Some prep football teams got off a to thrilling start last week -- others will kick off their 2017 seasons tonight.
This week, 26 of our 30 northeast Georgia area schools will be in action and there are plenty of blockbuster showdowns to keep fans interested, and, hopefully, on the edge of their seats.
The are some notable rivalries set, including Commerce traveling to Banks County, Johnson heading to the other side of Oakwood to battle West Hall, Lumpkin County and White County meeting for the 48th time in Cleveland, Franklin County heading to Toccoa and The Reservation for their 50th installment against Stephens County. There will also be some enticing non-region tilts, like East Hall at Chestatee (those two offenses combined for 97 points and over 1,000 yards of offense last week) and Gainesville heading to Alpharetta to try and avenge a home loss to the Raiders last season.
Meanwhile, Riverside Military Academy, under new coach Nick Garrett, faces the tall task of opening the campaign against state-ranked Prince Avenue Christian in a Region 8-A tilt at Maginnis Field.
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 Aug. 25
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
APALACHEE at RIVER RIDGE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Woodstock
-- APALACHEE (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Season-opener; finished 2-7-1 in 2016
-- RIVER RIDGE (1-0, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAA): Defeated Woodland-Cartersville 35-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: River Ridge leads series 1-0. The Knights won 27-14 in 2016. ... The two programs are very similar in that they play in a tough region and are laden with youthful talent. The Knights had a solid start last week but started 2-0 last year before fading to a 3-7 mark. ... The Wildcats have dropped four straight season openers but they have solid and experienced lines on both sides that could be the difference. Jr. QB AJ Middlebrooks is a dual threat and gives the Wildcats an element they have not had in several years.
COMMERCE at BANKS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Leopards Stadium, Homer
-- COMMERCE (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Season opener; finished 9-3, reached second round Class A Public playoffs
-- BANKS COUNTY (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Lost 21-17 to Jackson County last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 29-2. The Tigers won 43-0 in 2016 and have won 14 straight in the series. The last Banks County win came in 1992, a 28-0 win in Homer. ... The Leopards dropped a back-and-forth affair last week and face a tough task again this week. Both teams came into the season replacing several key starters on offense. Commerce is replacing most its backfield, including the Tigers’ 4th all-time leading rusher in Cole Chancey, from 2016 and also will be breaking in a new QB and most of its offensive line. The Leopards got some solid production from new QB Trevor Thomas last week. ... The key matchup may be a veteran Banks County defense, with 7 returning starters, against an inexperienced Tigers offense. ... Banks County is trying to avoid its second straight 0-2 start. However, the Leopards did win 7 of their last 8 regular season games in 2016. ... The Tigers have won their last three season openers, all against Banks County.
DAWSON COUNTY at FORSYTH CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Forsyth County Stadium, Cumming
-- RADIO: northgasportslink.com
-- DAWSON COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Season opener; finished 7-3, reached first round of Class AAA playoffs
-- FORSYTH CENTRAL (0-0, 0-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Season opener; finished 3-7 in 2016
-- NOTABLE: Forsyth Central leads series 8-5. Last year’s game was called due to lightning with the Tigers leading 14-9. The Bulldogs have won two straight and 4 of the last 6 overall in the series. ... The Tigers return just 5 starters from last year’s group but still have dynamic Sr. QB Coey Watson (1,879 yards passing, 17 TDs, 5 INTs; 612 yards rushing, 15 TDs in 2016). They are young overall, however, especially on the OL where they have just two returning lettermen. Jr. TB Sevaughn Clark and Jr. WRs Ryan Glass and Ethan Cameron could be the early targets on offense for Watson. ... The Bulldogs are retooling a defense that lost its top four tacklers from 2016 to graduation and they lost their top RB Sabrian Howard (Cornell) to graduation and are rebuilding their OL as well. ... The Tigers defense should be solid up the middle with seniors Taylor Swofford (DL) and LBs Nate Umbarger and Logan Brumbelow.
EAST HALL at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagles Stadium, Gainesville
-- EAST HALL (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 72-55 to Habersham Central last week
-- CHESTATEE (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated North Hall 42-12 last week
-- NOTABLE: Chestatee leads series 3-2. The War Eagles won a nail-biter 23-21 in 2016. Chestatee has won the last three meetings. The last East Hall win came in 2003 in Chestatee’s second varsity season. ... Both offenses looked nearly unstoppable last week. The War Eagles scored on their first four possessions behind standouts Nick Lyles (132 yards rushing, 3 TDs, 32-yd TD catch) and Storm Yarbrough (10-of-12, 198 yards, 2 TDs; 96 yards rushing, 1 TD) while East Hall was as explosive as ever running just 54 plays in 17 minutes in TOP but still managed 55 points. Sr. QB Austin Parker put in a career-best performance, and one of the best in the state last week (22-of-31, 472 yards, 5 TD; 6 rush, 58 yards) and may need another such performance this week. ... The Chestatee defense allowed 240 yards rushing to the Trojans but held them to just 4.7 yards per carry. ... The Vikings defense will have to find a way to recover, however, after yielding over 800 total yards to Habersham (624 yards rushing) which runs a similar offense to the War Eagles. ... Going back to last season, the East Hall defense has allowed 51 or more points in 5 of its last 6 games (59.3 ppg).
EAST JACKSON at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Jack Horner Field, Gainesville
-- EAST JACKSON (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Lost 48-22 to Hebron Christian last week
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Season opener; finished 3-7 in 2016
-- NOTABLE: East Jackson leads series 3-0. The Eagles won 38-6 in 2016. ... It is the fourth consecutive season Lakeview has opened against the Eagles. The Lions also are looking for their first win to open a season since 2012. ... East Jackson looked good at times last week in its opener under new coach Scott Wilkins. But Hebron is a projected playoff team in Class A Private and has one of the more dynamic rushing attacks in the area churning out nearly 500 yards on the ground last week. ... Lakeview is hoping experience on the offensive side, behind Sr. QB Alec Bornhorst, will give them some opportunities against the Eagles defense. ... East Jackson QB Greg Huggs did connect with Xavier Clark on an 80-yard bomb last week to give them an early lead. Huggs finished with 3 TD passes for the game. ... The Eagles have not started a season 0-2 since 2012.
FLOWERY BRANCH at NORTH HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Season opener; finished 3-7 in 2016
-- NORTH HALL (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 42-12 to Chestatee last week
-- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 7-2. The Trojans won 21-20 in 2016. ... Last year’s contest went down to the final play but both teams come into this one with a multitude of changes. ... The Trojans sport virtually a new backfield and offensive line while the Falcons have a new coach (former OC Ben Hall) and will sport new looks on offense and defense and a new QB in So. Elijah Gainey as Nick Lance has moved to TE. ... The key may be if the North Hall defense, which was torched by Chestatee last week, can slow down Falcons’ playmakers WR/RB Malik Drayton and RB Malik Damons, who will be boosted by a bigger, more athletic OL this season. ... North Hall churned out 240 yard rushing last week but needed 51 attempts (4.7 ypa) and managed little through the air. ... The Trojans are trying to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2014. Flowery Branch is 8-8 all-time in season openers.
FRANKLIN COUNTY at STEPHENS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Reservation, Toccoa
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Lost 33-0 to White County last week
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Season opener; finished 8-3, reached first round Class AAAA playoffs in 2016
-- NOTABLE: Stephens County leads series 38-10-1. The Indians won 61-20 in Carnesville in 2016. Stephens has won seven straight and 18 of the last 19 meetings going back to 1996. The two teams have meet every season but twice (1998-99) since 1966. ... It has been a lopsided series. The last loss at The Reservation for the Indians against the Lions came in 1991. ... The Indians surely are ready to get on the field after a tumultuous offseason with the deaths of two teammates. Expect them to use what should be an exceptional ground attack behind Jackson Bell and Hassan Brown against a rebuilding Lions defense that was dominated by White County last week. ... Franklin County gave up 237 yards rushing to the Warriors similar spread attack. The Franklin County offense managed just 48 total yards.
GAINESVILLE at ALPHARETTA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Alpharetta Stadium, Alpharetta
-- RADIO: 1240 AM ESPN Radio
-- GAINESVILLE (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated West Hall 20-0 last week
-- ALPHARETTA (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Lost 31-9 to Milton last week
-- NOTABLE: Alpharetta leads series 1-0. The Raiders won 28-7 in 2016 at City Park. ... As successful as the Red Elephants have been over the past decade, they have not started a season 2-0 since 2009. A win over the Raiders would give them that. ... New GHS QB Jr. Tre Luttrell had some impressive moments (172 yds passing, 3 TDs, 81 yds rush) with the 3 TD passes all to different receivers. But he also fumbled twice as he still learns the offense. However, if not for 155 yards of penalties, the numbers certainly would have been even more impressive. ... Fr. RB Montavious Tabor had an impressive debut rushing for 79 yards and catching five passes for another 44 yards. ... The Red Elephants defense was as good and speedy as advertised holding the Spartans to just 150 total yards. ... The Raiders were up 6-3 at the half but allowed 28 second half points. It was just the third time in 12 games they have allowed 30 or more points.
JACKSON COUNTY at MADISON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Red Raiders Stadium, Danielsville
-- JACKSON COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Defeated Banks County 21-17 last week
-- MADISON COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Season opener; finished 6-4 in 2016
-- NOTABLE: Madison County lads series 12-1. The Red Raiders won 42-12 in 2016 in Jefferson. The Panthers lone win came in 2015 in Danielsville, 43-28. ... The Panthers are looking for their third 2-0 start since 2010 after having just two such starts in program history before then. ... The Red Raiders are coming off their first winning season since 2006 and are hoping to build on that. Both teams are considered playoff contenders in their respective regions. ... The Panthers showed grit last week rallying from two different deficits against Banks County. Tyler Payne scored what turned out to be the game-winner with 10:30 left and then the defense held off several Banks County drives down the stretch. Noah Venable had two TDs for the Panthers. ... The Red Raiders are replacing most of the offensive and defensive lines but seniors Austin Hill (CB/WR), Jackson Bailey (TE/DE), and Zach Jordan (WR/CB) are players to watch. ... Madison County also will be breaking out a new turf field similar to ones the University of Georgia and the Atlanta Falcons use in the indoor facilities.
JEFFERSON at RIVERWOOD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Bill Hoskyn Stadium, Atlanta
-- JEFFERSON (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Discovery 43-0 last week
-- RIVERWOOD (0-0, 0-0 Region 4-AAAAAAA): Season opener; finished 5-6, reached first round of Class AAAAA playoffs in 2016
-- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads series 1-0. The Dragons won 38-14 in 2016 in Jefferson. ... The Dragons showed their balance on offense last week as five different players had 6 or more carries in the backfield, led by Sr. standout Colby Wood, who had 85 yards and 3 TDs on 11 carries and 3 catches for 68 and a TD reception in limited action. ... Sr. Bryce Moore and So. Colby Clark both saw action at QB with Moore passing for 144 yards and 2 TDs and 6 different receivers caught passes. ... It was the defense’s fifth shutout in its last 15 games as eight different players recorded 4 or more tackles, paced by So. DT A.J. Abbott with 7, including 1 TFL. ... The Raiders are young in 2017 with almost as many freshmen and sophomores as seniors on the roster (*--as per MaxPreps). They finished strong in 2016 winning 4 of their last 6 regular season games to make the playoffs. ... They return 2 of their top 3 rushers from a team that piled up nearly 250 yards a game with 30 rushing TDs in 2016, led by now-Jr. Tre Young, who averaged over 106 all-purpose ypg last year. ... Jefferson is looking for its 5th straight 2-0 start to a season.
JOHNS CREEK at NORTH FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
-- JOHNS CREEK (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Lost 45-21 to Lassiter last week
-- NORTH FORSYTH (0-1, 0-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Lost 30-28 to Sequoyah last week
-- NOTABLE: Johns Creek leads series 3-2. The Gladiators won 28-21 in 2016. Johns Creek has won two straight in the series but is 1-1 in Coal Mountain. ... The Raiders dropped a heartbreaker last week on a late field goal but did battle back from a 14-0 deficit to take a 28-21 lead in the fourth quarter. ... QB Ben Bales was just 6-of-14 but made them count with 3 TD throws with Charlie Aiken, Tristan Howard, and Clayton Bardall each with 1 TD catch. But, the Raiders offense was held to just 293 total yards. ... The Gladiators defense yielded nearly 400 yards of offense to Lassiter. ... North Forsyth is trying avoid an 0-2 start for the first time since 2014.
JOHNSON at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartans Field, Oakwood
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- JOHNSON (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 42-13 to Social Circle last week
-- WEST HALL (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Lost 20-0 to Gainesville last week
-- NOTABLE: West Hall leads series 15-7-1. The Spartans 42-14 in 2016. West Hall has won four straight and 5 of the last 6 meetings. ... The Knights are in the midst of a 15-game losing streak, their second-longest in program history. West Hall is trying to avoid its first 0-2 start since 2012, Tony Lotti’s first season. ... Both teams really struggled on offense last week. QB Sam Corbett returns for Johnson but is looking for help with several new, younger starters. Corbett accounted for 142 of the Knights’ 169 total yards against Social Circle last week. ... West Hall is breaking in a whole new backfield and new Spartans quarterback Michael Thompson managed just 49 total yards against a fast GHS defense. However, more than a dozen penalties, many on the offense, wiped out potential gains.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warriors Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com; northgasportslink.com
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Season opener; finished 4-6 in 2016
-- WHITE COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated Franklin County 33-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 35-11-1. Lumpkin County won 20-14 in 2016 in Dahlonega. One of the oldest northeast Georgia rivalries. ... While the Warriors have dominated the series (winning 7 of the last 9 overall) they have split the last four meetings. But, the Indians are just 3-20 all-time in Cleveland with their last road win in the series coming in 2000. ... Both teams sport new looks in 2016. The Indians have ditched their traditional option attack for the spread and fans will get their first look at Sr. QB Chandler Woodham and WRs Julian Hazen, Ben Jones, Jonas Ramirez, Tucker Kirk, and TE Jack Robinson and what they can do in the new look. ... The Warriors under new coach Tim Cokely looked sharp in their opener as they piled nearly 400 yards of offense and held the Lions to just 48 total yards and two first downs for the game. RB Kaleb Crane had 126 yards rushing and 2 TDs while QB J. Ben Haynes (63 rush yards, TD; 11-for-18 passing, 91 yards, TD) showed his dual threat capabilities.
MILL CREEK at STEPHENSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: DeKalb Memorial Stadium, Stone Mountain
-- MILL CREEK (1-0, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Defeated McEachern 23-19 in Corky Kell Classic last week
-- STEPHENSON (0-1, 0-0 Region 4-AAAAAA): Lost 34-14 to defending Class AAA state champion Cedar Grove last week
-- NOTABLE: Mill Creek leads series 1-0. The Hawks won 32-7 in 2016. ... The Hawks used a tremendous second half last week to rally for the win. They held McEachern to less than 50 yards offense and outscored the Indians 16-0 after halftime. ... After a shaky start, first-year starter Brady Longenecker finished 15-for-23 or 118 yards passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Rafel Morales paced the ground game with 13 carries for 66 yards with Uriah Leverette adding 46 on 14 attempts. Austin Williams hauled in four catches for 63 yards. ... The Jaguars have one of the toughest non-region schedules with Southwest DeKalb to follow the Hawks. They are led by Sr. RB Jaylin Marson-Knight, who will need a big game.
MT. PISGAH CHRISTIAN at RABUN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
-- MT. PISGAH CHRISTIAN (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Holy Innocents 49-35 last week
-- RABUN COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Season opener; finished 11-1, reached quarterfinals of Class AA playoffs in 2016
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 1-1. Last year’s game was called due to lightning with Rabun County leading 21-14. The road team has won both of the previous matchups. ... The Patriots offense was impressive last week against a good Holy Innocents defense. However, they also gave up 35 points and allowed nearly 30 points a game in 2016. And they will be surely be tested again this week. ... Rabun County features perhaps the best quarterback in north Georgia, and one of the best in the state, in Bailey Fisher. ... Fisher (2,671 yards passing, 29 TDs, 6 INTs; 1,029 yards rushing, 21 TDs) helped the Wildcats post a program-record 543 points in 2016. They could set a new mark with a receving corp of Jr. Austin Jones, So. Braxton Hicks, who is already receiving attention from SEC and ACC programs, as well as senior veterans Cole Keener, Chase Horton and Dillyn Nichols that will be near impossible to stop.
NORTH GWINNETT at MILTON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Eagles Nest, Alpharetta
-- NORTH GWINNETT (0-1, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Lost 31-28 to Walton in the Kell Classic last week
-- MILTON (1-0, 0-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Defeated Alpharetta 31-9 last week
-- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 2-0. The Bulldogs won 43-29 in 2016. ... North Gwinnett led most of the way last week and then had a 20-yard field goal blocked as time expired to suffer a gut-wrenching loss. But, QB Cade Fortin had a solid game (15-for-21, 179 yards, 2 TD’s; 65 rush yards) and drove them 64 yards in 52 seconds to the Raiders 3 to set up the final play. ... Jr. RB Tyler Goodson had a strong opening game for the Bulldogs with 136 total yards and 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 receiving). ... The Eagles are looking for their first 2-0 start since 2014 while the Bulldogs are trying avoid their first 0-2 start since 2003.
PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN at RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
-- PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Defeated Aquinas 35-17 last week on the road
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Season opener; finished 2-8 in 2016
-- NOTABLE: Prince Avenue leads series 3-0. The Wolverines won 34-0 in 2016. ... Riverside sports a new coach in Nick Garrett, who is switching the Eagles to new spread attack. That should fit nicely with some outstanding skill players returning. Jr. QB/WR Isaac Teasley, Sr. WR Charles Dimwaobi, Jr. WR Khalid Duke, Sr. RB Victor Pittman, and Sr. QB Cameron Mulvehill give Garrett’s offense plenty of weapons. ... But they will be facing a tough Wolverines defense that yielded just 10 ppg in 2016. ... The Prince Avenue offense goes through Jr. WR Christian Parrish, who scored on TD passes of 79- and 53-yards and on a 15-yard reverse last week. ... Riverside has dropped 5 of its last 6 season openers
SOUTH GWINNETT at LANIER
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Lanier Community Stadium, Sugar Hill
-- SOUTH GWINNETT (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAAA): Lost 28-24 to Central Gwinnett last week
-- LANIER (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Northview 33-24 last week
-- NOTABLE: South Gwinnett leads series 1-0. The Comets won 17-0 in 2016. ... Lanier got a pair of touchdowns in a 56-second span late in the fourth quarter to pull out a win. ... A revamped Longhorns defensive secondary was riddled for 332 yards passing by Northview but Jr. CB Isaiah Smith picked off a pass to set up the winning score in the final two minutes. ... After a slow start, new QB Zach Calzada finished 13-for-29 for 157 yards and 2 TDs for Lanier. Tywon Reaves had 93 yards rushing and 1 TD on 21 carries. ... Lanier will need to find a way to slow down South DE Robert Cooper, who had two sacks and two other TFL for the Comets. ... The Longhorns are looking for their fourth 2-0 start in the last five seasons.
UNION COUNTY at GILMER
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Huff-Mosley Stadium, Ellijah
-- UNION COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Season opener; finished 8-3, reached first round Class AAA playoffs in 2016
-- GILMER (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 42-0 to Fannin County last week
-- NOTABLE: Gilmer leads series 8-7. Union County won 36-16 in 2016. It was the first win for the Panthers over Gilmer since 1985 and snapped a four-game losing streak to the Bobcats. ... The Bobcats were exposed defensively last week by the Rebels. The 42 points was the most against a Gilmer defense since the Bobcats gave up 51 to eventual state champion Cartersville in Week 4 of 2015. They won’t get any rest as Cole Wilbanks, one of the top QBs in the area, brings the Panthers high-powered offense to Ellijay. ... Wilbanks (1,853 yards passing, 15 TDs, 5 INTs; 1,450 yards rushing, 20 TDs in 2016) has a plethora of experienced weapons at his disposal and should be able to put up some big numbers against a suspect Gilmer secondary that gave up 5 TD passes last week.
WINDER-BARROW at WALNUT GROVE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warriors Stadium, Walnut Grove
-- WINDER-BARROW (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Clarke Central 35-28 last week
-- WALNUT GROVE (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Season-opener; Warriors were 4-7 in 2016, reached first round Class 5A playoffs
-- NOTABLE: Winder-Barrow leads series 1-0. The Bulldoggs won 41-7 in 2016. ... The Buldoggs had a roller-coaster ride in last week’s win building a 28-7 lead only to see the Gladiators tie the game late. But Sr. QB Brock Landis engineered a game-winning drive in the final minute for the victory. It was just their third-ever victory over Clarke Central in 16 meetings. ... Winder has not started a season 2-0 since 2007 and certainly will be a favorite against a Warriors teams that is still in a rebuild mode despite making the playoffs last season. ... New-edition Jaidon Turner caught a TD pass and returned an INT for another score in his debut with the Bulldoggs. ... Walnut Grove is just 2-5 all-time in season-openers and is 0-4 all-time against higher-classification teams.
