Here's a look at five things we learned from Week Zero of the high school football season...
1. Johnson has the ability to do more than just end the skid
The great news for the Knights is that they no longer have "that streak" hanging over their collective heads after dominating Oglethorpe County on Friday, 38-0, to pick up their first win since 2015. The even better news is that Johnson has the ability to do way more this season than win one game. Led by quarterback Sam Corbett, the Knights can put up big numbers, especially with their rushing attack. And with 19 starters returning, Johnson has players all over the field that know where to be and what is expected of them. The tests get much tougher starting this week with the "Battle of Oakwood," and West Hall will be itching to extend its streak of five straight wins in the rivalry. But the Knights will believe they have a great shot to begin a streak of their own this week.
2. Daniel Jackson makes an early claim as one of the playmakers in northeast Georgia
Prior to the campaign, North Hall coach David Bishop lit up when talking about the abilities of his senior running back/kick returner/safety Daniel Jackson. On Friday, the rest of northeast Georgia was reminded of why. Jackson torched The Brickyard's new turf and cross-town rival Chestatee, rushing for four touchdowns and 138 yards on just four carries, while also catching two passes for 80 yards and a score and taking a 90-yard kickoff return into the end zone in a 63-7 win. It was the type of performance not seen in years and one that shows that the Trojans have the kind of ability and explosiveness to make some noise in 2018. After three straight seasons of reaching the playoffs, Jackson's versatility is a big reason why North Hall is dreaming of more than just reaching the postseason this time around.
3. Lumpkin County's new identity will make 7-3A that much more interesting
Coach Shane Williamson said that he was taking the Indians "old school," and getting back to a physical brand of football via a wishbone rushing attack. That showed, and then some, in last week's season-opening 42-0 win at East Jackson, as Lumpkin ripped off its most dominant win in seasons. The Indians both ground down the Eagles and torched their foes for explosive plays, and while the tests will get tougher -- starting with this week's battle with 2017 Class 4A playoff foe White County -- you can bet that this Lumpkin team will be ready for a fight. With a number of new faces in the lineup we weren't quite sure what to make of the Indians in the preseason. But Friday's game made it clear that this team will be one to be reckoned with, and "old school" is something to enjoy in Dahlonega.
4. Jackson County defense playing like something to build a season around
Thanks to a veteran front line and linebacker corps, the Panthers defensive unit was expected to be solid this season -- and through a scrimmage and Friday's season-opener, the group has looked far more than solid. Jackson County has pitched two straight shutouts, 16-0 in a scrimmage defeat of North Oconee and 23-0 in last week's win over Banks County. The Panthers will face a much more difficult test this week against North Hall's explosive attack, but judging from their start, it certainly appears that Brandon Worley's program will be able to lean on its defense as it looks for a third straight state playoff berth in what promises to be a rugged Region 8-3A.
5. Dawson County's quarterback position, offense, is in good hands (and legs)
Region 7-3A was fully aware of the explosiveness of SeVaughn Clark after a 2017 campaign that saw the then-junior running back pound out over 1,800 yards on the ground. But Clark has moved over to quarterback for his senior season and expectations were that the Tigers offense, known the last four seasons as a wide-open spread passing attack under the guidance of Coey Watson, would undergo a transformation to a power run game in 2018. There were some questions of Clark's ability in the pass game but the move apparently has not slowed him down, evident of last week's 199-yard and three touchdown rushing performance against Habersham Central, including a 5-yard game-winning score with just 53 seconds left. He also was an efficient 7 of 13 for 90 yards in the air connecting with 6 different receivers. And with the addition of move-in running back Ahmad Kamara, who had 144 yards on the ground last week, opposing defenses may have to decide just which poison they will have to ingest.
FRIDAY'S HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES FOR AREA TEAMS
Buford 40, Tucker 14
Commerce 35, West Hall 19
Dawson County 32, Habersham Central 28
Flowery Branch 70, East Hall 6
Jackson County 23, Banks County 0
Johnson 38, Oglethorpe County 0
Lumpkin County 42, East Jackson 0
Mary Persons 42, Gainesville 0
North Hall 63, Chestatee 7
Oconee County 20, Jefferson 13
Towns County 55, Hayesville, N.C. 24
Riverside Military at Christian Heritage -- suspended (weather) -- will be completed on Aug. 31
SATURDAY'S SCORES
Bremen 13, Rabun County 10
Whitefield Academy 33, Cherokee Bluff 0
AUG. 24 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Banks County at Franklin County
Cherokee Bluff at Denmark
Chestatee at Dawson County
Commerce at Athens Christian*
East Hall at Union County
Habersham Central at Madison County
Jonesboro at Buford
Kings Ridge at Riverside Military
North Forsyth at Gainesville
North Hall at Jackson County
Rabun County at North Murray
Strong Rock Christian at Lakeview Academy
West Hall at Johnson
White County at Lumpkin County
