Each high school football season throws up some true classics, games that will go down as either thrilled-you-saw-it or wish-you-were-there moments -- whether it be wild shootouts that resemble basketball scores or hard-hitting, gritty affairs where the first defense that cracks loses.
There are also contests that shape entire seasons, teams riding momentum to glory or spiraling into despair. With that in mind, which of the upcoming campaign's showdowns look likely to highlight 2017?
As part of our season preview, we took a look and came up with a list of 30. Scroll down for a glance at what's to come. And for an in-depth look at what high school football holds in store for northeast Georgia make sure to visit Friday Game Night's 2017 Preview Page. Inside you'll find 30 individual program previews, videos and all the information you need to prep for the fall ahead.
30 MUST-SEE GAMES FOR THE 2017 PREP FOOTBALL SEASON
All games listed take place on Friday unless otherwise listed
Games listed in order of occurrence
Buford vs. Hillgrove (Kell Classic), Aug. 18
The Wolves are under a new head coach for the first time in 13 years and have tweaked their offense to bring in more spread concepts -- though new head man John Ford assures fans he is by no means abandoning Buford's pound-you-to-dust running attack. That said, people around the state will be curious to see how the Wolves adjust to their first significant changes in over a decade in their season opener under the spotlight at Georgia State (for the Kell Kickoff Classic). Hillgrove is no pushover either, owners of a seven-year state playoff streak (not bad for a school entering its 11th year of varsity play).
North Hall at Chestatee, Aug. 18
One of the angrier rivalries in northeast Georgia, the battle for Highway 60 always features crowd-pleasing moments. And both teams enter the season with both questions to answer and a desire to do so at the expense of the other. Both teams are also coming off playoff seasons and feature exciting brands of football guaranteed to pop a few big plays. The War Eagles have only managed one victory in their previous 15 meetings with the Trojans. Will they finally double that number this season? There's plenty of people interested to find out the answer.
Mill Creek vs. McEachern (Kell Classic), Saturday, Aug. 19
Another Kell Classic game that promises fireworks, the Hawks enter their season opener having graduated 35 lettermen from last season's second straight state semifinal appearance. Yet Mill Creek also has 30 lettermen returning to the line-up this season -- and they will remember that it took a 31-28 nail-biting victory over McEachern to make it into to last year's Final Four. If these two begin this season like they ended last year's, fans are in for a treat.
Flowery Branch at North Hall, Aug. 25
While the Trojans will open their season in the aforementioned showdown at Chestatee a week earlier, Flowery Branch will still be prepping for its first contest of the campaign. New Falcons head coach Ben Hall was on staff as an assistant when this game was a big-time Region 7-AAA rivalry. Last season ended a six-year drought in this game but its resumption brought us one of the most memorable games of the contest, full of big plays and decided only by a skinny point -- North Hall prevailing 21-20.
Jefferson at Thomson, Sept. 1
We predicted this as a season-defining game last season for the Dragons, and it certainly proved memorable, both times -- even if Jefferson harbors bad memories of their two defeats at the hands of the Bulldogs, once in the regular season and again in the Class AAAA semifinals. The Dragons, now under head coach Gene Cathcart (their offensive coordinator last season) would love to get some payback this time around. And if last season's battles are any indication, fans can expect some hard hitting between the two foes. Both ended the season in the top 10 and both are preseason top 10s again this season.
North Gwinnett at Norcross, Sept. 8
Bill Stewart knows all about big games from his time as a head coach at Etowah and assistant at Mill Creek, but they don't come much bigger than this for his new Bulldogs team. Stewart would love to open his coaching career at North Gwinnett with the scalp of a program that has proven a thorn in the Bulldogs' side -- even in the midst of their ascent to a power program over the past decade. Certainly the Blue Devils will let Stewart know just where his team stands in their third game of the season.
Northside, Warner Robins at Lanier, Sept. 8
Lanier football wanted to test itself against some of the best in the state when it scheduled this home-and-home -- they certainly have it. The Eagles have been one of the power programs statewide since the mid-1990s, including a Class AAAAAA semifinal appearance last season. The Longhorns could not keep pace with Northside last season in Warner Robins, absorbing a 38-7 loss in their third game of the campaign. In other words, this game will tell Lanier just where it stands as it heads into 2017 with a starting line-up featuring both veterans and talented newcomers. It is a big opportunity indeed for the Longhorns.
South Pointe, S.C. at Buford, Sept. 15
Since few programs across the state want to take on the Wolves, they have been forced to look nation-wide and will, in fact, taking on teams from New York, Florida and South Carolina in non-region play. It is the team from the Carolinas that intrigues us the most. The Stallions are coming off three straight Class AAAA championships and have claimed five state crowns in 11 seasons. They also have star power, including four-star senior receiver Derion Kendrick (Clemson commit). In other words this is a marquee match-up across the entire southeast.
Flowery Branch at Jefferson, Friday, Sept. 15
Not often do successful coaches leave programs in the midst of their success, but Ben Hall did just that this offseason, swapping Jefferson for Flowery Branch after leading the Dragons to a state semifinal appearance (2016) and two quarterfinal appearances in his four seasons as head coach. He also was the offensive coordinator for Jefferson's 2012 Class AA championship team. This season he returns to Memorial Stadium to face his old charges -- a team that enters the campaign with plenty of star power -- with a program that he's looking to reshape after three straight seasons out of the playoffs. There is intrigue aplenty for this one.
Stephens County at Habersham Central, Sept. 15
This is one of those great border battles that makes high school football in northeast Georgia. And while it has been one-way traffic for much of the last two decades (Habersham's last win in the not-every-season showdown came in 1996 -- 12 straight Stephens victories), the heat between these two has by no means cooled. This season there is added spice in that the Raiders will enter the battle with former Indians standout A.J. Howard at quarterback. Howard was a big-play receiver at Stephens in 2016, but has the tools to be a big-play quarterback for Habersham. That's far from the only reason to go -- Habersham is looking to push its way back into the state playoffs after a five-year absence, while Stephens is looking to consolidate its gains from last year's second place finish in a brutal Region 8-AAAA -- but it certainly doesn't hurt.
West Hall at Dawson County, Sept. 15
Like last season, this game will have no bearing on a region or playoff race -- as it did in 2015 when Dawson County announced its presence with authority in a 17-0 victory that handed the then-defending Region 7-AAA champion Spartans their first league setback after going undefeated in 7-AAA in 2014 and set the Tigers on their way to their first-ever region title. But, if last season's game is any indication, expect fireworks again. The Spartans and Tigers battled into overtime before the Spartans prevailed 30-23, each team giving its absolute all.
White County at North Hall, Sept. 15
The Warriors face a slog of a non-region slate that includes teams like Rabun County, Habersham and Lumpkin County. And this game not only comes five weeks into the schedule -- which means the Warriors will have grown into their new offenses and defenses under first-year head coach Tim Cokely -- but it also represents White County's only victory from last season. You think North Hall remembers that? For the Trojans this contest wraps the non-region campaign, and a young North Hall squad would love to prove their growth by handing a former region rival some payback.
Jefferson at Gainesville, Sept. 22
This is another game that highlighted last year's schedule -- and it lived up to the hype, as the Dragons held off the Red Elephants in a 31-28 shootout that featured both offenses doing what they do best. As two of the most successful programs in northeast Georgia -- and the entire state -- over the past decade, this game holds plenty of bragging rights between two traditional and prideful programs that, until last year, had never played each other. Oh, and there should be plenty of talent on each sideline. What's not to love?
Lumpkin County at East Hall, Sept. 22
When the dust settled on a fascinating Region 7-AAA season, the Indians and Vikings were on the outside of the playoff picture, looking in -- but only just. Each came close to pushing their way into the postseason, and each is out to prove that they are worthy of getting back into the state bracket in 2017. What better way to do so than against each other -- to start their respective 7-AAA campaigns? Last year's contest went down to the wire, Lumpkin winning 30-27 in Dahlonega, and there could be plenty more fireworks on display this season in Valhalla.
Mill Creek at North Gwinnett, Sept. 29
Another chance to see a former coach take on his old team -- though this time Bill Stewart, who was Mill Creek's defensive coordinator through its rise to prominence -- will do so in a region game. Both teams enter the season with new faces in starting positions. By this point, those players will be closing in on veteran status, and each side knows how big a region victory is in 6-AAAAAAA.
North Hall at Dawson County, Sept. 29
Last year's showdown between the two Region 7-AAA foes was balanced on a knife edge in the second half -- until some big plays swung it in Dawson County's favor. The Tigers pulled away for a 45-27 victory in a battle between two playoff-bound squads. This time around both programs enter the season with several younger players moving into starting roles. And in a 7-AAA that promises a fight to the finish for the postseason, each knows how important this game could be.
Prince Avenue Christian at Commerce, Sept. 29
Commerce missed out on a Region 8-A title last season thanks to two losses -- each 21-14 -- against Athens Christian and Prince Avenue. This represents a chance for the Tigers to show not only that they are right back in the 8-A race but just how far their new backfield has come in the meantime. Commerce graduated almost 90 percent of its offensive production, and while there is talent itching to show it is ready to take the reins, this game represents perhaps their toughest regular season test of the campaign.
Rabun County at Banks County, Friday, Sept. 29
Rabun County absolutely dominated Region 8-AA last season, winning its six league games by a combined score of 323-34. That said, Banks County charged down last season's back stretch, knocking off traditional power Elbert County in the Granite Bowl to claim 8-AA's No. 2 seed. The Leopards believe they are ready to build on that campaign, which included their first appearance in the second round of the state playoffs. If it can make an impression against the Wildcats (coming off three straight region titles and back-to-back state quarterfinal appearances), Banks will know it is ready for something special.
Chestatee at West Hall, Oct. 6
West Hall edged this game in a 35-28 thriller last year. The victory came en route to a season that included a first round playoff victory (the Spartans first such success since 2000). Meanwhile, the War Eagles proved they were building in 2016, getting back to the state playoffs after a two-year absence. The winner of this game -- in a five-team region -- will not only gain a major leg up in the playoff race, but could put itself in position to compete for top seeding.
Jackson County at Franklin County, Oct. 6
The Panthers stumbled early last season but came on late and stormed back into the state playoffs following a two season absence (and for just the third time in program history). In fact Jackson County missed out on finishing second in Region 8-AAA by one outcome last season -- a 21-14 loss to Franklin County. The Panthers return a number of the starters that girded last year's turnaround and they could make a statement in this contest.
Flowery Branch at Loganville, Oct. 13
The Falcons lost to all four playoff teams from Region 8-AAAA last season. If they can make progress and knock off the Red Devils, who finished second in 8-AAAAA last season and are a preseason top 10, it would demonstrate impressive improvement for a program under a new head coach that believes it has the ingredients for success now.
George Walton Academy at Lakeview Academy, Oct. 13
The Lions missed out on their first-ever state playoff berth by mere 10ths of a point last season. If they are to make that leap forward and break into the postseason they will need to claim a scalp like the Bulldogs'. It won't be easy. George Walton won last season's game 51-21 (en route to a quarterfinal run in the A Private playoffs), but marked improvement here could prove a spring board into the next week's game against Hebron -- another opportunity to make hay against a playoff team from a season ago.
Gainesville at Winder-Barrow, Oct. 20
The Red Elephants helped ensure their playoff status with a win in this game last season, 30-16. Yet the Bulldoggs still made the postseason -- and expect to be much improved in 2017. This game could again help determine the postseason futures of both programs
Mill Creek at Mountain View, Oct. 20
Last season represented not only Mountain View's first winning season but a veritable quantum leap, as the Bears stormed into the playoffs for the first time in their young history (beginning their eighth season of varsity play). And they gave the Hawks -- on their way to their second straight state semifinal -- a good fight last season before succumbing 35-23. Much of that team returns, so this could well be a season-defining game for each program.
Stephens County at Oconee County, Oct. 20
The Indians finished second in Region 8-AAAA last season thanks to a 16-9 victory over the Warriors in Toccoa. This game should, once again, bring with it major playoff implications between two programs looking to stay in step with defending region champ Jefferson.
Dacula at Lanier, Oct. 27
This game decided the Region 8-AAAAAA crown last season, with Dacula blanking Lanier 20-0. Both teams expect to be right back in the hunt again this season, and the Longhorns would love to get some revenge -- and set themselves up for a region title shot after finishing second last season (following back-to-back region crowns in 2014-15).
East Jackson at Jackson County, Oct. 27
East Jackson showed major progress last season, going 4-6 to claim more wins than the last four seasons combined. We already mentioned Jackson County's progress last season above. This game proved a battle to the finish last season, the Eagles winning 21-14 but, ultimately, losing out on a coveted state playoff berth. If both teams maintain their progress, this game should mean a lot in the 8-AAA standings.
Winder-Barrow at Habersham Central, Oct. 27
The Raiders missed out on the state playoffs by one game last season, the Bulldoggs secured their third straight playoff berth by a single game. In other words last year's 35-28 Winder-Barrow win proved huge for both programs. That could once again be the case in 2017 between two teams that should have plenty of offensive firepower thanks to their spread attacks.
Lanier at Gainesville, Nov. 3
This game did not quite decide a region crown last season -- as it did in 2014 and 15 -- but it maintained a tradition of hard fought battles decided by one possession amongst two playoff foes. And it did determined home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs. Not a bad way to spend a Friday night, eh? The Longhorns actually own a 3-0 series lead but their biggest win came by eight, and the average margin of victory is six points. Slugfests are the expectation now between these two new rivals.
Oconee County at Jefferson, Nov. 3
This game has had a direct bearing on a region title each of the last two seasons and has produced some jaw-dropping moments amongst two foes separated only by Clarke County. By playing in the final game of the regular season, there's a good chance that there will, yet again, be something big on the line.
