Week 10 could be the most pivotal week of the season as 27 of the 30 teams in our coverage area around northeast Georgia are in action Friday night.
It will be a case of make-or-break for more than half-a-dozen teams while two others -- Rabun County in Region 8-AA and North Gwinnett in Region 6-AAAAAAA -- can wrap up region titles with victories. Still others are fighting for their playoff lives.
In Region 8-AAAAAA, Lanier can take a huge step to reclaiming region supremacy while playing host to Dacula in a battle that will either push the Falcons toward their second region title or create some chaos at the top of the standings, with several area teams tied for first.
In Region 8-AAAAA, Buford will look to tune up for next week's winner-take-all showdown with Flowery Branch, which is off this week, against Loganville on the road. The Wolves are rolling with three consecutive shutout victories.
In Region 8-AAAA, Jefferson is coming off a stunning loss to St. Pius but can clinch a playoff spot with a win over Stephens County. But the Indians are in dire need of a win to maintain control of their own playoff destiny. Expect a battle at The Reservation.
In Region 7-AAA, Dawson County can set up a first-place showdown next week against Greater Atlanta Christian with a win over arch-rival Lumpkin County.
In Region 8-AAA, Jackson County can clinch a playoff berth with a win over cross-county rival East Jackson -- but the Eagles can also keep their slim hopes alive with an upset win.
In Region 8-AA, Banks County can clinch a playoff berth with a victory over Putnam County. But, the War Eagles are trying to hang on for a playoff berth as well.
Another intriguing matchup sees Class A No. 3 Athens Academy travel to Commerce. Both teams are virtually assured of making the top 24 when the final power rankings come out, but the Tigers could use a win over a quality opponent to solidy a top 8 in the public rankings and secure a first round bye.
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. 27
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
APALACHEE at GAINESVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 1240 ESPN Radio
-- APALACHEE (1-7, 0-3 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 39-7 to Lanier last week
-- GAINESVILLE (3-5, 2-1 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Winder-Barrow 38-16 last week
-- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 5-0. The Red Elephants won 28-0 in 2016. Gainesville has outscored the Wildcats 235-13 in the series. ... No one has been eliminated from playoff contention in 8-AAAAAA yet but this week the top four teams could be determined. Dacula has the inside track for its second straight region crown needing just one win over the final two weeks. ... The Red Elephants erased a season’s worth of frustrations last week with a huge win and now are technically still alive for a region title, but they would need to win out and hope Dacula drops its final two games. They also could finish in the top two by winning out. ... A GHS win clinches a playoff spot for the Red Elephants. The Wildcats are still alive but would need to win out while GHS drops its final two games. ... GHS Jr. QB Tre Luttrell perhaps had his breakout game with 254 yards passing and 111 yards rushing with 4 combined TDs in the upset win. ... The GHS defense held Winder, which was in the top 10 in scoring in AAAAAA, to its lowest output of the season. ... Apalachee is averaging just 14.2 ppg on offense and is surrendering 42 ppg on defense, both near the bottom in AAAAAA.
ATHENS ACADEMY at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 8 p.m.
-- WHERE: Ray Lamb Stadium, Commerce
-- ATHENS ACADEMY (8-0, 7-0 Region 8-A): Defeated George Walton 36-3 last week
-- COMMERCE (7-1, 6-1 Region 8-A): Defeated Towns County 38-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 14-11. The Tigers won 42-30 in 2016. Commerce has won 3 of the last 4 meetings. ... Athens Academy may be the best team in the state that not many are talking about. The Spartans are 1st in all of Class A in points allowed (57, 7.1 ppg) and 2nd in scoring (363, 45.3 ppg) and have steamrolled everyone in their path by an average 38.2 ppg margin of victory. ... But, the Tigers represent their biggest test of the season so far. Commerce is 10th in scoring (313, 39.1 ppg) and is the first team ranked in the top 24 in offense the Spartans have faced. The Tigers have yielded just 15.3 ppg and is the first defense ranked in the top 20 the Spartans have seen. ... Commerce can still win the region with wins over the Spartans and George Walton and if No. 2 Prince Avenue drops its final two games. A win would go a long way in the power rankings as the Spartans are 3rd in Private and the Tigers are 7th in Public. ... Nick Patrick had 3 rushing TDs last week for Commerce and Kyre Ware caught a TD pass and scored on a fumble recovery for the Tigers.
BUFORD at LOGANVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Red Devil Stadium, Loganville
-- BUFORD (6-1, 4-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Ranked No. 3 in Class AAAAA; defeated Walnut Grove 49-0 last week
-- LOGANVILLE (1-7, 1-3 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 27-7 to Cedar Shoals last week
-- NOTABLE: Buford leads series 10-1. The Wolves won 35-10 in 2016. It is just the fourth meeting since 1987 and the last Loganville win over Buford came in 1986 in a 25-7 victory in Buford. ... The Wolves can set up a showdown with Flowery Branch next week for the region title with a win over the Red Devils. Loganville is still alive for a playoff spot tied with Cedar Shoals and Walnut Grove for fourth. ... Defensively Buford has been virtually untouchable in region play allowing just 7 total points with three consecutive shutouts. Loganville has scored just 100 total points and is 52nd out of 58 AAAAA teams in offense.
CEDAR SHOALS at JOHNSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood
-- CEDAR SHOALS (4-4, 1-3 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Loganville 27-7 last week
-- JOHNSON (0-8, 0-4 Region 8-AAAAA): Bye last week; lost 42-14 to Clarke Central two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Cedar Shoals leads series 10-0. The Jaguars won 40-0 in 2016. It was the first meeting between the two teams since 1987. ... Johnson is still working on a school-record 22-game losing streak. The Knights are 56th out of 57 AAAAA teams in offense (53, 6.8 ppg) and has allowed the most points in AAAAA (416, 52 ppg). ... Cedar Shoals is just 36th in offense (152, 19 ppg) and cannot afford a slip up against the Knights. The Jaguars are tied with Walnut Grove and Loganville for fourth place in the region but can clinch their first playoff spot since 2008 by winning out.
CHESTATEE at MARIST
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Hughes-Spalding Stadium,Atlanta
-- CHESTATEE (4-5, 0-3 Region 7-AAAA): Lost 56-27 to White County last week
-- MARIST (8-0, 2-0 Region 7-AAAA): Ranked No. 4 in Class AAAA; defeated No. 6 Blessed Trinity 25-24 last week
-- NOTABLE: Marist leads series 1-0. Marist won 47-14 in 2016. ... Chestatee was eliminated from the playoffs last week but can play spoiler to Marist, who can clinch the top seed with a win Friday. However, a Chestatee win would force Marist to have to beat White County and hope for a Blessed Trinity loss to West Hall next week. ... Chestatee last week turned to its future as Fr. Christian Charles took over the QB reins. Charles tallied 389 yards and all four War Eagles touchdowns. He rushed 18 times for 201 yards and completed 16 of 33 passes for three scores and an interception. ... A Chestatee win would give them their first non-losing season since 2013.
DACULA at LANIER
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Lanier Community Stadium, Sugar Hill
-- DACULA (4-4, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Habersham Central 35-28 last week
-- LANIER (5-3, 2-1 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Apalachee 39-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Dacula leads series 1-0. The Falcons won 20-0 in 2016. ... No one has been eliminated from playoff contention in 8-AAAAAA yet but this week the top four teams could be determined. Dacula has the inside track for its second straight region crown needing just one win over the final two weeks. ... However, Lanier can gain the upper-hand with a win at home. The Longhorns, Gainesville, and Winder-Barrow are all tied for second with 2 games left. ... The Longhorns have slowly built momentum winning 4 of their last 5 since a 1-2 start as several new starters got acclimated. If they can win out they will win their 3rd region title in the last 4 years. ... Jr. QB Zach Calzada had perhaps his finest game of the season going 10-for-13 for 140 yards and 4 TDs last week. WR Mekal Fuller had 144 all-purpose yards and 2 TDs. ... The Falcons have been tough in region play allowing just 13.7 ppg while piling up over 37 ppg on offense. ... The Lanier defense has been tough as usual with only St. Pius (33) posting more than 24 on the Longhorns this season.
DAWSON COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Ground, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- DAWSON COUNTY (6-2, 4-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated East Hall 56-48 last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (1-7, 1-3 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Fannin County 10-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Lumpkin County leads series 19-18-2. Dawson County won 54-8 in 2016. The Tigers have won 7 of the last 9 overall in the series. ... Dawson County already has clinched a top two spot in the region with wins over North Hall and East Hall last week so the temptation may be to rest some starters heading into next week’s first place showdown with GAC. But, they have won four straight and you never want to halt momentum. ... The Indians got their first win of the season last week with their first shutout victory since beating Riverside Military Academy 50-0 to open the 2011 season. The Tigers, however, will present a much different challenge ... Lumpkin has allowed the most points in 7-AAA (347, 43.4 ppg) and the 3rd-most in AAA. Since Sr. QB Coey Watson returned from an injury, Dawson County has averaged 44.6 ppg over its last five contests.
EAST JACKSON at JACKSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Panther Stadium, Jefferson
-- EAST JACKSON (1-6, 0-3 Region 8-AAA): Lost 23-0 to Haralson County last week
-- JACKSON COUNTY (4-4, 1-2 Region 8-AAA): Bye last week; lost 44-14 to Hart County two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Jackson County leads series 4-3. East Jackson won 21-14 in 2016. ... The Panthers can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Eagles and a Franklin County loss to region-leader Morgan County this week. ... The Eagles are still alive for a playoff spot but would need to beat the Panthers and Hart County next week and have both Jackson County and Franklin County lose out. ... For that to happen, East Jackson would need to find its lost offense. Since averaging 22.9 ppg in their first three games, the Eagles have scored just 12 points (3.0 ppg) since and been shutout twice. ... Jackson County features a punishing ground game led by Noah Venable (211 car.,, 1,354 yards, 11 TD). However, Venable, who is still 11th in the state even after missing time over the last two weeks, is a game time decision, according to coach Brandon Worley. ... The East Jackson defense is yielding 37.4 ppg and 43 ppg during its 4-game losing streak.
FANNIN COUNTY at UNION COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
-- FANNIN COUNTY (2-6, 0-4 Region 7-AAA): Lost 10-0 to Lumpkin County last week
-- UNION COUNTY (4-4, 0-4 Region 7-AAA): Bye last week; lot 55-34 to North Hall two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Fannin County leads series 13-12. Union County won 63-39 in 2016. The Panthers have won 6 of the last 8 meetings and can even the series record for the first time since 1989. ... Both teams have been eliminated from postseason play but surely would like to build momentum heading into next season. ... The Union County offense continues to be among the best in AAA sitting 5th in points scored (300, 37.5 ppg) but it’s the defense that has been the issue in 2017. The Panthers have yielded 257 points (32.1 ppg) which is 40th out of 57 AAA teams. ... Fannin County has the other problem. The Rebels are in the top half in defense at 25th (183, 22.9 ppg) but has scored the 6th-fewest points in AAA (85, 10.6 ppg). ... Two wins to close out the season for Union County would give the Panthers a sixth-straight winning season, the longest such run in program history.
JEFFERSON at STEPHENS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Reservation, Toccoa
-- JEFFERSON (6-2, 2-1 Region 8-AAAA): Ranked No. 7 in Class AAAA; Lost 43-29 to St. Pius last week
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (4-4, 1-2 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Oconee County 24-17 last week
-- NOTABLE: Series tied 3-3. Jefferson won 35-7 in 2016. This is just the second meeting between the two teams since 1955 and the first meeting at The Reservation since 1954. ... No one has been eliminated yet and only St. Pius has clinched a playoff spot in 8-AAAA although the region title is still up for grabs. ... The Dragons will need to win out and have St. Pius drop its final two region games to claim its second straight region title. ... The 43 points allowed was the most against a Jefferson defense since the Dragons gave up 57 to Heard County in a win in the 2013 playoffs. However, they are still in the top seven in defense in AAAA (108, 13.5 ppg). ... Stephens County won a huge head-to-head matchup last week but may still need to win out to secure a playoff berth. Offense is the key for the Indians. In their four wins they have averaged 33.5 ppg. In their four losses, they have scored just 39 points (9.7 ppg).
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (2-6, 1-6 Region 8-A):Lost 42-26 to Hebron Christian last week
-- TOWNS COUNTY (3-5, 2-5 Region 8-A): Lost 38-14 to Commerce last week
-- NOTABLE: Lakeview Academy leads series 6-4. Towns County won 42-35 in 2016. The win for the Indians snapped a 3-game losing streak to the Lions. ... The loss for Lakeview last week knocked the Lions four spots down to 28th in the Private power rankings and it is a must-win this week for them if they want to climb back into the top 24. The loss for the Indians last week actually moved them up one spot to 23rd in the Public rankings. However, the Indians are just .01 points ahead of both Johnson County and Telfair County, who are tied for 24th, so they also need to treat this week as a must-win to stay in the top 24. ...The Lions have scored 50 more points than the Indians (196-154) but also have allowed 100 more points as well on defense (234-326). Lakeview Sr. QB Alec Bornhorst is up to 1,705 yards and WR K.J. Millwood is now 6th in the state in receiving with 959 yards. ... Towns County is 2-2 at home this year with both losses to No. 3 Athens Academy and Commerce last week. Lakeview is 0-3 on the road in 2017 and has dropped 6 straight road games going back to last season.
NORTH GWINNETT at COLLINS HILL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Lawrenceville
-- NORTH GWINNETT (7-1, 4-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Ranked No. 9 in Class AAAAAAA; defeated Peachtree Ridge 44-8 last week
-- COLLINS HILL (5-3, 3-1 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Bye last week; defeated Mountain View 29-21 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 10-6. The Bulldogs won 41-7 in 2016. The two teams have split the last four meetings after North Gwinnett had won five straight from 2006-12. ... It’s pretty simple for the Bulldogs: win and they clinch the region title. Lose, and the teams are tied with one week left with the Eagles holding the head-to-head tiebreaker. North Gwinnett has already clinched no worse than second place, however. ... North Gwinnett has been dominating during its 7-game win streak outscoring the opposition 257-94 and an even better 158-43 in region play. ... Collins Hill has found its offensive groove during its 3-game win streak. The Eagles have scored 118 points during the streak (39.3 ppg) after scoring just 115 points (23 ppg) in its first five contests. ... The Bulldogs are 9th in defense in AAAAAAA (125, 15.7 ppg).
NORTH HALL at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- NORTH HALL (3-6, 3-2 Region 7-AAA): Lost 56-6 to No. 2 Greater Atlanta Christian last week
-- EAST HALL (5-3, 2-2 Region 7-AAA): Lost 56-48 to Dawson County last week
-- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 33-19-1. North Hall won 68-42 in 2016. The Trojans have won 9 straight in the series and are 12-3 vs. the Vikings since 1996. North Hall has won four straight and 5 of the last 7 at East Hall Stadium since 1996. ... After meeting every season from 1958 to 2007, it is just the fourth meeting between the two rivals since then. This will be the regular season finale for North Hall. ... Both teams have qualified for the playoffs so this one is one for seeding and bragging rights. ... The key matchup will be if the Trojans, who have allowed 28 or more points in 7 of their 9 games and 287 points overall (31.2 ppg), can slow down East Hall’s high-powered offense (371, 46.4 ppg), which is 3rd-best in AAA. Sr. QB Austin Parker is back atop the state's passing list with 2,742 yards after a huge game last week against Dawson County (27-for-53, 389 yards, 5 TD). Sr. WR Sedrion Morse is now 10th in receiving at 888 yards The Trojans have surrendered 232 points in 6 contests (38.7 ppg) to similar offenses. ... The Vikings defense, however, has allowed the 8th-most points in AAA (313, 39.1 ppg). ... East Hall also may be without RB Cambren Harrison, who left last week’s game late with a lower-leg injury.
PUTNAM COUNTY at BANKS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Leopard Stadium, Homer
-- PUTNAM COUNTY (5-3, 2-2 Region 8-AA): Bye last week; defeated Monticello 14-13 two weeks ago
-- BANKS COUNTY (4-4, 3-1 Region 8-AA): Defeated Social Circle 38-6 last week
-- NOTABLE: Banks County leads series 1-0. The Leopards won 14-0 in 2016. ... The Leopards have gotten things rolling the last month behind new QB Clayton Dykehouse, who is averaging 125 yards a game on the ground and has led them to 3 wins over the last month while averaging 29.5 ppg. ... A win for the Leopards would clinch a second straight playoff spot for the first time since 1996-97. A win also gives them their fourth straight non-losing season, their best stretch since 1990-94. ... Putnam County has dropped 3 of its last 5 and offense has been the issue. The War Eagles have scored just 53 points (10.6 ppg) in that span while also allowing 177 points (35.4 ppg).
RABUN COUNTY at OGLETHORPE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Patriot Stadium, Lexington
-- RABUN COUNTY (8-0, 4-0 Region 8-AA): Ranked No. 5 in Class AA; defeated Elbert County 35-7 last week
-- OGLETHORPE COUNTY (0-8, 0-5 Region 8-AA): Lost 34-0 to Monticello last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 14-9. The Wildcats won 58-0 in 2016. Rabun has won five straight and 6 of last 7 in the series. Last Oglethorpe win came in 2011 in Lexington, the year before Lee Shaw took over in Tiger. ... The Wildcats already have clinched a playoff spot but can wrap up the region title with a win this week so don’t expect them to take the Patriots lightly despite the obvious mismatch on paper. ... Oglethorpe is near the bottom in every category in AA. The Patriots have scored the 2nd-fewest points (48, 6 ppg) and given up the 3rd-most (314, 39.2 ppg). Meanwhile, Rabun is 2nd in AA in scoring (390, 48.7 ppg) and allowed just 82 points (10.2 ppg) good for 4th in AA. They have surrendered just 21 points (5.2 ppg) in region play.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY at ATHENS CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Athens
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY (1-7, 0-7 Region 8-A): Defeated Georgia Military 35-7 last week
-- ATHENS CHRISTIAN (3-5, 2-5 Region 8-A): Defeated Providence Christian 39-6 last week
-- NOTABLE: Athens Christian leads series 3-2. Athens Christian won 41-7 in 2016. ... The Eagles got their first win for first-year coach Nick Garrett and can now play spoiler in the Class A playoff picture. Athens Christian sits 24th in the Private power rankings and a RMA victory would be a big blow for Athens Christian with just one game left. ... After scoring just 58 points (11.6 ppg) in its first five games, the Riverside offense has taken off scoring 27.7 ppg over its past three games. ... Turnovers, however, have been a problem with 12 on the season. But the defense has forced 10 takeaways.
WEST FORSYTH at NORTH FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
-- WEST FORSYTH (6-2, 2-1 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Defeated Lambert 28-24 last week
-- NORTH FORSYTH (5-3, 2-1 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Lost 47-10 to No. 5 South Forsyth last week
-- NOTABLE: West Forsyth leads series 7-2. The Wolverines won 55-7 in 2016. West Forsyth has won 6 straight in the series. ... The Raiders already have clinched a playoff berth with wins over bottom-dwellers Lambert and Forsyth Central. But, they are still in the running for a top two finish or even a region title depending on how the final two weeks shake out. ... Any region title thoughts for North Forsyth would mean it needs to win out and have South Forsyth drop its final two games. But, South Forsyth plays winless Forsyth Central this week so the odds are long. ... Sr. QB Ben Bales, who was second in AAAAAAA in passing going into last week, had his first bad game of the season throwing three pick-6s against South Forsyth. ... The Raiders are still 13th in scoring in AAAAAAA (268, 33.5 ppg) despite their lowest output of the season. The Wolverines, though, are 17th in defense (149, 18.6 ppg) but have yet to play South Forsyth and its high-scoring offense. ... The North Forsyth defense (205, 25.6 ppg) may be the key. In their three losses, they have allowed 126 points (42 ppg). In their five wins, just 15.8 ppg.
WEST HALL at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550; www.wrwh.com
-- WEST HALL (5-3, 1-1 Region 7-AAAA): Bye last week; lost 41-6 to No. 4 Marist two weeks ago
-- WHITE COUNTY (6-2, 1-1 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated Chestatee 56-27 last week
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 10-9. West Hall won 35-14 in 2016. The win for the Spartans snapped an 8-game losing streak to the Warriors going back to 2006. ... The winner of this one will take no worse than the third seed in the region. West Hall could still finish second with a win over the Warriors and then finding a way to knock off No. 6 Blessed Trinity next week at home. ... This has the classic matchup of a good West Hall defense vs. an explosive White County offense. The Warriors, who are 11th in AAAA (292, 36.5 ppg) in offense and are led by Fr. QB J. Ben Haynes and Sr. RB Kaleb Crane (1,211 yards) who is 20th in the state in rushing. ... The Spartans defense (162, 20.2 ppg) is in the top 20 in AAAA and 90 points came in losses to ranked teams Rabun County and Marist. They have allowed just 72 points (12 ppg) in their other six contests. West Hall has plus-4 turnover ratio.
WINDER-BARROW at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
-- RADIO: WCON 99.3 FM
-- WINDER-BARROW (7-1, 2-1 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 38-16 to Gainesville last week
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (1-7, 0-3 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 35-28 to Dacula last week
-- NOTABLE: Habersham Central leads series 15-7. Winder-Barrow won 35-28 in 2016. The win for the Bulldoggs snapped a 6-game losing streak in the series. ... No one has been eliminated from playoff contention in 8-AAAAAA yet but this week the top four teams could be determined. Dacula has the inside track for its second straight region crown needing just one win over the final two weeks. ... The Bulldoggs, Lanier, and Gainesville, are all tied for second with 2 games left. ... Just last week it looked like the Bulldoggs were a virtual lock to qualify for their 4th straight playoffs. They still need just one win to make the playoffs but with a finish against region-unbeaten Dacula next week, they may have to treat this week as a must-win. However, the Raiders are still alive and a win this week and against Apalachee next week could send things to a tiebreaker among three or even four teams. ... As we’ve stated all season, the Raiders may be the best one-win team in the state. Their 7 losses have been a by a combined 25 points. They took Gainesville, Lanier, and Dacula down to the wire behind Sr. QB A.J. Curry, who is averaging a whopping 351 total yards a game (253 passing, 98 ushing) alone with 23 combined TDs. ... Defense has been the issue for Habersham allowing the 5th-most points (305, 38.1 ppg) in AAAAAA. Winder has yielded just 19 ppg on the season but gave up its most points last week and has surrendered 57 points (28.5 ppg) in its past two games.
