With the first five weeks of the football season behind us, playoff positioning hits the home stretch for area football teams beginning Friday.
There are only a handful of non-region games the rest of the way while we find out which contenders and pretenders are revealed over the next six weeks.
Regions 7-AAA and 8-AAA, and 8-AAAA are the final regions to get their region schedules under way. And each has some monster matchups to get things started.
In 7-AAA,.Banks County travels to Franklin County, West Hall plays host to Dawson County, and East Hall travels to Lumpkin County.
In 8-AAA, East Jackson heads to Oconee County, Jackson County and No. 3 Jefferson battle at Memorial Stadium, and Hart County will play host to No. 4 Elbert County in what should be an epic showdown.
In 8-AAAA, Chestatee plays host to North Oconee and Stephens County will travel to North Hall in a pair of key openers.
Of course, not to be outdone is Region 8-AAAAA, which features several critical contests, highlighted by No. 6 Lanier playing host to Loganville in a battle of unbeaten teams and Salem traveling to Winder-Barrow as the Bulldoggs try to stay in the playoff race. (NOTE: Click here for a video preview of Loganville at Lanier.)
But perhaps the most intriguing matchup is in Region 7-AAAAAA where North Gwinnett plays host to No. 6 Mill Creek. The Hawks are looking for their first-ever win over the Bulldogs while North Gwinnett is trying to avoid its first-two game region losing streak since 2003.
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. 25
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
ALPHARETTA at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
-- ALPHARETTA (2-2, 1-2 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost 17-14 to Lambert last week
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (0-4, 0-3 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost 54-20 to West Forsyth last week
-- NOTABLE: Alpharetta leads series 1-0. Alpharetta won 52-3 in 2014 in first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Offense has not been the problem for Habersham in 2015. The Raiders are averaging 25 ppg but the defense has given up 50 ppg in a rugged region. ... Habersham has not had much success at home in recent years. The Raiders are 2-15 at home since moving up to Class AAAAAA in 2012. They are still looking for their first win under new coach Benji Harrison. ... Alpharetta was a team expected to challenge for a playoff spot but two straight losses has put them in a tie for sixth at the midway point. Alpharetta is yielding 29.7 ppg on defense.
APALACHEE at CLARKE CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Death Valley Field at Billy Henderson Stadium, Athens
-- APALACHEE (0-4, 0-3 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 48-0 to Gainesville last week
-- CLARKE CENTRAL (1-3, 1-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 19-7 to Salem last week
-- NOTABLE: Clarke Central leads series 6-1. The Gladiators won 35-21 in 2014. ... It has been a lopsided series with only one game decided by less than 10 points. ... Apalachee is working on a five-game losing streak and has had problems on both sides of the ball. The Wildcats have scored just 12 total points and already have been shutout twice. They are yielding a whopping 44.2 ppg. ... Clarke Central needs a win just to get back in the region race. They are 1 1/2 games out of fourth place and still must face Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Winder-Barrow, and Loganville. ... The Gladiators are not quite the program they once were. Since finishing the 2013 season at 7-4, they have gone a pedestrian 6-8 since and are just 2-4 at home in a place where they were nearly unbeatable for three decades.
ATHENS CHRISTIAN at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 8 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
-- ATHENS CHRISTIAN (1-3, 0-2 Region 8-A): Lost 41-7 to Prince Avenue last week
-- COMMERCE (2-2, 1-1 Region 8-A): Lost 14-7 to Athens Academy last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 8-1. The Tigers won 10-7 in Athens in 2014. ... The Tigers have owned the series but the last three contests have all been decided by 5 points or less, including a 22-21 overtime win for Commerce in 2013. The Eagles only win came in 2012, a 19-14 victory at Tiger Stadium. ... The Tigers are on a rare two-game losing streak but faced two of the better teams in northeast Georgia in Jefferson and Athens Academy, who are a combined 8-0 on the season. ... Commerce begins a three-game homestand this week. They had 274 yards rushing last week but struggled in the red zone. They will need to correct that this week before another monster showdown next week against Prince Avenue (4-0, 2-0). ... The Eagles, who have lost three straight, have struggled on both sides of the ball scoring just 20 total points and yielding 31.6 ppg in that span.
BANKS COUNTY at FRANKLIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Ed Bryant Stadium, Carnesville
-- BANKS COUNTY (3-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated North Cobb Christian 44-36 last week
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (1-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated East Jackson 56-21 last week
-- NOTABLE: Franklin County won 22-21 in 2014 in first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Both teams are riding momentum after big wins last week. The Leopards, who have won three straight, are hoping for a different result than 2014 when they sat in the exact same position only to drop a heartbreaker late. ... Both teams came into the season looking to challenge for a playoff spot and last year’s game was the deciding factor for both teams with the Lions getting the No. 4 seed. ... The Leopards offense, the highest scoring in the region, may be the key to this one. Jr. QB Griffin Goodwin along with senior RBs Trevae Cain and Logan Hubbard, and Sr. WR Zezmon Steeple have helped the offense put up 85 points the past two weeks. Steeple had 182 yards and two touchdowns receiving and a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and finished with 304 all-purpose yards last week. ... Franklin’s power rushing attack had over 300 yards against East Jackson for its biggest scoring output since dropping 54 on North Hall in 2011.
CEDAR SHOALS at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch
-- CEDAR SHOALS (0-3, 0-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 35-0 to Lanier last week
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (2-2, 1-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Heritage, Conyers 45-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 5-0. The Falcons won 17-7 in 2014. ... Flowery Branch finally found its offense last week after suffering back-to-back shutouts. The Branch had 373 total yards, including 269 rushing, led by Trey Wilcoxson's 143 yards. Cortez Davis had 140 all-purpose yards, including 79 yards on the ground. ... The Falcons cannot afford a slip-up if they want to stay in the playoff race. They already sit 1 1/2 games out of fourth place but can climb the ladder quickly with games still left against Winder-Barrow (next week), Salem, and Gainesville. ... Other than allowing 35 points to Lanier, aided by five Branch turnovers, the Falcons defense has been solid yielding just 27 total points (9.0 ppg) in their other three contests. ... Cedar Shoals has had trouble scoring and stopping people. The Jaguars have scored just 14 points (4.6 ppg) and have given up 104 points (34.6 ppg) so far.
DAWSON COUNTY at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartan Field, Oakwood
-- RADIO: northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- DAWSON COUNTY (1-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Bye last week, lost 27-22 to Heritage, Catoosa two weeks ago
-- WEST HALL (2-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 27-7 to North Oconee last week
-- NOTABLE: West Hall leads series 4-2. The Spartans won 26-3 in 2014. West Hall has won two of the three meetings since the series resumed in 2012 after a 21-year break. ... A crucial opening region game for both teams, who come in as the top two defensive teams entering region play. West Hall has allowed just 63 points and the Tigers just 64 points after non-region play. The West Hall defense has scored at least one touchdown in each of its first four games. ... The Spartans have struggled on offense most of the season despite some big scoring numbers. The offense has generated just one field goal over its past nine quarters. ... The Tigers new spread offense has been making gains the past two contests. After scoring just 8 points in the opener they have averaged 22.5 in their last two games.
EAST HALL at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- EAST HALL (0-3, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 34-28 in overtime to Jackson County last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (2-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Our Lady of Mercy 40-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 20-6-1. Lumpkin County won 38-35 in 2014. The Indians have won four straight going back to 2007. ... The Lumpkin County offense has been picking up steam all season increasing its output in each game (18, 28, 38, 40) behind a punishing ground attack led by QB Zach Matthews. Only Banks County has scored more in 7-AAA. That could spell trouble for a young East Hall defense that has allowed the most points of any 7-AAA team (135, 45.0 ppg) so far. They gave up 351 yards rushing to the Panthers’ Malik Tuck last week. ... It has been a rough start for the Vikings, who are 0-3 for the first time since 2009. Offensively East Hall has been making progress scoring 56 points the past two games. The Vikings also got a kickoff return for a touchdown on specials teams last week.
EAST JACKSON at OCONEE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warrior Stadium, Watkinsville
-- EAST JACKSON (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Lost 56-21 to Franklin County last week
-- OCONEE COUNTY (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Defeated Greene County 21-3 last week
-- NOTABLE: Oconee County leads series 5-0. The Warriors won 42-7 in 2014. ... It’s looks like a mismatch on paper with the Warriors as the second-highest scoring team in the region (125, 31.2 ppg) against the worst defense in the region for the Eagles (134, 33.5 ppg). The East Jackson defense has been beat up the last two weeks against two good offenses for 97 points and nearly 750 yards of offense. ... The Eagles offense has averaged 17.2 ppg but the Warriors has allowed just 36 total points (8.0 ppg) on the season. ... The Warriors are looking for early wins in the region with a brutal finish against Hart County, Jefferson, and Elbert County.
GAINESVILLE at HERITAGE, CONYERS
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Evans Memorial Stadium, Conyers
-- RADIO: 1240 AM ESPN Radio
-- GAINESVILLE (2-1, 2-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Apalachee 48-0 last week
-- HERITAGE, CONYERS (0-4, 0-3 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 45-14 to Flowery Branch last week
-- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 3-0. The Red Elephants won 47-13 in 2014. ... The Red Elephants are working on a two-game win streak and the offense has led the way averaging 44 ppg in that span. QB Messiah Dorsey had 229 total yards and three touchdowns, including 144 yards passing. ... The defense was nasty last week yielding just 16 total yards and should be able to duplicate it again this week against a Patriots team averaging just 12.2 ppg. ... Gainesville needs to keep the momentum with a crucial stretch to follow with a road game at unbeaten Salem next week, then at home against No. 6 Lanier, and then another road game at Clarke Central.
GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
-- GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY (1-3, 1-1 Region 8-A): Defeated Providence Christian 41-0 last week
-- TOWNS COUNTY (1-3, 1-1 Region 8-A): Lost 35-0 to Hebron Christian last week
-- NOTABLE: George Walton Academy leads series 1-0. The won 58-28 in 2014 in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... This is a toss-up game. Both teams have struggled offensively. The Indians are averaging just 9.7 ppg while the Bulldogs are averaging just 15.0 ppg. Defensively the Indians have yielded 30.5 ppg and the Bulldogs have allowed 28.2 ppg. ... Towns County needs a win to build momentum with a tough stretch ahead. The Indians face Athens Academy, Athens Christian, Prince Avenue, and Commerce in consecutive weeks.
JACKSON COUNTY at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- RADIO: WDUN FM 102.9
-- JACKSON COUNTY (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Defeated East Hall 34-28 in overtime last week
-- JEFFERSON (4-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Bye last week, ranked No. 3 in Class AAA; defeated Commerce 34-10 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads series 7-0. The Dragons won 34-7 in 2014. ... This has potential for a physical battle up front and on the ground. The Dragons feature So. RB Colby Wood, who has over 800 yards already, and the Panthers’ Sr. RB Malik Tuck, who is coming off a 351-yard performance against East Hall. ... It the first of a four-game gauntlet against all four playoff teams from 2014 for the Panthers, who follow with contests against Oconee County, Elbert County, and Hart County. ... The Dragons also cannot afford a stumble with a huge road game at No. 4 Elbert County next week. ... The Jefferson defense has allowed a region-low 34 points over the first four games of the season.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Shiloh High School
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (1-2, 0-1 Region 8-A): Bye last week, lost 25-21 to Towns County two weeks ago
-- PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN (0-3, 0-1 Region 8-A): Lost 41-0 to George Walton last week
-- NOTABLE: Lakeview Academy won 38-3 in 2014 in first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Lions have had two weeks to work out the kinks and get healthy and face a struggling Storm team that has been outscored 119-7 so far on the season. ... QB Thaddeus Webb has played well early for the Lions. RB Avonte Gober could be a big weapon for Lakeview against the Storm. ... A win for the Lions would give them a .500 record this deep in the season for the first time since playing a region schedule.
LOGANVILLE at LANIER
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Longhorns Stadium, Sugar Hill
-- RADIO: AM 550
-- LOGANVILLE (3-0, 4-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Winder-Barrow 27-20 last week
-- LANIER (3-0, 4-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Ranked No. 6 in Class AAAAA; defeated Cedar Shoals 35-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Lanier leads series 1-0, The Longhorns won 28-14 in 2014 in first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It’s the first major showdown in the region with the winner still undefeated and sitting atop the standings. ... Expect a defensive battle. Lanier is ranked 4th (27, 6.7 ppg) and Loganville is 7th (33, 8.2 ppg) in Class AAAAA in points allowed. Lanier’s Derrick Brown, the state's top-rated recruit, has four sacks and 16 tackles for losses so far. Loganville FS Rhett Mixon returned two interceptions for touchdowns last week. ... However, both offenses have shown signs of cranking things up as well. Loganville's Darryl Giles Jr. has 538 yards rushing, including a season-high 172 last week. The Red Devils are averaging 243.5 ypg on the ground. ... The Longhorns counter with a three-headed running back committee. Marcella Baity leads the way with 270 yards on 57 carries. Brother Marcko Baity has 227 yards and Ashton Barnes has 226 yards. ... Lanier has won 17 consecutive regular-season games. The Longhorns are 12-2 in their last 14 homes games with both losses coming in the playoffs. ... Loganville is 4-0 for the first time since 1998. The Red Devils last advanced to the playoffs in 2010.
MILL CREEK at NORTH GWINNETT
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Robinson Stadium, Suwanee
-- MILL CREEK (4-0, 1-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Ranked No. 6 in Class AAAAAA; defeated Duluth 42-7 last week
-- NORTH GWINNETT (2-2, 0-1 Region 7-AAAAAA): Lost 52-23 to Collins Hill last week
-- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 9-0. The Bulldogs won 51-41 in 2014. ... If ever the Hawks figure to break the spell against the Bulldogs this is the year. but don’t expect a game like 2014, which featured more than 1,000 yards in offense. The current Mill Creek defense is tied for third-best in AAAAAA allowing just 27 points, led by DE Peyton Moore and DE Tyler Vernon with 3 sacks each.. ... The North Gwinnett defense is allowing 36.0 ppg. The Bulldogs have not lost more one region game since 2005 but could be staring at their first 0-2 start to region play since 2003. ... North Gwinnett QB Cade Fortin has passed for 634 yards and 6 TDs with just 1 INT. WR Josh Imatorbhebhe (So. Cal-commit) has just 11 catches for 210 yards and two touchdowns so far. ... Mill Creek QB Cameron Turley has 828 yards passing and 4 TDs.
NORTH FORSYTH at LAMBERT
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Lambert Stadium, Suwanee
-- NORTH FORSYTH (1-3, 1-2 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost 35-3 to South Forsyth last week
-- LAMBERT (3-1, 3-0 Region 6-AAAAAA): Defeated Alpharetta 17-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Lambert leads series 3-0. The Longhorns won 31-6 in 2014. ... It’s the first 3-0 start in the region for the Longhorns since 2011, who have been versatile so far. They have won high-scoring affairs (45-36 over centennial) and displayed some defense in a low-scoring game last week. ... North Forsyth will try to shorten and slow the game down with its double-wing offense. But, the offense, after averaging 30.5 ppg in their first two games, has scored just 12 total points the last two weeks. ... The Raiders can get back in the region race with a win but have struggled on the road. They did pick up their first road win since 2013 three weeks ago beating Chattahoochee but are just 1-7 in their last eight away from Coal Mountain. ... Lambert is 5-1 in its last six at home with its only loss in that span to Roswell in the 2014 playoffs.
NORTH OCONEE at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- NORTH OCONEE (1-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated West Hall 27-7 last week
-- CHESTATEE (0-3, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Bye last week, lost 43-22 to Pepperell two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: North Oconee leads series 1-0. The Titans won 51-7 in 2014 in first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Titans are much better than their record indicates. They lost to Class AAAAA No. 9 Coffee and Class AA No. 3 GAC to open the season before rebounding last week. ... A young Chestatee team is still growing but has had two weeks to try and work things out. Defense has been the issue. The War Eagles allowed 39.6 ppg through their first three games. It won’t get any easier against a balanced and big Titans offense that chewed up a good West Hall defense for over 400 yards of offense. ... Chestatee needs a good start to the region with Buford, Madison County, and Stephens County to follow.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY at JOHNSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (0-3, 0-1 Region 8-AA): Lost 42-0 to Rabun County last week
-- JOHNSON (1-4, non-region): Lost 24-14 to Pickens last week
-- NOTABLE: Johnson won 16-7 in 2014 in first-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Both teams come into this struggling and looking for a win. It has been a really rough start for the Eagles who have been outscored 112-3 so far. But, they got a late start and are still breaking in a new quarterback. ... Johnson, which has lost four straight, has been in every game. They had five turnovers that led to all 35 points in a 35-9 loss to West Hall and were within one play of taking the lead against Pickens last week. ... The Eagles are trying to avoid their first 0-4 start since 2012.
SALEM at WINDER-BARROW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: W. Clair Harris Stadium, Winder
-- SALEM (4-0, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Clarke Central 19-7 last week
-- WINDER-BARROW (1-3, 1-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 27-20 to Loganville last week
-- NOTABLE: Salem leads series 8-1. The Seminoles won 31-24 in 2014. Salem has won seven straight in the series. The last Winder-Barrow win came in 2003, 31-28, in Winder. ... It is a must-win for the Bulldoggs if they have any chance of staying in the playoff race. They have done enough offensively to win games and Sr. RB CeCe Green has been as good as advertised. Winder may find the going tough again against Salem (23, 5.7 ppg) which is tied for 3rd in Class AAAAA in points allowed. They did put up 20 last week against the No. 6 defense in AAAAA but it wasn’t enough. ... The Bulldoggs defense has been vulnerable to strong rushing attacks yielding nearly 300 yards a game on the ground and 33 ppg in their three losses. ... Salem needs a win to stay atop the region. The Seminoles are tied with Lanier and Loganville. They will start a three-game home stand next week against Gainesville with Loganville and Lanier to follow.
STEPHENS COUNTY at NORTH HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Bye last week, defeated Greer, (S.C.) 21-0 two weeks ago
-- NORTH HALL (1-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 42-3 to Carrollton last week
-- NOTABLE: Stephens County leads series 19-1. The Indians won 48-19 in 2014. North Hall’s only victory in the series came in 2004 in the second round of the Class AAA playoffs. ... The schedule doesn’t do the Trojans any favors with North Oconee and Buford to follow to open region play. The Indians have an easier start not having to play North Oconee or Buford until the final two weeks of the season. ... The Stephens County offense has shown balance behind a solid offensive line. The Indians fell just short of knocking off Class AAA No. 4 Elbert County for their only loss. On defense the Indians held a good Franklin County offense, which has scored 81 points the last two games, to just 7 points. ... North Hall looked great on both sides of the ball in a stunning win over West Hall but was roughed up by a good Carrollton squad last week. QB Jackson Madonna has done a good job taking over for Drew Atha and RB Kyle Bacus has shown flashes early on. They will need to control the ball to slow down the Stephens County spread offense.
UNION COUNTY at SOCIAL CIRCLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Redskin Stadium, Social Circle
-- UNION COUNTY (4-0, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Ranked No. 10 in Class AA, defeated Fannin County 37-31 last week
-- SOCIAL CIRCLE (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Lost 40-10 to Putnam County last week
-- NOTABLE: Union County leads series 3-2. The Panthers won 52-19 in 2014. Union County has won all three meetings since the series restarted in 2012. ... On paper the Panthers look to have a favorable matchup. The Panthers are one of the highest-scoring teams in Class AA averaging 39.5 ppg behind QB Joseph Mancuso and a wide-open passing attack. The Redskins are yielding 30 ppg. ... But, Social Circle is one of the surprise teams in the early going with more wins (2) than in the last four seasons combined (1). The Redskins will know quickly if they are a player in the region with Rabun County and Charlie Woerner to follow. ... The Panthers are hoping to keep their momentum going with Oglethorpe County and Greene County to follow before traveling to Rabun County. They are looking for their second straight 5-0 start.
