Week 4 does not offer any titanic battles as in the first three weeks of the season, but what it lacks in hype it more than makes up for in substance.
Region 8-AAAA finally gets its race for the playoffs under way with Buford traveling to White County in a key matchup for both teams. The Warriors have struggled to get a young offense going but has lost two games by seven points or less. The Wolves have had two weeks to stew after falling to Class AAAAAA No. 3 McEachern by a touchdown two weeks ago. The rest of 8-AAAA has the week off before things get totally cranked up.
Region 8-AA also gets under way with Rabun County traveling to Riverside Military Academy. The Wildcats (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-AA) are rolling of late while the Eagles (0-2, 0-0) are still trying to find their wings after some late additions and lack of summer practices.
Regions 8-AAAAA and 6-AAAAAA have a full slate of games as they continue to jockey for playoff positioning with several key games. Flowery Branch finds its back against the wall after two losses to open its 8-AAAAA schedule while Commerce faces a huge road test in 8-A against undefeated Athens Academy.
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. 18
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
APALACHEE at GAINESVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 1240 AM
-- APALACHEE (0-3, 0-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 41-3 to Salem last week
-- GAINESVILLE (1-1, 1-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Winder-Barrow 40-26 last week
-- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 3-0. The Red Elephants won 48-7 in 2014. ... Gainesville rebounded from a rough opener with an impressive win last week to open region play. They cannot afford a letdown against the winless Wildcats with key region games against Heritage, Salem, Lanier, and Clarke Central to follow. Salem, Lanier, and Loganville are all 2-0 in the region and the Red Elephants need a win to keep pace. ... Sr. QB Messiah Dorsey had a breakout game last week that earned him the Loco’s Player of the Week honors. The Red Elephants will need him to continue to develop. ... The defense allowed 343 yards rushing to CeCe Green but held firm when it needed to keep the Bulldoggs out of the end zone down the stretch. Apalachee has had trouble on offense scoring just 12 points in three games.
BANKS COUNTY at NORTH COBB CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Eagles Stadium, Acworth
-- BANKS COUNTY (2-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated East Jackson 41-14 last week
-- NORTH COBB CHRISTIAN (2-1, 0-0 Region 6-A): Defeated K.I.P.P Atlanta 17-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: banks County won 24-8 in 2014 in first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Leopards have rebounded since a rough season-opening loss to Commerce. The offense has found its stride behind Jr. QB Griffin Goodwin, Sr. RB Travae Cain, and Jr. RB Demetrius Walker. The Leopards have averaged 34 ppg during their two-game win streak. ... The defense, which is young, has allowed just 28 points in the past two games after being shredded for 55 points by a potent Commerce offense in the opener. ... It’s the first home game of the season for the Eagles, who are just 3-9 at home since the 2013 season. North Cobb Christian, however, has shown improvement going 6-2 overall since a 1-4 start to the 2014 season. ... The Leopards are 3-3 on the road since the start of the 2014 season after going 1-10 on the road from 2011-13.
BUFORD at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com
-- BUFORD (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Bye last week, ranked No. 3 in Class AAAA; lost 27-14 to Class AAAAAA No. 5 McEachern two weeks ago
-- WHITE COUNTY (0-3, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 16-14 to Class AA No. 4 Pace Academy last week
-- NOTABLE: Buford leads series 3-0. The Wolves won 42-10 in 2014. It’s the Region 8-AAAA opener for both teams. ... It may not be the best time to catch Buford, which has had two weeks to stew over having its 42-game win streak snap. But the two week break came at just the right time for the Wolves, who have been battling injuries in the early going. ... The Warriors are a young and they have suffered through some growing pains scoring just 20 points (6.6 ppg) in their first three games. The defense has played well holding three good offensive teams to just 15.3 ppg but gave up a game-winning field goal in the final seconds to Pace Academy last week.
CARROLLTON at NORTH HALL
-- FOR A VIDEO PREVIEW, CLICK HERE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- CARROLLTON (0-3, 0-0 Region 5-AAAA): Bye last week, lost 24-20 to Class AAA No. 1 Calhoun two weeks ago
-- NORTH HALL (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated West Hall 24-10 last week
-- NOTABLE: Carrollton leads series 2-0. Carrollton won 46-10 in 2014. ... North Hall showed marked improvement after its season-opening shutout loss to Jefferson. The defense held West Hall to minus-5 yards rushing and forced three turnovers that were converted into 21 points. ... Kyle Bacus had three TDs rushing for the Trojans as well. ... Carrollton, coached by former Buford (1992-94) head coach Ed Dudley, has fallen on some tough times. It is the second straight 0-3 start to a season and Carrollton is just 4-9 since advancing to the Class AAAA state title game in 2013. ... But they took Calhoun down to the wire two weeks ago and expect Carrollton to come out fired up at The Brickyard. However, Carrollton is just 1-5 away from home since the start of the 2014 season.
COMMERCE at ATHENS ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Slaughter Field, Watkinsville
-- COMMERCE (2-1, 1-0 Region 8-A): Lost 34-10 to Jefferson last week
-- ATHENS ACADEMY (3-0, 1-0 Region 8-A): Defeated Oglethorpe County 55-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 13-10. The Tigers won 27-20 in 2014. ... The two teams are part of four atop the region standings. It is a huge game for both teams with future power ratings at stake. The Spartans are rated 8th in Class A Private while the Tigers are rated 3rd in Class A Public. ... Commerce is 4-1 in its last five road games but is just 1-7 at Slaughter Field since 2001. ... The Spartans are rolling so far averaging 37 ppg and allowing just 20 total points. Commerce, despite managing just 10 points last week against the powerful Dragons, has outscored three opponents 100-47. ... The Tigers are averaging nearly 300 yards rushing per game behind QB Caleb Brooks, FB Will Thomas, and HBs Cole Chancey and J’varius Wood.
DULUTH at MILL CREEK
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mill Creek Community Stadium, Hoschton
-- DULUTH (1-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Bye last week, defeated Lakeside-Atlanta 27-14 two weeks ago
-- MILL CREEK (3-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Ranked No. 6 in Class AAAAAA; bye last week, defeated Dacula 34-7 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Mill Creek leads series 9-0. The Hawks won 42-0 in 2014. ... It’s the region opener for both teams. ... It is the kind of game that can be dangerous. The Hawks are huge favorites but have never lost to the Wildcats and only one game has been within 11 points. Plus, the Hawks could be caught looking ahead to arch-rival North Gwinnett next week. ... The Wildcats played well in a close 28-23 loss to an undefeated Northview team they lost 42-7 to in 2014 and had a late possession with a chance to win the game. Duluth has averaged 25 ppg the last two games. ... The Mill Creek offense has been as potent as ever averaging 41.7 ppg while the defense may be one of the top two units in all of Georgia allowing just 9.0 ppg.
EAST HALL at JACKSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Panther Stadium, Jefferson
-- EAST HALL (0-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Bye last week, lost 52-28 to Pickens two weeks ago
-- JACKSON COUNTY (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Lost 21-0 to Rabun County last week
-- NOTABLE: East Hall leads the series 6-3. Jackson won 31-6 in 2014 in first meeting between the two teams since 1997. The Panthers have won the last two meetings overall. The last Vikings win came in 1996 in Valhalla, 29-28. ... This is an interesting matchup in that a young and inexperienced Vikings defense has yielded 101 points (50.5 ppg) in their first two games. The Panthers scored 48 on Class AAAA Madison County in their opener before running into two good defenses in White County and Rabun County. ... However, East Hall’s first two opponents, Wesleyan and Pickens, are a combined 5-0 and have averaged 41.6 ppg combined so far. They will need to find a way to slow down the Panthers’ RB Malik Tuck, WR Chase Wester, FB Griffin McElvery, and QB Caleb Matthews. ... East Hall will need to control the ball behind a good OL to give RBs Jiel Vargas and Deon Ellison room to run. ... Jackson County has allowed just 44 points (14.6 ppg) with one shutout (White County) on the season on defense.
FLOWERY BRANCH at HERITAGE, CONYERS
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Patriots Stadium, Conyers
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (1-2, 0-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 3-0 to Lanier last week
-- HERITAGE, CONYERS (0-3, 0-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 46-7 to Loganville last week
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 4-1. Heritage got its first win in the series with a 35-16 win in 2014. ... For two teams expected to challenge for the 8-AAAAA title, this is a must-win for both just to stay in the race just three games into the region schedule. ... Both teams come in with major problems on offense. The Falcons have suffered two consecutive shutouts after losing starting QB Nick Lance in their opener. The Patriots have scored just 14 points in region play. ... The Falcons defense was outstanding last week holding the powerful Longhorns to just a field goal and forcing several turnovers. The Patriots defense has surrendered 106 points (35.3 ppg) in their first three games.
FRANKLIN COUNTY at EAST JACKSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Eagles Stadium, Commerce
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (0-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): By last week, lost 38-25 to Hart County two weeks ago
-- EAST JACKSON (1-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Lost 41-14 to Banks County last week
-- NOTABLE: Franklin County leads series 3-0. The Lions won 27-7 in 2014. ... Franklin County has had one of the toughest schedules so far taking on Class AAAA Stephens County and 2014 Class AAA quarterfinalist Hart County in the first two weeks. They have never lost to the Eagles but East Jackson is showing signs of turning things around. ... The Eagles, who scored just 77 total points and scored 7 points or fewer seven times in 2014, already have put up 48 points. They had just 28 with one shutout at the same point last season ... The Lions have yielded 36 ppg in their first two games.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at WEST FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Wolverine Stadium, Cumming
-- RADIO: 99.3 fm
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (0-3, 0-2 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost 55-35 to South Forsyth last week
-- WEST FORSYTH (1-2, 1-1 Region 6-AAAAAA): Defeated Chattahoochee 45-27 last week
-- NOTABLE: West Forsyth won 56-35 in 2014 in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... This one may not end until Saturday morning. Two very similar teams that can score points. ... West Forsyth is averaging 32.3 ppg while Habersham is averaging 26 ppg. But the Raiders also put 35 on a War Eagles defense last week that had allowed just 20 total points in their first two games. ... Both defenses, however, have been gashed early and often. The Wolverines have allowed 40.3 ppg while Habersham has yielded 50.3 ppg so far. ... Whichever team has the ball last will probably come away victorious.
JOHNSON at PICKENS
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Pickens Stadium, Jasper
-- JOHNSON (1-3, non-region schedule): Lost 38-19 to Lumpkin County last week
-- PICKENS (2-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Bye last week, defeated East Hall 52-28 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Pickens leads series 7-6. The Dragons won 49-6 in 2014. Pickens has won three straight in the series. It is the 14th meeting between the two teams since the 2000 season. ... Johnson has dropped three straight as part of a tough schedule and the Knights have lost four straight road games and nine of their last 10 away from Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium. Pickens, however, is just 5-4 in its last nine home games. ... Defense has been the issue for the Knights, who have allowed 103 points (34.3 ppg) during the losing streak after pitching a shutout against Madison County. But, in a 35-9 loss to West Hall, five turnovers led to all 35 points and they held the Spartans to just over 100 total yards. ... The Dragons have scored 65 points in their first two games.
LANIER at CEDAR SHOALS
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Jaguar Stadium, Athens
-- LANIER (3-0, 2-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Ranked No. 7 in Class AAAAA; defeated Flowery Branch 3-0 last week
-- CEDAR SHOALS (0-2, 0-1 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 29-0 to arch-rival Clarke Central last week
-- NOTABLE: Lanier won 21-7 in 2014 in first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It could be a trap game for the Longhorns, who need a win to keep pace with Salem and Loganville atop the region standings. The Lanier offense had success against Flowery Branch last week but turnovers snuffed out several potential scoring drives in the Falcons’ territory. ... The Longhorns No. 1 defensive unit again was dominating not allowing a point to the up-tempo Jaguars. The No. 1 unit has yielded just one field goal during the first three games. ... Cedar Shoals has had a tough opening with Class AAA ranked Elbert County and Clarke Central and now Lanier. The Jaguars have been outscored 69-14 so far.
NORTH GWINNETT at COLLINS HILL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Collins Hill Stadium, Lawrenceville
-- NORTH GWINNETT (2-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Bye last week, defeated Hillgrove 31-19 two weeks ago
-- COLLINS HILL (0-3, 0-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Bye last week, lost 20-17 in overtime to South Gwinnett two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 9-5. The Bulldogs won 42-24 in 2014. ... It is a strange series where the road team is 10-4 overall. The Bulldogs are 6-1 at Collins Hill and the Eagles are 4-3 in Suwanee. North Gwinnett has won the last six meetings at Collins Hill. ... The Bulldogs, after a rough opener against No. 1 Colquitt County, have gotten both the offense and defense headed in the right directions. They have increased their scoring from 14 to 29 to 31 while defensively they have yielded 47 points the last two games after giving up 45 to Colquitt. ... Collins Hill has lost its last two games by six points or less but has struggled on defense allowing 30.3 ppg so far. The Eagles need a strong start with region finishing games against Mill Creek, Peachtree Ridge, and Norcross. ... North Gwinnett begins its 7-AAAAAA gauntlett against the Eagles and then takes on Mill Creek, Norcross, and Peachtree Ridge in successive weeks.
NORTH OCONEE at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartan Field, Oakwood
-- RADIO: AM 550
-- NORTH OCONEE (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Off last two weeks; lost 55-21 to Greater Atlanta Christian on Aug. 28
-- WEST HALL (2-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 24-10 to North Hall last week
-- NOTABLE: North Oconee won 28-10 in 2014 in first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Spartans are sure to be fired up after a lackluster performance last week in their first loss of the season and also looking for a measure of revenge against the Titans, who handed them their only regular season loss in 2014. ... Penalties and turnovers hurt West Hall last week leading to 21 North Hall points and stopping several potential drives. The Spartans were a plus-8 on turnovers in their first two games but were minus-2 last week. ... The West Hall offense also struggled with minus-5 yards rushing. The Spartans only touchdown came on a 74-yard fumble return by the defense. ... North Oconee, considered a playoff contender in 8-AAA, is looking anything but so far. The Titans losses were blowouts to Class AAAAA Coffee and Class AA No. 3 GAC after playing both down to the wire in 2014. Defensively the Titans have yielded 94 points (47 ppg) and have scored just 21 points and been shutout once.
OUR LADY OF MERCY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Ground, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- OUR LADY OF MERCY (1-2, 0-0 Region 5-A): Lost 31-7 to Aquinas last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (1-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Johnson 38-19 last week
-- NOTABLE: Our Lady of Mercy won 42-35 in 2014 in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Indians got their ground game going last week with over 200 yards, including 173 yards from QB Zach Matthews. They should be able to exploit a Bobcats defense that has yielded just under 24 ppg. Lumpkin is averaging 28 ppg on offense. ... However, the Bobcats are road warriors of late winning their last four road games going back to the 2014 season. The Indians are just 3-3 in their last four games at The Burial Grounds, including a playoff loss to Elbert County last season.
RABUN COUNTY at RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
-- RABUN COUNTY (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Defeated Jackson County 21-0 last week
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Lost 42-3 to Hapeville Charter last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 5-2. The Wildcats won 24-3 in 2014. ... It is the region opener for both teams. ... Rabun County has won three straight in the series and has dominated the Eagles. The Wildcats have outscored RMA 129-30 in that span. ... The Wildcats also are rolling heading into the matchup averaging 32.3 ppg in their three-game win streak while allowing just 8.0 ppg on defense in that span. ... But Rabun coach Lee Shaw said the Eagles are a dangerous team. The Eagles are big up front and are just beginning to jell as a team with a new power-I offense. ... The key for RMA will be in slowing down Wildcats So. QB Bailey Fisher, who knows how to spread the ball around connecting with a dozen different receivers in the first four games. Fisher leads the team in rushing and passing while Charlie Woerner leads the team in receiving. ... The Eagles have scored just three points and allowing 35 ppg in their first two games.
SOUTH FORSYTH at NORTH FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
-- SOUTH FORSYTH (3-0, 2-0 Region 6-AAAAAA): Defeated Habersham Central 55-35 last week
-- NORTH FORSYTH (1-2, 1-1 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost 26-9 to Northview last week
-- NOTABLE: South Forsyth leads series 11-6. The War Eagles won 55-3 in 2014. ... Last year’s meeting between the two rivals was the most lopsided in the series, which traditionally has not been close. Only three games have been decided by 10 points or less. ... But, they have split the last six contests, with the Raiders taking the last two games in Coal Mountain. North Forsyth needs a win with Lambert next week but then the Raiders have very winnable games with Johns Creek, Centennial, and Habersham Central to follow. Those three teams are a combined 1-8 heading into this week. ... The Raiders defense, which is allowing 28.6 ppf, will be put to the test against a War Eagles offense averaging 40.3 ppg.
TOWNS COUNTY at HEBRON CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Hebron Stadium, Dacula
-- TOWNS COUNTY (1-2, 1-0 Region 8-A): Defeated Lakeview Academy 25-21 last week
-- HEBRON CHRISTIAN (2-1, 0-1 Region 8-A): Bye last week, lost 35-0 to Commerce two weeks ago.
-- NOTABLE: Towns County leads series 4-3. Hebron won 49-7 in 2014. ... The road team has won two straight and 3 of the last 5 contests in the series, including the Indians taking a 34-19 win in Dacula in 2013. ... Towns County has improved with each game and this could be a program turning point if the Indians can come away with a road win. They scored the final 18 points against Lakeview, including getting a 60-yard TD run from Kobe Denton with less than two minutes left for the game-winner. ... The Indians haven’t won back-to-back games since closing out the 2013 season with two straight victories but they had won three straight over the Lions before last season. ... Hebron is just 3-3 at home over its past six games.
UNION COUNTY at FANNIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge
-- UNION COUNTY (3-0, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Defeated Andrews, (N.C.) 38-6 last week
-- FANNIN COUNTY (2-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Armuchee 44-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Fannin County leads series 13-10. Union County won 35-8 in 2014. ... The Panthers have won four of the last six meetings but Fannin County has won the last four meetings in Blue Ridge and the Rebels are 6-1 at home in the series since 1991. ... It’s hard to tell whether this will be a shootout or a defensive struggle. Both teams have put up some big offensive numbers in the early going. The Panthers are averaging 41.3 ppg while the Rebels are averaging 30.6 ppg. Union County did allow 28 to Lumpkin County and its ground game but has yielded just 13.6 ppg overall. The Fannin County defense (13.0 ppg) has improved in each game from 29 in its opener to a shutout last week. ... However, with the Panthers’ Joseph Mancuso and the Rebels’ Brad Davis running the offenses expect some points to be scored. ... Fannin also will be without Sr. LB Jerod Petty, who is out with a torn ACL. Sr. OL Tyler Jones also is out for the Rebels.
WINDER-BARROW at LOGANVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Red Devil Stadium, Loganville
-- WINDER-BARROW (1-2, 1-1 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 40-26 to Gainesville last week
-- LOGANVILLE (3-0, 2-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Heritage, Conyers 46-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Loganville leads series 11-2. The Bulldoggs won 46-7 in 2014. ... CeCe Green had a big game last year helping Winder end an eight-game losing streak to the Red Devils. Green and the Bulldoggs will need to be at the top of their game this week. ... Loganville seems to be clicking on all cylinders in the early going. The Red Devils are averaging 36 ppg on offense and have yielded just 13 total points 4.3 ppg) in three games, including a shutout of Flowery Branch. However, their first three opponents are a combined 2-7 so far. ... The Bulldoggs’ two losses have come to perennial powers Jefferson and Gainesville and they were in both games until late. With games against Salem and Flowery Branch to follow, Winder needs a win to keep pace in the playoff race.
