Region 8-A has been in region mode for three weeks now, and there will be no bigger matchup this week than when No. 1 Commerce travels to take on Athens Christian.
The Tigers have dominated the series but the Eagles boast one of the top rosters in the region, and Commerce can’t be caught looking ahead to its showdown next week with No. 3 Prince Avenue in a game that has decided the 8-A champ each of the last three seasons.
That game is just one of the many highlights in northeast Georgia as some area teams face their final tune-up before jumping into the all-important region schedules. For others, like Region 7-AAA, the race for the playoffs begins tonight.
Region 7-AAA has several key matchups in the opening week with East Hall traveling to Lumpkin County, North Hall heading to Fannin County, and Union County taking on No. 1 Greater Atlanta Christian in Norcross.
The Union County-Greater Atlanta Christian battle will pit the top offense in Class AAA against one of the top defensive units in the classification. The Panthers lead Class AAA in scoring (184 points, 46 points per game), while GAC is sixth in defense allowing just 50 total points.
Region 6-AAAAAAA opens region play with another No. 1 team from the area, Mill Creek, traveling to rival Collins Hill, and North Gwinnett could have its hands full against an undefeated Mountain View squad that is third in scoring and fourth in defense in Class AAAAAAA.
Perhaps the best non-region game of the night will pit Class AAAAAA Gainesville against Class AAAA No. 6 Jefferson at Memorial Stadium in the first-ever meeting between the two northeast Georgia powerhouses. The key question is can a fast, hard-hitting Gainesville defense slow down the Dragons’ power ground game and running back Colby Wood, who is on his way another monster year. The Red Elephants had three weeks to prepare while the Dragons tuned up with a dominating win over Flowery Branch last week.
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 Sept. 23
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
COMMERCE at ATHENS CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Eagle Field, Athens
-- COMMERCE (3-0, 2-0 Region 8-A): Ranked No. 1 in Class A Public, bye last week, defeated Lakeview Academy 42-7 two weeks ago
-- ATHENS CHRISTIAN (1-2, 0-2 Region 8-A): Bye last week, lost 19-12 to Athens Academy two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 9-1. The Tigers won 27-14 in 2015. ... The Eagles only win in the series came in 2012 and the series has been a tight one of late with 3 of the last 4 meetings decided by 5 points or less. ... Commerce has never lost to the Eagles in Athens (5-0). ... Commerce’s ground game has been devastating behind QB Lane Sorrow and RBs Will Thomas and Cole Chancey piling nearly 300 yards a game. The Eagles defense has been tough allowing just 26 total points but it will be their first matchup of the season against a wishbone-style attack. ... Commerce is one of four unbeaten teams in Region 8-A and need a win to keep pace. The Tigers also can’t be caught looking ahead to next week’s showdown with Class A Private No. 3 Prince Avenue.
EAST HALL at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- EAST HALL (2-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Jackson County 38-22 last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (1-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 38-33 to Chestatee last week
-- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 21-6-1. The Vikings won 48-14 in 2015 in Dahlonega. ... It is the region opener for both teams. The Vikings begin a gauntlet run with Union County, GAC, Dawson County, and North Hall to follow and three of the five games on the road. They seem to gotten their offense back on track with 85 points the last two games and the Indians may be another good matchup for them having allowed 78 points (26 ppg) so far. ... The Indians also have a tough stretch with non-region White County and then North Hall and GAC to follow. They, too, found their offense last week totaling their previous two games combined in their wishbone-style attack. East Hall, however, shut down a good Johnson rushing attack two weeks ago. ... East Hall has yielded just 22 ppg over its past three games.
GAINESVILLE at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- RADIO: 1240 ESPN Radio
-- GAINESVILLE (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Bye last two weeks, defeated Clarke Central 21-14 on Sept. 2
-- JEFFERSON (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Ranked No. 9 in Class AAAA, defeated Flowery Branch 33-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... While the two teams have never been in the same classification, it is hard to believe the two powerhouses have never met on the gridiron. ... This could be one of the best games of the night in the state. The Dragons looked in playoff form last week in dismantling the Falcons. The Red Elephants have had three weeks to prepare but that also could mean some rust as well. ... It probably will come down to whether the Gainesville defense can slow down Jefferson’s power running game, led by Colby Wood. ... The Red Elephants offense has not been its usual high-flying self scoring just 48 points (16 ppg) in their first three contests. The offensive line has struggled and will have another huge challenge with the Jefferson front seven. The Dragons defense has allowed just 14 points (4.6 ppg) in its three games against teams not named Thomson with two shutouts. ... GHS QB DJ Irons will have to have a big game to keep Jefferson’s defense from stacking the box.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 27-7 to Stephens County last week
-- CHESTATEE (3-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated Lumpkin County 38-33 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Early on it looked like would be a matchup of two of the area’s best running backs in Chestatee’s Nick Lyles and Habersham’s Michael Babers in each team’s modified spread attack. But, Babers was held of last week’s loss with an injury and with the Raiders off next week and opening region play in two weeks they may rest him again this week. With Babers, Habersham was averaging 31.6 ppg but managed just 7 last week without him. ... Lyles, meanwhile, continues to pile up the yardage and is now third in the state in rushing in all classifications with 698 yards. Expect a steady diet of Lyles again this week as the Raiders have had trouble against power rushing attacks. The War Eagles lead all of Class AAAA in scoring with 187 points (37.4 ppg) ... Even without Babers the Raiders should be able to move the ball against a Chestatee defense that is yielding more than 300 yards and 32 ppg so far.
HEBRON CHRISTIAN at RIVERSIDE MILITARY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
-- HEBRON CHRISTIAN (2-1, 1-1 Region 8-A): Bye last week, defeated Providence Christian 19-7 two weeks ago
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (1-3, 1-3 Region 8-A): Lost 13-6 in overtime to Towns County last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Offense has been the problem for the Eagles, who have scored just 6 total points in their three losses. But, they can get back in the playoff race with a win at home, where they are 1-1 in 2016. ... The Lions have yielded just 14 total points to teams not named Commerce so the Eagles will have another tough matchup. ... But the last time Riverside played at Maginnis Field Isaac Teasley had 4 total touchdowns, including a kickoff return for a touchdown. They will need another big game from Teasley to have a chance.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BROWARD (Fla.) at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BROWARD (HOLLYWOOD, FLA.) (0-3): Lost 42-6 to Crestview (Fla.) last week
-- BUFORD (2-1): Ranked No. 1 in Class AAAAAA, defeated Jeff Davis (Montgomery, Ala.) 38-30 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Pumas are a new school that opened in 2015. So far they have yet to win a dropping their first 13 games so far. ... The Pumas have shown improved already scoring 46 points in their first three games after scoring just 88 total all of last season. ... The Buford defense had to hang on last week against a furious fourth quarter rally by Jeff Davis. The Wolves offense, however, has begun to find a groove scoring 87 points the past two games. ... It is the final non-region game for Buford before hitting the road next week against Clarke Central to open Region 8-AAAAA play.
JOHNSON at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch
-- JOHNSON (0-4, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Bye last week, lost 47-21 to East Hall two weeks ago
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 33-0 to Class AAAA No. 9 Jefferson last week
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 5-3. The two teams have not met since 2009, a 52-24 Falcons win. ... Neither team has had the opening half of the season they wanted. But they can start the road to the playoffs with a win this week in both teams 8-AAAAA openers. ... The Falcons have struggled on both sides of the ball the last two weeks being outscored 74-7 while Johnson has improved its offensive output with 56 points in its last two games. But the Knights gave allowed 141 points (47 ppg) over their last three games. ... The key for the Falcons will be can they get Malik Drayton unleashed again. After averaging over 200 all-purpose yards the first two games he has been held to under 100 each of the last two games. The Falcons were held to just 32 total yards last week. ... Johnson will need QB Sam Corbett and RB Cody Long to have solid games against a Falcons defense that has trouble against ground games (27 ppg allowed).
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Lilburn
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-3,0-2 Region 8-A): Bye last week, lost 42-7 to Commerce two weeks ago
-- PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN (1-2, 0-2 Region 8-A): Bye last week, ost 19-7 to Hebron Christian two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Lakeview Academy leads series 2-0. The Lions won 8-7 in 2015. ... Lakeview has had one of the toughest opening stretches in the area with its three opponents a combined 8-2 so far, including Athens Academy and Commerce, both of whom are undefeated in 8-A. And it doesn’t get any easier with Athens Christian, No. 3 Prince Avenue, and undefeated George Walton to follow. ... Providence’s three opponents are 3-8 overall but the Storm has looked good on defense allowing just 15 ppg on the season. ... The Lions will need to get their new spread attack going but defense has been the issue allowing 44.6 ppg on the season. Providence, however, is only scoring 19.6 ppg.
LANIER at ST. PIUS X
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: George Maloof Stadium, Atlanta
-- LANIER (2-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Lambert 35-28 last week
-- ST. PIUS X (0-4, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 37-7 to Class AAA No. 1 GAC last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Golden Lions may have had the toughest opening schedule of any team in the state taking on two No. 1s (Benedictine-AA, GAC-AAA) and a No. 4 (Blessed Trinity-AAAA). It has been tough as they have scored just 32 points (8.0 ppg) and allowed 93 points (23.2 ppg). ... Lanier has not had an easy road either taking on Class AAAAAAA No. 10 South Gwinnett and AAAAAA No. 1 Northside-Warner Robins. But the Longhorns snapped their first two-game losing streak since 2012 rallying to beat AAAAAAA Lambert last week. QB Noah Fritz had a big game with 2 TD passes and 2 rushing TDs to fuel to win for Lanier, including the game-winner with under a minute to go.
MILL CREEK at COLLINS HILL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Fahring Field, Suwanee
-- MILL CREEK (4-0, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Ranked No. 1 in Class AAAAAAA, bye last week, defeated Archer 31-10 two weeks ago
-- COLLINS HILL (0-4, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Bye last week, lost 43-35 to Central Gwinnett in overtime two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Collins Hill leads series 6-4. Mill Creek won 42-17 in 2015 and the Hawks have won two straight in the series. ... The Hawks have won the last two games at Fahring Field and the road team has won 4 of the last 5 games in the series. The Hawks should make this 5 of the last 6 for the road team. They have reloaded on defense and have allowed just two touchdowns since the opener against Colquitt County and are fifth in fewest points allowed (44, 11 ppg) in Class AAAAAAA. ... The Eagles have been close losing by just a field goal to No. 4 Norcross and in overtime two weeks ago. But, they have yielded 69 points (34.5 ppg) over the last two games. ... The Hawks are 5th in AAAAAAA in defense (44 points allowed, 11 ppg). Mill Creek’s offense has scored 30 or more in every game despite many of the starters playing just over three quarters over the past three weeks. ... Look for QB Cameron Turley, who is 16th in Georgia in passing, to have another big game against a young Collins Hill secondary.
MONROE AREA at APALACHEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: R. Harold Harrison Stadium, Winder
-- MONROE AREA (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Lost 41-7 to Madison County last week
-- APALACHEE (1-2-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Walnut Grove 14-13 last week
-- NOTABLE: Apalachee leads series 4-2. The two teams have not met since 2009, a 31-7 Wildcats win. ... Apalachee is riding high after snapping a 14-game winless streak last week. This could be a good matchup for the Wildcats. The Hurricanes lost to Walnut Grove (34-7) two weeks ago and have struggled stopping the run. Defense will be the key for Monroe Area, which has allowed 35 ppg in its three losses but just 7 in a win over Social Circle. The Hurricanes also are averaging just 11.2 ppg on offense. ... Apalachee is yielding 24.7 ppg on defense. ... Stephen Massillon had a 96-yard touchdown run last week for the Wildcats.
MONTICELLO at BANKS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Leopards Stadium, Homer
-- MONTICELLO (0-4, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Lost 34-0 to Jackson last week
-- BANKS COUNTY (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Lost 42-28 to Union County last week
-- NOTABLE: Monticello leads series 10-3. The two teams have not met since 1995, a 42-0 Monticello victory. The Hurricanes have won seven straight. The last Banks County win was in 1985, 31-6, in Homer. ... It’s the region opener for both teams. The region as a whole is probably glad to be done with their non-region schedule. As a group 8-AA was just 7-18, with Rabun County and Elbert County accounting for five of those wins. ... The Leopards need to find a solution on defense. They have yielded the 8th-most points in AA (141, 35.2 ppg). But, Monticello has scored the second-fewest points in AA with 25 total (6.2 ppg) so the Hurricanes could be calling at just the right time.
MOUNTAIN VIEW at NORTH GWINNETT
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Robinson Memorial Stadium, Suwanee
-- MOUNTAIN VIEW (4-0, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Defeated Shiloh 40-7 last week
-- NORTH GWINNETT (2-2, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Bye last week, lost 38-24 to No. 4 Norcross two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 6-0. The Bulldogs won 16-14 in 2015. Last year’s game was the first in the series decided by less than 21 points. ... The Bears are another of those surprise teams in 2016. They are off to their best start in program history and the win last week set a new season-high in victories in a season. ... Mountain View is among the classification leaders in both points scored (3rd, 178, 44.5 ppg) and points allowed (4th, 38, 9.5 ppg) while North Gwinnett is in the middle of the pack in both areas (133 points scored, 33.3 ppg; 128 points allowed, 32 ppg). ... Bob Sphire knows how to get his team ready for big games and the Bulldogs could use a positive start to region play with three straight road games -- Mill Creek, Duluth, Peachtree Ridge -- to follow. ... The last time the Bears opened region play with a win was in 2011, beating Mill Creek 9-7. ... North Gwinnett QB Cade Fortin is 12th in Georgia in passing yards.
NORTH FORSYTH at WOODSTOCK
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Woodstock Stadium, Woodstock
-- NORTH FORSYTH (3-1, 0-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Defeated Pickens 35-31 last week
-- WOODSTOCK (2-2, 0-0 Region 4-AAAAAAA): Lost 49-21 to North Paulding last week
-- NOTABLE: Woodstock leads the series 2-0. The Wolverines won 14-8 in 2011. ... The Raiders have shown tremendous resilience the last two games with come-from-behind victories. After falling behind with 48 seconds left against Pickens, Ben Bales guided the Raiders to a game-winning TD with 16 seconds left. ... Bales and Simon Holcomb have become one of the premier passing tandems in the state. Bales is 30th in passing while Holcomb is 10th in receiving (353 yards). ... North Forsyth needs to continue its momentum heading into next week’s region opener against unbeaten Forsyth Central. Region 5-AAAAAAA has been tough posting a 15-8 non-region record to this point, with only Lambert, a playoff team each of the last three seasons, with a losing record.
NORTH HALL at FANNIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge
-- NORTH HALL (3-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 24-23 in OT to White County last week
-- FANNIN COUNTY (2-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Andrews (N.C.) 42-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 7-1. The Trojans won last meeting 62-7 in 2013. ... It is the Region 7-AAA opener for both teams. The Trojans had the tables turned on them last week losing on the final play of the game after winning two games earlier in the season in the final minute. ... The Rebels spread offense offers a big challenge behind QB Brad Davis, who was fourth in the state in passing, and WR Cooper Earls, who was third in the state in receiving, before last week’s game. The Trojans are allowing just 20 ppg but surrendered 48 points (24 ppg) to the spread offenses of Flowery Branch and Chestatee. ... The North Hall offense behind Kyle Bacus, who is 11th in the state in rushing, has been tough to stop averaging more than 250 yards rushing and 23.7 points a game. ... The Trojans need a good start to the region with 3 of their first 4 7-AAA games on the road. However, the Rebels have had trouble on their own turf going just 2-8 in their last 10 home games, including 0-2 this season.
NORTH OCONEE at WINDER-BARROW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: C. Harris Stadium, Winder
-- NORTH OCONEE (0-4, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 45-21 to Clarke Central last week
-- WINDER-BARROW (2-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 41-7 last week to Loganville
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Bulldoggs had been on a roll winning two straight but ran into a solid Loganville squad last week. It has been hit or miss across the board for the Bulldoggs in 2016. In their two wins they have averaged 38 ppg and allowed just 13.5 ppg. In their two losses they have scored 7 total points and allowed 36 ppg. ... The Titans, who are taking on their third straight 8-AAAAAA team, are in a rebuilding mode and have scored just 50 points (12.5 ppg) while yielding 32 ppg on defense. In two games against other 8-AAAAAA teams (Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central) North Oconee has been outscored 85-28.
RABUN COUNTY at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartan Field, Oakwood
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- RABUN COUNTY (2-0, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Ranked No. 4 in Class AA, bye last week, defeated White County 49-7 two weeks ago
-- WEST HALL (4-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated Dawson County 30-23 in 2OT last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 4-1. The two teams have not met since 1993, a 17-0 Rabun County win in Oakwood. ... Another one of the interesting non-region matchups where it has been decades since the programs last played. And this could one of the premier games of the night. ... The Spartans are riding a 4-game win streak since its loss to Gainesville and their defense has carried them. They stoned the Tigers in both overtime periods last week to preserve the win. They are 7th in AAAA in points allowed (57, 10.4 ppg). RB Tyrese Osborne has been a consistent option on offense with four 100-yard games and QB Jacob Satterfield has been efficient throwing the ball. ... Despite playing just two games, the Wildcats offense, behind QB Bailey Fisher, is third in Class AA in scoring average (36.5 ppg) behind just Temple (43.7 ppg) and Fitzgerald (41.7 ppg) who have both played four games. ... Both teams would like momentum before opening region play next week.
STEPHENS COUNTY at HART COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Hartwell
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Habersham Central 27-7 last week
-- HART COUNTY (0-4, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Lost 43-0 to Blessed Trinity last week
-- NOTABLE: Stephens County leads series 34-18-1. Hart County won the last meeting in 2013, 26-7 in Toccoa. The Indians have won 9 of the last 11 meetings going back to 2003. ... This could be a mismatch right from the opening kickoff. The Bulldogs are off to their worst start since 1985 after graduating the bulk of their playmakers the last two seasons. They are the lowest scoring team on average (19 points, 4.7 ppg) in Class AAA and are coming off back-to-back shutout losses. Meanwhile, Stephens County’s defense has allowed just 14 total points in its last two games. ... The Indians offense is 8th in AAAA (139, 34.7 ppg) while the Hart County defense has allowed 35.7 ppg so far.
TOWNS COUNTY at ATHENS ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Watkinsville
-- TOWNS COUNTY (2-2, 1-2 Region 8-A): Defeated Riverside Military 13-6 in overtime last week
-- ATHENS ACADEMY (3-0, 2-0 Region 8-A): Ranked No. 10 in Class A, bye last week, defeated Athens Christian 19-12 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Athens Academy leads series 14-0. The Spartans won 36-7 in 2015. ... The Indians are another of those surprise teams already with as many wins as they had all of last season under new coach John Cornett. But, they begin a tough four-game stretch (Hebron Christian, Athens Christian, Commerce) that will determine of they will be a playoff factor. After scoring 33 in their opener they have scored just 32 points. Defensively they gave up 47 to No. 3 Prince Avenue but have allowed just 41 points (13.6 ppg) in their three other contests. ... The Spartans are averaging 32 ppg and giving up just 11.1 ppg on defense.
UNION COUNTY at GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartan Sports Complex, Norcross
-- UNION COUNTY (4-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated banks County 42-28 last week
-- GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN (3-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Ranked No. 1 in Class AAA, defeated St. Pius 37-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Greater Atlanta Christian leads series 8-0. The Spartans won the last meeting 38-0 in 2005. ... The two teams have not met since that 2005 game when they were members of 8-AA. No game in the series has been decided by less than 14 points. ... This year’s meeting offers an intriguing matchup. The Panthers, despite a new-look offense that runs first, lead Class AAA in scoring (184 points, 46 ppg) while GAC is 6th in defense allowing just 50 points (12.5 ppg) on the season so something is bound to give. The GAC offense is averaging 26 ppg while the Union County defense is yielding 17.7 ppg. ... If Union QB Cole Wright can give RB Bo Lynch some help and keep the GAC defense honest, the Panthers can make a game of it. The key may be if the Panthers defense can find a way to stop QB Davis Mills, who is back from injury.
WHITE COUNTY at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tigers Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com; www.wrwh.com
-- WHITE COUNTY (1-3, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated North Hall 24-23 in OT last week
-- DAWSON COUNTY (1-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 30-23 to West Hall in 2OT last week
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 5-1. The Warriors won the last meeting in 2013, 17-10, in Cleveland. The Tigers only win came in 2000, a 35-23 win in Cleveland. ... Only the fourth meeting between the teams since 1981 and White County is 3-0 all-time in Dawsonville, the most recent a 47-42 shootout win in 2012. ... White County ended their frustrating start with a huge win last week. The Warriors have struggled on defense, however, allowing 31.7 ppg and will face another tough test this week in the Tigers, who have the ability to explode on any play behind QB Coey Watson. However, Watson was limited throwing the ball last week with an arm injury. That didn’t stop him on the ground, however, as he had over 100 yards rushing and 3 TDs. ... The Warriors will another big game from RB Kaleb Crane, who 3 TDs last week. But, the Dawson defense held a good West Hall ground attack to just 129 yards last week.
