The opening night of the 2019 high school football season is finally upon us. And many northeast Georgia area teams are getting things underway with a bang.
Buford, Gainesville and Rabun County highlight a big weekend of games with huge non-region, statewide-implication matchups. None may be more challenging than the Wolves' taking on defending Class 7A state champion Milton on Friday in the Corky Kell Classic. Kickoff at Coolray Field is set for 8:30 p.m.
Gainesville will entertain Class 4A power Mary Persons at City Park Stadium on Friday as well. The Red Elephants were routed by the Bulldogs in 2018 but look poised to turn the corner in 2019 and should get a quick understanding of just where they sit on their rebuild.
For a second straight year, Rabun County will open the season against Bremen at Paulson Stadium at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. It is a battle of Class 2A playoff stalwarts. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Meanwhile, North Hall and Chestatee renew their annual rivalry, West Hall entertains Commerce looking for revenge in a loss to the Tigers in 2018, and East Hall heads to Flowery Branch to open the Michael Perry era against a Falcons team that will be without starting quarterback Elijah Gainey.
In all, 15 games involving northeast Georgia area teams are on Friday and Saturday.
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 Aug. 23-24
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
Friday, August 23
BANKS COUNTY at JACKSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Panther Stadium, Jefferson
-- BANKS COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Season opener; finished 4-6 in 2018
-- JACKSON COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Season opener; finished 3-7 in 2018
-- NOTABLE: Banks County leads series 14-11. Jackson County won 23-0 in 2018. The Panthers have won three straight in the series, all since 2016. ... Both teams are coming off non-playoff seasons for the first time since 2015 and both teams are looking for quick starts. ... The Panthers sport a new coach in the legendary Rich McWhorter and they are implementing new systems on both sides of the ball. The Leopards are in the second year under new coach Jay Reid and wing-T aficionado Kerry Kidd and should be more polished. ... Last year’s contest was the first in the recent series to not be decided by one possession. But Banks County is 8-4 all-time in against the Panthers in Jefferson.
BUFORD vs. MILTON, Corky Kell Classic (at Coolray Field)
-- WHEN: 8:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Coolray Field, Lawrenceville
-- BUFORD (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Season opener; ranked No. 4 in Class 5A preseason poll; finished 10-3 in 2018, reached quarterfinals of Class 5A playoffs
-- MILTON (0-0, 0-0 Region 5-7A): Season opener; finished 13-2 in 2018, won the Class 7A state championship (def. Colquitt County, 14-13)
-- NOTABLE: Milton leads series 4-0. The first meeting between the two schools since 1983. ... The Eagles are just one of four teams the Wolves have never beaten in a series with four or more meetings (Buchanan, Coosa, West Point). ... It is the fourth consecutive season Buford has opened its season as part of the Kell Classic lineup. The Wolves are 2-1 in Kell Classic openers. ... Buford is 6-3 against higher classification teams since 2014. ... Something will have to give. Both teams are 8-1 in their last 9 season openers. Buford’s last loss in an opener was in 2016 (Roswell). The Eagles have won three straight season openers. ... The Wolves are 22-2 in season openers since the Dexter Wood-era began in 1995.
CHEROKEE BLUFF at WHITEFIELD ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mableton, WolfPack Stadium
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Season opener; finished 0-10 in 2018 the Bears’ inaugural season
-- WHITEFIELD ACADEMY (0-0, 0-0 Region 6-A): Season opener; finished 6-4 in 2018, lost 1st round Class A Private playoffs
-- NOTABLE: Whitfield Academy leads series 1-0. The Wolfpack won 33-0 in 2018. ... The Bears begin their second campaign a little bigger, a little stronger, and a little faster than their first season but still face a tough schedule as they go for their first-ever program win. ... The Wolfpack fell in the first round in the 2018 playoffs in a rugged Class A Private after advancing to the second round in 2017. But they are expected to be a playoff contender again in 2019. ... The Wolfpack is the first of six playoff teams from 2018 on the Bears schedule. ... Cherokee Bluff allowed 42 ppg on defense in 2018 but should be much improved. If the offense, which averaged just 10 ppg last year, also shows improvement they could have a shot at the upset.
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE at RIVERSIDE MILITARY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
-- CHRISTIAN HERITAGE (0-0, 0-0 Region 6-A): Season opener; finished 7-4 in 2018, lost 1st round Class A Private playoffs
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Season opener; finished 6-6 in 2018, lost 2nd round Class A Private playoffs
-- NOTABLE: Christian Heritage leads series 1-0. The Lions won 27-14 in 2018 in Dalton. ... Riverside is coming off its best season in a dozen campaigns. But they lost three All-State players and arguably its most successful senior class in school history. ... It could be an early measuring stick for the Eagles, who are plugging in a lot of new personnel in key spots. They will look to super Jr. Shad Dabney, who will lineup all over the field. New QB Dylan Spinks, a senior transfer from North Paulding, should give them another athletic option as well and allowing Dabney to move around in different formations. ... RMA has dropped four straight season openers. Their last win to open a season came in 2014, a 20-10 victory over Fellowship Christian. ... Also, the Eagles were just 2-3 at Maginnis Field in 2018. Christian Heritage was 4-1 on the road in 2018.
COMMERCE at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartan Field, Oakwood
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- COMMERCE (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Season opener; ranked No. 5 in Class A-Public preseason poll; finished 10-3 in 2018, reached quarterfinals of Class A Private playoffs
-- WEST HALL (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Season opener; finished 3-7 in 2018
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 1-0. The Tigers won 35-19 in 2018 in Commerce. ... Both are looking for even bigger things in 2019. The Tigers should once again be a contender for the Region 8-A title and to make a run in the playoffs. The Spartans were just one win from making the playoffs for a sixth straight season and should be much-improved in Krofton Montgomery’s second season. ... Both offenses return starting quarterbacks, 3-year starter Nate Ray for the Tigers and Clayton Jenkins for West Hall, along with several key playmakers for each team. ... However, it may be the defenses that will be the key in this one. Commerce returns five starters, including a stout DL, from a unit that allowed just 178 points (13.6 ppg) in 2018. The Spartans, meanwhile, allowed 35.3 ppg in 2018 but returns a talented group of LBs led by Sr. Caden Collins along with sophomores Tilil Blackwell, Nick Sturm, and Caleb Baker.
EAST HALL at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch
-- EAST HALL (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Season opener; finished 3-7 in 2018
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Season opener; finished 8-3 in 2018, lost 1st round Class 4A playoffs
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 5-2. The Falcons won 70-6 in 2018 in the first meeting between the two schools since 2009. ... The Falcons are a team many have on their radar as a team that has the talent for a deep playoff run. But they lost 3-year starting quarterback Elijah Gainey for the season in last week’s scrimmage and will have to turn to sophomore backup David Renard, who saw action at the end of last year when Gainey missed three games. ... The Vikings are an unknown element but new Michael Perry is an offensive mastermind and they have been tight-lipped about personnel decisions during the summer and fall. Clete Cooper and Luke England were battling for the QB position but who will start may not be known until the opening series. ... The Falcons defense will be the best unit on the field and will present a big challenge for the Vikings no matter who is out there. The Branch, despite battling injuries most of the season, allowed just 160 points (14.5 ppg) in 2018. ... The Vikings defense will have to show improvement. They allowed the most points in Class 3A in 2018 (517, 51.7 ppg).
EAST JACKSON at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- EAST JACKSON (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Season opener; finished 1-9 in 2018
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Season opener; finished 3-7 in 2018
-- NOTABLE: Lumpkin County leads series 1-0. The Indians won 42-0 in Commerce in 2018 in last year’s season opener. ... The Eagles never really got anything going last year after the rough opening. The Indians used the good start to sit at 3-3 but eventually dropped their final four games. ... Both teams now sport new coaches with new systems being implemented. Both teams are installing new spread attacks and this one may come down to which defense can create the most stops. ... However, both defenses struggled last year with the Indians allowing 32.8 ppg while the Eagles gave up 49.1 ppg in 2018.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Season opener; finished 7-5 in 2018, 2nd round of Class 6A playoffs
-- DAWSON COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Season opener; finished 10-2 in 2018, 2nd round of Class 3A playoffs
-- NOTABLE: Dawson County leads series 1-0. The Tigers won 32-28 in 2018 in Mt. Airy. ... It was a tremendous game to open the season last year as the Raiders led early only to watch the Tigers rally in the second half. But both rosters have seen massive changes in 2019. ... Gone are QB Tre Luttrell and a slew of receivers for the Raiders while the Tigers’ Ahmad Kamara and SeVaughn Clark, who combined for over 2,000 yards rushing, both graduated. Now, new QBs and revamped backfields offer a tremendous unknown element for both squads. ... If there is an early-season advantage it may be on defense, where the Tigers were solid in 2018 allowing just 15.3 ppg. Habersham was improved on defense in 2018 but still yielded 30.8 ppg.
HAYESVILLE, N.C. at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
-- HAYESVILLE, N.C. (0-0): Season opener; finished 1-9 in 2018
-- TOWNS COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Season opener; finished 3-7 in 2018
-- NOTABLE: Hayesville leads series 19-4. Towns County won 55-24 in 2018 and has won three straight in the series. ... The Indians also are under new management with former Johnson coach Jason Roquemore, who had the Knights rebuild moving forward after seven seasons. ... Towns County lost several key players from 2018, including QB Trent Bradshaw and more than half-a-dozen starters. Also, the Indians are switching from their triple-option to a more traditional look on offense and switch from an 8-man front to a 3-4 on defense. ... The Yellow Jackets dropped their final 8 games in 2018 and allowed 39.5 ppg on the season.
LAFAYETTE ACADEMY at LANIER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Gainesville Middle School Field, Gainesville
-- LAFAYETTE ACADEMY ():
-- LANIER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (0-1, 0-0 Class GAPPS 11): The Lightning lost 21-18 to Notre Dame Academy last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... It was a tale of two halves last week for Lanier Christian, who scored just 6 points with three turnovers and a botched punt snap in the first half. In the second half, they churned out over 200 yards rushing behind Charlie Vera and rallied to lead 18-14 until surrendering a late touchdown in the loss. ... The Cougars advanced to the second round of the playoffs in 2018. ... Sr. LB Isaiah Williams could be a key player for the Lightning. Williams had more than a dozen tackles with 2 sacks and 2 caused fumbles last week.
MARY PERSONS at GAINESVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 94.5 FM The Lake
-- MARY PERSONS (0-0, 0-0 Region 2-4A): Season opener; ranked No. 8 in Class 4A preseason poll; finished 12-1 in 2018, advanced to Class 4A quarterfinals
-- GAINESVILLE (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Season opener; finished 2-9 in 2018, lost 1st round of Class 6A playoffs
-- NOTABLE: Mary Persons leads series 1-0. The Bulldogs won 42-0 in 2018 in a game that was called at halftime due to inclement weather. ... Gainesville is just 4-6 in its last 10 season-openers. The Bulldogs are 7-3 in their last 10 season-openers. ... Mary Persons is no stranger to higher classification teams. The Bulldogs are 4-2 against Class 6A teams and 5-2 against all teams in a higher classification since 2015. ... Gainesville is 3-8 against lower classification teams since 2015 with two of those wins coming against West Hall. (Read a game preview here.)
NORTH HALL at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- NORTH HALL (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Season opener; finished 9-3 in 2018, 2nd round of Class 3A playoffs
-- CHESTATEE (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Season opener; finished 1-9 in 2018
-- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 15-2. The Trojans won 63-7 in 2018 at The Brickyard. ... One of the more intense rivalries in the northeast Georgia area. It’s also been lopsided. Chestatee’s last win came in 2017 to snap an 11-game win streak for North Hall. ... The biggest question in this one will be if the War Eagles defense has improved. They gave up a Class 4A-high 561 points (56.1 ppg) in 2018. They still have dynamic QB Christian Charles and steady WR Seth Pressley and proved they could score on any play. But turnovers were a huge issue and the North Hall defense forced 13 turnovers in 2018. ... The Trojans lost a ton of offensive production to graduation as well but return 8 starters on defense, including what could be one of the area’s best front-7 behind Sr. linemen Austin Sullens, Micah Holman, and Seth Carlton. In the secondary, JT Fair, Jacob Dickey, and Luke Volle all return and combined for 6 INTs in 2018.
OCONEE COUNTY at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- OCONEE COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-4A): Season opener; finished 6-5 in 2018, lost 1st round of Class 4A playoffs
-- JEFFERSON (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Season opener; ranked No. 9 in Class 3A preseason poll; finished 8-3 in 2018, lost 1st round of Class 3A playoffs
-- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads series 12-9. Oconee County won 20-13 in 2018. That snapped Jefferson’s five-year win streak in season openers. ... After not having met from between 1988 to 2013, the two teams have met every year since 2014 with the Dragons going 3-2 in that span, four of those coming while both were members of Region 8-4A. It has become one of the up-and-coming rivalries over the past few seasons. ... Both come into this year’s opener with expectations riding high. The Dragons are considered one of the favorites to win 8-3A while the Warriors are seen as an upper-tier team in 8-4A. ... The big excitement for Jefferson will be the first varsity start for Malaki Starks, who missed all of 2018 with an injury. The sophomore has been touted as one of the rising young players in the state. Also returning will be Colby Clark and Kade McNally, two key cogs that also missed more than half of the 2018 season. ...
OGLETHORPE COUNTY at JOHNSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood
-- OGLETHORPE COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Season opener; finished 0-10 in 2018
-- JOHNSON (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Season opener; finished 4-6 in 2018
-- NOTABLE: Johnson leads series 3-0. The Knights won 38-0 in 2018 to snap a 24-game losing streak at the time. All three meetings have been since 2012. ... The Knights showed marked improvement in 2018 in what turned out to be Jason Roquemore’s final season. Now they are under new management in Stan Luttrell, who is changing systems to a veer attack and a more linebacker oriented defense. ... The Patriots were near the bottom in virtually every category in Class 2A and once again are expected to continue to struggle. They are a dismal 4-55 overall since 2013.
Saturday, August 24
RABUN COUNTY vs. BREMEN (at Georgia Southern)
-- WHEN: 6 p.m.
-- WHERE: Paulson Stadium (at Georgia Southern University), Statesboro
-- RABUN COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Season opener; ranked No. 9 in Class 2A preseason poll; finished 11-2, advanced to Class 2A quarterfinals
-- BREMEN (0-0, 0-0 Region 5-2A): Season opener; finished 9-3 in 2018, 2nd round of Class 2A playoffs
-- NOTABLE: Series tied 1-1. Bremen won 13-10 in 2018. The Wildcats won 49-14 in 1st round of 2015 Class 2A playoffs. ... It was one of the premier games of the opening week in 2018 with the Blue Devils winning on the final play of the game. The 10 points were the fewest output for a Rabun County offense since being held to just 7 by Jefferson in 2015. ... The latest installment is expected to be another slugfest. The Wildcats will still have QB Gunner Stockton, WR Braxton Hicks, and a slew of playmakers on offense. The Blue Devils defense allowed just 15.5 ppg in 2018. ... Rabun County is just 2-2 in its last four season openers. Bremen is just 3-3 in its last six openers.
