If Saturday’s are considered moving day in golf, then this Friday could well have the same effect for northeast Georgia area football teams as several high-profile region matchups certainly will help shape the looming playoff picture.
The biggest showdown involving area teams may also be the biggest matchup in the state as Class 4A No. 7 Flowery Branch heads to No. 5 and two-time defending Class 4A state champion Blessed Trinity in the first Region 7-4A showdown of unbeaten teams.
Both teams come into Friday’s game in Roswell rolling and if it is anything like 2018’s instant-classic -- a two-overtime victory for Blessed Trinity -- it may be another for the ages.
Not far behind on the scale of importance is Jefferson playing host to Morgan County at Memorial Stadium with the outright lead in Region 8-3A on the line. The Dragons knocked off previously region unbeaten Hart County last week and can almost put a clamp on their first region title since 2016 with a win.
And Commerce will play host to Hebron Christian in Region 8-A Subregion B with a chance to grab the early top spot. The Tigers have never lost to the Lions in seven all-time meetings but Hebron may have its best team in program history. The last two meetings have been decided by just six total points.
For a look at all of the weekend's contests involving area teams, simply scroll down. And be sure to check back with AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night throughout Friday and Saturday 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 Oct. 18
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
EAST HALL at CHEROKEE BLUFF
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Bears Stadium, Flowery Branch
-- RADIO: 94.5 FM The Lake
-- EAST HALL (1-6, 0-3 Region 7-3A): Lost 49-26 to Fannin County last week
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (2-5, 1-2 Region 7-3A): Defeated Lumpkin County 45-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 1-0. The Vikings won 42-35 in 2018 in Valhalla. ... The Bears have shown marked improvement in their second season, including claiming their first-ever region win last week. After going 0-12 in their first 12 games as a program, they are 2-3 in their last five games. ... The Bluff has averaged just 15.2 ppg on offense but the run game has been improving each week. So. RB Jayquan Smith rushed for 244 yards and 3 TDs on runs of 56, 61, and 54 yards last week. ... The defense has once again been the issue for East Hall. The Vikings have allowed 49 or more points in 5 of 7 games. QB Clete Cooper has been a bright spot sitting in the top 20 in the state in passing with 1,434 yards (22nd in the state) but turnovers have hurt with more than a dozen on the season, including 9 INTs. ... East Hall WR D.J. Gray had a big game last week with 3 catches, all for touchdowns, covering 82, 54, and 97 yards for 233 yards.
EAST JACKSON at FRANKLIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Ed Bryant Stadium, Carnesville
-- EAST JACKSON (3-3, 0-2 Region 8-3A): Off last week; lost 56-7 to Monroe Area two weeks ago
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (0-6, 0-2 Region 8-3A): Lost 35-16 to Morgan County last week
-- NOTABLE: Franklin County leads series 7-0. The Lions won 49-7 in 2018 in Commerce. ... It has been a rough series for the Eagles, who have scored just 101 points in the series (14.4 ppg) and only one game has been decided by less than 10 points. ... But the Eagles are much-improved in 2019 and the Lions are off to their first 0-6 start since 2013. Franklin County has scored the 8th-fewest points in Class 3A (77, 12.8 ppg) and have allowed the 16th-most points (194, 32.3 ppg). ... East Jackson has lost three straight to a trio of hot teams in Madison County, Jefferson, and Monroe Area, who are a combined 13-7. ... Eagles’ Sr. RB Nino Brown could be a key element. He is averaging nearly 100 yards a game with three 100-yard games on the season.
FLOWERY BRANCH at BLESSED TRINITY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Blessed Trinity Stadium, Roswell
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (6-0, 2-0 Region 7-4A): Ranked No. 7 in Class 4A; defeated Chestatee 40-7 last week
-- BLESSED TRINITY (5-1, 2-0 Region 7-4A): Ranked No. 5 in Class 4A; defeated No. 10 Denmark 20-19 last week
-- NOTABLE: Blessed Trinity leads series 1-0. The Titans won 21-20 in OT in 2018 in Flowery Branch. ... Last year’s game was one of the best games of the season. The Branch outplayed the Titans for three quarters with one of Blessed Trinity’s TDs coming on a pick-6. The Falcons also just missed on a 2-point conversion in overtime for the win. But the Branch suffered numerous injuries that eventually derailed their season. ... This year the Falcons are healthy with more experienced depth than in 2018. Their ground game has been devastating behind Jazien Ellingham and Chandler White, who are averaging over 250 yards a game combined. ... It should be a defensive battle. The Falcons have yielded the 4th-fewest points (48, 8.0 ppg) and the Titans are 8th allowing just 86 points (14.3 ppg). ... The Flowery Branch secondary, led by Chase Dial-Watson, is stout. They had 4 INTs last week and nearly a dozen for the season.
HEBRON CHRISTIAN at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 8 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
-- HEBRON CHRISTIAN (4-2, 2-0 Region 8-A, Subregion B): Defeated Towns County 42-20 last week
-- COMMERCE (5-1, 1-0 Region 8-A, Subregion B): Ranked No. 6 in Class A Public; defeated Lakeview Academy 47-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 7-0. The Tigers won 21-18 in 2018 in Dacula. ... The last two games in the series have been decided by just 6 total points. Up to that point, the Tigers had dominated outscoring the Lions 210-52 over the first five games. ... This may be the best Hebron team the Tigers have faced. The Lions took down ranked team George Walton last month and played Class A Public No. 1-ranked Clinch County close before falling 46-28 on the road. ... Hebron has averaged 38.7 ppg during its current four-game win streak behind the play of QB Colten Gauthier (1,201 yards passing) and WR Donnovan Moorer (647 yards receiving). Defensively the Lions have given up just 14.5 ppg over that span. ... Commerce’s triple-option has been potent averaging 42 ppg, which is 6th-best in Class A, while the defense has yielded just 94 points (15.6 ppg) but 40 came in their only loss to Class 4A No. 7 Hart County. ... The Tigers’ Tyelon Brock rushed for 88 yards and 2 TDs on just 5 carries last week.
JOHNSON at CEDAR SHOALS
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Athens
-- JOHNSON (4-3, 1-1 Region 8-5A): Defeated Walnut Grove 24-22 in 2 OTs last week
-- CEDAR SHOALS (4-3, 0-2 Region 8-5A): Lost 31-13 to No. 1 Buford last week
-- NOTABLE: Cedar Shoals leads series 12-0. The Jaguars won 45-20 in 2018 in Oakwood. ... The Knights certainly are on a high after snagging their first-ever Region 8-5A win last week. The Jaguars, who finished second in 8-5A in 2018, are on their first two-game losing streak since 2017 and have dropped 3 of 4 since a 3-0 start. ... The Knights have not beaten a team with a winning record on the road since knocking off East Hall in 2012. ... Neither team is near the top in defense in Class 5A. The Jaguars are 36th allowing 25.7 ppg while the Knights are 41st and giving up 27.7 ppg. Both units will have to try and stop two good rushing attacks. Cedar is averaging 200 yards a game behind So. Jerdavian Colbert (612 yards, 6 TDs, 2 100-yard games). Johnson is also averaging 200 yards a game with QB Jack Luttrell and Nolan Bullock leading the way.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at RIVERSIDE MILITARY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-5, 0-2 Region 8-A, Subregion B): Lost 47-7 to Commerce last week
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (4-2, 1-0 Region 8-A, Subregion B): Defeated Providence Christian 37-5 last
-- NOTABLE: Riverside Military leads series 2-1. The Eagles won 40-0 in 2018. ... The Eagles are off to their best start since 2008, which is being fueled by an offense that has exploded for 40.5 ppg over its last five games. The defense has allowed 145 points (24.1 ppg) but 70 of those came in a crazy loss to No. 6 Prince Avenue. ... The Lions have dropped six straight going back to last season and defense has been the issue. They have allowed 45.5 ppg so far in 2019. The offense has scored just 26 points (8.6 ppg) over the last three games. ... An Eagles win would set up a three-way showdown with Commerce and Hebron Christian over the final two weeks for the subregion title.
LANIER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY at NORTH GEORGIA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Roswell
-- LANIER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (3-4, GAPPS AA Region 1): Lost 20-8 to Hancock Academy last week
-- NORTH GEORGIA (1-7, non-region schedule): Lost 23-20 to Sale Creek
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting. ... Both teams come limping into this one. The Falcons have dropped six straight and the Lightning has lost three of its last four. ... North Georgia is playing a non-region schedule. ... Neither team has been very explosive on offense. Both are averaging just 18 ppg. The difference may be on defense. LCA is yielding 25.1 ppg while North Georgia has given up 39.5 ppg on the season.
LOGANVILLE at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- LOGANVILLE (2-5, 2-0 Region 8-5A): Defeated Clarke Central 38-21 last week
-- BUFORD (7-0, 2-0 Region 8-5A): Ranked No. 1 in Class 5A; defeated Cedar Shoals 31-13 last week
-- NOTABLE: Buford leads series 12-1. The Wolves won 43-0 in 2018 in Loganville. The only Red Devils win in the series came in 1986. ... Buford is a perfect 19-0 in Region 8-5A since joining in 2016 after last week’s win. The Red Devils are 2-0 in region play for the first time since 2016. ... A key could be turnovers. Loganville has an opportunistic defense, which has forced five fumbles to go with two INTs, while Buford has 10 turnovers on the season, including 6 fumbles. ... The Wolves defense has forced 11 turnovers on the season. ... Buford’s offense struggled somewhat last week managing just 17 points on drives. QB Jarvis Evans threw a 77-yard TD pass on the game's first play from scrimmage and the Wolves special teams set up another recovering a bad punt snap on the Cedar Shoals 1 in the first quarter for a 17-0 lead. They outscored the Jaguars just 14-13 the rest of the way.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartans Sports Complex, Norcross
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (1-5, 0-2 Region 7-3A): Lost 45-14 to Cherokee Bluff last week
-- GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN (6-1, 3-0 Region 7-3A): Ranked No. 3 in Class 3A; defeated Dawson County 20-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: GAC leads series 9-0. The Spartans won 38-0 in 2018 in Dahlonega. ... On paper this looks like a mismatch as the Spartans have won 6 straight, are averaging 38 ppg, and the Indians are yielding 36 ppg and scored just 71 points (11.8 ppg) which is the 7th fewest in Class 3A. But it also could be a trap game where the Indians have nothing to lose and could catch GAC looking past them. ... A GAC win and a Cherokee Bluff loss clinches a playoff spot for the Spartans.
MORGAN COUNTY at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- MORGAN COUNTY (6-1, 3-0 Region 8-3A): Defeated Franklin County 35-16 last week
-- JEFFERSON (5-1, 3-0 Region 8-3A): Ranked No. 9 in Class 3A; defeated No. 6 Hart County 28-23 last week on the road
-- NOTABLE: Morgan County leads series 11-7. Jefferson won 35-14 in 2018 in Madison. This is only the fourth meeting between the two teams since 1969 but the Dragons have won all three since 2014. ... The Dragons are one of the most dominant teams in Class 3A sitting 4th in scoring (254, 42.3 ppg) and 4th in defense allowing just 64 points (10.8 ppg). ... The Bulldogs defense is not in the top 25 in Class 3A (26th, allowing 18.5 ppg) while the offense is 18th in scoring 189 points (27.0 ppg). ... The Jefferson option offense has been steamrolling teams of late. The Dragons rushed for 242 yards last week, led by Jordan Perry's 84 yards and 2 TDs. ... The Dragons defense also came up huge with a goal line stand in the waning seconds to preserve the win.
NORTH HALL at FANNIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge
-- RADIO: WDUN 102.9 FM
-- NORTH HALL (3-3, 1-1 Region 7-3A): Off last week; lost 45-21 to No. 3 GAC two weeks ago
-- FANNIN COUNTY (5-1, 2-0 Region 7-3A): Defeated East Hall 49-26 last week
-- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 10-1. The Trojans won 62-13 in 2018 at The Brickyard. The Trojans have won 10 straight and the Rebels’ only win came in their first-ever meeting in 1984. ... This has been a lopsided series with only one game being decided by a touchdown or less. ... The key matchup could be the Fannin offense vs. a finally-healthy North Hall defense. The Rebels are 10th in Class 3A in scoring average (33.5 ppg) paced by Sr. RB Treylyn Owensby, who has rushed for 744 yards and 8 TDs with 4 100-yard games. ... The Trojans have allowed 21.8 ppg but have battled injuries and roster shifts all season. Before a slew of injuries hit, North Hall was giving up just 12.8 ppg. They will be as close to 100 percent as they have since their preseason scrimmage.
RABUN COUNTY at ELBERT COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Granite Bowl, Elberton
-- RABUN COUNTY (6-0, 3-0 Region 8-2A): Ranked No. 5 in Class 2A; off last week; defeated Banks County 52-9 two weeks ago
-- ELBERT COUNTY (3-3, 2-1 Region 8-2A): Off last week; lost 35-14 to Union County two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 3-0. The Wildcats won 45-14 in 2018 in Tiger. Rabun County won the first meeting in at The Granite Bowl in 2016, 42-10. ... The Wildcats once again are near the top in scoring in Class 2A (6th, 272 points, 48.0 ppg) and in defense (7th, 74 points, 12.3 ppg). The Blue Devils are in the middle of the pack in Class 2A sitting 22nd in both offense (193, 32.1 ppg) and defense (123, 20.5 ppg) in Class 2A. ... The Blue Devils are tough at home, however. They are 10-3 at The Granite Bowl since the 2017 season, which is more than half of their wins over that period. ... Rabun County, however, is working on several solid streaks. The Wildcats have won 37 straight region games, 15 straight regular season games, and have won 24 consecutive regular season road games going back to a 50-14 loss to Jefferson in 2014. ... The key will be if the Blue Devils can find a way to slow down Rabun’s So. QB Gunner Stockton, who is averaging 268 yards passing and 93 yards rushing with a combined 30 TDs on the season, 20 passing (just 3 INTs) and 10 rushing.
UNION COUNTY at BANKS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Leopard Stadium, Homer
-- UNION COUNTY (6-0, 3-0 Region 8-2A): Ranked No. 10 in Class 2A; off last week; defeated Elbert County 35-14 two weeks ago
-- BANKS COUNTY (3-3, 2-1 Region 8-2A): Off last week; lost 52-9 to No. 5 Rabun County two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Union County leads series 22-18. The Panthers won 49-17 in 2018 in Blairsville. Union has won three straight and 4 of the last 6 going back to 2009. ... Only twice in the series, which dates back to 1959, has either team won more than 3 straight, both times by Banks County (1990-94, 2005-08). ... The Panthers have dominated during their current win streak, however, outscoring the Leopards 122-51. And the Panthers bring in the No. 1 offense in Class 2A (304 points, 50.6 ppg) behind the state’s No. 3 passer, all-classifications, in Pierson Allison (98-of-144, 68.1%, 1,880 yards, 22 TD, 1 INT). Sawyer Drake (34 rec., 634 yards, 8 TD) is 12th in the state in receiving. However, the running game has been just as potent with RB Jonah Daniel, who leads all of Class 2A in rushing with 870 yards. ... The Banks County defense has played well giving up just 125 points (20.8 ppg). But Rabun County, which runs a similar wide-open style as Union County, scratched for 52 two weeks ago. The key will be if the Leopards can find a way to slow down Allison and one of the best receiving corps in the state.
WEST HALL at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warrior Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com
-- WEST HALL (0-7, 0-3 Region 7-4A): Lost 45-7 to No. 1 Marist last week
-- WHITE COUNTY (3-3, 0-2 Region 7-4A): Off last week; lost 45-20 to No. 7 Flowery Branch two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 12-9. The Warriors won 48-34 in 2018 in Oakwood. White County has won 10 of the last 11 meetings going back to 2007. The only West Hall win over that span came in 2016. ... Neither team is officially out of the playoff race but the loser of this one could be eliminated depending on how the rest of the region plays out on Friday. ... The Warriors have shown they can move the ball against just about any defense and the key may be if the Spartans, who have allowed the 2nd-most points in Class 4A (306, 43.7 ppg) can slow down J. Ben Haynes and Co. White County has not scored less than 20 points this season and is averaging 29.6 ppg. ... West Hall also has scored the 2nd-fewest points (64, 9.1 ppg). They have scored just 20 points over their last five games (4.0 ppg) combined.
