Here's a look at five things we learned from week six of high school football...
1. Dawson County is finding its stride at the right time
Now that the Tigers are back in a routine -- after seeing their season opener halted due to inclement weather and then a bye immediately following their first full contest -- we are starting to see just how good they may be this season. And it's starting to impress. Dawson displayed offensive balance in last week's key 45-27 defeat of North Hall, rushing for 180 yards and passing for 226. Payton Myers looks like he is taking hold of the rushing reins for the Tigers, and with Coey Watson a talent and leader at quarterback that will only make Dawson that much more dangerous. Meanwhile, the Tigers defense is improving each week, and while they did yield 233 yards to a Trojans rushing attack that has gashed just about everyone this season, they also stepped up and allowed just two second half touchdowns, as Dawson County pulled away from a 14-10 halftime deficit. With 36 seniors on the roster you can expect this team to deal with mistakes -- and it did just that on Saturday, taking two turnovers and that first half deficit in stride. The Tigers defense will face another stout test this week against Union County's high-flying attack, but there aren't many teams that can match Dawson's all-around abilities right now.
2. Jackson County is in the thick of the 8-AAA race
The Panthers faced some non-region struggles, winning just one contest and dropping four others, but they learned some valuable lessons along the way. And now Jackson County is ready to put that education to use in a playoff push; the Panthers showed as much on Friday night, unleashing an offensive tidal wave on Monroe Area in a 41-21 victory. The Panthers rolled up 483 total yards -- 363 of that on the ground. Noah Venable proved both workhorse and racehorse, carrying 33 times and piling up 252 yards and three scores. Chris Griggs, meanwhile, passed for 42 yards and a score, while also rushing for 58 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 32-yard reception and wrapped his do-everything night with an interception on defense. (There is no truth to the rumors he also sold popcorn at halftime.) The win not only vaulted Jackson County into a tie for first in Region 8-AAA, it also served notice that the Panthers will be right in the mix the rest of the way. There are some very tough tests ahead, including Morgan County, Hart County and Franklin County, but if Jackson County can knock off just one of those teams it may just seal a postseason slot in the six-team region.
3. Union County's offense can lead it back into the playoffs
Everyone that followed high school football with regularity wondered this preseason: How would the Panthers cope with the graduation of some key standouts -- including record-setting quarterback Joseph Mancuso. Union has answered: Just fine thank you. New starting quarterback Cole Wright has proved an abe replacement; the junior has passed for almost 1,000 yards and 8 touchdowns so far this campaign, while also rushing for 735 yards. The dual threat has 16 touchdowns combined and is a big reason why the Panthers are 5-1 and right in the mix in Region 7-AAA -- despite moving up from Class AA this offseason. Running back Bo Lynch has also been a huge key this season -- he scored a career-high four touchdowns in last week's 51-46 rebound defeat of East Hall. It was a victory that saw the Panthers roll up well over 500 yards, and they needed every one of them against a Vikings attack that was also rolling.The shootout win pushed Union County right back into the race for the top in te ultra-competitive region and showed that they will be in the playoff and region title debate until the November. It's an impressive feat for a program that is in the midst of its most successful run in history, showing that it is far bigger than one player -- even if he was a record-breaker.
4. Flowery Branch can take a huge step toward postseason this week
The Falcons' stated goal this preseason was to get back on the playoff path. And while they have faced some tough moments in the early going, they are starting to look very much like a team of focus now that region season has begun. Flowery Branch has posted back-to-back victories since the start of Region 8-AAAAA play and done so by a combined score of 79-7. The Falcons shut out Cedar Shoals this past week, 33-0, setting up what could be a huge showdown with Walnut Grove this Friday. A win over the Warriors would not seal a postseason spot, but it would boost the Branch into a very good position to clinch a state berth with its three toughest region showdowns to come -- in order: Loganville, Clarke Central and Buford (teams that are a combined 11-5). The Falcons have shown a mixture of athleticism and depth the past two weeks, with a number of players putting points on the board -- and keeping them off on defense. It is obvious Flowery Branch learned from its non-region slate against teams a combined 17-6, each of which will compete for playoff berths of their own.
5. Colby Clark gives Jefferson one more weapon in a loaded backfield
As if the Dragons weren't already deep enough in the offensive backfield, they now have a quarterback that can make teams pay with his legs and arm. The freshman took over the starting role against Flowery Branch on Sept. 16 in game four and looked like anything but a first-year high schooler in the process. Three games in to his varsity career Clark is looking more and more like a veteran. And his running ability is only making the Dragons more dangerous. Already loaded in the backfield with running backs Colby Wood and Zack Boobas, defenses must now account for the abilities of the freshman quarterback. Clark helped lead Jefferson to a big region win over previously undefeated Madison County last week, and, by the learning cruve he has shown, you can bet he will be a key piece of the Dragons offense once the postseason begins.
WEEK 6 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES, Sept. 30
Athens Academy 42, Riverside Military Academy 0
Athens Christian 28, Lakeview Academy 21
Buford 44, Clarke Central 13
Dawson County 45, North Hall 27
Flowery Branch 33, Cedar Shoals 0
Greater Atlanta Christian 52, Fannin County 10
Hebron Christian Academy 31, Towns County 13
Jackson County 41, Monroe Area 21
Jefferson 28, Madison County 7
Lumpkin County 20, White County 14
Marist 24, Gainesville 10
Mill Creek 44, North Gwinnett 17
Morgan County 42, East Jackson 6
Prince Avenue Christian 21, Commerce 14
Rabun County 46, Banks County 3
Union County 51, East Hall 46
Walnut Grove 28, Johnson 0
Winder-Barrow 28, Apalachee 21
WEEK 7 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, Oct. 7
Apalachee at Dacula
Blessed Trinity at White County
Providence Christian at Commerce
Discovery at Mill Creek
East Jackson at Monroe Area
Flowery Branch at Walnut Grove
Forsyth Central at North Forsyth
Franklin County at Jackson County
Gainesville at Habersham Central
Greater Atlanta Christian at East Hall
Johnson at Buford
Lakeview Academy at Prince Avenue Christian
Lanier at Winder-Barrow
North Hall at Lumpkin County
Providence Christian at Commerce
Rabun County at Putnam County
Stephens County at St. Pius X
Union County at Dawson County
West Hall at Chestatee
