Though only Region 8-A has started region play around the northeast Georgia area, that doesn't mean there aren't any huge contests on tap for Friday night for prep football teams.
No game in the area this week may have more of an impact on future playoff possiblities than when Thomson and Jefferson face off at Memorial Stadium in a batlle of Class AAAA titans and top ranked teams.
The Dragons are ranked third and the Bulldogs fourth and the winner will have made a huge statement of intent in Class AAAA. It will likely be a test of wills and pure old-fashioned smashmouth football as both teams like to pound the ball behind big offensive lines. This one will not be for the faint of heart. To watch a video preview of the contest, click here.
Meanwhile, down I-85 in Hoschton, Mill Creek, ranked No. 1 in the state's largest classification for the first time ever, will see if it can handle heightened expectations against arch-rival Dacula, which may have its best assembleage of talent in years. The Hawks feel they still have something to prove to the state even after taking down two-time state champion Colquitt County two weeks ago.
Gainesville is looking to put a dismal second half performance against Alpharetta in the rearview mirror playing host to old Region 8-AAAAA rival Clarke Central. The two traditional programs are both coming off disappointing showings last week and need a win to build momentum heading into region play.
Dawson County will face a monster road test in Summerville taking on Chattooga, who throttled Alabama Class A state runner-up Cedar Bluff with nearly 400 yards rushing and seven rushing touchdowns in a blowout win last week. The Tigers have yet to play a full game but are hoping its spread attack behind quarterback Coey Watson can offset the Chattooga ground game.
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 MATCHUPS, Sept. 2
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
APALACHEE at UNION GROVE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Wolverine Stadium, McDonough
-- APALACHEE (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 27-14 to River Ridge last week
-- UNION GROVE (0-2, 0-0 Region 4-AAAAA): Lost 60-28 to Whitewater last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Both teams come in looking for their first wins of the season. This could be a good opportunity for the Wildcats offense to get untracked. The Union Grove defense already has been torched for 115 points (57.5 ppg) in its first two games. ... Apalachee also is looking to snap a 12-game losing streak and garner its first non-0-2 start to a season since 2012. ... The Wolverines are working on a 7-game losing streak. However, the 28 points last week was the most for a Union Grove team since scoring 45 vs. Mt. Zion in 2013.
ATHENS ACADEMY at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Lakeview Stadium, Gainesville
-- ATHENS ACADEMY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Defeated Walker 23-8 last week
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-A): Lost 38-6 to East Jackson last week
-- NOTABLE: Athens Academy leads series 5-1. The Spartans won 41-10 in 2015. ... It is the Region 8-A opener for both teams but the Lions have perhaps the toughest opening stretch of any in the region with four of their first five games vs. the projected top four teams in the region. They have Commerce, Athens Christian, and Prince Avenue all to follow before the first week of October. ... Lakeview also trotted out a new spread attack offense but struggled against a bigger East Jackson squad. The Spartans figure to be a challenge as well. They held Walker scoreless into the third quarter until the reserves came in to finish the game.
BANKS COUNTY at JOHNSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood
-- BANKS COUNTY (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Lost 43-0 to Commerce last week
-- JOHNSON (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 42-14 to West Hall last week
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 2-2. Banks County won 27-14 in 2015 in Homer. The Leopards have won both meetings since the series renewed in 2014. The last Johnson win in the series came in 1959. ... Both teams are in need of a win after hoping for quicker starts to the season. Both teams defenses struggled last week against good rushing attacks allowing nearly 700 yards combined. Both defenses will need to find a way to stop the run against two offenses that like to run the ball. ... But, the Leopards offense is still breaking in a new offensive line and has scored just 16 points in the first two games after averaging 28 ppg in 2015. ... The Knights offense also struggled last week piling up just 180 total yards.
BISHOP TIMON-ST. JUDE (BUFFALO, N.Y.) at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- BISHOP TIMON-ST. JUDE (BUFFALO, N.Y.) (0-0): Season opener for the Tigers
-- BUFORD (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Ranked No. 3 in Class AAAAA; bye last week; lost 24-7 to Roswell two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Both teams face a similar schedule in that they are playing highly ranked or out-of-state competition until opening region play. The Tigers also will face an Ohio team and Permian from Odessa, Texas, which was the school highlighted in the show ‘Friday Night Lights,’ both on the road in the coming weeks. ... The Wolves will take on out-of-state teams from Alabama and Florida over the next three weeks, all at home, however. ... The Wolves are facing an unusual situation coming off their first season-opening loss since 1998 and are staring at a possible 0-2 start to a season for the first time since 1998 as well. But, Roswell was ranked in the top three in Class AAAAAAA and is considered one of the teams expected to challenge for a state title in the largest classification. ... The Tigers are led by junior quarterback Matt Myers, a potential D-I prospect, and possibly junior D-I prospect OL Jeremiah Sanders, who transfered to the private Catholic school just last week and is awaiting approval from the Monsignor Martin Association in New York. His transfer created a riff because of the timing of the move and triggered accusations of recruiting and tampering by the Tigers’ coaches, according to a story in the Buffalo News. ... The Wolves are hoping to get junior RBs Anthony Grant and Christian Turner and the offense behind senior Mic Roof unleashed.
CLARKE CENTRAL at GAINESVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 1240 ESPN Radio
-- CLARKE CENTRAL (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 34-10 to Oconee County last week
-- GAINESVILLE (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 28-7 to Alpharetta last wee
-- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 7-3. Clarke Central won 44-7 in 2015 in Athens. ... The Red Elephants have won 3 of the 4 meetings since the series resumed in 2012 and has never lost to the Gladiators at City Park (5-0). ... Both teams are in need of a win after suffering lopsided losses last week and trying to rebuild momentum as they steam toward region play. Gainesville certainly wants some positivity with two straight off weeks to follow before traveling to Class AAAA No. 4 Jefferson in three weeks. The Gladiators have an off week next week before playing host to North Oconee. ... Expect a wide-open game with two spread offenses. The Red Elephants, however, will have to get some improvement up front after giving up nearly a dozen sacks in two games. QB DJ Irons has shown some flashes of what he can do but has been running for his life too many times. ... Clarke Central QB Jack Mangel has been a tough dual-threat so far with 2 rushing TDs and one TD passing in his first two games as a starter. The Gladiators also have a solid kicker in William Downs, who has a 49-yard field goal to his credit already this season.
DACULA at MILL CREEK
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mill Creek Community Stadium, Hoschton
-- DACULA (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Central Gwinnett 34-13 last week
-- MILL CREEK (2-0, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Ranked No. 1 in Class AAAAAAA, defeated Stephenson 32-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Mill Creek leads series 6-4. The Hawks won 34-7 in 2015. ... The two close rivals have met every season since the opening of Mill Creek. The Hawks have won 4 of the last 5 overall, however, are just 2-3 all-time vs. the Falcons at home. ... This will be strength-on-strength with the Falcons rushing attack going against the Hawks defense. The Falcons churned out 353 yards on the ground last week behind Tre McMillan, who had 154 yards on just 7 carries with 2 TDs, including a 78-yarder. The Falcons return game may be one of the best in Gwinnett County with Jaylon Jones, who amassed 162 return yards, including a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. ... Mill Creek’s offense behind QB Cameron Turley is sure to have some success against a Falcons secondary that allowed 302 yards passing last week. ... The Hawks’ Edmond Graham blocked his second FG attempt of the season last week giving him 5 for his career, tying the school record.
DAWSON COUNTY at CHATTOOGA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Little Big Horn Stadium, Summerville
-- RADIO: northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- DAWSON COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Ranked No. 9 in Class AAA, Last week’s game with Forsyth Central ruled no contest due to lightning
-- CHATTOOGA (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-AA): Defeated Cedar Bluff (Ala.) 49-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Indians are coming off their first winning season since 2009 and opened with an impressive win over a team that lost in the Alabama Class A state finals. They piled up nearly 400 yards rushing with 7 rushing TDs, three by Quintell Price. ... The Tigers liked what they saw offensively in the quarter-plus action they got in before the game was called due to lightning. QB Coey Watson ran for a score and threw for another. However, the defense did give up an 82-yard TD run so adjustments will need to be made with the big and powerful Chattooga offense up next.
FLOWERY BRANCH at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 21-20 to North Hall last week
-- CHESTATEE (1-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated East Hall 23-21 last week
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 8-2. The Falcons won 34-10 in 2015. ... The War Eagles are coming off an emotional win that snapped their 18-game losing streak of nearly two calendar years. Nick Lyles has stepped into the limelight for Chestatee with 325 yards rushing and 144 yards receiving in his first two games. ... The Falcons are coming off a heartbreaker where they missed a FG in the waning seconds and had trouble with the kicking game all night long. However, Malik Drayton showed he will be one of the area’s marquee players with over 200 all-purpose yards and several eye-popping runs. ... With Chestatee now running the nearly-identical spread offense as the Falcons (coach Shaun Conley was the longtime OC for The Branch) whichever team can get the big play and a some stops on defense will have the advantage. ... The Falcons could use some momentum with two brutal non-region games to follow against high-flying Stephens County and then Class AAAA No. 3 Jefferson. ... Chestatee is looking for its first back-to-back wins since late in the 2013 season.
GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
-- GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Defeated Social Circle 46-7 last week
-- TOWNS COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Bye last week, defeated Hayesville (N.C.) 33-14 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: George Walton leads series 2-0. The Bulldogs won 24-0 in 2015 in Hiawassee. ... It is the region openers for both teams and both are coming off impressive opening wins. For the Indians, it was their first season-opening win since 2008 and now they will try to make it back-to-back victories for the first time since season-ending wins in 2013. ... Towns County could use some momentum before heading into next week’s showdown with Class A No. 7 Prince Avenue Christian.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com; WCON 99.3 FM
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Bye last week, defeated East Hall 45-13 two weeks ago
-- WHITE COUNTY (0-1, 0-0 Region Region 7-AAAA): Last week’s game with Lumpkin County ruled no contest due to lightning; lost 26-7 to Franklin County two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Habersham Central leads series 4-2. White County won the last meeting 35-14 in 2013. ... The Raiders probably have been chomping at the bit to get back on the field after an outstanding start to the season. The Warriors must be frustrated after a rough opener and then not even getting to play last week. ... Should be an interesting clash of styles as White County will certainly try to establish its ground game while the Raiders will try to air it out in its spread attack. ... White County needs a win to build some momentum with its next four opponents and six of the final seven all playoff teams from 2015. ... Habersham is looking to build on its opener behind senior QB Cole Wilbanks (15-of-21, 175 yards, 2 TDs) and senior RB Michael Babers (19-183, 3 TDs).
HAYESVILLE, N.C. at UNION COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
-- HAYESVILLE, (N.C.) (0-2): Lost 36-7 to Copper Basin (Tenn.) last week
-- UNION COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Gilmer 36-16 last week
-- NOTABLE: Union County leads cross-state rivalry 15-6-1. The Panthers won the last meeting 41-26 in 2009. The two schools met 20 times from 1957 to 1983 but just two times since. ... The Panthers are 6-4-1 all time at home vs. the Yellowjackets. ... Union County got the post-Joe Mancuso era under way last week and new QB Cole Wright was more than up to the task with 164 yards passing and 1 TD and another 126 yards rushing with 2 TDs. They should be able to move the ball against a Hayesville defense that has yielded 69 points and more than 700 yards of offense in its first two games.
HEBRON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Ray Lamb Stadium, Commerce
-- HEBRON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Bye last week, defeated East Jackson 17-7 two weeks ago
-- COMMERCE (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Ranked No. 6 in Class A, defeated Banks County 43-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 4-0, all since 2012. The Tigers won 35-0 in Dacula in 2015. ... It is the region opener for both teams who are expecting to make playoff runs this season. ... It has been a favorable matchup for the Tigers as their option ground attack has averaged 40.2 ppg in the series and the defense has allowed just 37 total points (9.2 ppg) as well. ... Commerce’s offense did not miss a beat last week with new QB Lane Sorrow and RB Will Thomas combining for 4 TDs on the night. ... Despite having never made the playoffs, the Lions are looking for their fourth straight 2-0 start to a season.
JACKSON COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Grounds
-- RADIO: northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- JACKSON COUNTY (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Lost 42-12 to Madison County last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Last week’s game with White County ruled no contest due to lightning
-- NOTABLE: Jackson County leads series 4-0. It is the first meeting between the teams since 1991. The Panthers won that game 21-6 in Jefferson. ... The Indians face a tough beginning in that this will be the Panthers third game of the season while they have yet to play a complete game. ... Lumpkin also sports a new coach in Shane Williamson so there is sure to be some growing pains in their first actual action of the season. ... Jackson County got 2 TDs from Noah Venable last week but the defense gave up several big plays to the Red Raiders.
NORTH FORSYTH at LOGANVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Red Devil Stadium, Loganville
-- NORTH FORSYTH (1-1, 0-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Lost 28-21 to Johns Creek last week
-- LOGANVILLE (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Monroe Area 30-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Raiders were half a quarter from their first 2-0 start of the season last week before giving up 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Turnovers were key as QB Ben Bales threw for two more touchdowns but also had two big interceptions for North Forsyth, which also lost a fumble. They have five turnovers in the first two games. ... Loganville dominated the Hurricanes holding them to less than 250 yards of offense and forcing seven punts and getting one turnover on defense. The Red Devils led 30-0 before allowing a late Monroe Area score with the reserves in the game.
NORTH GWINNETT at HILLGROVE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Cobb Energy Hillgrove Stadium, Powder Springs
-- NORTH GWINNETT (1-1, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Defeated Milton 43-29 last week
-- HILLGROVE (1-0, 0-0 Region 3-AAAAAAA): Bye last week, defeated South Forsyth 27-14 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 3-0. The Bulldogs won 31-19 in 2015. ... The Bulldogs rebounded nicely after a tough loss in their opener in the Georgia Dome. Cade Fortin passed for 268 yards and 2 TDs without an interception vs. Milton with Ricky Reed being his favorite target with 5 catches for 71 yards and one TD. Ryan Lovelace had 3 rushing TDs for the Bulldogs. ... North Gwinnett certainly would like to keep the momentum going with unbeatens No. 5 Norcross, Mountain View, and No. 1 Mill Creek all looming in consecutive weeks. That trio is currently 6-0 combined.
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN at RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
-- PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Defeated Fulton Leadership Academy 24-0 last week
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY (0-1, 0-1 Region 8-A): Lost 34-0 to No. 7 Prince Avenue Christian last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The win for the Storm last week was the first in program history. They began playing varsity in 2014 and had gone 0-20 until last week. ... The Eagles are hoping to get their first win of the season and this week also begins a stretch of four straight region games that are certainly winnable. ... The 24 points for Providence was the second-most scored in a game (27 vs. Hebron in 2014) 20in school history. ... Riverside also is trying to avoid its second consecutive 0-2 start to a season.
RINGGOLD at FANNIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge
-- RINGGOLD (1-1, 0-0 Region 6-AAA): Defeated Heritage, Ringgold 40-34 in overtime last week
-- FANNIN COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Bye last week, defeated Gilmer 17-14 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Ringgold leads series 6-0. The two teams have not met since 1981. ... The Rebels got the start they wanted behind senior QB Brad Davis, who accounted for 275 yards (216 passing, 59 rush) and one touchdown. Bryan Carranza also booted a field goal for Fannin County. ... The Tigers offer the Rebels a good measuring stick. They have made the playoffs each of the past four years. ... The Fannin defense, which had just four returning starters, looked good in the opener allowing the fewest points in a game since a shutout of Armuchee in Week 3 of last season. ... The Rebels will have their hands full against the Tigers offense, which ran 78 plays last week behind sophomore QB Cole Kibler, who had 255 total yards (213 pass, 42 rush) to go with 1 TD throw and 3 rushing TDs.
STEPHENS COUNTY at RABUN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Franklin County 61-20 last week
-- RABUN COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Ranked No. 9 in Class AA, Last week’s game with Mount Pisgah ruled no contest due to lightning
-- NOTABLE: Stephens County leads series 4-2. Despite proximity, the two teams have not met since 1959. The Indians won that game 3-0 in Tiger. The Wildcats last win in the series came in 1953, 19-0, in Tiger. ... It could be a fireworks show with two good offenses. ... Stephens County unloaded last week on the Lions with the most points in a game since scoring 61 in a win over Walnut Grove in 2012. Junior QB Jackson Bell was a blistering 10-of-11 for 196 yards and 4 TDs passing last week to four different receivers. Nine different players caught passes. ... The Wildcats had scored 21 in the first half last week before the game was called. ... The key may be the Rabun defense vs. the Indians offense. The Wildcats allowed just 9 ppg in 2015 and return 5 on defense but graduated three key players in the secondary, including all-stater Charlie Woerner.
THOMSON at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- THOMSON (2-0, 0-0 Region 3-AAAA): Ranked No. 4 in Class AAAA, defeated Effingham County 35-21 last week
-- JEFFERSON (2-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Ranked No. 3 in Class AAAA, defeated Riverwood 38-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It’s a game that could tell both teams where they stand among the top teams in Class AAAA as two good offenses will take on two good defenses. The Dragons are averaging 43 ppg and have allowed just 14 points with one shutout on defense. The Bulldogs are averaging 40 ppg. ... Both teams will run the ball. Thomson had just 28 yards passing but also had a pair of 100-yard rushers last week in Tyrek Braswell (111) and Michael Thomas (103) who combined for 3 TDs. But, they had to overcome a sluggish first half outscoring Effingham 21-7 in the second half to pull away. ... The Dragons rolled out to a 38-0 lead behind Colby Wood, who had 145 yards and 2 TDs rushing, while running the ball 39 times and needing just two passes from Bryce Moore. The defense also picked off three Riverwood passes.
WEST HALL at WASHINGTON-WILKES
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Field, Washington
-- WEST HALL (1-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated Johnson 42-14 last week
-- WASHINGTON-WILKES (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-A): Lost 21-7 to Elbert County
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Spartans got the balance they wanted piling 326 yards on the ground while Jacob Satterfield was an efficient 7-of-10 for 121 yards and 2 TDs through the air. ... The Tigers defense was Jekyll-and-Hyde last year allowing 26 or more points seven times, 39 or more five times, but also gave up just 29 total points in their four wins. ... It is the second of three straight away from Oakwood for West Hall. The Spartans have been a good road team of late. They are 3-1 in their last four road games and 8-4 on the road since the start of the 2014 season.
WINDER-BARROW at NORTHVIEW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Northview Stadium, Duluth
-- WINDER-BARROW (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Walnut Grove 41-7 last week
-- NORTHVIEW (0-1, 0-0 7-AAAAAA): Bye last week, lost to Lanier 34-13 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Bulldoggs rebounded strong last week after a rough opener against Clarke Central. They yielded just 188 total yards to the Warriors. ... Offensively Winder-Barrow was paced by Brock Landis, who had four TD passes and ran for another score. ... It is the second straight game against 8-AAAAAA teams for the Titans, who will take off next week before jumping into region play.
