The official start of the high school football playoffs isn't for another month. However, for some area teams, it may actually begin this Friday.
Perennial playoff powers like North Gwinnett and Flowery Branch, along with recent playoff stallwarts like West Hall, Jackson County, and Lumpkin County, find themselves, if not in must-win situations, then certainly with a sense of urgency as they prepare for Week 7 of the season.
North Gwinnett in Region 7-AAAAAA and Flowery Branch in Region 8-AAAAA could be one loss from elimination while West Hall and Lumpkin County find themselves on the bottom end of Region 7-AAA after the first two weeks. All four face tough competition as they try to get in the race.
Meanwhile, surprise teams like region unbeatens Dawson County and Franklin County will do battle in Dawsonville ready to take control in 7-AAA. In Region 8-AA Union County will try to stay unbeaten in region play against Greene County while Rabun County travels to winless Oglethorpe County looking to stave off the upset and set up a monster showdown next week with the Panthers for first place in the region.
And speaking of monster showdowns, none will be bigger this week than when Gainesville plays host to Class AAAAA No. 6 and undefeated Lanier in a battle for first place in Region 8-AAAAA at City Park (Click here for a video preview of the game). It will be a matchup of a dynamic Red Elephants offense against one of the state's best defensive units regardless of classification.
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 Oct. 9
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
ATHENS CHRISTIAN at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
-- ATHENS CHRISTIAN (2-4, 1-3 Region 8-A): Defeated Providence Christian 51-13 last week
-- TOWNS COUNTY (1-5, 1-3 Region 8-A): Lost 36-7 to Athens Academy last week
-- NOTABLE: Athens Christian leads series 9-0. The Eagles won 46-0 in 2014. ... Both teams are just looking for momentum going into 2016 as they close out the final month of the season. ... The Indians have struggled most of the year on both sides of the ball. They are yielding 30.3 ppg on offense and have scored 7 points or fewer in all five losses. ... The Eagles had scored just 65 points in their first five games until last week’s explosion. They are giving up 26 ppg on defense.
BUFORD at NORTH HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- BUFORD (4-1, 2-0 Region 8-AAAA): Ranked No. 3 in Class AAAA; defeated Chestatee 56-0 last week
-- NORTH HALL (2-3, 1-1 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated North Oconee 31-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Buford leads series 9-1-1. The Wolves won 56-0 in 2014. ... Buford has all five meetings since the series resumed in 2008. The Trojans only win in the series came in 1967, 12-7, at home. ... The Wolves have started region play strong outscoring their first two opponents 105-3. North Hall stunned a good North Oconee squad last week for its first shutout win since 2012. ... The Trojans have been tough at home in 2015. They took Stephens County to the wire two weeks ago in a 14-13 loss and knocked off West Hall in convincing fashion. Their wing-T attack has improved each week behind Kyle Bacus and Cutter Sanford. ... The key for North Hall will be trying to slow down a Buford offense that is averaging 46.6 ppg despite scoring just 14 in its only loss to McEachern. ... The Trojans have a very favorable schedule the rest of the way so a loss would not knock them out of playoff contention. Their final four opponents are a combined 3-17.
EAST JACKSON at HART COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Hartwell
-- EAST JACKSON (1-5, 0-2 Region 8-AAA): Lost 37-7 to Morgan County last week
-- HART COUNTY (3-2, 0-1 Region 8-AAA): Bye last week, lost 24-14 to No. 7 Elbert County two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Hart County leads series 5-0. The Bulldogs won 48-7 in 2014. ... Only won game in the series has been decided by a touchdown or less. ... Expect Hart County to come out fired up after having to wait two weeks to get rid of the taste of a loss to rival Elbert County. The Bulldogs cannot afford a letdown. They still have an outside chance at the region title but will need some help with an Elbert County loss while the Bulldogs win out, which would include a win over Jefferson in the season finale. ... East Jackson has looked better on offense in 2014 but the defense continues to struggle having allowed 36.6 ppg and a whopping 45.7 over its last four games. ... The Bulldogs main issue also has been on defense. They have allowed a stunning 28.2 ppg (141 points) in 2015 after yielding just 152 points (10.9 ppg) in all of 2014 spanning 13 games.
FANNIN COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Ground, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- FANNIN COUNTY (2-3, 0-1 Region 7-AAA): Lost 52-28 to Banks County last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (2-4, 0-2 Region 7-AAA): Lost 29-8 to Franklin County last week
-- NOTABLE: Fannin County leads the series 12-3. Lumpkin County won 34-20 in 2014 in first meeting since 1999. It was their first-ever win over the Rebels in Blue Ridge. The Indians have won three of the last four meetings after losing the first 11 games in the series. ... Both teams came into 2015 as playoff contenders. Now, it is almost a must-win battle for both teams to stay alive in the playoff race. Another loss for the Indians would almost certainly knock them out of any contention while a loss for the Rebels would put their backs against the wall with Dawson County, West Hall, East Hall, and Franklin County still to follow. ... Lumpkin’s vaunted ground attack has gone AWOL the last two weeks. After averaging nearly 300 yards and 31 ppg the first month, the Indians have scored just 22 total points (11.0 ppg) in region play. The Rebels are averaging 30 ppg on offense. ... Defense has been the issue for Fannin County, which has allowed 89 points during its two-game losing streak, albeit to two good offenses in Union County and Banks County. However, both of the Rebels wins have come on the road.
FLOWERY BRANCH at CLARKE CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Athens
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (3-3, 2-3 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 24-17 to Winder-Barrow last week
-- CLARKE CENTRAL (2-3, 2-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Bye last week, defeated Apalachee 16-0 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Clarke Central leads series 3-2. The Gladiators won 32-12 in 2014. ... Clarke Central is just 1/2-game out of fourth place and has a chance to make a run with consecutive home games against Flowery Branch, Gainesville, and Winder-Barrow. But one more loss could put the Gladiators behind the eight-ball. ... Meanwhile, Flowery Branch sits just one game behind Salem and Winder-Barrow for fourth place and faces virtually a must-win to stay in the race. Another loss could dash any playoff hopes the Falcons have. ... A win for the Falcons, however, with a finish against Salem and Gainesville, would make them a player again for a playoff spot.
FRANKLIN COUNTY at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (3-2, 2-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Lumpkin County 29-8 last week
-- DAWSON COUNTY (3-2, 2-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated East Hall 35-28 last week
-- NOTABLE: Dawson County leads series 1-0. The Tigers won 25-7 in 2014 in first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It is the first early battle for sole possession for first place in the region. The Lions, who have won three straight, are averaging 26.2 ppg overall but 33.0 ppg over their last three contests in a classic wing-T offense. They are paced by the dynamic trio of quarterback Tyrique David and running backs Bud Woods and Ryan Partin. ... The Tigers will counter with a spread attack led by So. QB Coey Watson, who is 58-for-95 passing with 766 yards, 5 TDs, and 7 INTs and also has 103 yards rushing and 4 TDs. Sr. RB Hunter Mitchell has a team-leading 72 carries for 452 yards and WRs Austin Young (21 rec. 322 yards) and Tucker Maxwell (11-242, 5 TDs) give Watson two solid targets. ... It may come down to the final drive and who has the ball last. However, the Lions defense has been stout of late yielding just 36 points (12.0 ppg) over their last three contests. ... Dawson County is winless at home (0-2) so far in 2015.
GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Gainesville
-- GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY (2-3, 2-1 Region 8-A): Bye last week, defeated Towns County 24-0 two weeks ago
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (2-3, 1-2 Region 8-A): Lost 21-0 to Hebron Christian last week
-- NOTABLE: George Walton leads series 1-0. The Bulldogs won 34-14 in 2014 in first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Both teams are in position to make a run up the power rankings. The Bulldogs are peaking at the right time with two straight victories and finish with Commerce and Athens Academy. One or two more wins could help their standing. ... Lakeview Academy moved up two spots to 27th despite its loss last week. The Lions need a win against George Walton Academy with the season-ending gauntlet against Athens Academy, Athens Christian, Prince Avenue, and Commerce looming.
GREENE COUNTY at UNION COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Blairsville
-- GREENE COUNTY (3-3, 1-1 Region 8-AA): Lost 19-12 to Washington-Wilkes last week
-- UNION COUNTY (6-0, 2-0 Region 8-AA): Ranked No. 7 in Class AA; defeated Oglethorpe County 41-6 last week
-- NOTABLE: Union County leads series 21-. The Panthers won 42-27 in 2014. ... This qualifies as a major trap game for Union County. The Panthers are tied atop the region with rival Rabun County and the two teams will meet next week in what is expected to be an epic showdown for first place if both teams win this week. Greene County could be catching them at just the right time if the Panthers are caught looking ahead. ... It will be a contrast in styles as Union County has scored 35 or more in every game behind QB Joseph Mancuso so far in 2015. Only GAC (270) has scored more points in Class AA than Union County (244). ... The Panthers are sure to be tested against the Tigers, who have not allowed more than 21 points over their last five games. ... Greene County needs a win to stay in the fourth spot with Social Circle just a game behind and the two set to meet in three weeks. Social Circle already has played both Union County and Rabun County and has a more favorable finish than the Tigers.
JACKSON COUNTY at ELBERT COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Granite Bowl, Elberton
-- JACKSON COUNTY (3-3, 0-2 Region 8-AAA): Lost 29-0 to Oconee County last week
-- ELBERT COUNTY (5-1, 1-1 Region 8-AAA): Ranked No. 7 in Class AAA; lost 27-8 to No. 3 Jefferson last week
-- NOTABLE: Elbert County leads series 8-1. The Blue Devils won 42-13 in 2014. Jackson County’s only win in the series came in 2012 in Jefferson. ... The Blue Devils’ region title hopes were dealt a serious blow last week and now they are trying to stay in the race for a home playoff game. They hold the tiebreaker over Hart County but still must face region unbeaten Oconee County in the season finale in Watkinsville, which could be second place. ... Jackson County may want to follow the blueprint laid out by Jefferson last week using a punishing ground game to control the ball and keep the ball out the hands of Elbert County QB Mecole Hardman. The Panthers have that in RB Malik Tuck, who has been solid all year. If the Panthers can control the ball and find the end zone, they have a solid chance to pull the upset. ... Jackson County needs a win to stay in the playoff race and offense is the key. They have averaged 33 ppg in their three wins but have scored just 7 total points with two shutouts in their three losses. Defensively Elbert County has allowed the second-most points in the region (142, 23.6 ppg).
JOHNSON at OSBORNE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE:Cardinal Stadium, Smyrna
-- JOHNSON (2-4, non-region schedule): Bye last week, defeated Riverside Military 31-7 two weeks ago
-- OSBORNE (0-5, non-region schedule): Lost 33-7 to Kennesaw Mountain last week
-- NOTABLE: Johnson leads series 1-0. The Knights won 13-0 in 2014 in first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Johnson snapped its four-game losing streak against Riverside and got its ground game going. The Knights would like to build some momentum over the final month of the season but faces a tough finish against East Hall, Franklin County, and Dawson County, three of the top four teams in Region 7-AAA. ... Defense and turnovers are the key for Johnson. The Knights are 2-0 when allowing less than 24 points and 0-4 when allowing more than 24 points. They had more than a dozen turnovers in their four losses. ... Osborne has really been struggling of late. The Cardinals have been outscored 125-14 over their last three games after a narrow 26-20 loss to Lakeside-Atlanta early in the season.
LAMBERT at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
-- RADIO: 99.3 FM
-- LAMBERT (4-1, 4-0 Region 6-AAAAAA): Bye last week, defeated North Forsyth 42-14 two weeks ago
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (0-5, 0-4 Region 6-AAAAAA): Bye last week, lost 48-20 to Alpharetta two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Lambert leads series 1-0, The Longhorns won 51-6 in first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Offense in new coach Benji Harrison’s spread attack has not been the problem for the Raiders, who have averaged 24.0 ppg. The defense has yielded a staggering 50.6 ppg (253 points), which puts them next to last in Class AAAAAA. Only Berkmar (351) has given up more. ... However, points may be hard to come by as Lambert has held four of five opponents to 17 points or less and the Longhorns have won four straight. ... Habersham Central could be catching the Longhorns at a good time as they may be looking ahead to Northview and West Forsyth as they try to stay atop the region standings.
LANIER at GAINESVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 1240 AM ESPN Radio
-- LANIER (5-0, 4-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Ranked No. 6 in Class AAAAA; Bye last week, defeated Loganville 21-6 two weeks ago
-- GAINESVILLE (4-1, 4-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Salem 34-6 last week
-- NOTABLE: Lanier leads series 1-0. The Longhorns won 26-23 in 2014 in first-ever meeting between the two schools. Last year’s contest was one of the best games of the season in northeast Georgia and this year’s affair could be just as tasty for fans. ... The two teams are the only remaining unbeaten teams in the region. This game last season ultimately decided the region champ but Gainesville still has road games against Clarke Central and Loganville while Lanier has road games at Salem and Winder-Barrow so nothing is expected to be decided Friday night. ... It should be a slugfest with the two best defenses in the region. Lanier has allowed just 26 points (6.5 ppg) in region games while the Red Elephants have yielded just 32 points (8.0 ppg) in region contests and forced 11 turnovers in their last two games. ... The key will be which offense is able to generate any sustainable drives. The Red Elephants have averaged 37.5 ppg since being shutout by Class AAAAAA No. 2 Grayson. QB Messiah Dorsey has thrown for 774 yards and 9 TDs and rushed for another 301 yards. RB Chris Byrd has a team-leading 391 yards rushes and has caught 17 passes as well. ... Lanier’s offense has struggled at times, especially after losing starting RB Ashton Barnes to injury. QB Tahj Tolbert has not any consistent receivers to throw too but brothers RBs Marcko and Marcella Baity have shown flashes of brilliance at times.
MADISON COUNTY at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- MADISON COUNTY (0-5, 0-2 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 26-11 to White County last week
-- CHESTATEE (0-5, 0-2 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 56-0 to No. 3 Buford last week
-- NOTABLE: Chestatee leads series 2-1. Madison County won 49-28 in 2014. ... Despite both teams being offensively challenged, this could be a high-scoring affair the way the two defenses have played this season. ... The War Eagles have battled injuries much of the season which has affected the defensive side of the ball. They are allowing 42.4 ppg so far. Turnovers have been an issue for the offense, which is averaging just 10.0 ppg. ... The Red Raiders are yielding 35.6 ppg, and gave up 26 to a White County offense that had scored 23 total points on the season until last week. Offensively Madison County is averaging just 13.2 ppg.
MILL CREEK at MOUNTAIN VIEW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mountain View Stadium, Lawrenceville
-- MILL CREEK (6-0, 3-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Ranked No. 5 in Class AAAAAA; defeated Meadowcreek 52-0 last week
-- MOUNTAIN VIEW (1-5, 0-3 Region 7-AAAAAA): Lost 24-7 to Collins Hill last week
-- NOTABLE: Mill Creek leads series 4-1. The Hawks won 55-7 in 2014. ... This looks like a mismatch on paper with the Hawks not yielding a single point in region play to this point. The Bears have scored just 21 total points in region contests. ... Mill Creek cannot afford a letdown with a tough finish with Collins Hill, Norcross, and Peachtree Ridge. All four teams are tied at 3-0 but must face each other over the final month of the season. ... The Bears were showing some offensive prowess coming into region play averaging 24.3 ppg but have not found an answer for the defensive-minded 7-AAAAAA. They are yielding 32.6 ppg while Mill Creek is averaging 41.3 ppg on the season.
MORGAN COUNTY at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- MORGAN COUNTY (3-2, 1-0 Region 8-AAA): Defeated East Jackson 37-7 last week
-- JEFFERSON (6-0, 2-0 Region 8-AAA): Ranked No. 3 in Class AAA; defeated No. 7 Elbert County 27-8 last week
-- NOTABLE: Morgan County leads series 11-5-2. Jefferson won 51-16 in 2014 in first meeting between the teams since 1969. ... The Dragons climbed a step higher toward its second straight region title last week but cannot afford a letdown against a solid Bulldogs team that has won three straight. ... Morgan County sits in surprising third place in the region at the moment and is looking for its first playoff appearance since 2012. The Bulldogs have done it with defense so far allowing just 12.8 ppg overall and just 8.5 ppg over its last four games. They will be tested this week. ... Jefferson’s ground game is among the best in the state behind So. RB Colby Wood, who already has over 1,000 yards on the season, and a dominating offensive line. Whichever unit wins this battle will more than likely win the game. ... The Dragons defense has been slouch allowing just 8.1 ppg on the season.
PEACHTREE RIDGE at NORTH GWINNETT
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Robinson Memorial Stadium, Suwanee
-- PEACHTREE RIDGE (4-2, 3-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Defeated Duluth 56-0 last week
-- NORTH GWINNETT (2-4, 0-3 Region 7-AAAAAA): Lost 38-10 to Norcross last week
-- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 10-1. The Bulldogs won 51-24 in 2014. The only Lions win came in 2008 at home. ... It’s simple for North Gwinnett: win and the Bulldogs are still alive, barely. Lose, and their streak of 11-straight playoff appearances will come to an end. Even with a win, however, Peachtree Ridge would have to lose out and the Bulldogs win out for them to steal a playoff spot. ... North Gwinnett does not hold any tiebreakers over the other three undefeated teams (Norcross, Collins Hills, Mill Creek) and since all three still play each other the Bulldogs only chance is to beat the Lions and hope they lose out. ... It won’t be easy. Peachtree Ridge is averaging nearly 44 ppg in region play while a young Bulldogs defense is yielding 35 ppg overall and 39.3 ppg in region contests. ... But, North Gwinnett has never lost to the Lions at home.
RABUN COUNTY at OGLETHORPE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Patriots Stadium, Lexington
-- RABUN COUNTY (5-1, 2-0 Region 8-AA): Ranked No. 8 in Class AA; defeated Social Circle 44-0 last week
-- OGLETHORPE COUNTY (0-6, 0-2 Region 8-AA): Lost 41-6 to Union County last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 12-9. The Wildcats won 49-7 in 2014. ... It could be a trap game on the road with the Wildcats perhaps looking to next week’s showdown with rival Union County to stay atop the region standings. ... It doesn’t look good for the Patriots on paper as Rabun County has the stingiest defense in Class AA allowing just 43 total points (7.1 ppg) including three consecutive shutouts, while the Patriots are averaging just 13.3 ppg. ... The Rabun County offense is averaging 31.8 ppg while the Oglethorpe County defense sits at the bottom of Class AA in points allowed with 279 (46.5 ppg). The Wildcats have averaged 36.8 ppg during their five-game winning streak.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY at WASHINGTON-WILKES
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Washington
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (1-4, 0-1 Region 8-AA): Defeated Strong Rock Christian 21-7 last week
-- WASHINGTON-WILKES (1-4, 1-0 Region 8-AA): Defeated Greene County 19-12 last week
-- NOTABLE: Washington-Wilkes leads series 4-0. The Tigers won 13-10 in 2014. ... Both teams got their first wins of the season last week after a rough start. The 2013 region champion Tigers got back into the playoff race with a big road win last week and has a chance to string together some wins with Riverside Military and Social Circle coming up in the next two weeks. ... Riverside had scored just 10 points through its first four games but still is tied for last in Class AA in points scored (31). The Tigers are not much better on offense averaging just 17 ppg. Defensively the Tigers are yielding 31 ppg and the Eagles are giving up 30 ppg. ... The Tigers figure to have a say in who wins the region title taking on both Union County and Rabun County in the final three weeks of the season.
STEPHENS COUNTY at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: wrwh.com
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (4-1, 2-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Monroe Area 29-6 last week
-- WHITE COUNTY (1-4, 1-1 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Madison County 26-11 last week
-- NOTABLE: Stephens County leads series 2-1. The Indians won 30-10 in 2014. ... It’s a crucial game for both teams. The Indians have won three straight and know they cannot afford a loss if they want to have a shot at a region title considering they close out the regular on the road against North Oconee and Buford. White County has winnable games the rest of the way, including closing out the regular season at home against Monroe Area and North Hall, and is typically tough at home. ... Stephens County is 2-1 on the road in 2014 but needed a missed extra point by North Hall to hold on for a one-point win and avoid overtime two weeks ago. ... White County used its bye week to help find a spark on offense last week to get back into the playoff picture. The Warriors had scored just 23 total points until last week but Nasear Clark (2 TDs) and Kaleb Crain (134 yards rushing) sparked a resurgent ground game. They held Madison County to just 41 total yards of offense.
WEST FORSYTH AT NORTH FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
-- WEST FORSYTH (3-2, 3-1 Region 6-AAAAAA): Bye last week, defeated Northview 28-7 two weeks ago
-- NORTH FORSYTH (1-4, 1-3 Region 6-AAAAAA): Bye last week, lost 42014 to Lambert two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: West Forsyth leads series 5-2. The Wolverines won 35-3 in 2014. The Wolverines have won four straight in the series. ... The Raiders, who have lost three straight, need a win to stay in the playoff race. They trail fourth place West Forsyth, which has won three straight, by two games and can climb back into things with a win. ... But, the Raiders have scored the fewest points in the region (87 overall, 63 in region games) and the Wolverines held Northview, which came in averaging 32 ppg, to just 7 points in their last outing. ... West Forsyth is averaging 35.8 ppg while the Raiders defense has yielded 32.6 ppg on the season.
WEST HALL at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: WDUN FM 102.9
-- WEST HALL (2-3, 0-1 Region 7-AAA): Bye last week, lost 17-0 to Dawson County two weeks ago
-- EAST HALL (1-4, 1-1 Region 7-AAA): Lost 35-28 to Dawson County last week
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 10-10. West Hall won 51-22 in 2014. The two teams have split the last six meetings. ... Both teams, despite coming off losses to Dawson County, are still right in the thick of things in the region race. The winner will stay in the upper-tier of the standings. ... West Hall is fighting to keep its season alive. The Spartans have lost three straight overall and have had two weeks to try and work out the kinks in an offense that has generated just three points over its last three games. The last two touchdowns the Spartans scored were registered by the defense. Another loss with a tough finish looming could put them on the brink after being considered the team to beat coming into the season. ... The Vikings have dropped two close games already this season and are 0-3 at Valhalla despite averaging 27.6 ppg on the season. The Vikings also have a tough finish with Franklin County, Fannin County, and Banks County, but do get the last two games at home.
