Here's a look at five things we learned from "Week 2" of the high school football season...
1. Noah Venable, Jackson County offensive line on way to special season
We knew the Jackson County running back would be a focal point of the offense, and we knew the offensive line had experience and strength on its side. But the numbers in Friday night's game were jaw-dropping. The senior back, who already owned Jackson County's single-season rushing title, rolled to 273 yards on the ground en route to a 35-7 win over Lumpkin County. And with guys blocking like what Venable has in front of him, it is very likely the start of an even bigger campaign than last for the slashing back, who ground up 1,381 yards last season. Certainly the Panthers are reaping the benefits -- Jackson County is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2009. It will be interesting to see how the Panthers answer the challenge this week at West Hall, but our guess is that by the end of the season, Venable and his line mates will be celebrating a bit.
2. Winder-Barrow has something to show the rest of 8-AAAAAA
Prior to kickoff, coach Heath Webb had a quiet confidence about this Bulldoggs squad -- and we're starting to see why. Winder is off to its best start since 2007 and has done so impressively, fending off a strong Clarke Central team in the season opener and then dominating Walnut Grove and Northview. And the double-G Doggs are doing it courtesy a number of standouts. Quarterback Brock Landis has continued his ascent, and the weapons around him, including backs Josh Sims and Jamar Mack and Trace Wells, Jaidon Turner, Tyreek Perkins, and Hunter Shipp offer plenty of receiving options. With a number of experienced standouts back on defense, don't be surprised to see Winder take a run at something special in the 8-AAAAAA race once things heat up in a couple of weeks. The Doggs are on a bye this week and travel to face a tough Loganville program in two weeks time.
3. Jefferson finds plenty to be optimistic about even in loss
The Dragons knew that another trip to Thomson would let them know just how good they were. The answer on Friday night -- though it should not have come as a surprise -- was pretty danged good indeed. Jefferson gave up a last-minute touchdown to fall 20-14 at The Brickyard, but it was their performance on either side of halftime that showed they are right back in the top four hunt again this season. Colby Wood did his usual thing, scoring on two touchdown runs, but it was Jefferson's lines of scrimmage that showed the biggest gains, more than holding their own against veteran and talented Bulldogs units that have dominated most opponents. The fact that the Dragons did so with several new faces along the line (after graduation and injury forced some reshuffling) is all the more reason to expect big things from Jefferson again this season.
4. Mill Creek's depth in numbers is impressive -- again
After graduating so much talent from back-to-back state semifinal teams -- 14 starters and 35 lettermen in last season's senior class alone -- we wondered how the Hawks would make up for it. So far, it looks very much like the same Mill Creek we've come to expect so much from. The Hawks have rolled to a 3-0 start behind the same style of physical offense and defense that hallmarked their rise to prominence, and are doing so -- once again -- with so many players making the difference. There are plenty of standouts on this team -- with the word plenty being key. Three different players scored for the Hawks in Friday's win over arch-rival Dacula, and four different players scored the week before. There won't be any outstanding statistical leaders on this team by season's end -- but you can bank on an outstanding team nonetheless.
5. Clark, Glass emerging to round out Dawson County offense
Coey Watson was a given for the Tigers in 2017. The senior quarterback has been nothing short of stellar over his career in Dawsonville, and it was clear he would be the backbone of the the Tigers offense again this season. The question was who would step up to help this season. It appears that SeVaughn Clark and Ryan Glass are making that move. Clark has rushed for 189 yards in two games so far, while Glass caught two touchdown passes in Friday's win over Chattooga. If they can continue their ascent, Dawson County's offense will be that much tougher to stop -- and headed back toward something impressive yet again (on the heels of two state playoff appearances, including 2015's region title and state quarterfinals).
AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES, SEPT. 1
Athens Academy 48, Lakeview Academy 0
Banks County 47, Johnson 6
Clarke Central 42, Gainesville 14
Commerce 29, Hebron Christian 26
Dawson County 29, Chattooga 14
Flowery Branch 43, Chestatee 7
George Walton Academy 17, Towns County 7
Jackson County 35, Lumpkin County 7
Mill Creek 20, Dacula 7
North Forsyth 24, Loganville 17
North Gwinnett 33, Hillgrove 9
Rabun County 28, Stephens County 6
Ringgold 31, Fannin County 0
Thomson 20, Jefferson 14
Union County 60, Hayesville (N.C.) 7
Union Grove 28, Apalachee 12
West Hall 20, Washington-Wilkes 0
White County 24, Habersham Central 21
Winder-Barrow 38, Northview 14
AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, SEPT. 8
Andrews (N.C.) at Union County
Archer at Mill Creek
Discovery at Apalachee
East Hall at Johnson
Fannin County at Chestatee
George Walton Academy at Riverside Military Academy
Habersham Central at Franklin County
International School of Broward County (Fla.) at Buford
Jackson County at West Hall
Lakeview Academy at Commerce
Madison County at Lumpkin County
North Hall at Pickens
North Gwinnett at Norcross
Northside, Warner Robins at Lanier
Oglethorpe County at East Jackson
Rabun County at White County
Stephens County at Flowery Branch
Towns County at Prince Avenue Christian
