The opening week of the high school football season brought us some eye-opening results -- so the second week of the season (known as "Week 1") certainly bears watching.
Friday's slate presents a number of intriguing contests, including some tests between teams that put up strong results in Week Zero, and three key showdowns will take place live over the airwaves of Jacobs Media.
After notching its first win since 2015, Johnson enters this season's "Battle of Oakwood" with momentum and high hopes. Meanwhile, West Hall will look to atone for last week's season-opening defeat to Commerce and make it six wins in a row over their crosstown rivals when the Knights (1-0) entertain the Spartans (0-1) in a game broadcast live on WDUN FM 102.9.
Just down the road, Buford returns home after an impressive season-opening statement win over Tucker in last week's Corky Kell Classic, 40-14. The Wolves (1-0) will play host to Jonesboro in a game airing live on WDUN AM 550. The Cardinals (1-0) opened their season with a 14-13 defeat of Mt. Zion Jonesboro but will face an entriely different prospect in a Buford team led by running back Derrian Brown, who rolled up four total scores in last week's showdown of the Class 5A Wolves and Class 6A Tigers in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, Gainesville finds itself in a very different position, and the Red Elephants will be looking for a response after suffering a 42-0 road defeat to Class 4A No. 4 Mary Persons last week. The Red Elephants (0-1) will tackle North Forsyth in a contest broadcast live from City Park on 94.5 FM The Lake. The Raiders (0-1) opened the season with a skinny 18-16 loss to Cherokee and will be looking for some redemption of their own.
There is plenty more on the line on Friday, including a battle between North Hall and Jackson County in Jefferson. The Trojans (1-0) stormed out of the gates in last week's 63-7 defeat of Chestatee, while the Panthers (1-0) stonewalled Banks County 23-0.
Elsewhere, Lumpkin County is coming off its best start to a season in years after a 42-0 shutout of East Jackson, and the Indians (1-0) will play host to White County in the Warriors' season opener.
Union County will also open its 2018 season against East Hall (0-1) at home, while Lakeview Academy opens its campaign at home to Strong Rock Christian.
Dawson County (1-0) will tackle Chestatee (0-1) in Dawsonville, and Commerce (1-0) travels to Athens Christian for its first Region 8-A showdown of the season. Rabun County (0-1) and Habersham Central (0-1) will each look to shake off close losses at North Murray and Madison County, respectively. And Banks County (0-1) travels to Franklin County, and Cherokee Bluff (0-1) heads to Denmark. Riverside Military will also play host to Kings Ridge.
Friday Game Night will keep you in tune with all of these contests and more. Be sure to check in with us throughout the night and keep up with live scoring on twitter: @FridayGameNight.
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 -- Radio: WDUN AM 550
Kings Ridge at Riverside Military
North Forsyth at Gainesville -- Radio: 94.5 FM The Lake
North Hall at Jackson County
Rabun County at North Murray
Strong Rock Christian at Lakeview Academy
West Hall at Johnson -- Radio: WDUN 102.9 FM
White County at Lumpkin County
