Every prep football team in northeast Georgia crounches and waits for a five-week sprint to the playoffs that begins tonight -- as all seven regions encompassing area teams hit full stride Friday night.
Regions 8-6A, 8-5A, and the 8-A North subregion join the fray with league matchups, including some key showdowns.
In 8-6A, winless Gainesville entertains two-time defending region champion Dacula at City Park while Habersham Central travels to Lanier in a pair of monster showdowns. In 8-5A, Johnson, the biggest surprise of the season so far at 4-1, travels to No. 2 Buford.
In Region 8-A North, Riverside Military plays host to Towns County in a crucial matchup of teams looking to improve their power ranking position. Lakeview Academy heads to Hebron Christian.
Meanwhile, two mega showdowns could set the tone in Region 8-2A as the top four teams, all unbeaten so far in region action, will square off. Rabun County travels to Banks County while Union County heads to the Granite Bowl to take on Elbert County.
Also two big showdowns will highlight Region 7-3A as North Hall plays host to Greater Atlanta Christian and Dawson County will take on East Hall on the road.
Flowery Branch will open its Region 7-4A schedule with a big contest in Cleveland against a White County team that is looking to snap a four-game losing streak.
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 SEPT. 28
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
CHEROKEE BLUFF at FANNIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (0-5, 0-1 Region 7-3A): Lost 60-6 to North Hall last week
-- FANNIN COUNTY (1-3, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Bye last week; lost 45-42 to Chestatee on Sept. 14
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Bears knew the going would be tough in their inaugural season and they are still looking for their first-ever win. But they have faced one of the toughest schedules in the area so far as their first five opponents are a combined 21-3 on the season. ... The Rebels, who are playing their region opener, will be the first team ‘The Bluff’ has faced with a losing record but also can score in bunches averaging just under 25 ppg behind So. QB Luke Holloway, who has thrown for 461 yards and 5 TDs. Jr. RB Treylyn Owensby is a nice complement in the backfield with 523 yards and 5 TDs rushing and has a pair of 100-yard games already. ... After allowing just 28 total points in their first two games the Rebels have given up 94 points (47.0 ppg) in their last two. However, the Bears are averaging just 6.6 ppg on the season.
DACULA at GAINESVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 94.5 The Lake
-- DACULA (3-2, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Defeated Rockdale County 42-0 last week
-- GAINESVILLE (0-5, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Lost 28-19 to Dacula last week
-- NOTABLE: Dacula leads series 4-0. The Falcons won 28-0 in 2017 in Dacula. ... Both teams sport new coaches in 2017 as they open region play. The Falcons got off to a slow start but have rebounded with consecutive wins over Class 7A teams Central Gwinnett and Rockdale. In fact, Gainesville will be the first non-7A team they have faced in 2018. ... The Red Elephants are off to their worst start in program history but are just a few possessions from being 3-2. ... Consistent offense has been the issue for Gainesville, which is 49th out of 58 Class 6A teams (65, 13 ppg) in scoring. The Red Elephants have not scored more than 21 in any game so far. ... The Falcons defense has allowed just 86 points (17.2 ppg), 13th-best in 6A but surrendered just 6 points during their two-game win streak. ... The Falcons (141, 28.2 ppg) have scored 82 during the win streak while the Gainesville defense has allowed 152 points (30.4 ppg) on the season, 14th-worst in 6A. ... Something will have to give as well as Dacula has won 5 straight 8-6A openers while Gainesville has won 2 straight 8-6A openers since joining the region in 2016.
DAWSON COUNTY at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- DAWSON COUNTY (5-0, 1-0 Region 7-3A): Ranked No. 10 in Class 3A; defeated Lumpkin County 36-3 last week
-- EAST HALL (1-4, 0-1 Region 7-3A): Lost 51-20 to Greater Atlanta Christian last week
-- NOTABLE: Dawson County leads series 10-2. The Tigers won 56-48 in 2017 in one of the best games in northeast Georgia last season. All 13 meetings have been since 2000 and Dawson County has won three straight. The last East Hall win came in 2014, 36-29, at Valhalla. ... The Tigers have mashed everyone in their path so far with a punishing ground game that is averaging more than 400 yards a contest behind Sr. QB SeVaughn Clark (70-441, 9 TD) and Sr. RB Ahmad Kamara (58-552, 6 TD). They pounded out a season-high 508 against their rivals last week and are 4th in Class 3A in scoring (209 points, 42.2 ppg). ... East Hall has struggled on defense allowing the 2nd-most points in all of 3A (252, 50.4 ppg). Offensively the Vikings seem to be coming around scoring 76 points the last two games (38 ppg) after scoring just 18 total points in their first three. After a 4-way battle at QB, Sr. Zander Mann has solidified the spot with 673 yards and 10 TD passes. ... The Dawson County defense will offer East Hall another huge challenge as the Tigers have 27 TFL, 13 sacks, and have generated 11 turnovers (6 INTs) in their first five games. The Vikings are minus-6 in turnover ratio with 7 INTs. ... However, the Tigers cannot get caught looking past the Vikings with a monster road showdown between ranked teams next week at GAC that could help decide the region championship.
FLOWERY BRANCH at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warriors Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: 93.9 FM
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (4-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Ranked No. 5 in Class 4A; defeated Gainesville 28-19 last week
-- WHITE COUNTY (1-4, 0-1 Region 7-4A): Lost 41-6 to No. 2 Marist last week
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 4-2. The two teams have not met since 2007. The Falcons won 28-0 in 2007 and have won three straight in the series. ... This will be the region opener for the Falcons, who are off to their best start since 2011. They are in the top 10 in 4A in scoring average (37.2 ppg) on offense but it’s the Falcons’ defense that has really stepped up sitting 5th in the classification in points (46) and average (11.5 ppg). ... QB Elijah Gainey and WR Jalin Strown continue to be a dynamic combination while RB Jaizen Ellingham is having a breakout season. ... The Warriors are mired in a 4-game losing streak but in three of the four losses they had the lead at some point in the second half. The offense (121, 24.2 ppg) has been explosive at times behind So. QB J Ben Haynes but turnovers and penalties have plagued them in the second half. The defense has been the issue yielding 151 points (30.2 ppg) and generating just three turnovers so far on the season. ... The Falcons have won five consecutive regular season road games. After going 4-2 at home in 2017, the Warriors are 0-3 at Warriors Stadium so far in 2018.
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN at NORTH HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN (3-2, 1-0 Region 7-3A): Ranked No. 5 in Class 3A; defeated East Hall 51-20 last week
-- NORTH HALL (5-0, 1-0 Region 7-3A): Defeated Cherokee Bluff 60-6 last week
-- NOTABLE: Greater Atlanta Christian leads series 2-0. The Spartans won 56-6 in 2017 and 42-14 in 2016 at The Brickyard. ... It has not been a favorable matchup for the Trojans the past two seasons but coach David Bishop has his best team to date in his 5th season. It is a huge early region battle with the winner holding what will be a key tiebreaker. It begins a key stretch for the Spartans, who will face unbeaten Dawson County next week in Norcross and can put a stamp on repeating as region champs with a pair of wins. ... The Trojans, behind a masterful wing-T offense run by Sr. QB David Seavey, are 2nd in Class 3A in scoring (213, 42.6 ppg) and have five players -- Daniel Jackson, Drew Faulkner, J.T. Fair, Seavey, Jacob Dickey -- all with 200 or more yards rushing on the season. Only Fair has not recorded a 100-yard game on the season among the group. In 187 attempts they have just 1 fumble lost so far. ... The Spartans defense (90, 18 ppg) is led by DE Chris Hinton (a Michigan-commit), who has five sacks, has faced some stout offenses in the first half but has not yielded more than 22 (Westminster) in any game so far. ... GAC is averaging 29 ppg behind QB Josh Rose, who has 746 yards passing and has rushed for 312 while backup QB Jackson Hardy has thrown for 329 yards, with their favorite targets being Ty James (459 yards, 5 TDs) and Jake Floyd (378 yards, 4 TDs). Montae Bailey leads the Spartans in rushing with 346 yards. ... The Trojans, however, will counter with a tenacious defensive group that is 6th in 3A in points allowed (50, 10 ppg) and has 16 TFL, 4 sacks, and created 7 turnovers so far.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at LANIER
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Ranch, Sugar Hill
-- RADIO: 99.3 FM
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (3-2, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Bye last week; lost 41-28 to Stephens County on Sept. 14
-- LANIER (3-2, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Defeated Lambert 30-16 last week
-- NOTABLE: Lanier leads series 2-0. The Longhorns won 25-21 in 2017 in Mt. Airy. ... This one offers a compelling matchup between the Raiders offense, which is 8th in scoring in 6A (167, 33.4 ppg) behind Tre Luttrell, who was second in 6A in passing (1,115 yards) going into last week, against a Longhorns defense that is 8th in defense in 6A (79, 15.8 ppg). ... The key matchup, however, may be the Lanier offense (110, 22 ppg) which is in the middle of the pack in 6A against the Raiders defense (110, 22 ppg) which is 40 out of 58 in 6A in points allowed. ... But, offense has been the key for Lanier. In their three wins the Longhorns have averaged 31.3 ppg but have scored just 16 total points in their two losses. ... The Raiders held a 28-13 lead in the third quarter against Stephens County two weeks ago but turnovers and penalties contributed to a 28-point swing in the final 17 minutes.
JACKSON COUNTY at MORGAN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Legion Field, Madison
-- JACKSON COUNTY (2-3, 0-1 Region 8-3A): Lost 30-13 to Hart County last week
-- MORGAN COUNTY (1-4, 0-1 Region 8-3A): Lost 39-0 to Class 4A No. 3 Monroe Area last week
-- NOTABLE: Morgan County leads series 8-2. The Bulldogs won 31-12 in 2017 and have won four straight in the series. The last Jackson County win came in 2013, 38-35, in Jefferson. The Panthers are 1-5 all-time in Madison. ... A huge game already for both teams who still have Jefferson and Monroe Area looming. ... Offense (81 points, 16.2 ppg) has been the issue for the Panthers, who have scored 23 or fewer points in four of their games, including being shut out twice. Jr. QB Tyler Wester has been the catalyst for the offense with 564 yards rushing and 183 yards passing, good for 73 percent of their offensive output. But he is responsible for 9 of their 11 offensive touchdowns. So. Ayden Griswald is the only other player who has more than 100 total yards on the season for the Panthers. The defense (81, 16.2 ppg) has kept them in most games. ... Morgan County, the 2-time defending region champ, is having its share of problems as well. The Bulldogs, who averaged 35.2 ppg in 2017, have scored just 64 points (12.8 ppg) and are coming off back-to-back shutout losses. They allowed just 205 points all of last season and already have surrendered 134 points (26.8 ppg) in the first half of the season.
JEFFERSON at FRANKLIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Ed Bryant Stadium, Carnesville
-- JEFFERSON (4-1, 1-0 Region 8-3A): Ranked No. 8 in Class 3A; defeated East Jackson 70-0 last week
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Bye last week; lost 35-7 to North Oconee on Sept. 14
-- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads the series 9-6. The Dragons won 38-7 in 2014 in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs. It is just the second meeting since 1997 and just the fourth since 1983 between the two teams. ... The two teams also are headed in opposite directions. Jefferson has won four straight in dominating fashion outscoring its opponents 191-23 in that span. The Lions have dropped two straight allowing 70 points. ... The Lions offense, which is 43rd out of 58 Class 3A teams in scoring (47, 11.7 ppg) will be more than challenged by a Jefferson defense that has given up just 43 points (8.6 ppg) on the season, the 3rd-fewest in Class 3A. ... The Jefferson offense features plenty of weapons as 9 different players have rushing touchdowns. ... The Dragons are 1-1 on the road in the 2018 and just 3-3 in their 6 road contests going back to last season. Franklin is just 2-7 in its last 9 home games going back to 2016.
JOHNSON at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- JOHNSON (4-1, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Bye last week; defeated Cross Keys 58-0 on Sept. 14
-- BUFORD (3-2, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Ranked No. 3 in Class 3A; lost 48-24 to Class 7A No. 5 Archer last week
-- NOTABLE: Buford leads series 2-0. The Wolves won 70-0 in 2017. ... Buford figures to come into this one ready to take out its frustrations from last week, a game the Wolves led 24-20 in the second half. Johnson, meanwhile, has had a week off to get rested and healthy. ... The Knights are an overwhelming underdog having failed to score in either of its first two meetings with Buford. This one should be a huge challenge again for the Knights but expect a physical ground war between the teams, who thrive on running the ball. ... Johnson is led by Sr. QB Sam Corbett, who has 501 yards rushing on the season. The Wolves are paced by Sr. RB Derrian Brown, who has 839 yards and 12 TDs rushing on the season. ... The difference may be a big, physical Buford defense that had allowed just 16.7 ppg until the Tigers blitzed them for 28 points in the second half. Johnson is averaging 33.6 ppg but the Knights have not faced a defense like Buford’s all season.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at HEBRON CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Dacula
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-4, 0-0 Region 8-A North): Lost 46-15 to George Walton Academy last week
-- HEBRON CHRISTIAN (2-2, 0-0 Region 8-A North): Defeated Athens Christian 49-10 last week
-- NOTABLE: Hebron Christian leads series 6-4. Hebron won 42-26 in 2017. Hebron has won three straight n the series and the two teams have played each season since 2008. ... With 8-A being subdivided this season the subregion schedule will determine the region champ with the top teams from the south and north playing for the region title, which carries an automatic berth into the state playoffs. This is the subregion opener for both teams. ... Lakeview is still in a rebuilding mode as it tries to continue to find a consistent offensive identity. They Lions are averaging just 10.7 ppg. Meanwhile, the defense is being tasked as well allowing 36.5 ppg. ... Hebron’s two losses have been to top 10 teams Clinch County and George Walton. ... Hebron is prone to mistakes with 7 turnovers on the season, including 6 INTs by QB Colton Gauthier, and is averaging just 270 yards a game. ... Lakeview has dropped 9 straight road games going back to a win over Providence Christian is 2016.
MARIST at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- MARIST (4-1, 1-0 Region 7-4A): Ranked No. 6 in Class 4A; defeated White County 41-6 last week
-- CHESTATEE (1-4, 0-1 Region 7-4A): Lost 61-47 to Denmark last week
-- NOTABLE: Marist leads series 2-0. Marist won 48-30 in 2017. ... The schedule turns really brutal for Chestatee beginning this week. Marist will be the first of three consecutive games against top 10 teams for Chestatee. The War Eagles, who have Flowery Branch and Blessed Trinity to follow, have dropped 11 straight games to ranked teams going back to 2012 when they knocked off Stephens County. ... The offense, which has averaged 44.3 ppg over the past three games, has not been the problem. So. QB Christian Charles continues to dazzle opponents. His 986 yards rushing leads all of Class 4A and is in the top 5 in all classifications in the state. He has added 906 yards passing and his 1,892 combined yards is 92 percent of the Chestatee offense. Jr. WRs Seth Pressley (44 rec., 608 yards, 5 TD) and Caleb Carter (23 rec., 209 yards) are having breakout seasons. The defense has yielded the most points of any 4A team (280, 56.0 ppg) and has allowed at least 42 in every game this season. ... Marist is averaging just 27.6 ppg on offense. The Marist defense, however, is 12th in 4A (64, 12.8 ppg) and has not allowed more than 20 in any game this season. Marist has won 12 straight road games going back to the 2016 season.
MONROE AREA at EAST JACKSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Eagle Stadium, Commerce
-- MONROE AREA (5-0, 1-0 Region 8-3A): Defeated Morgan County 39-0 last week
-- EAST JACKSON (1-4, 0-1 Region 8-3A): Lost 70-0 to Jefferson last week
-- NOTABLE: Monroe Area leads series 2-0. The Purple Hurricanes won 55-0 in 2017. ... The Hurricanes were a preseason favorite to win the region and they have not disappointed in the first half of the season. They are 6th in scoring in Class 3A (190, 38.0 ppg) and 7th in defense (53, 10.6 ppg). ... The Eagles have been just the opposite. They have allowed the 3rd-most points in 3A (224, 44.8 ppg) and scored the fewest (20, 4.0 ppg) and been shutout three times. They have lost 5 straight and 6 of their last 7 games at home. ... Monroe Sr. RB Chandler Byron is 2nd in the state all-classifications in rushing (111-1,083 yards, 9.8 ypc) with 15 TDs. He leads all of Class 3A.
RABUN COUNTY at BANKS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Leopards Stadium, Homer
-- RABUN COUNTY (4-1, 2-0 Region 8-2A): Ranked No. 5 in Class 2A; defeated Monticello 42-16 last week
-- BANKS COUNTY (3-2, 2-0 Region 8-2A): Defeated Oglethorpe County 31-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 18-10. The Wildcats won 45-7 in 2017 and have won two straight over the Leopards. ... It has been a tough matchup for Banks County the past two seasons being outscored 91-10 in the two losses. But the Leopards bring a new wing-T offense into this one and has been improving each week scoring 113 points (37.7 ppg) during a three-game win streak. ... The front-line Rabun County defense, however, has allowed just 10 ppg and held Monticello to just 15 yards rushing last week. ... Defensively the Leopards may have one of their better units over the past few seasons, tied for 12th in Class 2A allowing just 67 points (13.4 ppg). They had yielded 121 points (24.2 ppg) over the same stretch in 2017. ... The Wildcats offense, 6th in 2A (187, 37.4 ppg) will offer them their biggest challenge so far. Fr. QB Gunner Stockton has steadily improved leading a balanced attack that is averaging 208 yards rushing and 192 yards passing. Stockton has 10 TDs passing and 5 TDs rushing. Brison Beck leads the Wildcats in rushing with 611 yards and 7 TDs. Ten different players have 10 or more receptions on the season.
TOWNS COUNTY at RIVERSIDE MILITARY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
-- TOWNS COUNTY (2-3, 0-0 Region 8-A North): Lost 46-8 to No. 3 Athens Academy last week
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-A North): Lost 56-12 to No. 4 Prince Avenue Christian last week
-- NOTABLE: Towns County leads series 12-8. The Indians won 35-21 in 2017 in Gainesville. Towns has won two straight and 11 of the last 12 going back to 1992. Riverside’s only win in that stretch came in 2001, 49-20, at Maginnis Field. ... A HUGE game for both teams as they open subregion play. Both teams currently sit in the top 24 in their respective power rankings (Towns is 14th in Class A Public; RMA is tied for 23rd in Class A Private) due to their tough non-subegion schedules. The loser is certainly not out of the running for a playoff spot but the winner most certainly will help maintain, if not boost, their standing in the power rankings. ... The Indians bring a solid rushing attack that is averaging 228 yards a game behind seniors Alan Gillis (50-386, 1 TD) and Trent Bradshaw (32-282, 1 TD) which came against two straight top 4 teams in Athens Academy and Prince Avenue and Class 2A Union County. They are yielding 35 ppg but 132 of their 175 points allowed was by Union’s No. 1-ranked offense in Class 2A and two top 10 offenses in Class A. ... Riverside has played one of the harder schedules in the region so far with Christian Heritage, ranked No. 1 in the Private power rankings, Prince Avenue, and a 4-1 Johnson team. Sr. QB Isaac Teasley is quietly putting together a solid season passing for 460 yards and 3 TDs and leads the team in rushing with 251 yards and 2 TDs. Sr. WR Khalid Duke leads the team in receiving with 145 yards but So. Cam’rom Dabney is having a breakout season with 10 catches for 142 yards and the speedy pair will offer the Indians defense matchup problems on the corners.
UNION COUNTY at ELBERT COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Granite Bowl, Elberton
-- UNION COUNTY (5-0, 2-0 Region 8-2A): Defeated Putnam County 55-0 last week
-- ELBERT COUNTY (4-1, 2-0 Region 8-2A): Defeated Social Circle 47-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Panthers come in riding high and their longest winning streak since 2015 when they opened the season 7-0. The offense (222 points) has been the catalyst averaging 44.5 ppg, which is tops in Class 2A. Jr. QB Pierson Allison is averaging 246 yards passing and his 1,233 yards lead Class 2A with 14 total touchdowns (9 passing) to pace the offense. Four different players have at least 12 catches on the season. Sr. RB Chad Buzzard leads the team in rushing with 325 yards and 7 TDs. But the Elbert defense has yielded just 66 points (13.2 ppg) on the season. ... Defensively Union has allowed the 5th-fewest points (42, 8.4 ppg) but will face its biggest test of the season so far in a Blue Devils team that is averaging 35.2 ppg. ... It is a crucial two-week stretch for Elbert County, which can take control in the region with a win over the Panthers and against Rabun County next week in Tiger. ... Elbert is 7-1 in its last 8 games at the Granite Bowl. However, the Panthers are 5-2 in their last 7 road contests.
WEST HALL at DENMARK
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Denmark Stadium, Alpharetta
-- WEST HALL (1-4, 0-1 Region 7-4A): Lost 45-3 to No. 1 Blessed Trinity last week
-- DENMARK (4-1, 1-0 Region 7-4A): Defeated Chestatee 61-47 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... This the third of four straight road games for the Spartans, who are 1-3 on the road in 2018 and are just 1-8 in their last 9 away from The Hot Gates. ... Despite being a new program, Denmark sits 10th in Class 4A in scoring (171, 34.2 ppg) primarily behind Jr. QB Ben Whitlock, whose 1,566 yards passing leads all of 4A and is in the top 4 in all classifications. He has 17 TD passes compared to just 5 INTs on the season. His favorite target is Clemson-commit Ze’vian Capers, who has 28 catches for 543 yards and 7 TDs, 5 coming last week as Whitlock threw for 438 yards and six touchdowns. ... The West Hall defense, meanwhile, has allowed the 5th-most points in 4A (181, 36.2 ppg). The new-look Spartans offense also has struggled. They scored 41 in a win over Johnson but just 42 (10.5 ppg) against everyone else.
