Here's a look at five things we learned from Week 4 of high school football...
1. We're in for some roller-coaster region campaigns
Here it is, almost October. Some teams -- West Hall for instance -- are halfway through their regular season schedule, while some -- Dawson and Rabun County spring to mind -- have played just a handful of games (the Tigers are 1-1; Rabun is 2-0). It's a strange juxtaposition, and it shows just how unusual things have been already in 2016. And we think we can expect plenty more curveballs the rest of the way. There are relatively few "safe bets" it would appear. Just look at this past weekend's games for example. There were three overtime finishes and several nip-and-tuck outcomes. And just when you think you have a handle on one team, it goes and does something unexpected. For instance, look at how Habersham Central has responded this season after so many tough campaigns. Look at the way Lumpkin County -- despite a hardfought loss last Friday night -- has performed despite changing head coaches and offensive schemes just a handful of weeks ago. There are still a lot of questions to be answered. But there is plenty of talent on hand to do so. The great news is that is going to make for plenty of excitement for fans and us here at Jacobs Media -- coaches, however, may need to invest in some extra Maalox this season.
2. East Hall is getting its offensive groove back
It was thought coming into the season that the Vikings may possess one of the most explosive offenses in the area with seven returning starters, including junior quarterback Austin Parker and senior wide receiver Markese Jackson (averaged over 100 yards receiving per game in 2015). They averaged 30.2 points a game in 2015 and 32.7 ppg over their last 10 games. But a slow start in opening losses to Habersham Central and Chestatee in 2016, and scoring just 34 total points in the process, made for some early doubts. But a just-in-time bye week after the opening losses helped co-offensive coordinators Matt Turner and Phil Brooks work out the bugs with their talented group. It showed as East Hall exploded on Johnson and Jackson County the past two weeks with 85 points -- Parker throwing for over 400 yards with 4 TD passes and running back Deon Ellis producing 4 rushing TDs. It makes for perfect timing as they begin a Region 7-AAA gauntlet run with Lumpkin County this week that has four playoff teams from 2015 -- Union County, Greater Atlanta Christian, Dawson County, and North Hall -- to follow with three of the five games on the road.
3. Region 7-AAA flexing non-region muscles in 2016
Two years ago Region 7-AAA was easily swept out of the state playoffs in the first round. Last year, only Dawson County managed to escape out of the first round, though the Tigers did set a program-record in advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time. In 2014 the group went just 14-18 in non-region play and only slightly improved last year, going 16-19 in non-region play. In 2016, 7-AAA is showing that it will no longer be considered a punching bag for the rest of Class AAA. The region so far is 17-9 in non-region play with a couple of remaining games scattered later in the season. The addition of No. 1-ranked Greater Atlanta Christian and Union County, both playoff teams from Class AA last season, obviously have been bonuses -- but even taking them out of the equation the rest of the group is 10-8. Only one team -- Lumpkin County (1-2) -- has a losing record and the Indians took Class AAAA Chestatee down to the wire last week in a 38-33 loss. Does this mean that we can expect deep runs from all four of the teams that advance to the playoffs this season? Matchups and injuries always play a part in that. But rest assured, based on the first half of the season, no one in Class AAA will relish having to face any 7-AAA teams this go around.
4. Northeast Georgia players flexing their muscles
The last couple of years high-profile players like Isaac Nauta of Buford, Rabun County’s Charlie Woerner (both at the University of Georgia now) and West Hall’s Tyquan Statham (now at Cincinnati) gobbled up most of the headlines and attention. But none of those players were found anywhere near the top of the state’s statistical leaders. Which is why Chestatee’s Nick Lyles and Fannin County’s Brad Davis, both juniors, and Fannin County senior receiver Cooper Earls, should become bigger household names in the coming weeks and seasons. Lyles currently sits third in Georgia in all classifications in rushing yards with 698 behind Taylor County’s Lyn-J Dixon (726) and Gordon Lee’s Drew Cobb (718). The Rebels’ Davis is fourth in passing with 961 yards and Earls is third in receiving (461) behind a pair of Houston County receivers (of course) but is just 35 yards behind with one less game played. Georgia-commit and Houston County star Jake Fromm leads in passing with a ridiculous 1,842 yards. But those aren’t the only northeast Georgia players to crack the list. In rushing, North Hall’s Kyle Bacus (533) is 11th and Winder-Barrow’s Javonne Hughes is 20th with 468 yards. West Hall’s Tyrese Osborne is 24th with 434. North Gwinnett’s Ryan Lovelace, Jackson County’s Noah Venable, Lumpkin County’s Zach Matthews, and Habersham Central’s Michael Babers all are among the top 70 rushers in the state. In passing, North Gwinnett’s Cade Fortin (12th), Mill Creek’s Cameron Turley (16th), and North Forsyth’s Ben Bales (30th) all made the top 30. Chestatee’s Storm Yarbrough, Flowery Branch’s Nick Lance, Rabun County’s Bailey Fisher, and Gainesville’s DJ Irons all cracked the top 59. In receiving, North Forsyth’s Simon Holcomb (10th-353 yards), Chestatee’s Baylee Camp (11th-350), and Flowery Branch’s Jalin Strown (16th-332) all are in the top 20. Mill Creek’s Edmond Graham, North Gwinnett’s Ricky Reed, and Fannin County’s Jacob Reece are in the top 55 so far. As offenses get more in tune, expect some of those guys to start rising to the top even more.
5. Jefferson's defense just keeps getting better and better
This is one of the few things you can set your watch by this season. The Dragons were expected to be good on defense in 2016 -- and they are. Look at how they shut down a Flowery Branch offense bristling with weapons in last week's 33-0 win. Jefferson allowed a paltry 32 total yards and threw the Falcons for minus-25 yards rushing for the game (including quarterback sacks). Aside from being stout, the Dragons are also opportunistic, forcing five turnovers in the win. Jefferson's defensive front leads the way, with players like Dontae Wilson able to manhandle opposing offensive linemen. Meanwhile, linebacker Jonathan Paolozzi is everywhere -- as he displayed on Friday getting in on seemingly every tackle. The secondary is also quick and disciplined. And there is no doubt that the Dragons learned from their 42-20 loss to Thomson and are putting that to good use. It will be interesting to see how the unit handles the assignment of defending Gainesville's spread attack on Friday, and will be a big indicator of what's to come down the stretch of the season.
WEEK 4 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES, Sept. 16
Apalachee 14, Walnut Grove 13
Buford 38, Jeff Davis, Montgomery, Ala. 30
Chestatee 38, Lumpkin County 33
East Hall 38, Jackson County 22
Fannin County 42, Andrews, N.C. 0
Jefferson 33, Flowery Branch 0
Lanier 35, Lambert 28
Loganville 41, Winder-Barrow 7
North Forsyth 35, Pickens 31
Stephens County 27, Habersham Central 7
Towns County 13, Riverside Military Academy 6 2OT
Union County 42, Banks County 28
West Hall 30, Dawson County 23 2OT
White County 24, North Hall 23 OT
Sept. 17
Glynn Academy 34, East Jackson 14
WEEK 5 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, Sept. 23
Commerce at Athens Christian
East Hall at Lumpkin County
Gainesville at Jefferson
Habersham Central at Chestatee
Hebron Christian Academy at Riverside Military Academy
International School of Broward, Fla. at Buford
Johnson at Flowery Branch
Lakeview Academy at Providence Christian
Lanier at St. Pius X
Mill Creek at Collins Hill
Monroe Area at Apalachee
Monticello at Banks County
Mountain View at North Gwinnett
North Forsyth at Woodstock
North Hall at Fannin County
North Oconee at Winder-Barrow
Rabun County at West Hall
Stephens County at Hart County
Towns County at Athens Academy
Union County at Greater Atlanta Christian
White County at Dawson County
