Area teams will continue the fight to a region championship in Week 8 with some interesting matchups across the region tonight. Friday Game Night checked in with coaches around northeast Georgia to find out how many ingredients are needed to get a win Friday night.
Below are comments from the area’s coaches about either the keys to a win or about the game, in general. Friday Game Night will have coverage of the 19 games in the area Friday night. You can track these games on the FGN twitter page at www.twitter.com/fridaygamenight or on the live scoreboard at www.accesswdun.com/fridaygamenight.
Buford coach Bryant Appling on Cedar Shoals:
“We have to play fast and physical. Cedar has a similar formula to winning as we do so we have to match the intensity that they bring.”
Chestatee coach Shawn Conley on playing No. 6-ranked Flowery Branch:
“We have to take care of the ball. We have to be really good with the fundamentals.”
Cherokee Bluff’s Tommy Jones talks traveling to Lumpkin County:
“In order for us to take a step in the right direction, our focus needs to be on fundamentals and doing little things better. Offensively, we are still making too many mistakes. We need to be able to execute and sustain drives that put points on the scoreboard. Defensively, we need to be able to get off the field in crucial situations.”
Dawson County coach Sid Maxwell says special teams will be key against GAC:
“Our kicking game is probably one of our biggest strengths of our football team,” Maxwell said. “Caleb is a weapon in himself. His kicking game on kickoffs has allowed us to have some touchbacks, which is always strong when you start at the 20. So for us, special teams, taking care of the football and preventing the big play are the three factors that will allow us to compete.”
East Hall coach Michael Perry says execution is key against Dawson County:
“We have to take care of the football on offense and take what they give us. We cannot force the ball into coverage. Defensively, we have to affect the quarterback and stop the run.”
Flowery Branch’s Ben Hall talks about Region 7-4A foe Chestatee:
“First and foremost, we have to contain the [Christian] Charles kid. He is as explosive as anybody in this part of the state and he can take it to the house on any given play. So, we have to contain him. I don't think you're going to shut him down. He can improvise and make plays on his own and, then on the flip side, we have to keep him off the field as much as possible. So, the ground game and being able to possess the football will reduce the number of defensive snaps and the number of times that kid touches the ball.”
Gainesville coach Heath Webb talks about a crucial Region 8-6A contest against Habersham Central:
“We’ve got to limit their big plays and tackle well in space. We must win the turnover battle and win the kicking game.”
Habersham’s Benji Harrison talks about the keys against Gainesville:
“They’re a talented team. They have athletes all over the field. It’s going to take our best effort. We got to go play a great game for four quarters and make plays when we have the opportunities and eliminate mistakes. Hopefully, at the end of the night that will be enough.”
Jefferson coach Gene Cathcart says executing against a No.5-ranked Hart County will be key:
Jefferson coach Gene Cathcart says executing against a No.5-ranked Hart County will be key:
"Offensively, we've got to execute. The strength of their team is their defensive front with Kaimon Rucker and are just very physical, very well-coached, so obviously executing the option offense against very good athletes and forcing them to play assignment football will be big. Defensively, they're just so explosive. Not a lot of people have had a lot of success blocking the guys they have upfront, so we'll need to make sure that we read them well and execute what we do. The thing I don't think they get enough credit for is their offensive line is a good bit better. Even though their marquee players are at other spots, their offensive line is very physical. It allows them to run the football and set up play-actions and coach Gillespie has always done a great job of making you defend the whole field.”
Johnson coach Stan Luttrell says it starts with the line of scrimmage against Walnut Grove:
"With me, it always starts with the line of scrimmage. You know, I think we've got to win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. We can't make critical errors on special teams -- we had two bad snaps on punt last week. We can't give up any explosive plays on defense. We have to make Walnut Grove earn their points. So, I think it starts on the line of scrimmage, then you got to take care of the football; we can't give up explosive plays. The bottom line is we got a block and tackle better than they do and we’ve got to play harder than they do.”
Lakeview Academy coach Matthew Gruhn on hosting No. 5-ranked Commerce:
“We need to win the turnover margin and have more explosive plays than they do.”
Lanier Christian Academy's Blake Anderson says the line of scrimmages are key:
“We have to win both sides of the line of scrimmage against John Hancock to be successful. The game will be won or lost in the trenches. We have to play more physical and disciplined than our opponent.”
Riverside coach Nick Garrett on Providence Christian:
“On offense, we have to establish the run and score. We can’t give up any explosive plays on defense.”
Towns County coach Jason Roquemore on traveling to Hebron Christian:
Defensively, we will need to find a way to limit their big-play opportunities. Offensively, it's going to be imperative for us to stay on schedule and compete up front.”
West Hall’s Krofton Montgomery on the keys against No. 1-ranked Marist:
“We have to tackle the dive, tackle the dive, tackle the dive. Marist is one of the smartest well-coached teams anyone in high school can play, so you can’t beat yourself through penalties, turnovers, and misalignments. We have to execute and our assignment has to be near perfect all night to play against a team of Marist’s caliber.”
