The third week of the high school football season finds many teams starting to get an idea, an identity, of what to expect for the rest of the 2018 season. And while there are no region matchups on tap this Friday, several interesting non-region battles highlight a solid, if not light, schedule around northeast Georgia.
Perhaps the biggest game of the night in the area, and perhaps the state and one of the best matchups in the country, has Buford taking on Florida power Deerfield Beach in a late 8:30 p.m. kickoff. The field at Tom Riden Stadium will be littered with top-level collegiate recruits. The Wolves (2-0) are ranked second in Class 5A and fourth in Georgia in all classifications and 44th in the nation, according to MaxPreps. Meanwhile, the Bucks (1-0) are ranked first in Florida's Class 8A and fourth in all classifications in the "Sunshine State" and are 30th in the nation on MaxPreps.
Flowery Branch, a former Region 8-5A foe of Buford, will play host to a current 8-5A foe in Clarke Central in a battle of two teams that have gotten off to hot starts. North Hall is also off and flying, and the Trojans (2-0) will play host to a Class 7A team in Cherokee (1-1) with designs on claiming a big scalp.
Habersham Central also travels to nearby Cleveland to take on White County with a pair of high-scoring teams coming off wins and looking to build momentum heading into region play. And Towns County will play host to rival Union County looking to snap a long losing streak to the Panthers with their best-ever roster.
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. 31
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
CHEROKEE at NORTH HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville
-- CHEROKEE (1-1, 0-0 Region 4-7A): Lost 21-6 to Sequoyah last week
-- NORTH HALL (2-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Defeated Jackson County 35-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Trojans have been in midseason form, already outscoring their first two opponents 98-7 with a devastating wing-T attack behind David Seavey and Daniel Jackson and a defensive unit that is is showing it can match up with any style. ... The Warriors’ Jr. QB Landon Ergle is a dual-threat and had over 200 combined yards in a win over North Forsyth in their opener. Cherokee’s win over the Raiders came on the road, which snapped a 7-game road losing streak going back to the 2016 season. ... The Trojans have won four straight at The Brickyard with their last two losses at home coming to playoff teams Flowery Branch and White County last season. ... RB Drew Faulkner had a breakout game last week for North Hall with 132 yards on the ground, including 108 in the first half. ... The Trojans’ defense has been stellar in the early going yielding just 7 points and held Jackson County to just 46 yards rushing on 36 carries last week.
CHEROKEE BLUFF at JOHNSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (0-2, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 43-0 to Denmark last week
-- JOHNSON (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Lost 41-8 to West Hall last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Bears have found the going tough so far in their inaugural season being outscored 76-0 in their first two contests. However, they have faced a pair of potential playoff teams in Whitefield Academy and Denmark. It doesn’t get any easier. After a bye next week, the Bears take on Class A Private state runner-up Athens Academy. ... Johnson is coming off an emotional loss to their arch-rivals after snapping a 24-game losing streak the week before. ... The Knights offer another challenge as they have an experienced line and Sr. dual-threat QB Sam Corbett. ... Johnson is looking for its first 2-1 start to a season since 2012.
CLARKE CENTRAL at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- CLARKE CENTRAL (2-0, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Defeated Oconee County 17-10 last week
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Bye last week; defeated East Hall 70-6 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 4-4. Flowery Branch won 32-18 at home in 2017. ... This will be the first non-region meeting between the teams, who were part of first Region 8-4A and then Region 8-5A the past eight seasons. ... It has been about as even a series as you can get. Both teams are 2-2 at home and 2-2 on the road. The Gladiators have outscored the Falcons 190-189 and neither team has won more than two straight in the series with the Falcons taking back-to-back wins in 2012-13. They have split the last four meetings. ... The Falcons looked impressive in their dismantling of East Hall and the defense shut down what is projected to be a solid rushing attack by the Vikings. East Hall’s only score came on a kickoff return. ... Offensively, the Falcons set a new school record in points in the win with 8 different players scoring. QB Elijah Gainey and WR Jalin Strown made for a solid duo in the passing game and RB Zarian Brawner had a pair of rushing TDs. ... The Gladiators are off to their best start since 2010 (when they won their first 11 games) and both wins have come on the road, where they were just 2-5 in their last 7 road contests going back to the 2016 season. ... Flowery Branch is looking for its second straight 2-0 start.
DEERFIELD BEACH (Fla.) at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 8:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- DEERFIELD BEACH (Fla.) (1-0, 0-0 Region 11-8A): Defeated Chaminade-Madonna 13-10 last week
-- BUFORD (2-0, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Defeated Jonesboro 58-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... This may be one of the premier matchups in the entire nation this week. Buford is ranked 44th nationally while the Bucks are ranked 30th in MaxPreps. Both teams are ranked 4th in their states, all classifications. ... Both teams are loaded with collegiate recruits. Deerfield features, amongst others, running back Jaylan Knighton (committed to Oklahoma), defensive end Brandon Dorlus (Virginia Tech), linebacker Ge'mon Eaford (Oregon), and receiver Aydin Henningham (uncommited). ... Few teams have looked as dominant in the early going in Georgia as the Wolves, who outscored 2017 Class 6A semifinalist Tucker and Jonesboro 98-21 in their first two contests. Sr. RB Derrian Brown has 297 yards rushing and 6 rushing TDs and has 34 of the Wolves' 77 rushes in the first two games already for the Wolves. So. QB Aaron McLaughlin is 21 of 38 for 361 yards and 4 TDs passing. ... The Buford defense is yielding just 142.5 yards a game, including just 57 ypg on the ground. ... Deerfield will follow its trek to Buford by playing host to Westlake out of Atlanta next week.
EAST HALL at WOODLAND (CARTERSVILLE)
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Wildcat Stadium, Cartersville
-- EAST HALL (0-2, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 35-6 to Union County last week
-- WOODLAND, CARTERSVILLE (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-5A): Bye last week; defeated Southeast Whitfield 31-22 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... After averaging 45.5 ppg (2nd in Class 3A) in 2017 the East Hall offense has really struggled early scoring just 12 points in the first two games. However, the Vikings have been besieged by injuries using four quarterbacks already in the first two games. With inconsistent QB play, both of their opponents have been able to stack against the run despite a veteran offensive line and wrecking ball Sr. RB Cambren Harrison. Fr. QB Clete Cooper was the latest, getting hurt against Union County, and his status is uncertain for the next two weeks. ... The Wildcats, meanwhile, come in rested after an off week and are looking for their first 2-0 start since 2011. East Hall is trying to avoid its first 0-3 start since 2015, when the Vikings still managed to make the playoffs.
EAST JACKSON at OGLETHORPE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Patriots Stadium, Lexington
-- EAST JACKSON (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Bye last week; lost 42-0 to Lumpkin County two weeks ago
-- OGLETHORPE COUNTY (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Lost 35-7 to Georgia Military College
-- NOTABLE: East Jackson leads series 5-1. The Eagles won 33-0 in 2017. ... Both programs have struggled over the past two seasons but the Eagles have never lost to the Patriots in Lexington, going a perfect 3-0. ... Oglethorpe is a dismal 1-23 in its last 24 games and 0-16 in its last 16 games at Patriot Stadium. The Patriots last home win was in October 2014 against Social Circle. ... East Jackson’s only loss to the Patriots came in 2011 in Commerce.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warriors Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: 99.3 FM; WRWH 93.9 FM
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Defeated Madison County 42-35 last week
-- WHITE COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Defeated Lumpkin County 40-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Habersham leads series 5-3. White County won 24-21 in 2017. The Warriors have won 3 of the last 4 meetings, all since 2012. However, the road teams are 4-4 overall in the series. ... This has shootout written all over it as both teams possess high-powered offenses. The Warriors have averaged 32 ppg in 12 games since switching to a spread offense at the start of 2017. Habersham has averaged 34.6 ppg in that same stretch. ... The Raiders showed last week that they may be ready to turn the corner. They lost 6 games by 18 points in 2017 and opened the season with another last-second loss to Dawson County. Last week they finally were able to snag a close win stopping Madison County at the 2-yard line with just 2 seconds left to preserve the win. ... Raiders’ QB Tre Luttrell had a huge game as did WRs Dontarius Bailey (3 TD catches) and Donnie Curry (170 yards receiving and 1TD). ... White County exploded in the second half outscoring the Indians 33-7 after leading just 7-0 at the half. So. QB J Ben Haynes tossed 2 TD passes and Michael Mintz had 3 rushing TDs for the Warriors. ... The 7 points allowed by the Warriors defense was the fewest since shutting out Franklin County to open the 2017 season.
HART COUNTY at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tigers Stadium, Commerce
-- HART COUNTY (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Lost 10-7 to Stephens County last week
-- COMMERCE (2-0, 1-0 Region 8-A): Defeated Athens Christian 38-0 last week in Region 8-A opener
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 11-2-1. First meeting between the two teams since 1985, a 42-6 Tigers win in Hartwell. The Tigers have won four straight in the series and are 11-0-1 in the last 12 meetings dating back to 1966. The last Bulldogs win in the series came in 1955 (31-6 in Hartwell). ... This is another series that has been revived mainly due to reclassification and teams needing to find early-season competition. Since they last met the two programs have combined for 15 region titles and 1 state championship (Commerce, 2000) and both have established themselves among north Georgia’s most consistent winners. ... The Tigers already are in midseason form after impressive wins over West Hall and Athens Christian. They are averaging over 300 yards a game rushing behind Jr. QB Nate Ray and a deep, veteran backfield in seniors Dylan Deaton, Nick Patrick, DaJuan Wood, and Caleb Mason. ... The Bulldogs struggled on offense against two solid defenses in their first two games (Elbert County, Stephens County) scoring just 14 total points. The Tigers defense offers another challenge as it held a good West Hall attack to just 7 points through three quarters in the season opener and then pitching the shutout last week.
JACKSON COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: nogasportslink.com
-- JACKSON COUNTY (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Lost 35-0 to North Hall last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (1-1, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 40-7 to White County last week
-- NOTABLE: Jackson County leads series 5-1. The Panthers won 35-7 in 2017. ... It is the third meeting in three seasons between the two teams after not playing for 25 years. They have split the two most recent games with each winning at home. The Indians only win in the series came in 2016 (26-13) at The Burial Grounds. ... It has been all-or-nothing almost for both teams, who produced shutout wins in their openers but then struggled in losses last week. ... The key matchup will be the Indians wishbone attack against a Panthers’ front-7 that held North Hall’s superb wing-T to just 14 points through the first three quarters last week before getting worn down in the fourth quarter. ... Lumpkin County trailed just 7-0 at halftime last week but turnovers helped lead to a 28-point third quarter for White County to blow the game open.
JEFFERSON at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartans Field, Oakwood
-- JEFFERSON (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Bye last week; lost 20-13 to Oconee County two weeks ago
-- WEST HALL (1-1, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Defeated Johnson 41-8 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... This is one of the more compelling showdowns of the night as the Spartans are coming off a huge, emotional win. It was the first-ever victory for new coach Krofton Montgomery and they were solid on both sides of the ball holding down a good option attack by the Knights while getting a balanced attack on offense with three TD passes from QB Quentin Smith, who also had a rushing TD, and rushing TDs from Michael Thompson and Solomon Riley. ... Jefferson, meanwhile, has had two weeks to marinate over a tough loss to former region rival Oconee County and make adjustments to their new spread-like offensive attack. ... Both teams need momentum with more tough non-region games on tap the next two weeks before jumping into region play. ... The Dragons are looking to avoid their first 0-2 start to a season since 2005. The Spartans want to make the most of their home opener. They do not return to The Hot Gates until Oct. 12 with four consecutive road games to follow.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at GEORGIA FORCE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Gary Pirkle Park Stadium, Sugar Hill
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-A): Lost 33-21 to Strong Rock Christian last week
-- GEORGIA FORCE (0-0, 0-0 GICAA): Season-opener for the Blue Knights
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... An intriguing matchup for the Lions, who venture into GICAA (Georgia Independent Christian Athletic Association) to take on a team that is coming off a national championship. The Blue Knights, a homeschool team, won the 2017 National Homeschool Football Association (NHFA) title in Florida. ... It will be the first foray in GHSA play for The Force. ... The Lions, under a new quarterback and sporting several newcomers on defense, started slow last week but rallied in the second half to finish strong. Lakeview has lost 8 straight road games going back to the 2016 season.
LAMBERT at GAINESVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 94.5 FM The Lake
-- LAMBERT (1-1, 0-0 Region 5-7A): Defeated Chattahoochee 42-14 last week
-- GAINESVILLE (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Lost 24-21 to North Forsyth last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The brutal non-region schedule continues for the Red Elephants with their second consecutive game against a Region 5-7A team with Jefferson, Flowery Branch, and the 8-6A opener against defending region champ Dacula to follow. ... Gainesville rebounded from its tough opener two weeks ago to lead for the entire game last week until the Raiders kicked a field goal at the horn for the win. The offense was much more balanced getting 193 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 23 carries from Quintavious Hayes, while quarterback Walt Dixon completed 11 of 17 passes for 148 yards and a score, including a 65-yard touchdown strike to Justice Johnson. ... It will be the first road contest of the season for the Longhorns but they went 3-2 on the road in 2017. The Longhorns feature Jr. QB Peyton Rich, who has thrown for 450 yards and 4 TDs in the first two games. However, he also has been picked off five times so there should be some opportunities for a deep Gainesville secondary.
UNION COUNTY at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
-- UNION COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Defeated East Hall 35-6 last week
-- TOWNS COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Bye last week; defeated Hayesville (N.C.) 55-24 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Union County leads series 29-1. First meeting since 2015, a 35-7 Panthers win in Blairsville. The only Towns County victory in the series came in 1993, a 27-17 win in Blairsville. ... A compelling matchup in that the Indians may possess their best talent-laden roster in program history but will find themselves outmanned nearly 3-to-1 against the Panthers. Towns County is working on a 3-game regular season win streak and has won 4 of its last 6 games overall. ... Sr. Indians QB Trent Bradshaw had a solid opener with 181 yards and 3 TDs rushing while also completing 6 of 9 passes for 118 yards and 2 TDs and guided Towns to 27 unanswered 2nd half points against Hayesville. ... The Indians defense will be challenged, however, by new Union QB Pierson Allison and Co. Pierson was 24 of 32 passing for 232 yards as well as rushing for a score. Kyle Morlock was his top target with 6 catches for 42 yards, while Cayden Rich (62 yards), Kanon Hemphill (56 yards) and Schafer (37 yards) all caught five passes apiece.
