Regions around the area are starting to shape up. Tonight, the playoff picture will become a bit clearer.
Week 10 has a few interesting matchups with either region title or state playoff seedings on the line. Check out the Week 10 previews here.
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.
Chestatee’s Shaun Conley says playing mistake-free is key against No. 4-ranked Blessed Trinity:
“We have to control the clock some and take advantage of any breaks that may come our way. We will have to play mistake-free.”
Commerce’s Michael Brown on the Region 8-A game against Towns County:
“We need to correct some of the technical and schematic issues from last week on offense.”
Dawson County’s Sid Maxwell says the last possession could determine the outcome of the game against Fannin County:
“I see a very physical game,” Maxwell said. “(Fannin County), like a lot of people, had trouble with North Hall’s wing-T. They gave up some big plays. We’re more similar to them so I expect it to maybe go down to the last possession.”
Flowery Branch’s Ben Hall talks about the huge Region 7-4A showdown against No. 1-ranked Marist:
"I don't know that you can truly stop Marist. They're balanced and more balanced than they have been in the past. They have a quarterback in Connor Cigelske, who's up for state player of the year, and he's a great runner and he can throw the ball and they have some deep threat receivers. You couple that with their big, physical offensive line and the triple option that they're known for, it's going to be a challenge."
Gainesville’s Heath Webb talks big Region 8-6A matchup against Winder-Barrow:
“This should be a very physical matchup,” Gainesville coach Heath Webb said. “Both teams are similar in that they have good line play and like to run the ball through the quarterback. It will come down to whoever executes best.”
Habersham’s Benji Harrison says tackling and being physical will be key against No. 1-ranked Dacula:
“Defensively, we have to be physical and get multiple people to the ball. They are extremely fast and we have to tackle them and force them to snap it again.
Offensively, we have to okay well upfront. The way they play defensively if you can’t get the run game going, it’s going to be very tough to move the ball. We have to be patient and be willing to put long drives together.”
Jefferson coach Gene Cathcart says moving the ball consistently, tough on defense and playing well on the road are keys against defending Region 8-3A champ, Monroe Area:
“Monroe Area is big and physical and runs extremely well with a tremendous nose and defensive front. So we’ve got to figure out a way to move the ball consistently against them. Their defense has played outstanding football in all three. Our defense has been really good football all season and has created turnovers and controlled field position for us. We’ve got to do the same against Monroe Area because they do a great job of spreading the field on offense and making plays. Plus their quarterback is a dual-threat who can make things happen with both his arm and his feet. We will need Dragon Nation and our J-Town Revival to keep doing what they do and overflowing visiting stands with their energy and passion and creating a synergy that our guys feed off of.”
Lakeview Academy coach Matthew Gruhn on hosting Prince Avenue Christian:
“We need to win the turnover margin and have multiple eight to 10 play drives to be successful against Prince.”
Lanier Christian Academy's Blake Anderson on traveling to defending state champ Community Christian:
“To beat the reigning State champion, we need to raise our level of play in all three phases. This is the best team we’ve faced all year, so we will need to play a complete game and compete at a high level. It’s not every day you get to play a State champion, so we look forward to the challenge.”
Lumpkin County’s Caleb Sorrells on North Hall:
“We need to bring energy, compete, be great teammates. Let the execution flow from that.”
Rabun County’s Jaybo Shaw says a fast start against Region 8-2A foe, Social Circle, will be key:
“We have to start fast on offense, play our physical brand of football on defense, and play great fundamentally sound football on special teams. Like always, the turnover battle is key for us. We must take of the football and continue to do a good job of creating turnovers.”
North Hall's David Bishop says execution will be key against Lumpkin County:
"Lumpkin uses many different formations, shifts and personnel packages. We are going to have to make sure that we align properly in order to execute our base defense well and not give up plays due to blown alignments and coverages. Offensively, we will need to do something that we have not done all year, which is not turn the ball over."
Riverside coach Nick Garrett on Hebron Christian:
“The key will be to score points when we have the chance and eliminate 3-and-outs on offense. We can’t give up any explosive plays on special teams and no big plays on defense. But I think this is a good matchup for us.”
Union County’s Brian Allison on Region 8-2A foe Oglethorpe County:
“We have to be great tacklers and contain their running backs. Offensively, we need to run the football, eliminate turnovers and be solid on special teams.”
White County’s Tim Cokely says limiting turnovers and tackling will be key against Denmark:
“In high school, if you have a big back, the other team is in trouble. They have a big back and so, we’ve got to get to the ball with multiple guys and get him on the ground. Capers is going to make plays. It’s just a silly coaching philosophy to say we’re going to shut somebody down who’s 6-5 and runs 4.3 and can catch it behind his head. That’s not the game plan. The game plan is to hit him. The game plan is to get him on the ground and play as hard as we can. So, for me, it’s about being able to tackle really well on defense and the offense not making mistakes.”
