Separation and possible elimination games highlight a packed slate of contests for Week 6 of high school football this Friday.
Since a season-opening loss Gainesville has bounced back and is rolling into this week’s Region 8-AAAAA showdown at Salem. The Red Elephants (3-1, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAA) have found their defensive rhythm of late, posting two straight shutouts -- and Gainesville knows it will need its best against a Seminoles team that is coming off its first loss of the season.
The contest in Conyers will play out live on the airwaves of 1240 AM ESPN Radio.
Like the Red Elephants, Salem features a stable of talented athletes, and the Seminoles (4-1, 3-1) will be itching to bounce back and stay in the 8-AAAAA title race. Gainesville, meanwhile, knows that a victory will set up a titanic clash with undefeated Lanier next week for sole possession of first in 8-AAAAA (the Longhorns are on a bye this week after handing Loganville its first loss last week).
Meanwhile, Flowery Branch and Winder-Barrow will duke it out to keep up in the playoff race in 8-AAAAA. With Gainesville, Lanier, Salem and Loganville all sitting in the top four, the Falcons and Bulldoggs (along with Clarke Central) are all just behind with two region losses each. And with all three yet to play each other, this weekend’s tilt takes on plenty of weight.
The contest, at Winder’s W. Clair Harris Stadium, will be broadcast live on WDUN AM 550.
The Branch (3-2, 2-2) has battled back from a 1-2 start and has started to find its offensive rhythm, averaging 35 points in its last two games after two shutouts to open the league season.
Winder-Barrow (2-3, 2-2), meanwhile, discovered its own offensive spark last week, as sophomore quarterback Brock Landis scored four touchdowns, including the winner in overtime to nip Salem -- in his first varsity start. If standout running back Cece Green can return from injury this week (and coaches are hopeful he will), the two could make for an impressive 1-2 punch in the backfield.
Last week, Region 7-AAA opened its 2015 campaign with some eye-opening results, none more so than for Dawson County and East Hall. The Tigers (2-2, 1-0 Region 7-AAA) shut out defending region champ West Hall 17-0, while the Vikings (1-3, 1-0) picked up their first victory in emphatic fashion, running away from Lumpkin County, 48-14.
The two will face off at Valhalla in Rabbittown in a contest broadcast live on WDUN FM 102.9, with the winner putting itself in pole position for the race to the top.
Both squads are still learning -- both featuring youth and Dawson also learning under new head coach Sid Maxwell. But both also have plenty of athleticism.
East Hall has shown plenty of ability on offense, averaging almost 28 points per game -- just under 35 in its last three contests. Dawson County, meanwhile, has had moments of dominance on defense, yielding 16 points per game -- 4.5 ppg in two wins.
Elsewhere in 7-AAA, Lumpkin County will look to bounce back from last week’s loss as it travels to Franklin County. The Lions (2-2, 1-0) edged out Banks County last week, and are looking to maintain their spot at the front of 7-AAA. The Indians (2-3, 0-1) will look to bounce back from their lowest scoring output of the season in a game broadcast live on northgeorgiasportslink.com.
Meanwhile, Region 8-AAAA, will get going completely this week, with all eight teams competing against each other. White County is coming off a bye and will look to get its season back on track against Madison County in a game broadcast live on wrwh.com. The two are a combined 0-8 -- though the Warriors have twice narrowly missed victory, falling by seven and two points.
North Hall, meanwhile, suffered a whisper-thin loss against Stephens County last week and will look to get its first region win at North Oconee. Stephens, meanwhile, plays host to Monroe Area, while Buford hosts Chestatee.
Of course perhaps the biggest showdown of the week -- one on par with any in the state -- will take place in Region 8-AAA when Jefferson travels to Elbert County.
The two foes are both ranked inside the top five of Class AAA and feature outstanding athletes. They are the only two undefeated teams left in 8-AAA -- though Oconee County is also 1-0 in 8-AAA (4-1 overall).
It is a tantalizing battle and one that we will highlight in depth, later in the week on Friday Game Night.
WEEK 6 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, OCT. 2
Chestatee at Buford
Dawson County at East Hall -- Radio: WDUN FM 102.9
Fannin County at Banks County
Flowery Branch at Winder-Barrow -- Radio: WDUN AM 550
Gainesville at Salem -- Radio: 1240 AM
Jefferson at Elbert County
Lakeview Academy at Hebron Christian
Loganville at Apalachee
Lumpkin County at Franklin County -- Radio: northgeorgiasportslink.com
Meadowcreek at Mill Creek
Monroe Area at Stephens County
Morgan County at East Jackson
North Gwinnett at Norcross
North Hall at North Oconee
Oconee County at Jackson County
Oglethorpe County at Union County
Prince Avenue Christian at Commerce
Social Circle at Rabun County
Strong Rock Christian at Riverside Military
Towns County at Athens Academy
White County at Madison County -- Radio: wrwh.com
