One of the busiest nights of the season also could be one of the most crucial for a number of northeast Georgia programs on Friday.
Union County and North Hall face a virtual elimination game in Region 7-AAA. The Trojans (2-5, 2-1 Region 7-AAA) have yet to play two of the three top teams in Greater Atlanta Christian or East Hall, while the Panthers (4-3, 0-3 Region 7-AAA) need to win out to have a shot at the playoffs. Both have lost to Dawson County so the winner Friday night will own the all-important head-to-head tiebreaker.
Stephens County (3-3, 0-1 Region 8-AAAA) faces a similar situation in traveling to Madison County (2-4, 0-1 Region 8-AAAA). The Indians lost to St. Pius last week and still must face Oconee County and Jefferson over the next two weeks. A loss would almost certainly put them behind the proverbial eight-ball in dropping the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Red Raiders.
Habersham Central also plays host to Lanier in Region 8-AAAAAA with both teams coming off heartbreaking losses last week. The Raiders (1-5, 0-1 Region 8-AAAAAA) have lost their five games by 12 combined points, while the Longhorns (3-3, 0-1 Region 8-AAAAAA) still have Dacula and Gainesville left on the schedule. The loser isn’t out but would need help and have to win out to have any chance.
East Jackson (1-4, 0-2 Region 8-AAA) and Franklin County (1-6, 0-2 Region 8-AAA) face an elimination game with both teams sitting on the bottom of their league.
Meanwhile, Jackson County (4-3, 1-1 Region 8-AAA) can clinch its first non-losing season since 2012 (the Panthers did make the state playoffs last season) with a win over Hart County (1-5, 1-0 Region 8-AAA) and stay alive for one of the top two spots in the region.
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. 13
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
ATHENS CHRISTIAN at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Hiawassee
-- ATHENS CHRISTIAN (2-4, 1-4 Region 8-A): Lost 25-13 to George Walton last week
-- TOWNS COUNTY (2-4, 1-4 Region 8-A): Bye last week; lost 29-7 to Hebron Christian two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Athens Christian leads series 11-0. The Eagles won 32-0 in 2016. ... The strength of Region 8-A is helping both teams and they are already considering every week as a playoff game. The Indians sit 24th in Class A Public power rankings while the Eagles are currently 21st in the Private rankings despite the overall losing records. If the playoffs started this week 8 of the 10 teams in the region would advance to the playoffs. ... Athens Christian has dominated this series of late. Towns County has not scored more than 7 points in any of the last seven contests with four shutouts. But, both are nearly identical in 2017. The Indians have scored 100 points (16.7 ppg) and the Eagles 99 (16.5 ppg) and Towns has allowed 169 points (28.1 ppg) to the Eagles’ 180 (30 ppg).
BANKS COUNTY at OGLETHORPE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Patriot Stadium, Lexington
-- BANKS COUNTY (2-4, 1-1 Region 8-AA): Bye last week; lost 45-7 to Rabun County two weeks ago
-- OGLETHORPE COUNTY (0-6, 0-3 Region 8-AA): Lost 63-0 to Elbert County last week
-- NOTABLE: Oglethorpe County leads series 10-8. Banks County won 35-3 in 2016. It’s the 8th meeting between the two teams since 2002 and the Leopards have won 4-of-7 in that span. ... This starts a key stretch for Banks County to add to the win column with games against Social Circle and Putnam County, teams behind the Leopards in the standings, to follow before finishing with Elbert County. ... Offense has been the key for the Leopards. In their four losses they have scored just 43 points (10.7 ppg). In their two wins they have averaged 41 ppg. The Patriots should offer a chance to put up some numbers. Oglethorpe County has yielded the 4th-most points in Class AA (242, 40.3 ppg) on the season. ... The Patriots have scored just 40 points (6.7 ppg) the 2nd-fewest in Class AA.
BLESSED TRINITY at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- BLESSED TRINITY (6-1, 1-0 Region 7-AAAA): Ranked No. 5 in Class AAAA; defeated White County 50-14 last week
-- CHESTATEE (4-3, 0-1 Region 7-AAAA): Lost 28-14 to West Hall last week
-- NOTABLE: Blessed Trinity leads series 1-0. The Titans won 42-6 in 2016. ... The War Eagles will need to find a way to shore up their rush defense against the powerful Titans. Chestatee allowed over 300 yards to West Hall last week and Blessed Trinity, behind So. Elijah Green (97 car., 602 yards, 6 TD) and Jr. Steele Chambers (116 car., 696 yards, 9 TD), is averaging over 220 yards on the ground a game. ... The War Eagles offense, after scoring 132 points (44 ppg) during a 3-game win streak, was grounded by West Hall and the Titans are 11th in a defensive-minded classification allowing just 101 points (14.4 ppg). Both of Chestatee’s scores last week came with less 8 minutes left after the Spartans had built a 28-0 lead. Nick Lyles (958 yards, 18 TD) is 17th in the state in rushing. ... The War Eagles have been tough at home, however, going 3-1 at War Eagle Stadium this season.
CEDAR SHOALS at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- CEDAR SHOALS (3-3, 0-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 26-17 to Oconee County last week
-- BUFORD (4-1, 2-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Ranked No. 3 in Class AAAAA; defeated Johnson 70-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Buford leads series 1-0. The Wolves won 56-14 in 2016. ... The Jaguars have lost three in a row after opening with three straight wins. They have yielded 109 points (36.3 ppg) in that stretch after giving up just 31 points (10.3 ppg) in their first three games. ... The Buford offense will present their biggest challenge to date. The Wolves are coming off their biggest output since scoring 77 vs. Berkmar in 2015. Buford is 2nd in AAAAA in scoring average (217, 43.7 ppg) behind only defending state champion Rome (292, 48.6 ppg).
DULUTH at NORTH GWINNETT
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Robinson Stadium, Suwanee
-- DULUTH (2-4, 0-2 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Lost 44-9 to Collins Hill last week
-- NORTH GWINNETT (5-1, 2-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Ranked No. 9 in Class AAAAAAA; bye last week; defeated Mill Creek 35-21 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 24-23-1. The Bulldogs won 45-14 in 2016. North Gwinnett has won 19 straight in the series to take the lead for the first time in the long series. The last Duluth victory came in 1995. ... North Gwinnett, despite missing two of its front-line offensive starters in QB Cade Fortin and RB Tyler Goodson, has won five straight, including wins over Mountain View and Mill Creek, to take early control in the region. ... The Wildcats have lost two straight and defensively they are near the bottom in AAAAAAA having allowed 215 points (35.9 pg). After scoring 144 points (34 ppg) during a 2-2 start, Duluth has scored just 16 points (8 ppg) in region play.
FANNIN COUNTY at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- FANNIN COUNTY (2-4, 0-2 Region 7-AAA): Bye last week; lost 55-7 to No. 2 Greater Atlanta Christian
-- DAWSON COUNTY (4-2, 2-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Union County 52-21 last week
-- NOTABLE: Fannin County leads series 8-5. Dawson County won 52-13 in 2016. The Tigers have won 5 of the last 7 meetings since 2010. ... The Tigers offense has finally gotten unleashed with the healthy return of Coey Watson. After scoring just 48 points in their first three games, they have exploded for 124 points (41.3 ppg) over their last three games and have climbed to 16th in AAA. ... RB SeVaughn Clark has been a huge reason as well giving them a solid rushing attack. Clark had 202 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries last week. ... ... The Dawson defense has been tough allowing just 16.7 ppg, Take out the 45 in a shootout loss to White County and they have allowed just 55 points (11 ppg) against everyone else. ... It has been all-or-nothing for Fannin County. In their two wins the Rebels have two shutouts and averaged 34 ppg. In their four losses they have surrendered 130 points (32.5 ppg) and scored just 14 total points. ... The Tigers can’t get caught looking ahead to their showdown with East Hall next week.
FLOWERY BRANCH at LOGANVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Red Devil Stadium, Loganville
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (6-1, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Ranked No. 10 in Class AAAAA; defeated Walnut Grove 49-13 last week
-- LOGANVILLE (1-5, 1-1 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 49-21 to Clarke Central last week
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 5-2. Loganville won 42-0 in 2016. The Red Devils have won two straight in the series, both by shutout. ... The two programs are headed in the opposite directions in 2017. The Falcons are having their best season since 2013 while the Red Devils, after winning 17 games the past two seasons, have taken a step back with a young squad. ... Flowery Branch has feasted on the bottom three teams in the region outscoring them 138-40. A win over Loganville would clinch no worse than third place with games remaining against Clarke Central and Buford in what is expected to be a three-team battle over the final three weeks for the region crown. ... The Falcons defense has been stingy allowing the 7th-fewest points (88, 12.5 ppg) in AAAAA. The Red Devils have scored just 90 points (15 ppg) on the season. ... The Falcons RB tandem of Malik Damons and Malik Drayton is averaging 245 combined yards a game.
FRANKLIN COUNTY at EAST JACKSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Jackson Stadium, Commerce
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (1-6, 0-2 Region 8-AAA): Lost 28-21 to Jackson County last week
-- EAST JACKSON (1-4, 0-2 Region 8-AAA): Lost 55-0 to No. 7 Monroe Area last week
-- NOTABLE: Franklin County leads series 5-0. The Lions won 49-21 in 2016. ... This one is probably a playoff elimination game. Both teams sit at the bottom of the region standings and the loser will have three losses with just two region games left. ... The Lions are near the bottom of AAA (54th out of 57 teams) in defense allowing 37 ppg. Offensively they have picked things up since two shutout losses to open the season scoring 23.5 ppg since. ... East Jackson is 50th in scoring (74, 14.8 ppg) but has scored just 6 points in region play so far. They have allowed 201 points (40.2 ppg) on defense.
GAINESVILLE at DACULA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Barron Field, Dacula
-- RADIO: 1240 ESPN Radio
-- GAINESVILLE (2-4, 1-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Habersham Central 30-27 last week
-- DACULA (2-4, 1-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Apalachee 4-13 last week
-- NOTABLE: Dacula leads series 3-0. The Falcons won 25-20 in 2016. ... Both teams have played monster schedules to this point and the Red Elephants have battled key injuries as well most of the season. But Jr. QB Tre Luttrell returned last week for GHS and sparked the offense to its best output of the season. He rallied them from a 27-20 deficit with an 81-yard TD pass to Trey Blackwell and then got the Red Elephants into position for Christian Jaimes’s game-winning field goal. ... The Falcons, however, have allowed just 118 points (19.9 ppg) against a schedule that includes four AAAAAAA teams. ... Dacula FS Jaiev Khan leads the defense and had an INT return for a TD last week. ... It’s a key stretch for the Falcons with another home game vs. Habersham Central before finishing on the road against Lanier and Winder-Barrow. ... GHS is 0-3 on the road this season and heads to Winder-Barrow next week.
GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Jock Horner Field, Gainesville
-- GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY (5-1, 4-1 Region 8-A): Defeated Athens Christian 25-13 last week
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (2-4, 1-4 Region 8-A): Lost 71-7 to Prince Avenue last week
-- NOTABLE: George Walton leads series 3-0. The Bulldogs won 51-21 in 2016. ... The strength of Region 8-A is also helping Lakeview and the Lions also must consider every week as a playoff game. The Lions sit 23rd in the Class A Private power rankings despite the overall losing record. If the playoffs started this week 8 of the 10 teams in the region would advance to the playoffs. ... It has been a tough road for Lakeview so far. This is the third of five straight games against teams that would be in the playoffs if they started this week. However, Lakeview has been tough at home going 2-1 at Jock Horner in 2017 with its only loss last week. ... The Bulldogs are stout on defense. They have held all but one opponent to 13 points or less with two shutouts and sit 6th in defense in Class A (61, 10.1 ppg). Lakeview is averaging 22.5 ppg on offense behind the passing combo of QB Alec Bornhorst (1,250 yards, 6 TD passing) and WR K.J. Millwood (680 yards, 5 TD reciving).
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Ground, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN (6-1, 3-0 Region 7-AAA): Ranked No. 2 in Class AAA; defeated East Hall 59-0 last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (0-6, 0-2 Region 7-AAA): Lost 55-14 to North Hall last week
-- NOTABLE: GAC leads series 7-0. The Spartans won 49-21 in 2016. ... This looks a classic mismatch with the Spartans sporting the No. 2 offense in AAA (312, 44.5 ppg) while the Indians have allowed the 3rd-most points in AAA (266, 44.3 ppg). ... The Indians offense is one of the better rushing teams in the region averaging over 250 yards a game behind Sr. Chandler Woodham (63 car., 494 yards, 3 TD) and Jr. Luke Smith (98 car., 490 yards, 4 TD). The GAC defense has yielded just 14 points (4.7 ppg) in region play. .... A win for the Spartans would clinch a playoff berth. ... Lumpkin County is in the midst of its longest losing streak (8 games) since dropping 10 straight in 2006.
JACKSON COUNTY at HART COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Pete Herndon Stadium, Hartwell
-- JACKSON COUNTY (4-3, 1-1 Region 8-AAA): Defeated Franklin County 28-21 last week
-- HART COUNTY (1-5, 1-0 Region 8-AAA): Bye last week; defeated Franklin County 41-14 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Hart County leads series 13-1. Jackson County won 18-14 in 2016. ... The Panthers got their first-ever win last year over the Bulldogs and need a win this time to stay in the playoff race. However, they have never won in Hartwell. ... Sr. RB Noah Venable, who is second in all classifications in the state in rushing (1,354 yards) is a game-time decision after suffering an ankle injury last week. ... But the Panthers have more to play for than just a playoff berth. One more win will give them their first non-losing season since 2012 and just the second since 1992. ... Hart County snapped a 9-game losing streak against Franklin County, the third-longest in program history. However, the Bulldogs are 2-0 against the Lions and 0-14 against everyone since the start of the 2016 season. ... Despite being in the top 20 in offense (157, 22.4 ppg) defense is the key for the Panthers. In their three losses they have allowed 39.3 ppg, in their four wins they have yielded just 51 points (12.7 ppg). ... The Bulldogs are averaging just 20.6 ppg on offense.
JOHNSON at CLARKE CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Bill Henderson Memorial Stadium, Athens
-- JOHNSON (0-7, 0-3 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 70-0 to No. 3 Buford last week
-- CLARKE CENTRAL (5-2, 2-1 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Loganville 49-21 last week
-- NOTABLE: Clarke Central leads series 17-1-1. The Gladiators won 52-14 in 2016. ... It was the first meeting between the two teams since 1987. Clarke Central has won 16 straight in the series. The only Johnson victory came in the very first meeting, 23-12 in 1972 in Athens. ... The Knights continue to struggle having now lost 21 straight going back to 2015. They have scored just 39 points (5.5 ppg) and yielded 374 (53.4 ppg) on the season. Only Clarkston has scored fewer points (26) and given up more (393) than the Knights in AAAAA. ... The Gladiators are 7th in scoring (248, 35.4 ppg) .
LANIER at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
-- RADIO: 99.3 WCON
-- LANIER (3-3, 0-1 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 24-21 to Winder-Barrow last week
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (1-5, 0-1 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 30-27 to Gainesville last week
-- NOTABLE: Lanier leads series 1-0. The Longhorns won 31-9 in 2016. ... It’s not an elimination game but the winner will own the crucial head-to-head tiebreaker as both still have Dacula on the schedule. ... The obvious matchup in this one is the Raiders 3rd-ranked offense (248, 41.3 ppg) against the Longhorns defense (126, 21 ppg). ... The Raiders have been the hard-luck team in the area so far with their losses by a combined 12 points, including two one-point losses and last week’s loss at the buzzer. Habersham is led by Sr. QB A.J. Curry, who is 13th in the state in passing yards (1,694, 11 TD, 4 INT; 658 yards, 9 TD rushing) with Jim Barnett (610 yards, 4TD) 25th in receiving and Donovan Curry (467 yards, 8 TD) also in the top 50 inreceiving. ... Lanier almost pulled off a miraculous comeback last week trailing the Bulldogs by 10 points with a minute left. The Longhorns attempted game-tying field goal was blocked as time expired. ... The Habersham defense has allowed the 4th-most points in AAAAAA (245, 40.8 ppg). ... The Raiders are 0-3 at home in 2017 and just 1-5 in their last six games at Raider Stadium. The Longhorns are 2-0 on the road in 2017.
MILL CREEK at PEACHTREE RIDGE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Duluth
-- MILL CREEK (5-2, 2-1 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Defeated Discovery 45-7 last week
-- PEACHTREE RIDGE (1-5, 1-1 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Lost 38-7 to Mountain View last week
-- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 10-3. Peachtree Ridge won 28-21 in overtime in 2016. The Lions have won two straight over the Bulldogs. ... Peachtree Ridge has played one of the toughest schedules with four ranked teams among its first six opponents. Even though the Hawks have dropped out of the rankings they are still considered among the classification’s top teams. ... The Lions have really struggled on defense yielding the 6th-most points (228, 38 ppg) however, Mill Creek is averaging just 28.2 ppg (198 points) after scoring 1,072 points (38.2 ppg) over the past two seasons combined. ... The Hawks cannot look past the Lions with a showdown with Mountain View next week that could be for second place in the region and a first round home game in the playoffs.
NORTH FORSYTH at LAMBERT
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Longhorn Stadium, Suwanee
-- NORTH FORSYTH (4-2, 1-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Defeated Forsyth Central 58-0 last week
-- LAMBERT (2-4, 0-1 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Lost to No. 5 South Forsyth 38-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Lambert leads series 5-0. The Longhorns won 48-40 in 2016. ... The Raiders have had little luck against the Longhorns in their brief history but this could be the year they breakthrough. The offense, behind Sr. QB Ben Bales, is 12th in the state’s largest classification averaging 35.5 ppg. Bales has thrown for 1,727 yards and 17 TDs so far. ... The Longhorns defense has yielded 22.5 ppg but the offense has really struggled in 2017. After averaging 31 ppg in 2016, Lambert has scored just 89 points (14.8 ppg) which is the 6th-worst in AAAAAAA. The North Forsyth defense has forced 16 turnovers so far. ... Lambert is 0-2 at home in 2017 and has lost three straight at home going back to the 2016 playoffs. North Forsyth is 2-1 on the road in 2017, the most road victories for the Raiders in one season since collecting three road wins in 2013.
NORTH OCONEE at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- NORTH OCONEE (1-5, 0-1 Region 8-AAAA): Bye last week; lost 49-14 to Oconee County two weeks ago
-- JEFFERSON (5-1, 1-0 Region 8-AAAA): Ranked No. 3 in Class AAAA; bye last week; defeated Madison County 49-0 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads series 5-2. The Dragons won 42-14 in 2016. ... The win last season snapped a 2-game losing streak to the Titans. ... North Oconee has lost 18 of its last 19 games going back to the 2015 season and has lost 9 straight road games and has been outscored 297-98 in that span. ... The Dragons sit 3rd in points allowed (65, 10.8 ppg) and 12th in points scored (224, 37.3 ppg) in AAAA. ... Jefferson is expected to get back Sr. RB Colby Wood, who missed the Madison County game with an injury. ... The Dragons can’t get caught looking past the struggling Titans with tough road games at St. Pius and Stephens County to follow.
RABUN COUNTY at SOCIAL CIRCLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Redskins Stadium, Social Circle
-- RABUN COUNTY (6-0, 2-0 Region 8-AA): Ranked No. 6 in Class AA; defeated Putnam County 59-0 last week
-- SOCIAL CIRCLE (2-5, 1-2 Region 8-AA): Lost 21-13 to Monticello last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 5-0. The Wildcats won 65-7 in 2016. ... All six meetings have been since 2012 and Rabun has dominated the series. The Wildcats have outscored the Redskins by an average 54-10 with two shutouts in the series. ... Don’t expect anything different in this one. Rabun is 3rd in scoring (292, 48.7 ppg) and 6th in defense (68, 11.7 ppg) in Class AA. The Wildcats pushed their region win streak to 23 straight last week. ... But they can’t be caught looking ahead with next week’s monster showdown with Elbert County for first place in the region looming. ... Sr. QB Bailey Fisher continues to put up solid numbers. He has thrown at least two TDs and rushed for 1 TD in every game this season.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 8 p.m.
-- WHERE: Ray Lamb Field, Commerce
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY (0-6, 0-6 Region 8-A): Bye last week; lost 40-20 to Athens Academy two weeks ago
-- COMMERCE (5-1, 4-1 Region 8-A): Defeated Providence Christian 55-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 3-1. The Tigers won 38-0 in 2016. The only Riverside victory in the series came in 1944, 19-0 in Commerce. ... The Eagles have found the growing pains tough with new coach Nick Garrett but showed improvement two weeks ago scoring the most points (20) against a tough Spartans defense all season. But, the Eagles have allowed the 2nd-most points in 8-A (212, 35.3 ppg) while the Tigers are 18th in scoring (222, 37 ppg) in Class A. ... Commerce, which is 4th in the Public power rankings, can’t afford a slip-up as it tries to secure a first round bye in the playoffs. ... The Tigers are 11-2 in their last 13 games at Tiger Stadium with both losses coming to Prince Avenue. The Eagles are 1-11 in their last 12 road contests.
STEPHENS COUNTY at MADISON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Red Raider Stadium, Danielsville
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (3-3, 0-1 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 27-13 to St. Pius last week
-- MADISON COUNTY (2-4, 0-1 Region 8-AAAA): Bye last week; lost 49-0 to No. 3 Jefferson two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Stephens County leads series 29-8. The Indians won 34-7 in 2016. ... Stephens County has won 15 straight in the series going back to 1990. The last Madison County victory over the Indians was in 1989 in Danielsville. ... It’s almost a must-win scenario for Stephens County with games against Oconee County and Jefferson to follow. The loser could find themselves on the outside looking in for the playoffs. ... The Indians defense has been the issue. After yielding just 179 total points in 2016 (16.2 ppg) they have given up 21 or more in every game but the opener, a 28-0 win over Franklin County, in 2017 (153, 25.5 ppg). ... But, the offense may be the key. In their three wins, the Indians have averaged 36.7 ppg. In their three losses they scored just 25 total points (8.3 ppg). ... Madison County is surrendering 28.1 ppg on defense in 2017.
UNION COUNTY at NORTH HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- UNION COUNTY (4-3, 0-3 Region 7-AAA): Lost 52-21 to Dawson County last week
-- NORTH HALL (2-5, 2-1 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Lumpkin County 55-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Union County leads series 4-0. The Panthers won 35-32 in 2016. It was the first meeting between the two teams since 1967. ... Expect both teams to throw the kitchen sink at each other. It is a must-win for both teams. Union County is riding its first 3-game losing streak since 2011, all in region play, while North Hall has won 2-of-3 in region play after an 0-4 start. ... Union is still very much alive for a playoff berth despite the losing streak, which came against the top three teams in 7-AAA, East Hall, GAC, and Dawson County. They finish against Fannin County and Lumpkin County, a combined 0-4 in region play so far, so a win over the Trojans could give them the head-to-head tiebreaker. ... The Trojans, meanwhile, have yet to play East Hall, GAC, or Dawson County so they need a win to give them a cushion and the tiebreaker over the Panthers. ... The Trojans' won in an unconventional way last week. The normally ground-heavy North Hall wing-T had 533 total yards of offense -- and almost half of that came through the air. In fact, the Trojans produced two 100-yard receivers and no 100-yard rushers. QB David Seavey was 8 of 9 passing. ... Offense has not been the problem for Union County, which despite the losing streak is still 4th in points scored (266, 38 ppg) in Class AAA. QB Cole Wright, despite battling an ankle injury the last two weeks, is still as dangerous as ever averaging over 250 yards (156 pass, 101 rush) a game. The defense has allowed 202 points (28.8 ppg) but 159 (53 ppg) came during the losing streak. ... North Hall has given up 194 points (27.8 ppg) and had been averaging just 14.1 ppg on offense until last week.
WEST HALL at MARIST
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Hughes-Spalding Stadium, Atlanta
-- WEST HALL (5-2, 1-0 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated Chestatee 28-14 last week
-- MARIST (6-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Ranked No. 6 in Class AAAA; bye last week; defeated Gainesville 39-14 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Marist leads series 1-0. The War Eagles won 43-3 in 2016. ... The Spartans won a huge game last week for tiebreaker purposes down the road and now face a tough War Eagles squad that is led by a tenacious defense. Marist is tied with Jefferson for 3rd in points allowed (65, 10.8 ppg) in AAAA and has not allowed more than 17 points in any game in 2017. ... West Hall is 20th in defense (121, 17.2 ppg) and only Rabun County, the top offense in Class AA, has scored more than 21 on the Spartans. West Hall has forced 9 turnovers and is a plus-4 on turnover-ratio. ... The West Hall offense pounded out over 300 yards on the ground vs. Chestatee and will need another solid effort up front and get some balance from So. QB Michael Thompson, who is averaging just 47 yards a game through the air.
