Several area teams around northeast Georgia could know their playoff fate after Friday night thanks to some key region matchups across the board.
Starting in Region 8-AAAAAA, Gainesville and Habersham Central both face stern road tests. The Red Elephants (2-5, 1-1 Region 8-AAAAAA) head to No. 8 Winder-Barrow (7-0, 2-0 Region 8-AAAAAA), while the Raiders (1-6, 0-2 Region 8-AAAAAA) travel to Dacula (3-4, 2-0 Region 8-AAAAAA). Both teams are in need of a win to help stabilize their seasons and postseason bids.
In Region 8-AAAA, Stephens County is looking to avoid its first non-playoff season since 2009 and just the second since 1995. The Indians (3-4, 0-2 Region 8-AAAA) travel to Oconee County (4-3, 1-1 Region 8-AAAA) where the Warriors are a perfect 3-0 at home on the season.
In Region 7-AAAA, Chestatee (4-4, 0-2 Region 7-AAAA) needs a win over White County (5-2, 0-1 Region 7-AAAA) to revive its playoff hopes. A Chestatee win would give them the all-important head-to-head tiebreaker over the Warriors but would not knock out White County.
Several teams, however, can lock up playoff berths this week. Buford and Flowery Branch both can clinch in Region 8-AAAAA, which also would set up a one-game showdown in two weeks for the region title.
North Forysth can take a huge step towards its first region title since 2001 as the Raiders (5-2, 2--0 Region 5-AAAAAAA) play host to No. 5 South Forsyth (6-1, 2-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA) with the winner taking sole possession of first place with two weeks left.
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. 20
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
BANKS COUNTY at SOCIAL CIRCLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Redskin Stadium, Social Circle
-- BANKS COUNTY (3-4, 2-1 Region 8-AA): Defeated Oglethorpe County 38-14 last week
-- SOCIAL CIRCLE (2-6, 1-3 Region 8-AA): Lost 63-7 to No. 6 Rabun County last week
-- NOTABLE: Banks County leads series 16-5. The Leopards won 42-21 in 2016. Banks County has won three straight in the series but it is just the fourth meeting since 1995. ... After winning their region opener, the Redskins have been outscored 136-28 during a 3-game region losing streak. ... Meanwhile, the Leopards, who already own a victory over Monticello, have a chance to clinch a playoff berth over the next two weeks. Both of their region wins also have come on the road. ... Banks County Sr. QB Clayton Dykehouse is having a breakout season in relief of the injured Trevor Thomas. Dykehouse is averaging over 120 yards a game rushing while driving the Leopards to 24 ppg during a 2-2 stretch, including a strong region start. ... The Redskins have allowed the 6th-most points (258, 32.2 ppg) in Class AA and 35.7 ppg in region play.
CLARKE CENTRAL at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- CLARKE CENTRAL (6-2, 3-1 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Johnson 42-14 last week
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (7-1, 4-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Loganville 6-3 last week
-- NOTABLE: Clarke Central leads series 4-3. The Gladiators won 44-21 in 2016. ... This is a huge game for both teams. The winner will own the head-to-head tiebreaker in the event they finish tied in the standings. A Falcons win would clinch at least a top-two finish in the region setting up a one-game showdown in two weeks at home against No. 3 Buford for the region title. ... Last week’s win for the Falcons was historic in that it was the first time in program history they got a win without scoring a touchdown. And despite scoring just the 6 points they are still in the top 5 in AAAAA in scoring (285, 35.6 ppg). ... The Gladiators have won two straight, including posting 49 in a win over Loganville. They sit 3rd in scoring in AAAAA (290, 36.2 ppg). ... The key will be on the defensive side where Flowery Branch has allowed just 91 points (11.3 ppg) tied for 6th-best while Clarke Central has given up 167 points (20.8 ppg) which is good for just 26th in AAAAA. ... But, the Gladiators, who have plus-15 turnover-ratio, are ball-hawks on defense with 21 takeaways (13 INT, 8 fumbles) while Flowery Branch has forced just 9 turnovers but has 23 sacks and 53 TFL on the season.
COMMERCE at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
-- COMMERCE (6-1, 5-1 Region 8-A): Defeated Riverside Military 53-28 last week
-- TOWNS COUNTY (3-4, 2-4 Region 8-A): Defeated Athens Christian 28-27 last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 21-0. The Tigers won 56-20 in 2016. ... Commerce has dominated this series with only one contest, in 2004, being as close as 21 points. The Tigers are as strong as ever averaging 39.3 ppg (7th in Class A) and yielding just 15.5 ppg on defense. ... The Indians are coming off perhaps their biggest win in program history. They had never beaten the Eagles and find themselves in line for their first-ever playoff appearance climbing into 23rd in the Private power rankings. Another win over a high-powered team could seal a playoff spot with just two games left after Friday. ... But, Towns County is giving up 28 ppg on defense. The offense may be the key, however. ... In their three wins, the Indians are averaging 33.6 ppg but have scored just 27 points (6.7 ppg) in their four losses. ... The Towns County defense has held four of its seven opponents under their scoring average.
EAST HALL at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- EAST HALL (5-2, 2-1 Region 7-AAA): Bye last week; lost 59-0 to No. 3 GAC two weeks ago
-- DAWSON COUNTY (5-2, 3-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Fannin County 43-3 last week
-- NOTABLE: Dawson County leads series 9-2. The Tigers won 38-24 in 2016. All 12 meetings have been since 2000. Dawson County has won two straight. The last East Hall win was in 2014, 36-29 in Dawsonville. ... It would be easy to expect a shootout in this one as East Hall is 2nd in AAA in scoring (323, 46.1 ppg) and the Tigers averaging 41.7 ppg over their last four games. But the key unit may be the Tigers defense, which has yielded just 103 points (14.7 ppg). ... Despite being off last week, East Hall QB Austin Parker is still in the top 5 in the state in passing yards (2,192) with top WR Sedrion More (709 yards) in the top 10, all classifications. Cambren Harrison has 808 yards rushing for the Vikings. ... Since returning from an early-season injury, Dawson Sr. QB Coey Watson has averaged nearly 200 yards a game passing while Sr. RB Sevaughn Clark has pounded out 5 100-yard games and is approaching the 1,000-yard mark (165 car., 956 yards, 8 TD) on the season. ... The winner will own tiebreaker rights for second place in the region and Dawson County has yet to play high-powered GAC. The Vikings have a rejuvenated North Hall next week while the Tigers take on winless Lumpkin County.
EAST JACKSON at HARALSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Taylor Memorial Stadium, Tallapoosa
-- EAST JACKSON (1-5, 0-3 Region 8-AAA): Lost 38-6 to Franklin County last week
-- HARALSON COUNTY (0-7, 0-3 Region 6-AAA South): Lost 38-14 to Bremen last week
-- NOTABLE: Haralson County leads series 1-0. The Rebels won 27-26 in 2016. ... It’s hard to know what to expect in this one. Both teams are in the bottom 14 in defense. Haralson has given up the 5th-most points in AAA (277, 39.5 ppg) while the Eagles have allowed 239 points (34.1 ppg) and neither offense has generated many points. The Rebels have scored the 6th-fewest points in AAA (75, 10.7 ppg) while East Jackson has the 8th-fewest points (80, 11.4 ppg). ... However, the Eagles could use this game as a launching point for a playoff push over the final two weeks. A win could give them momentum with a finish against rival Jackson County, who is without star RB Noah Venable, and Hart County. Despite the loss to Franklin, which plays region leaders Morgan County and Monroe Area down the stretch, if the Eagles can win out and get some help they are still alive for a playoff berth.
ELBERT COUNTY at RABUN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
-- ELBERT COUNTY (6-1, 3-0 Region 8-AA): Bye last week; defeated Oglethorpe County 63-0 two weeks ago
-- RABUN COUNTY (7-0, 3-0 Region 8-AA): Ranked No. 6 in Class AA; defeated Social Circle 63-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 1-0. The Wildcats won 42-10 in 2016. ... Even though there will still be two weeks left in the regular season, this can be considered the de facto region title game, barring a huge upset down the road. The Wildcats beat third place Banks County three weeks ago and the Blue Devils close out the regular season against the Leopards. ... The matchups on both sides of the ball for both teams will be strength vs. strength. ... Rabun County, by percentage points (50.7 ppg), is the highest scoring team in Class AA while Elbert County has allowed just 15.8 ppg and no one has scored more than 33 on them all season. The Wildcats’ lowest output was 28 against AAAA Stephen County in Week 1. ... But, Elbert is the 4th-highest scoring team (300, 42.8 ppg) while Rabun County has yielded just 75 points (10.7 ppg) 5th-best in Class AA. ... The Wildcats are riding a 15-game home win streak. Elbert is 3-0 on the road in 2017 and has won 8 of its last 9 road games overall.
GAINESVILLE at WINDER-BARROW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: W. Clair Harris Stadium, Winder
-- RADIO: 1240 ESPN Radio
-- GAINESVILLE (2-5, 1-1 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 28-0 to Dacula last week
-- WINDER-BARROW (70, 2-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Ranked No. 8 in Class AAAAAA; bye last week; defeated Lanier 24-21 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 27-5-1. The Red Elephants won 30-16 in 2016. Gainesville has won 5 straight since the series resumed in 2012. The last Winder-Barrow win came in 1993, 21-6 in Winder. ... The fortunes of the two programs are in reverse as the Bulldogs are putting together their best season since 1989. The Red Elephants, however, are trying to avoid their first regular season losing record since 1999 when they went 2-8. That was also the last time Gainesville did not make the playoffs. ... No one has clinched a playoff berth yet in 8-AAAAAA but Winder and Dacula both can clinch with wins tonight. The Red Elephants would not be eliminated with a loss but would need to be beat Apalachee next week and get one more Habersham Central loss to make the playoffs. ... It will be a tall challenge for a banged-up Red Elephants defense (198, 28.3 ppg) against a Bulldogs offense that is 9th in AAAAAA (33.4 ppg) in scoring. Winder Sr. QB Brock Landis is averaging 227 yards a game (179 pass, 48 rush; 18 combined TDs). Jr. RB Jamar Mack has rushed for 583 yards and 5 TDs with five WRs with over 168 yards receiving each and seven different players have reeled in TD catches. ... GHS did get back Jr. QB Tre Luttrell the last two weeks and he has put up some solid numbers. But he has gotten little help. Last week was the first shutout loss for the Red Elephants since falling to Grayson 34-0 in the 2015 season-opener and just the fifth time in the Bruce Miller-era covering 16 seasons. ... Gainesville’s 88 points are the lowest in that span and is 51st out of 58 AAAAAA teams in 2017.
GEORGIA MILITARY at RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
-- GEORGIA MILITARY (4-4, non-region): Defeated Glascock County 42-7 last week
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY (0-7, 0-7 Region 8-A): Lost 53-28 to Commerce last week
-- NOTABLE: Riverside Military leads series 16-10-3. The Eagles won 14-6 in 2016. Riverside has won two straight in the series. ... The series goes back over 100 years to the first meeting in 1911, a 37-2 Riverside win. However, this is just the fourth meeting since 1999. ... The Eagles offense is starting to finally come around scoring 48 points the past two weeks (24 ppg) after averaging just 14.4 ppg over the first half of the season. The Bulldogs offer another chance for RMA to put up some numbers as they have yielded 31 ppg on the season. ... Defense has been the issue for the Eagles allowing 37.8 ppg but they also have faced three of the top four offenses in the region in successive weeks. GMC is averaging just 18.3 ppg on the season. ... The Bulldogs are 3-1 on the road in 2017.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at DACULA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Barron Field, Dacula
-- RADIO: WCON 99.3 FM
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (1-6, 0-2 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 25-21 to Lanier last week
-- DACULA (3-4, 2-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Gainesville 28-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Dacula leads series 3-2. The Falcons won 9-0 in 2016. ... The Raiders may be the best 1-6 team in the state at any level. Their six losses are by a combined 18 points with two losses coming in the final moments of the game. ... The Habersham offense (269, 38.4 ppg) is still among the most dangerous in AAAAAA. Sr. QB A.J. Curry is one of the most explosive dual-threat QBs in the state averaging 276 yards passing and 100 yards rushing a game with 21 combined TDs. He has plenty of weapons like WR Jim Barnett (50 rec., 725 yards, 4 TD) and Donovan Curry (24 rec., 508 yards, 8 TD) and RB Baylor Hinshaw (107 car., 717 yards, 9 TD). ... But the Raiders defense has been the issue yielding the 4th-most points (270, 38.6 ppg) in AAAAAA. ... The Falcons have surrendered just 118 points (16.6 ppg) and last week had 4 sacks, 7 TFL, and forced two Gainesville turnovers and had an interception called back on a penalty. ... Habersham is still alive for a playoff berth but would need to win out and have Gainesville lose two of its last three games. ... One win would clinch a playoff spot for the Falcons.
HEBRON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Jock Horner Field, Gainesville
-- HEBRON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (4-3, 3-3 Region 8-A): Lost 22-17 to No. 2 Prince Avenue last week
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (2-5, 1-5 Region 8-A): Lost 49-35 to George Walton Academy last week
-- NOTABLE: Hebron Christian leads series 5-4. Hebron won 34-14 in 2016 and has won two straight in the series. ... A must win for Lakeview, which sits 25th in the Private power rankings after a 3-game losing streak. Hebron, which has lost two straight, sits 16th and a win for Lakeview would go a long way to helping them qualify for their first-ever playoff appearance. ... Hebron has been tough with losses to power-brokers Commerce and Prince Avenue by a combined 8 points. But, Lakeview’s 35 points vs. George Walton was the most scored against the Bulldogs in 2017. ... Lakeview will need another big game from Sr. QB Alec Bornhorst and WR K.J. Millwood, who are a premier tandem in the region. ... Despite allowing 71 points the past two weeks (35.5 ppg) Hebron has yielded just 139 points (19.4 ppg) on the season. Lakeview has scored 30 or more points 3 of its last 4 games.
JEFFERSON at ST. PIUS
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: George B. Maloof Stadium, Atlanta
-- JEFFERSON (6-1, 2-0 Region 8-AAAA): Ranked No. 3 in Class AAAA; defeated North Oconee 44-0 last week
-- ST. PIUS (2-5, 2-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Oconee County 41-13 last week
-- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads series 1-0. The Dragons won 24-0 in 2016. ... The record means nothing for St. Pius. Jefferson is the fifth top-5 ranked team the Golden Lions have faced already this season, including Class AA No. 1 Benedictine and AAA No. 3 GAC. However, they are 0-4 against ranked teams being outscored on average by 18 points. ... The Dragons pose a defensive matchup problem for any team with a balanced attack that is 9th in AAAA (268, 38.3 ppg) and averages 150 yards through the air and over 240 yards on the ground behind Sr. RB Colby Wood. ... The Jefferson defense is stout and is 3rd in AAAA yielding just 9.3 ppg and has not allowed a point in region play so far. St. Pius is averaging 23.1 ppg on offense. ... The winner clinches a playoff spot and needs just one more win to seal a home playoff game in the first round.
LANIER at APALACHEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: R. Harold Harrison Stadium, Bethlehem
-- LANIER (4-3, 1-1 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Habersham Central 25-21 last week
-- APALACHEE (1-6, 0-2 Region 8-AAAAAA): Bye last week; lost 49-13 to Dacula last week
-- NOTABLE: Lanier leads series 4-1. The Longhorns won 45-9 in 2016 and have won four straight. ... The Wildcats need a win to stay alive for a playoff berth while the Longhorns need a win to solidify their position with Dacula and Gainesville still left to close out the regular season. ... The Lanier offense has struggled averaging just 20 ppg but the defense has been solid surrendering just 21 ppg against a schedule featuring some high-powered offenses. ... The Longhorns held Habersham Central 17 points below its season average last week giving the offense a chance to rally for the win. They have a ridiculous 64 TFL (9.1 per game) and have forced 13 turnovers on the season. ... The Wildcats offense is averaging just 247 yards a game and they are (-6) on turnover-ratio for the season.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at FANNIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (0-7, 0-3 Region 7-AAA): Lost 61-14 to No. 3 GAC last week
-- FANNIN COUNTY (2-5, 0-3 Region 7-AAA): Lost 43-3 to Dawson County last week
-- NOTABLE: Fannin County leads series 13-4. Lumpkin County won 63-37 in 2016. Just the fourth meeting since 1999 with the Indians taking 2 of the last 3. ... The winner will get out of the cellar in 7-AAA and still be alive and kicking for a playoff spot. The loser will be officially eliminated. ... Neither offense has put up big numbers this year with Lumpkin averaging just 14.5 ppg and the Rebels scoring just 85 points (12.1 ppg). But, the Indians defense has yielded the 2nd-most points in AAA (347, 49.5 ppg) while Fannin County has only allowed 173 points (24.7 ppg), 3rd-fewest in 7-AAA. ... Lumpkin County has lost 9 straight, its sixth-longest losing streak in program history and longest since going winless in 2006.
MILL CREEK at MOUNTAIN VIEW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mountain View Community Stadium, Lawrenceville
-- MILL CREEK (6-3, 3-1 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Defeated Peachtree Ridge 48-14 last week
-- MOUNTAIN VIEW (6-2, 2-2 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Lost 29-21 to Collins Hill last week
-- NOTABLE: Mill Creek leads series 6-1. The Hawks won 35-23 in 2016. The only Mountain View win came in 2011, 9-7 at home. ... With wins already over Collins Hill and Peachtree Ridge, Mill Creek can clinch no worse than second in the region and a home playoff game in the first round. The Hawks, who trail North Gwinnett by a game, can still win the region if they win out and the the Bulldogs drop 2 of their last 3 games. ... The Bears can clinch a playoff spot with a win in either of their final two games. They can still finish second if they win out and Collins Hill drops its final two games. ... The Bears are 3rd in AAAAAAA in scoring defense (83, 10.4 ppg) but allowed 56 points in their two region losses. Mountain View is also 3rd in scoring (327, 40.9 ppg) but scored just 35 points (17.5 ppg) in their two region losses. ... The Hawks are 12th in defense (124, 15.5 ppg) and only North Gwinnett (35) has scored more than 19 in any game against them in 2017. Mill Creek is averaging 30.8 ppg on offense.
NORTH HALL at GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Norcross
-- NORTH HALL (3-5, 3-1 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Union County 55-34 last week
-- GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN (7-1, 4-0 Region 7-AAA): Ranked No. 3 in Class AAA; defeated Lumpkin County 61-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Greater Atlanta Christian leads series 1-0. The Spartans won 42-14 in 2016. ... Both teams already have clinched a playoff spots so they may be tempted to rest some starters as they prepare for the playoffs. ... The Trojans have saved their best football for region play and have won two straight overall as they have cranked up their wing-T offense. They have scored 110 points (55 ppg) over the past two weeks. QB David Seavy and RBs Daniel Jackson, Cutter Sanford, and Drew Faulkner helped them pile up a season-high 441 yards rushing last week. But the GAC defense has surrendered just 91 points (11.3 ppg) 4th-best in AAA, and just 28 points (7.0 ppg) in region play. ... The Spartans also have the No. 1-rated offense in AAA (373, 46.6 ppg) overtaking East Hall the past two weeks.
PEACHTREE RIDGE at NORTH GWINNETT
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Robinson Stadium, Suwanee
-- PEACHTREE RIDGE (1-6, 1-2 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Lost 48-14 to Mill Creek last week
-- NORTH GWINNETT (6-1, 3-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Ranked No. 9 in Class AAAAAAA; defeated Duluth 52-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 10-3. Peachtree Ridge won 28-21 in overtime in 2016. The Lions have won two straight in the series. ... The Bulldogs can clinch a playoff spot with a win. The Lions can stay alive in the playoff race with a win but would be eliminated with a loss and a Collins Hill win in either of its last two games. ... The Bulldogs defense has shown tremendous improvement under new coach and former Mill Creek DC Bill Stewart. They are 11th in AAAAAAA (117, 16.7 ppg) after surrendering 200 points (28.6 ppg) at the same point in 2016. The offense has shown its depth chugging along without starters QB Cade Fortin (ankle, out for the season) and Tyler Goodson (knee) for most of the second half of the season. Sr. QB Jimmy Urzua and So. RB Devin Crosby have filled in superbly in their place driving the offense to a 38 ppg average.
SOUTH FORSYTH at NORTH FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
-- SOUTH FORSYTH (6-1, 2-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Ranked No. 5 in Class AAAAAAA; defeated Milton 21-13 last week
-- NORTH FORSYTH (5-2, 2-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Defeated Lambert 45-21 last week
-- NOTABLE: South Forsyth leads series 13-6. The War Eagles won 42-7 in 2016. South has won three straight and 8 of the last 11 going back to 2002. ... The War Eagles perfect season ended this week when they were forced to vacate a win over Class A Pinecrest Academy for using an ineligible player but it did not affect the region standings. ... As the only two unbeaten teams left in region play the winner will have the upper-hand to the region title with just two weeks remaining. ... Both offenses rank in the top 12 in the state’s largest classification, with the Raiders being 9th behind Sr. QB Ben Bales, who leads all AAAAAAA QBs in passing yards with 2,131, and has 21 TDs against just 6 INTs on the season. ... The key matchup we be Bales and Co. against the War Eagles’ 5th-rated defense (94, 13.4 ppg) which has picked off 11 passes. South corners Sr. Jaylen Pearson and Jr. Jack Pehrson have 5 picks and 8 PBUs combined. ... The War Eagles are averaging 34.5 ppg while the North defense has yielded 22.5 ppg. South Sr. RB Jared Honey (132 car., 734 yards, 11 TD, 3 100-yard games) paces a ground attack that averages 220 yards a game. ... The War Eagles are a plus-11 on turnover-ratio while the Raiders are a plus-4 on turnover-ratio. The North defense has forced 6 fumbles while South has not lost a fumble all season.
STEPHENS COUNTY at OCONEE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warrior Stadium, Watkinsville
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (3-4, 0-2 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 20-14 to Madison County last week
-- OCONEE COUNTY (4-3, 1-1 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 41-13 to St. Pius last week
-- NOTABLE: Stephens County leads series 15-4. The Indians won 16-9 in 2016. Stephens County has won three straight and 9 of the last 11 meetings since 2002. ... Stephens County has had success in Watkinsville winning 6 of the 9 overall meetings in Watkinsville since the series began in 1992. ... The Indians will need to continue their mastery of the Warriors to stay in the playoff race. The last time the Indians did not make the playoffs was in 2009. ... Offense will be the key for the Indians In their three wins, they have averaged 36.7 ppg. In their four losses, just 9.7 ppg. Turnovers have been a key for Stephens County as well. The Indians are (-4) on turnover-ratio. ... Oconee County has been tough at Warrior Stadium. The Warriors are a perfect 3-0 at home in 2017 and 6-2 at home over the past two seasons. ... Oconee County is a plus-2 on turnover-ratio but has a penchant for turning the ball over as well with 4 INTs and 6 fumbles. ... The Warriors are yielding just 21 ppg on defense, second-best among 8-AAAA teams.
WALNUT GROVE at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- WALNUT GROVE (2-5, 1-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Bye last week; lost 49-13 to Flowery Branch two weeks ago
-- BUFORD (5-1, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Ranked No. 3 in Class AAAAA; defeated Cedar Shoals 56-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Buford leads series 1-0. The Wolves won 38-6 in 2016. ... Buford has rolled through the first half of the region schedule outscoring its first three opponents 171-7 with two shutouts. A win on Friday would clinch a playoff spot for the Wolves for the 19th consecutive season. ... Walnut Grove should offer the Wolves offense behind Anthony Grant, Christian Turner, and Aaron McLaughlin another chance to put up some points as the Warriors are surrendering 30.2 ppg on the season. ... Buford is 5th in scoring defense (74, 12.3 ppg) in AAAAA while Walnut Grove is averaging just 19.1 ppg but has scored 17 points or fewer five times in 2017.
WHITE COUNTY at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com
-- WHITE COUNTY (5-2, 0-1 Region 7-AAAA): Bye last week; lost 50-14 to Blessed Trinity two weeks ago
-- CHESTATEE (4-4, 0-2 Region 7-AAAA): Lost 41-14 to Blessed Trinity last week
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 10-3. Chestatee won 27-21 in 2016 to snap a 7-game losing streak to the Warriors. ... Every game is virtually an elimination game in 7-AAAA with just five teams in the region. A loss for Chestatee would knock them out. A White County loss would not eliminate the Warriors but they would need the War Eagles to lose to Marist next while they win out. ... Both sport spread offenses but this is sure to be a battle between two of the state’s best running backs. Chestatee’s Nick Lyles sits 17th in the state with 958 yards and White County’s Kaleb Crane is 22nd with 935 yards. ... The Warriors defense has surrendered 194 points (27.7 ppg) but 141 came against powerhouse offenses Rabun County, Dawson County, and Blessed Trinity. They have given up just 53 points (13.2 ppg) vs. everyone else. ... Chestatee is 46th in defense in AAAA (259, 32.3 ppg) but offense is the key for the War Eagles. They have scored just 18 ppg in their four losses.
