With only four weeks left in the regular season, area teams continue the push for the state playoffs.
Week 9 has some major matchups on the schedule, including probably the biggest game of the night, Flowery Branch travels to Blessed Trinity in a Region 7-4A battle of two titans. Jefferson host Morgan County in Region 8-3A in a game that has the region's top spot on the line. Cherokee Bluff is looking for back-to-back wins when it hosts East Hall in a Region 7-3A battle. Also in Region 7-3A, North Hall travels to Blue Ridge to take on Fannin County in a crucial region contest. And in Region 8-A, Commerce hosts Hebron Christian
Friday Game Night checked in with coaches around northeast Georgia to find out how what it will take 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 Loganville:
"We've got to win on first and third downs on both sides of the ball and win the special teams battle."
Cherokee Bluff’s Tommy Jones on the pass-heavy East Hall offense:
"It's definitely going to be a contrast of styles. You've got a team that likes to throw the ball and that is very effective and efficient throwing the ball, highly explosive. You've got another football team that likes to run the ball, likes to control the clock and kind of build this thing around playing great defense and being physical and tough inside and out. It's a contrast of styles. For us to be successful, we're going to have to really minimize and eliminate negative plays offensively."
Commerce’s Michael Brown on big Region 8-A game against Hebron Christian:
”This may be the best Hebron team they’ve ever had. Anytime you play a quality opponent, you find out what you do well and also what you need to work on. Basically, we’re just going to have to do what we do which is run the ball and control the clock.”
East Hall coach Michael Perry on Cherokee Bluff:
"We've got to be able to stop the run, especially this week, they've got a phenomenal tailback. We've got a chore ahead of us, Coach Jones and his staff do a great job. It's a big game."
Flowery Branch’s Ben Hall talks about massive Region 7-4A showdown at Blessed Trinity:
"It's going to be like every big-time game where you have two physical teams. It's going to be a matter of gaining field position. We talk about earning and respecting every yard on that field and not trying to do anything spectacular, just move the chains and gain field position."
Jefferson coach Gene Cathcart says the Dragons will need to create opportunities against Morgan County:
“Last week, we were able to run our offense and create opportunities on the ground to open up the passing game a little bit. Morgan has a very good defense and that may be the key again this week -- just being able to run our offense.”
Johnson coach Stan Luttrell talks keys against region foe Cedar Shoals:
“We have to play our brand of football. Cedar Shoals is a fast and physical football team. We must win the line of scrimmage, take care of the football, and play with great fundamentals.”
Lakeview Academy coach Matthew Gruhn on Riverside:
"We can't have any turnovers against a team like Riverside. We also have to limit their big-play potential."
Lanier Christian Academy's Blake Anderson on North Georgia:
"Defensively, we will need to contain the quarterback and minimize the big plays. Offensively, we will need to block well and take what the defense gives us. We will also need to create some opportunities on special teams to get a spark."
Rabun's Jaybo Shaw says winning the turnover battle will be key against Region 8-2A foe Elbert County:
“Elbert had three turnovers in the fourth quarter last week and I don’t expect them to make those same mistakes. We’ll need to make tackles in open space, and really just execute in all three phases."
Riverside coach Nick Garrett on Lakeview Academy:
“We have to control the ball and stop the run against Lakeview.”
Union County’s Brian Allison says protecting the football will be key against Banks County:
“We need to run and protect the football. We also need to take care of our defensive assignments and be sound on special teams.”
West Hall’s Krofton Montgomery on the keys against White County:
“We have to contain Haynes from making plays with his feet and arm. He is really good at extending plays. We need to win the line of scrimmage, win the turnover battle and execute the game plan.”
