There are no more warm-ups, no more learning experiences. From here on out it is the real thing for EVERY area high school football team.<br />
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As of this Friday, every region throughout northeast Georgia is now completely wrapped up in league play. In other words, every game carries playoff implications.<br />
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And the airwaves of Jacobs Media will present three contests rich with postseason import this week.<br />
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A few regions have been going hard and heavy at it for weeks now, and that includes Regions 8-AAAAA and 7-AAAAAA -- and both feature key battles this week that we will broadcast live. Meanwhile, Region 7-AAA will commence league play on Friday, and Jacobs Media will be on hand in Dawsonville, as West Hall and Dawson County go at it in their first league game, which will be broadcast live on WDUN 102.9 FM.<br />
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The Spartans are coming off their first defeat of the campaign, a 28-10 setback at North Oconee -- and West Hall (3-1) will be eager to get back to its winning ways. Dawson County, meanwhile, will look to pick up its first victory of 2014, as the Tigers (0-3) enter the game after a bye.<br />
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Dawson County's three losses came against teams with a combined record of 7-4 -- and with the Tigers battling injury.<br />
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The Spartans will also remember just how tough it was last time the two teams met, as West Hall edged out a 10-7 win on the last day of the 2013 regular season that sealed the Spartans' first state playoff bid in 11 years.<br />
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Speaking of playoffs, Heritage, Conyers has reached the postseason for four straight years -- and Gainesville knows the Patriots will be gunning for a fifth straight berth after last week's 35-16 upset of Flowery Branch. Heritage (1-3, 1-2 Region 8-AAAAA) had dropped two razor-thin region contests before knocking off the Falcons and will be looking to make the most of the victory against the Red Elephants (2-1, 2-0).<br />
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Gainesville has rolled since a season-opening loss at Grayson, but the Red Elephants know that their task this week will be perhaps their toughest region test to date against a Heritage squad led by quarterback David Turner -- who was both efficient and deadly against Flowery Branch.<br />
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Meanwhile, the Patriots defense is only allowing an average of 16 points through three region games -- a far cry from Gainesville's offense, with a 47 point average through two region wins. It will be interesting to see which trend gives on Friday in a game broadcast live on 1240 AM.<br />
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Yet perhaps the most intriguing showdown of the area will come in Hoschton, as two Region 7-AAAAAA heavyweights square off when North Gwinnett visits Mill Creek. <br />
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The Bulldogs (3-1, 1-0 Region 7-AAAAAA) are coming off a thrilling, 42-24 comeback win over Collins Hill, while the Hawks (2-2, 1-0) hammered Duluth 42-0 last week.<br />
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Both teams will litter the field with athletic standouts -- from Mill Creek quarterback Daniel David to North Gwinnett receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe. David is five touchdown passes short of the Hawks' career record, pacing an offense that is averaging 35.5 points per game. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are averaging 37.75 points per game behind an attack keyed by quarterback John Urzua.<br />
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Mill Creek is yet to defeat North Gwinnett -- the Bulldogs are 8-0 in the series -- but came achingly close last season in a 50-47 shootout that the Bulldogs edged. Don't be shocked to see another explosive finale this week in a game broadcast live on WDUN AM 550.<br />
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Of course there are plenty of other big contests taking place around northeast Georgia this week, and Friday Game Night will also be on top of those battles, including the Region 8-AAA opener for Jefferson and Jackson County -- against each other.<br />
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The two foes -- separated by about two miles -- are in the same region for the first time since 2011, and both know how important it is to start strong in a league that also includes playoff stalwarts Hart County, Elbert County and Morgan County.<br />
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Jefferson (4-0) sat through a bye last week, while Jackson County (1-3) finally broke through for its first win -- 31-6 at East Hall -- after three close calls.<br />
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Expect a slobber-knocker for supremacy of Hwy. 129 come Friday -- and Friday Game Night will bring you live updates from the game, as well as game coverage and video highlights afterward.<br />
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Friday will also feature several big Region 8-AAAA contests, as well as an intriguing showdown between Commerce (3-1) and Athens Christian (2-2) in Region 8-A.<br />
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In other words, it's going to be another week to remember in northeast Georgia football.<br />
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<b>WEEK 5 AREA PREP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, Sept. 26</b><br />
Chestatee at North Oconee<br />
Clarke Central at Apalachee<br />
Commerce at Athens Christian<br />
Flowery Branch at Cedar Shoals<br />
Franklin County at Banks County<br />
Habersham Central at Alpharetta<br />
Heritage, Conyers at Gainesville -- Radio: 1240 AM<br />
Jefferson at Jackson County<br />
Johnson at Riverside Military<br />
Lambert at North Forsyth<br />
Lanier at Loganville<br />
Lumpkin County at East Hall<br />
North Gwinnett at Mill Creek -- Radio: 550 AM<br />
North Hall at Stephens County<br />
Oconee County at East Jackson<br />
Providence Christian at Lakeview Academy<br />
Social Circle at Union County<br />
Towns County at George Walton<br />
West Hall at Dawson County -- Radio: 102.9 FM<br />
Winder-Barrow at Salem
