ever felt they had a chance to finally get that first elusive win over the Blue Devils, this could be the week. Mill Creek is playing as well as anyone on the state over the past three weeks outscoring the opposition 169-21 in that span. ... The Norcross offense has been a little Jekyll-and-Hyde this year. The Blue Devils have been shutout twice in two losses and scored 21 or less in three other games. On defense, the 35 points last week is the most they have allowed in a game this season. In five games they have yielded 10 points or less with two shutouts. ... A loss for Norcross could put the two-time defending state champions facing a must-win next week against Collins Hill just to get in the playoffs. The Hawks face a similar scenario as well with a finale against Peachtree Ridge looming. NORTH FORSYTH at HABERSHAM CENTRAL -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Mt. Airy -- RADIO: 99.3 FM -- NORTH FORSYTH (1-7, 1-6 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost 27-3 to Centennial last week. -- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (0-8, 0-7 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost 42-14 to John's Creek last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... This is a battle to stay out of the cellar in 6-AAAAAA. Habersham nearly broke its now 20-game losing streak two weeks ago before a late Centennial rally. ... Habersham may have a slight advantage scoring nearly double the points as north Forsyth (118-60) on the season. But neither team has been able to stop anybody on defense. Habersham has given up 44.5 ppg while North Forsyth has yielded 34 ppg on defense. ... Habersham has found the going rough since moving up to Class AAAAAA going 1-27 in two-plus seasons. NORTH HALL at CHESTATEE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville -- RADIO: 102.9 FM -- NORTH HALL (1-7, 1-4 Region 8-AAAA): Beat Monroe Area 38-35 last week. -- CHESTATEE (1-7, 0-5 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 50-28 last week to White County. -- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 11-1, The Trojans won 33-15 last year and have won eight straight over the War Eagles. Chestatee's only win in the series came in 2005, 17-10, at The Brickyard. ... Despite the lopsided nature of the series, it is one of the fiercest rivalries in north Georgia. Both teams lost a ton of talent to graduation and came into the season young and inexperienced. ... Chestatee has played well the last three weeks having the lead in all three before wearing down in the second half. The War Eagles have averaged 27.6 ppg over that span after scoring 38 total points in their first five games. ... The Trojans snapped a 9-game losing streak last week with their biggest offensive output of the season. After scoring just 35 points in their first six games, the Trojans have averaged 27.5 ppg over their last two. ... However, both teams have struggled mightily on defense. Chestatee is yielding 42.2 ppg while North Hall has allowed 45.2 ppg on the season. NORTH OCONEE at STEPHENS COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: The Reservation, Toccoa -- NORTH OCONEE (5-3, 4-1 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 58-3 to Buford last week. -- STEPHENS COUNTY (7-1, 5-0 Region 8-AAAA): Beat Madison County 31-10 last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Neither team can afford a letdown now. Stephens County can set up a one-game showdown for the region title next week against Buford with a win Friday. However, North Oconee could still finish second with a win over the Indians and a win over Madison County next week. ... The game could be an offensive shootout or a defensive struggle. The Indians are averaging 37.6 ppg while the Titans are averaging 26.3 ppg despite last week's output. ... Defensively Stephens County has given up just 20 ppg in region contests while North Oconee has allowed just 36 total pouints in the region to teams other than Buford. ... A key for the Indians will be slowing down RB Kawon Bryant, who had his 100-yards per game streak snapped last week at five. OCONEE COUNTY at JEFFERSON -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson -- OCONEE COUNTY (7-1, 3-1 Region 8-AAA): Lost 49-21 to Hart County last week. -- JEFFERSON (8-0, 4-0 Region 8-AAA): Off last week. Beat East Jackson 63-0 two weeks ago. Ranked No. 4 in Class AAA. -- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads series 9-7 but the two teams have not met since 1987, a 21-13 Oconee County win. The Warriors have won five straight in the series. The last Jefferson win came in 1980, 19-7 in Jefferson. ... This is a matchup that actually has lopsided potential, despite the records. The Dragons are averaging 46.2 ppg while the Warriors have given up 33.6 ppg over their past three games on defense. ... It also could be a trap for Jefferson. A Dragons win would clinch no worse than second place. They finish the season with a titanic showdown with Hart County next week in Hartwell. Oconee County is averaging more than 35 ppg over its last 5 games so a letdown by Jefferson could spell trouble. PRINCE AVENUE at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Lakeview Stadium, Gainesville -- PRINCE AVENUE (6-2, 5-1 Region 8-A): Beat Towns County 40-7 last week. -- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (3-5, 2-3 Region 8-A): Lost 40-0 to Athens Christian last week. -- NOTABLE: Prince Avenue leads series 4-0, The Wolverines won 42-7 in last meeting in 2011. ... Lakeview sits 26th in the private power rankings but has a chance to climb into the top 16 in the final two weeks. A win over Prince Avenue and Commerce down the stretch may be enough to crack into the play off race. But it will a tough road. ... Prince Avenue is averaging over 32 ppg while Lakeview is yielding 25.5 ppg. The Lions change to a spread offense had been working averaging 27.5 ppg until last week's shutout loss. RB Tae Turner is the key for Lakeview and he will need a big game on Friday. ... Lakeview is 3-0 at home this season. Prince Avenue is 4-0 on the road this season. TOWNS COUNTY at PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Providence Stadium, Lilburn -- TOWNS COUNTY (1-8, 1-6 Region 8-A): Lost 58-0 to Commerce last week. -- PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN (0-8, 0-6 Region 8-A): Lost 60-0 to Athens Academy last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Towns County is trying to snap a 6-game losing streak and end the season on a positive note in its season finale. ... It's hard to know what to expect in this one. Neither team has put big numbers on offense. The Indians are averaging just 9.5 ppg while Providence is averaging just 7.1 ppg. But neither defense has been able to stop anybody. Towns is yielding 40 ppg and the Stars are giving up 43 ppg. UNION COUNTY at RIVERSIDE MILITARY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Maginnis Field, Gainesville -- UNION COUNTY (7-1, 3-1 Region 8-AA): Off last week. Lost 45-31 to Rabun County two weeks ago. -- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (2-6, 1-3 Region 8-AA): Lost 24-7 to Greene County last week. -- NOTABLE: Union County leads series 4-2. The Panthers won 40-24 last year. ... Union County has had two weeks to recover from its loss to Rabun, which was for the region title. The Panthers cannot afford a letdown against a Riverside team that has played the top teams tough. ... Riverside is still alive for a playoff spot and could sneak in with a win over Union and Social Circle next week and the Panthers dropping their last two games. ... Union is tied with Greene County for second place and needs a win with Washington-Wilkes coming to Blairsville next week with playoff implications in that game as well. ... The Panthers offense has been solid all season scoring at least 28 points in every game and averaging 42.5 ppg on the season. But the Eagles have given up just 112 points all year (14.0 ppg) the second lowest in the region and no more than 24 in any game in 2014. ... The Eagles offense, however, has struggled scoring just 89 points (11.1 ppg) on the season. WEST HALL at BANKS COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Leopards Stadium, Homer -- WEST HALL (7-1, 4-0 Region 7-AAA): Beat Fannin County 49-0 last week. -- BANKS COUNTY (5-3, 2-2 Region 7-AAA): Beat Dawson County 27-21 last week. -- NOTABLE: Series is tied 2-2. West Hall won 48-13 last year and has won the past two meetings. ... Both teams have a lot to play for. A West Hall win would clinch the region title while a Banks County win would keep the Leopards alive for the region title with some held. A Banks loss, however, would put its playoff hopes in jeopardy with five teams within one game for three playoff spots. Banks County does hold the tiebreaker over Lumpkin County and closes out the season next week against East Hall, which is also fighting for a playoff spot. ... The key will be if the Banks County offense can find a way to crack the Spartans defense. West Hall has allowed just 37 total points in region contests (9.2 ppg). The Leopards are averaging 29.5 ppg on the season so something will have to give. ... West Hall RB Kwon Williams has been a workhorse of late with over 300 yards and 6 TDs rushing the past two games. The Spartans are averaging 38.2 ppg in region games while Banks County is yielding just 22.3 ppg on defense. WHITE COUNTY at MONROE AREA -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Monroe -- RADIO: www.wrwh.com -- WHITE COUNTY (4-4, 2-3 Region 8-AAAA): Beat Chestatee 50-28 last week. -- MONROE AREA (0-8, 0-5 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 38-35 to North Hall last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... White County is still very much alive for a playoff berth. The Warriors need to win out but must avoid any letdowns against the bottom-dweller Hurricanes and vs. North Hall (1-7) next week. ... The Warriors started slow last week trailing 21-7 but exploded in the second half to snap a two-game losing streak. They have been steady on defense all season and should have the advantage against a Monroe offense that has struggled most of the season. The Hurricanes have scored more than 18 points in a game just twice. WINDER-BARROW at LANIER -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Longhorn Stadium, Sugar Hill -- WINDER-BARROW (5-3, 5-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Clarke Central 35-29 last week. -- LANIER (8-0, 7-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Salem 42-35 last week. Ranked No. 6 in Class AAAAA. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Lanier can wrap its first-ever region title with a win. The Longhorns are 8-0 at home in their last eight regular season home games. ... Winder-Barrow is seeking its first playoff berth since 2003 and a win would clinch a spot for the Bulldoggs. They own tiebreakers over Clarke Central, Flowery Branch, and Loganville, who are tied with them in the standings, but could possibly clinch a berth with a Heritage, Conyers loss to Clarke Central on Friday. ... The Longhorns defense, despite a shaky first half last week, has been as good as any unit in the area allowing just 18 ppg. It dominated the Salem offense in the second half and fueled their comeback win. They will have their hands full against the Bulldoggs Cece Green, who is averaging well over 100 yards a game on the season. ... Offense is the key for Winder-Barrow behind Green. The Bulldogs are 5-1 when scoring 24 or more points. Defensively they are giving up 27 ppg while Lanier is averaging 31.8 ppg on offense. ... Turnovers have been a problem at times for the Longhorns.

Jeff Hart Sports Reporter