Region 7-AAAA finally joins the playoff chase in earnest this week, and Region 8-AAAAAA gets fully underway with some huge matchups to highlight Friday’s prep football action around northeast Georgia.
In 7-AAAA, No. 6 Blessed Trinity will travel to White County and Chestatee plays host to West Hall in a game you can hear on 102.9 FM to open region play.
In 8-AAAAAA, all six teams will square off in a trio of games that could set the tone. Gainesville travels to Habersham Central as both teams will try to counter-punch in their spread attacks (NOTE: For a video preview of the contest, click here.). Winder-Barrow will play host to Lanier, which has rallied from off-field issues to win two straight, and an improved Apalachee squad will entertain Dacula -- which was the preseason favorite but sits at 1-4 after non-region play.
There are several big Region 7-AAA contests as well, probably none bigger than Dawson County playing host to Union County. The Tigers got a key win last week at North Hall, while the Panthers can’t afford another loss if they want to stay in the race for a home playoff seeding. East Hall faces a huge task, playing host to No. 1 Greater Atlanta Christian in a game featured live on WDUN AM 550. The Vikings, who are 0-2 in 7-AAA, need a win to get back in the playoff race.
As for other top area teams, Class AAAAAAA No. 2 Mill Creek takes on new school Discovery at home and Class AAAAA No. 1 Buford plays host to Johnson in the first-ever meeting between those two schools. Class A No. 8 Commerce will try and snap a rare two-game losing streak taking on Providence Christian at home in a Region 8-A battle.
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. 7
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
APALACHEE at DACULA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Barron Field, Dacula
-- APALACHEE (2-3-1, 0-1 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 28-21 to Winder-Barrow last week
-- DACULA (1-4, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Bye last week; lost 33-0 to Walton two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It will be the region opener for Dacula, which was considered the pre-season favorite. But, they have played a brutal schedule, including four Class AAAAAAA opponents. The Falcons have lost four straight. ... Apalachee had its first two-game win streak in four years ended last week. ... The Falcons have been battling injuries and have scored the fewest points (69, 13.8 ppg) and given up the most points (131, 26.2 ppg) of any of the region teams through five games. The Wildcats have yielded the second-most points (124, 20.6 ppg) but has played one more game. ... Since scoring 34 points in their opener, the Falcons have scored just 35 points and suffered two shutout losses during their four-game losing streak. ... To stay in the playoff race Apalachee cannot afford an 0-2 start and the Falcons, with Gainesville, Habersham Central, Lanier, and Winder-Barrow still to follow needs a win to get in the race.
BLESSED TRINITY at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com
-- BLESSED TRINITY (4-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Ranked No. 6 in Class AAAA; bye last week; lost 56-6 to McCallie School (Chattanooga, Tenn.) two weeks ago
-- WHITE COUNTY (1-5, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Lost 20-14 to Lumpkin County last week
-- NOTABLE: Blessed Trinity leads series 4-0. The two teams met twice each in the 2012 and 2013 seasons, with two of the meetings coming in the playoffs. ... A quick start is a must in 7-AAAA where there will be just four region games. ... Both of the Titans’ losses have been to out-of-state opponents. ... The Warriors have struggled on both sides of the ball scoring the fewest points in the region (75, 15 ppg) and 10th worst in Class AAAA. The Titans had allowed less than 20 ppg until the big loss to McCallie. ... White County has allowed the sixth-most points in AAAA (193, 32.1 ppg) while the Titans are averaging 24.6 ppg on the season. This Titans group has been tough away from Roswell going 6-0-1 in their last seven road games against in-state teams.
DISCOVERY at MILL CREEK
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mill Creek Community Stadium, Hoschton
-- DISCOVERY (1-5, 0-2 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Lost 44-10 to Collins Hill last week
-- MILL CREEK (6-0, 2-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Ranked No. 2 in Class AAAAAAA; defeated North Gwinnett 44-17 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It looks like a mismatch on paper and should be. The Titans are playing their first-ever varsity schedule. ... Mill Creek is 4th in scoring defense (61, 10.1 ppg) and 3rd in scoring average (214, 35.6 ppg) on offense while Discovery has allowed the fourth-most points (203, 33.8 ppg) and scored the third-fewest (50, 8.3 ppg) in Class AAAAAAA. ... However, the Hawks cannot be caught looking ahead to Peachtree Ridge next week, which could be for the region title.
EAST JACKSON at MONROE AREA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Legion Field, Monroe
-- EAST JACKSON (2-3, 0-1 Region 8-AAA): Lost 42-6 to Morgan County last week
-- MONROE AREA (1-5, 0-1 Region 8-AAA): Lost 41-21 to jackson County last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The region as a whole is not known for its defense in 2016 with four teams, including the Eagles and Hurricanes, in the bottom 20 in Class AAA in points allowed. But, neither team has been particularly good on offense either. East Jackson has scored 87 points (17.4 ppg) while Monroe Area is averaging just 12.1 ppg. ... The Hurricanes have lost four straight and been outscored 128-42 in that stretch. The Eagles, after allowing just 37 points while going 2-1 to open the season, have lost two straight and given up 76 points in that stretch. ... East Jackson, though, has a chance to string some wins together with two of the worst defenses in AAA to follow in Franklin County and Haralson County in the next two weeks.
FLOWERY BRANCH at WALNUT GROVE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warriors Stadium, Walnut Grove
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (3-3, 2-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Cedar Shoals 33-0 last week
-- WALNUT GROVE (2-4, 1-1 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Johnson 28-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Falcons have righted their ship with two straight wins and getting solid defensive play allowing just 7 total points, although neither Cedar Shoals nor Johnson are offensive juggernauts. Offense has been the key for Walnut Grove. In the Warriors’ two wins they have scored 31 ppg, in their three losses just 32 total points. ... This is a danger game for the Falcons, who can’t be caught looking ahead to a three-game finish with Loganville, Clarke Central, and Buford if they want to stay in the race for a region title. ... The Warriors have not won back-to-back games since the 2014 season.
FORSYTH CENTRAL at NORTH FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
-- FORSYTH CENTRAL (3-1, 0-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Bye last week; lost 32-17 to Kennesaw Mountain two weeks ago
-- NORTH FORSYTH (3-2, 0-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Bye last week; lost 35-3 to Woodstock two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: North Forsyth leads series 8-6. The Raiders won the last meeting 31-0 in 2013 at home. North Forsyth has won two straight in the series but the teams have split the last four meetings overall. ... Region opener for both teams and with four of the six teams with winning records after the non-region schedule every game could decide playoff futures and the region title. ... The Raiders already have equalled their win total for the last two seasons combined but face a tough matchup in the Bulldogs. The Raiders have yielded the second-most points in the region (132, 26.4 ppg) while Forsyth Central is second in the region in scoring average at 35.5 ppg. ... However, the Bulldogs are allowing the third-most points on average (25.2 ppg) on defense and the Raiders are averaging 24.8 ppg on offense behind QB Ben Bales. The Raiders were averaging over 30 ppg before Woodstock game.
FRANKLIN COUNTY at JACKSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Panther Stadium, Jefferson
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (1-5, 0-1 Region 8-AAA): Lost 42-39 to Hart County last week
-- JACKSON COUNTY (2-4, 1-0 Region 8-AAA): Defeated Monroe Area 41-21 last week
-- NOTABLE: Franklin County leads series 9-3. Jackson County won the last meeting in 2013, 56-12, in Jefferson. The Panthers have won two straight and 3 of the last 5 in the series going back to 2001. ... It could be a favorable matchup for the Panthers, who have found their offense. After scoring just 46 points in their first four games, they have averaged 31.5 ppg in their last two, including a season-high last week. The Lions, meanwhile, have allowed the seventh-most points in Class AAA (203, 33.8 ppg). But, Franklin County leads the region in scoring (141, 23.5 ppg) and Jackson County is yielding 30.6 ppg on defense. ... The Panthers also have a chance to string some wins together with Hart County, the worst offensive and defensive team in the region, and East Jackson to follow before closing with Morgan County.
GAINESVILLE at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
-- RADIO: 1240 ESPN Radio
-- GAINESVILLE (2-3, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 24-10 to Class AAAA No. 8 Marist last week
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (4-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Bye last week; defeated Chestatee 41-14 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 13-11. The teams have not met since 2001, a 16-7 Red Elephants win in 2001. After playing every season from 1972 to 1991, the two teams have played just twice since. Habersham has won 6 of the last 8 meetings in Mt. Airy. ... A huge game for both teams, but especially for the Red Elephants, who are on a two-game losing streak, though both losses were to ranked teams. ... Gainesville needs a quick start with Dacula and Winder-Barrow to follow. The Raiders also face a tough stretch with Lanier, Dacula, and Winder-Barrow to follow. ... Habersham has yielded the fewest points of region teams (91, 18.2 ppg) while Gainesville has scored just 86 points (17.2 ppg). The Raiders lead the region in scoring average (142, 28.4 ppg) and will get dynamic RB Michael Babers back this week. The Red Elephants have had trouble vs. power running teams. Though Habersham does run a spread, look for the Raiders to go to the ground a little more than normal.
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN (5-1, 2-0 Region 7-AAA): Ranked No. 1 in Class AAA; defeated Fannin County 52-10 last week
-- EAST HALL (2-4, 0-2 Region 7-AAA): Lost 51-46 to Union County last week
-- NOTABLE: Greater Atlanta Christian leads series 4-0. The Spartans won last meeting in 2005, 37-30. ... Expect some points scored as both teams have scored 191 points (31.8 ppg) ... The Vikings have been the heartbreak team of the region so far with two losses by a total of 8 points. As a result, they need a win to stay in the playoff race. But, the task will be huge with the top-ranked Spartans, who are clicking on all cylinders since the return of Stanford QB commit Davis Mills. They are averaging 41.3 ppg in the their last three games and have allowed just 29 points (9.6 ppg) in that span. ... East Hall has cranked up its offense over the past month as well averaging 39.5 ppg behind QB Austin Young. But the Vikings are just 2-2 as the defense has allowed a region-worst 192 points (32 ppg) on the season.
JOHNSON at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- JOHNSON (0-6, 0-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 28-0 to Walnut Grove last week
-- BUFORD (4-1, 1-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Ranked NO. 1 in Class AAAAA; defeated Clarke Central 44-13 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... This one also looks like huge mismatch on paper. The Wolves are averaging 44.7 ppg on offense and have allowed just 14.5 in their last four games, all wins. The Knights have allowed the fourth-most points in AAAAA (243, 40.5 ppg) and scored just 91 (15.1 ppg) on the season. ... Buford has won 27 straight region games going back to 2012 in 7-AAA. ... The Knights are looking for their first region win since 2010 when they were in 8-AAA. They have not played a region schedule since 2011.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Wolverine Field, Bogart
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (1-4, 1-3 Region 8-A): Lost 28-21 to Athens Christian last week
-- PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN (6-0, 5-0 Region 8-A): Ranked No. 3 in Class A Private; defeated Commerce 21-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Prince Avenue leads series 6-0. The Wolverines won 56-0 in 2015. ... The Lions put up fight last week against a solid Athens Christian team with their second-best offensive output of the season. It took a while for their new spread offense to get going but after scoring 27 total points in their first three games they have averaged 26 ppg in their last two games. The Prince Avenue defense is allowing just 10.3 ppg ... Defense continues to be the problem for Lakeview, which has given up 176 points (35.2 ppg) the most in 8-A. They face another tough test in the Wolverines, who are averaging 30.5 ppg on offense.
LANIER at WINDER-BARROW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: W. Clair Harris Stadium, Winder
-- LANIER (3-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Bye last week; defeated St. Pius 26-0 two weeks ago
-- WINDER-BARROW (4-2, 1-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Apalachee 28-21 last week
-- NOTABLE: Lanier leads series 2-0. The Longhorns won 48-21 in 2015. ... Both teams are riding two-game win streaks and playing perhaps their best football of the season coming into this matchup. ... The Bulldoggs can take a huge step toward controlling their own playoff destiny with a win Friday. They still have road games to Gainesville and Dacula looming so being able to hold serve is crucial. The Longhorns also have Dacula and Gainesville to close out the season so this game could have big seedings implications. ... The key matchup could be the Lanier offense, which has averaged 30.5 ppg during the win streak after scoring just 41 points (13.6 ppg) in its first three games, against the Bulldoggs defense, which allowed just 20 ppg on the season. The Longhorns defense also has found its groove after pitching the shutout vs. St. Pius. Winder-Barrow, however, is averaging 24.8 ppg and has scored 66 points (33 ppg) during its win streak.
NORTH HALL at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- NORTH HALL (4-2, 1-1 Region 7-AAA): Lost 45-27 to Dawson County last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (3-2, 1-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated White County 20-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 17-7. North Hall won the last meeting 49-0 in 2011 in Dahlonega. ... A key game in 7-AAA with the winner having head-to-head tiebreakers. And, both still have to play Union County and GAC. ... It should be a hard-knocking battle between two solid ground attacks. The Trojans are led by Kyle Bacus, who was held in check last week for the first time this season. Zack Matthews leads the Indians. Both have been named a Locos Grill and Pub Friday Game Night Player of the Week during the season. ... The key in this one will be which team can control the line of scrimmage, the clock, and get their rushing attack unleashed. ... The North Hall defense had allowed just 17.8 ppg until last week.
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
-- PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN (1-4, 0-4 Region 8-A): Lost 27-0 to George Walton last week
-- COMMERCE (1-4, 1-3 Region 8-A): Ranked No. 8 in Class A Public; lost 21-14 to No. 4 Prince Avenue last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 2-0. The Tigers won 45-0 in 2015. ... Commerce is on a rare two-game losing streak and last week’s loss was tough giving up a game-winning score in the final moments. But, they start a three-game stretch against the bottom three teams in the region and have a chance to turn things around before a tough finish with Athens Academy and George Walton. ... The Storm have scored the fewest points in region play (45) while the Tigers have yielded just 12.4 ppg on the season. ... Providence has lost four straight and 20 straight region games since joining the region in 2014.
RABUN COUNTY at PUTNAM COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Eatonton
-- RABUN COUNTY (4-0, 1-0 Region 8-AA): Ranked No. 3 in Class AA; defeated Banks County 46-3 last week
-- PUTNAM COUNTY (1-5, 1-1 Region 8-AA): defeated Oglethorpe County 42-10 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Wildcats are showing that they are a force to reckoned with in Class AA. They are second in in scoring average at 38.2 points per game second in defense allowing just 7.5 ppg. The defense eight takeaways (7 fumbles) and 25 tackles for loss in four games. That doesn’t bode well for a Wolverines offense that is averaging just 13.8 ppg. They were a playoff team in 2015 but graduated several starters and are rebuilding this season. ... Putnam is only giving up 19 ppg but has not faced an offense as balanced and explosive as the Wildcats. ... Rabun County has won 16 straight 8-AA games. It’s last 8--AA loss was to Washington-Wilkes in 2013.
STEPHENS COUNTY at ST. PIUS X
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: George B. Maloof Stadium, Atlanta
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (4-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Bye last week; defeated Hart County 23-6 two weeks ago
-- ST. PIUS X (0-5, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Bye last week; lost 26-0 to Lanier two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It is the 8-AAAA opener for both teams. ... It has been a rough start for the Golden Lions, who already have posted their most losses in a season since 2005. It is their first 0-5 start since 1990. However, they have played a brutal schedule with two No. 1s (Benedictine and GAC) and two other top 10 teams in their respective classifications. The defense has been respectable giving up just 23.8 ppg. The offense has been the issue scoring just 32 points (6.4 ppg) and suffering two shutouts. ... The Indians offer another tough defense allowing just 64 points (12.8 ppg) which is tied for 6th in Class AAAA. Stephens has won three straight allowing just 20 points while QB Jackson Bell, RB A.J. Howard, and WR A.J. Curry have sparked the offense, which is averaging 32.4 ppg. ... The Indians need a solid start to region play with stalwarts Madison County, Oconee County, and Jefferson to follow. That trio is a combined 14-3 on the season.
UNION COUNTY at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- UNION COUNTY (5-1, 1-1 Region 7-AAA): Defeated East Hall 51-46 last week
-- DAWSON COUNTY (3-1, 1-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated North Hall 45-27 last week
-- NOTABLE: Union County leads series 18-11. Dawson County won the last meeting in 2011, 22-19 in Dawsonville. The Tigers are 7-2 in the past 9 meetings. ... Union County is just 1-4 in Dawsonville since 2003. It’s a huge game for both teams, who both have sights set on a top two finish in the region. ... A loss for the Panthers would put them in a tough spot with a loss already to No. 1 GAC and a tough matchup with North Hall looming next week. A win for the Tigers would continue to set them up for a possible unbeaten showdown with GAC in Dawsonville to finish the season. ... This could be a battle of quarterbacks with Union’s Cole Wright, the Locos Grill and Pub Friday Game Night Player of the Week for last week, and the Tigers’ Coey Watson, who has rebounded from an early-season arm injury. The defense that can generate a key stop may be the key to victory in this one.
WEST HALL at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- WEST HALL (4-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Bye last week; lost 34-10 to Class AA No. 3 Rabun County two weeks ago
-- CHESTATEE (3-3, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Bye last week; lost 41-14 to Habersham Central two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Series tied 6-6. West Hall won 42-3 in 2015. The Spartans have won two straight. ... It has become one of the better Hall County rivalries as the two teams have played every year but two since Chestatee opened in 2002. ... A huge 7-AAAA opener for both teams as every game is at premium with only four region games. West Hall was considered a contender for a region title before the season began and many thought Chestatee was in rebuilding mode. The War Eagles in the first half of the season have shown they are expecting to challenge for the playoffs. ... It will also be a contrast in styles. The War Eagles spread attack behind Storm Yarbrough, Nick Lyles, and Baylee Camp and has posted 201 points (37 ppg) which is sixth in AAAA. The Spartans, however, are yielding a region-low 15 ppg on defense. They are 1-2 vs. teams that have run spread offenses in 2016. ... West Hall’s offense is averaging 23.8 ppg while the War Eagles have allowed the most points (233, 38.8 ppg) in Class AAAA. ... With road games to No. 6 Blessed Trinity and White County, whom it has only beaten twice in 12 tries, to follow, Chestatee cannot afford the possibility of an 0-3 start if wants to make the playoffs. The War Eagles followed both of their first two losses with wins.
