It will be one more week before everyone is in full-blown region mode, but four more northeast Georgia area regions get under way this week, including what could be a wild west shootout every week in Region 7-AAA thanks to some of the top offenses in the state.
And, there are some huge matchups right off the bat that could very well decide key positioning for the playoffs.
In 7-AAA, Union County, which features Cole Wright and the second-highest scoring offense in Class AAA, will play host to No. 3-ranked Greater Atlanta Christian. A Panthers win certainly would send notice to the rest of the classification that they will be a factor come playoff time. They were in the same position a year ago, however, and dropped a 35-12 decision to the Spartans. Also in 7-AAA, East Hall which sports the No. 1 offense in AAA, averaging a ridiculous 54.7 points a game, plays host to Lumpkin County. Despite opening the campaign 0-4, the Indians have reason for confidence, having won five of the last six in the series, including a 30-27 victory last season.
Region 6-AAAAAAA also gets under way with No. 7 Mill Creek playing host to rival Collins Hill and North Gwinnett traveling to undefeated Mountain View.
Region 8-AAAAA -- excluding No. 3 Buford, which has a bye week -- also begins this week with Flowery Branch traveling to Johnson and Clarke Central facing a resurgent Cedar Shoals in Athens.
Region 8-AA sees all but Rabun County -- who is playing host to West Hall in its final non-region tilt -- begin league play, including Banks County heading to winless Monticello.
Region 8-A resumes with several key contests while Regions 5-AAAAAAA, 7-AAAA, 8-AAA, 8-AAAA, and 8-AAAAAA all get under way next week.
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 PREVIEWS FOR SEPT. 22
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
APALACHEE at MONROE AREA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Legion Field, Monroe
-- APALACHEE (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 40-26 to Walnut Grove last week
-- MONROE AREA (4-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Defeated Madison County 38-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Apalachee leads series 5-2. The Wildcats won 10-7 in 2016. Apalachee has won five straight in the series. The last Monroe Area win came in 2005. ... As if a young Apalachee team has not found the early part of its season tough enough, the Wildcats begin a brutal stretch where its next four opponents are 11-5 combined, including both Monroe Area and Winder-Barrow next week, who are a combined 8-0 on the season. ... On paper it looks daunting for the Wildcats. Monroe is averaging 37.2 ppg while Apalachee is yielding 37.5 ppg. The Hurricanes are surrendering just 14.7 ppg while the Wildcats are averaging 20 ppg. ... Monroe Area Jr. QB Chandler Byron has been almost unstoppable averaging over 100 yards rushing and 100 yards passing per game.
ATHENS ACADEMY at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
-- ATHENS ACADEMY (3-0, 2-0 Region 8-A): Bye last week; defeated Athens Christian 47-0 two weeks ago
-- TOWNS COUNTY (2-2, 1-2 Region 8-A): Defeated Riverside Military 35-21 last week
-- NOTABLE: Athens Academy leads series 15-0. The Spartans won 38-14 in 2016. ... The Indians begin the toughest stretch of their schedule with the next four games against teams who all advanced to the playoffs in 2016 and are a combined 9-3 so far in 2017. ... The Spartans have been the stingiest team in all of Class A, Public and Private combined, yielding just 7 total points. Towns County is averaging 36.5 ppg in its two wins but scored just 7 total points in its two losses. ... A win for the Indians would go a long way to helping them crack into the top 24 in power rankings. However, the Indians have not been above .500 this late in a season since 2008.
ATHENS CHRISTIAN at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 8 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
-- ATHENS CHRISTIAN (1-2, 0-2 Region 8-A): Bye last week; lost 47-0 to Athens Academy two weeks ago
-- COMMERCE (3-0, 2-0 Region 8-A): Bye last week; defeated Lakeview Academy 55-21 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 9-2. Athens Christian won 21-14 in 2016. ... It has been a close series of late with four of the last five meetings decided by one possession. ... Commerce’s offense, despite a plethora of changes, has not skipped a beat in 2017. The Tigers are 4th in Class A in scoring average (126 points, 42 ppg) behind new So. QB Nate Ray and Jr. RBs Dylan Deaton and Nick Patrick. ... The Eagles were considered a team on the rise after winning 20 games over the past three campaigns but have run into a brutal start to region play. Their first three region opponents -- Prince Avenue, Athens Academy, and now Commerce -- are a combined 10-0. ... Defense has been the issue for the Eagles allowing 30 ppg while the offense has scored just 42 total points (14 ppg). ... The Tigers are allowing 20 ppg on defense but gave up a couple of late scores to Lakeview with the reserves in the game.
BANKS COUNTY at MONTICELLO
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Rose Bowl, Monticello
-- BANKS COUNTY (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Lost 31-6 to Union County last week
-- MONTICELLO (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Lost 34-7 to Jackson last week
-- NOTABLE: Monticello leads series 10-4. Banks County won 29-22 in 2016. ... Last year’s win for the Leopards snapped a 7-game losing streak to the Purple Hurricanes going back to 1990. ... The Leopards had a brutal non-region schedule. The combined records of the teams to hand them their three losses are 10-2. ... Banks County has achieved the balance it wants on offense averaging 119 yards a game passing behind Sr. QB Trevor Thomas (4 TDs, 2 INTs) and 115 yards a game rushing led by Sr. RB Clayton Dykhouse (51 car., 295 yards, 4 TDs). Defensively the Leopards have forced four turnovers. ... Monticello offer Banks County a chance to open region play with a win. The Hurricanes are yielding 31 ppg (11th-most in AA) on defense and are averaging just 11.2 ppg (bottom 10 in AA) on offense. Monticello is riding a 6-game losing streak going back to last season and has lost four straight at home in that span.
CHESTATEE at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
-- RADIO: WCON 99.3 FM
-- CHESTATEE (3-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated Lumpkin County 60-32 last week
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 49-46 to Stephens County last week
-- NOTABLE: Habersham Central leads series 1-0. The Raiders won 40-14 in 2016. ... This has the makings for an offensive explosion. The War Eagles are 9th in AAAA in scoring (157, 31.4 ppg) while the Raiders are 2nd in scoring in AAAAAA (184, 46 ppg). And neither defense has been able to slow down too many teams thus far. Chestatee is yielding 30.6 ppg while Habersham has allowed the 3rd-most points (174, 43.5 ppg) in AAAAAA. ... Habersham has lost its three games by just 7 points total. ... Chestatee has won two straight and all three of its wins have come against Region 7-AAA teams.
COLLINS HILL at MILL CREEK
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mill Creek Community Stadium, Hoschton
-- COLLINS HILL (2-2, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Bye last week; lost 23-20 to Central Gwinnett two weeks ago
-- MILL CREEK (3-1, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Ranked No. 7 in Class AAAAAAA; bye last week; lost 16-13 to No. 3 Archer two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Collins Hill leads series 6-5. Mill Creek won 43-7 in 2016. The Hawks have won three straight and 4 of the last 5 meetings overall. ... Mill Creek had its 28-game regular season win streak snapped in its loss to Archer and has had two weeks to prepare for its region opener. Expect a tough defensive affair in this one. ... The Hawks are 8th in defense in AAAAAAA (55, 13.7 ppg) while the Eagles are 9th (59, 14.7 ppg). ... It may seem obvious but whichever offense can sustain a drive or two will have the advantage. In their two wins, the Eagles have averaged 36 ppg. They have scored just 15 pgg in their two losses. Mill Creek averaged 24.7 ppg in its three wins but scored 13 against Archer, which has the 6th-best defense in AAAAAAA. ... The Hawks have not started region play 0-1 since a 9-7 loss to Mountain View in 2011.
DAWSON COUNTY at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com; www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- DAWSON COUNTY (2-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Ranked No. 9 in Class AAA; lost 13-10 to West Hall last week
-- WHITE COUNTY (4-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated North Hall 28-18 last week
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 5-2. Dawson County won 46-0 in 2016. ... Four of the seven meetings have been decided by 12 points or less. ... The Warriors have been one of the surprise teams in the first half of the season matching the win totals of the last two seasons combined. They have done it behind Sr. RB Kaleb Crane (720 yards, 11 TDs rushing) and a defense that has been opportunistic with a bend-but-don’t-break attitude when the games have been tight. They have yielded 102 points (20.4 ppg) but 21 points came in a 5-minute blitz in a loss to Rabun County. ... The Tigers have been tough defensively allowing just 27 points (9.0 ppg) but have struggled on offense (48, 16.0 ppg) after averaging 39.4 ppg in 2016. Now, Sr. QB Coey Watson is out indefinitely with an injury. ... The Tigers open region play next week while the Warriors have a bye week before opening their region schedule in two weeks.
FANNIN COUNTY at NORTH HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- FANNIN COUNTY (2-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Andrews (N.C.) 26-0 last week
-- NORTH HALL (0-4, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 28-18 to White County last week
-- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 8-1. The Trojans won 28-9 in 2016. ... North Hall has won eight straight in the series. The Rebels’ lone win came in the first-ever meeting in 1984, 13-10 at The Brickyard. ... A young Trojans team has struggled against a tough schedule (opponents are 12-6) and is still trying to find its way. The defense has been the biggest concern surrendering 37.5 ppg and over their last 10 games going back to last season they have allowed 383 points (38.3 ppg). After scoring just 12 points in the first two games, the offense has shown signs of life scoring 53 points (26.5 ppg) over the past two games. But, they are averaging just 178.5 yards a game rushing after rolling to over 293 yards a game on the ground in 2016. ... The Rebels have been all-or-nothing so far with two shutout wins and then being held to just 7 total points in their two losses. ... However, Fannin County has not won back-to-back games since October of 2015 and has not opened region play with a win since 2015. ... North Hall has not started a season 0-5 since David Bishop’s first season in 2014 in a rebuilding year.
FLOWERY BRANCH at JOHNSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 35-29 to Class AAAA No. 3 Jefferson last week
-- JOHNSON (0-4, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Bye last week; lost 60-7 to East Hall two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 6-3. The Falcons won 46-7 in 2016. ... It is the second of three consecutive road games for Flowery Branch. ... Johnson’s loss to East Hall pushed the Knights’ losing streak to 18 games, unfortunately a new program record. ... The Branch defense had allowed just 26 points over its first 14 quarters of action until Jefferson scored 22 points in the fourth quarter last week. ... The Johnson offense has struggled averaging just 8.2 ppg, the fifth-worst in AAAAA. The Knights defense has allowed the most points (208, 52 ppg) in AAAAA. ... The Falcons are 7th in scoring (141, 35.2 ppg) in AAAAA.
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN at UNION COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
-- GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN (2-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Ranked No. 3 in Class AAA; defeated St. Pius 42-14 last week
-- UNION COUNTY (4-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Banks County 31-6 last week
-- NOTABLE: Greater Atlanta Christian leads series 9-0. The Spartans won 35-12 in 2016. ... This has the appearance of being an instant classic. The Panthers are 2nd in scoring (196, 49 ppg) and 4th in scoring defense (41, 10.2 ppg) in AAA. The Spartans are averaging 37.7 ppg and yielding just 15.7 ppg so something will have to give no matter who has the ball. ... GAC held Union to its lowest offensive output of the season in 2016 after averaging 41.1 ppg against everyone else. Sr. QB Cole Wright, the focus of this week’s Year of the Quarterback series, is on pace for another monster season. He is 49-of-84 for 656 yards and 8 TDs (1 INT) passing while piling another 477 yards (15.4 yards per carry) and 8 TDs rushing. ... The GAC defense surely will be geared to stop Wright and already has wins over ranked AAA teams Lovett and Westminster holding them to 21 total points. ... On offense Sr. RB Kyler McMichael 39 car., 350 yards, 4 TD) is back and is on pace for another big year for GAC. A QB tandem of So. Jackson Hardy and Jr. Josh Rose has combined for 622 yards and 9 TDs passing with no INTs so far. The Spartans have scored 18 TDs as a team with 10 different players finding the end zone so they offer challenges to any defense.
HART COUNTY at STEPHENS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Reservation, Toccoa
-- HART COUNTY (0-4, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Lost 31-7 to Class AAAA No. 5 Blessed Trinity last week
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (2-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Habersham Central 49-46 last week
-- NOTABLE: Stephens County leads series 35-18-1. The Indians won 23-6 in 2016. ... The Bulldogs have played one of the toughest schedules in the state to this point. They also lost to Class A No. 1 Eagles Landing Christian, Elbert County at the Granite Bowl, and to Westside (Anderson, S.C.) which is one of the toughest regions in the Palmetto state. ... The Indians have allowed 105 points (26.2 ppg) but they go as goes Sr. QB Jackson Bell and the offense. They have scored 77 points (38.5 ppg) in their two wins and just 12 total points in their two losses. The Indians are averaging over 180 yards a game on the ground behind Sr, Hassan Brown (56 car., 327 yards, 3 TD). ... The 2-2 start for Stephens County is its worst since a 1-5 beginning in 2009.
JEFFERSON at GAINESVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 1240 AM ESPN Radio
-- JEFFERSON (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Ranked No. 3 in Class AAAA; defeated Flowery 35-29 last week
-- GAINESVILLE (1-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Bye week the last two weeks; lost 42-14 to Clarke Central on Sept. 1
-- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads series 1-0. The Dragons won 31-28 in 2016. ... The key to this game will be if Gainesville is rusty after a three-week layoff or have the Red Elephants had enough time to solve their offensive woes. Gainesville has scored just 41 points (13.6 ppg) its worst 3-game stretch since 2004 under Bruce Miller. It won’t be easy against a Dragons defense that is allowing just 15.5 ppg. ... The Red Elephants also figure to get a major challenge from the Dragons potent ground game behind Colby Wood, who had 201 yards and 3 TDs against Flowery Branch last week. The Falcons had allowed just 13 points and held offenses to less than 150 yards a game until last week. ... However, both teams open region play the following week so staying healthy will be a factor and both teams could go deep on the benches in the second half.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (0-4, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 60-32 to Chestatee last week
-- EAST HALL (3-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Jackson County 45-26 last week
-- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 21-7-1. Lumpkin County won 30-27 in 2016. ... The series has evened out since the Vikings won 16 of the first 18 meetings from 1962-1995. The Indians have won 6 of the last 11 since 2000 and 5 of the last 6 since 2007. East Hall is just 1-4 at home vs. Lumpkin County since 2000. ... But this Vikings team is beginning to show signs it could be a force to be reckoned with. They lead all of AAA in offense (219 points, 54.7 ppg) behind Sr. QB Austin Parker and after allowing 72 points in a loss to Habersham Central in the opener, the defense has yielded just 70 points (23.3 ppg) during their 3-game win streak. They allowed 42.5 ppg in 2016. ... The Indians are still in a learning curve after switching to new offensive and defensive systems. They have allowed the 5th-most points in AAA (169, 42.2 ppg) and have scored just 60 points (15 ppg) on offense. But, they may be starting to come around on offense scoring 32 last week. ... It’s a huge game for both teams as a region opener but East Hall needs a quick start with a 3-game stretch of Union County, No. 3 GAC, and Dawson County to follow, the last two being road games as well.
NORTH GWINNETT at MOUNTAIN VIEW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mountain View Stadium, Lawrenceville
-- NORTH GWINNETT (3-1, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Bye last week; defeated Norcross 35-14 two weeks ago
-- MOUNTAIN VIEW (4-0, 0-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Defeated Shiloh 52-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 7-0. The Bulldogs won 38-14 in 2016. ... North Gwinnett has dominated this series outscoring the Bears 38-10 on average and Mountain View has never scored more than 14 in game against the Bulldogs. ... This could be year the Bears break that streak. The Bears are the highest-scoring team in AAAAAAA averaging 50.5 ppg AND the stingiest team in AAAAAAA yielding just 3.2 ppg on defense. They have given up just 13 points, all scored by Lambert, and have three shutouts already. But, the combined record of their four non-region opponents is 1-16. The Bulldogs offer the Bears their biggest challenge to date. ... North Gwinnett is just a field goal away from being undefeated under new coach Bill Stewart. The Bulldogs have won three straight with the offense averaging 33 ppg in that stretch against teams that are 10-6 overall. ... Sr. Jimmy Urzua has filled in nicely at QB for the injured Cade Fortin (Texas A&M-commit) leading North Gwinnett to a pair of wins. The offense is more run-oriented as a result and is churning out over 200 yards a game on the ground.
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Jock Horner Field, Gainesville
-- PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN (1-2, 1-1 Region 8-A): Bye last week; lost 39-0 to Hebron Christian two weeks ago
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (1-2, 0-2 Region 8-A): Bye last week; lost 55-21 to Commerce two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Lakeview Academy leads series 3-0. The Lions won 31-14 in 2016. ... If the Lions have any plans for a playoff run, this is a must-win game with Athens Christian and No. 2 Prince Avenue, two teams they have never beaten, to follow. ... The offense has struggled the last two games against good defenses but faces a Storm defense that is yielding over 28 ppg. Tthe Lakeview defense has struggled as well giving up 116 points (38.7 ppg) so far. ... QB Alec Bornhorst is a dual threat that can make the Lions go, and if he can get some time expect some fireworks.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY at HEBRON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Hebron Stadium, Dacula
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY (0-4, 0-4 Region 8-A): Lost 35-21 to Towns County last week
-- HEBRON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (2-1, 1-1 Region 8-A): Bye last week; defeated Providence Christian 39-0 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Hebron Christian leads series 1-0. The Lions won 31-14 in 2016. ... The Eagles have been close to being .500 dropping two games by just 6 total points. The offense has nearly doubled its output from 2016 (8.2 ppg) averaging 15 ppg so far under new coach Nick Garrett and a new spread system. ... But, a new defensive system is taking time to implement. The Eagles have allowed 124 points (31 ppg) so far. ... The Lions are just a late Commerce drive from being undefeated in the toughest region in Class A. They are averaging 37.7 ppg and have yielded just 51 total points.
ST. PIUS at LANIER
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Lanier Community Stadium, Sugar Hill
-- ST. PIUS (0-4, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 42-14 to Greater Atlanta Christian last week
-- LANIER (2-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Lambert 15-6 last week
-- NOTABLE: Lanier leads series 1-0. The Longhorns won 26-0 in 2016. ... The Golden Lions easily have played the toughest schedule in the state, any classification. They have lost to 2016 AA state champ Benedictine, to AAA state runner-up GAC last week, and to AAAA quarterfinalist Blessed Trinity as well. ... A rebuilding Lanier is still finding its way with several new parts but offers a huge roster with plenty of talent. ... Defense is where the Longhorns again are hanging their hats. They have allowed just 69 points (17.2 ppg) on the season. ... Jr. LB Kameron Brown has been dominating with 52 tackles, 10 for loss, and 2 sacks in just four games so far for the Longhorns. ... St Pius is averaging just 15.5 ppg on offense.
WEST HALL at RABUN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- WEST HALL (4-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated Dawson County 13-10 last week
-- RABUN COUNTY (3-0, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Ranked No. 5 in Class AA; bye last week; defeated White County 49-26 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 4-2. The Wildcats won 34-10 in 2016. Last year’s meeting was the first between the two schools since 1993. The last West Hall in the series was in 1992. ... It will be the final non-region game for both teams. ... The Spartans have been streak-busters the last two weeks knocking off previously unbeaten teams Jackson County two weeks ago and then the Class AAA 9th-ranked Tigers last week. ... Rabun County has won 21-straight regular season games going back to a season-opening loss to Jefferson in 2015. The Wildcats have won 12 straight at Frank Snyder. ... However, West Hall is 6-3 on the road since the beginning of the 2016 season, including a playoff win over Troup. ... The Wildcats are 3rd in scoring average in AA (139, 46.3 ppg) and are averaging 425 yards a game led by Sr. QB Bailey Fisher (37-of-54, 730 yards, 7 TD, 1 INT). The Spartans have yielded just 38 points (9.5 ppg) during their 4-game winning streak and held three opponents to 10 points or less. They are 6th in scoring defense (58, 11.6 ppg) in AAAA.
WINDER-BARROW at NORTH OCONEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Titans Stadium, Bogart
-- WINDER-BARROW (4-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Ranked No. 9 in Class AAAAAA; defeated Loganville 17-14 last week
-- NORTH OCONEE (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 47-20 to Clarke Central last week
-- NOTABLE: Winder-Barrow leads series 1-0. The Bulldoggs won 38-0 in 2016. ... The Bulldoggs are off to their best start since 2007 and a win over the Titans would give them their first 5-0 start since 1993 and match their win total from all of last season. ... Winder was expected to be explosive on offense and Sr. QB Brock Landis (54-for-102, 733 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT), Jr. RB Jamar Mack (76 car., 360 yards 3 TD) and SR. WR Jaidon Turner (14 rec., 228 yards, 2 TD) have not disappointed. Seven different receivers have caught TD passes and 4 different players have rushing touchdowns as they have averaged 34.2 ppg. ... But the defense has been the key allowing just 78 points (19.5 ppg) with most of those coming against the reserves late in games. They have forced 11 turnovers (7 INT) in just four games so far. ... The Titans, meanwhile, have struggled since a quarterfinals appearance in 2014. They are just 2-16 in their last 18 games going back to the 2015 season. They are just 1-8 in their last 9 games at Titans Stadium.
WOODSTOCK at NORTH FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
-- WOODSTOCK (2-2, 0-0 Region 4-AAAAAAA): Lost 34-0 to North Paulding last week
-- NORTH FORSYTH (3-1, 0-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Defeated Pickens 58-35 last week
-- NOTABLE: Woodstock leads series 3-0. The Wolverines won 35-3 in 2016. ... The Raiders sit exactly in the same position as last season. But the loss to the Wolverines last year, coupled with an injury to QB Ben Bales, started a 1-5 slide that kept them out of the playoffs in 2016. ... In 2017, Bales and Co. are having a solid offensive start averaging over 440 yards a game. Bales has thrown for 1,097 yards and 13 TDs already. He only threw for 2,005 yards and 15 TDs in all of 2016. WRs Cedric Touchstone and Tristan Howard are averaging 150 yards combined a game and have 8 TD catches between them. ... The defense is markedly improved yielding just 22 ppg after allowing 33 ppf in 2016. ... The Wolverines have given up some points surrendering 32.5 ppg. But, they scored a school-record 77 points in a win over Kennesaw Mountain two weeks ago.
