As Week 2 of the high school football season gets underway on Friday, several northeast Georgia teams are looking to get into the win column while others will look to continue their hot starts.
The marquee matchup of the night could well be south of Mundy’s Mill Road where West Hall (0-1) and Johnson (1-0) resume their feud in ‘The Battle of Oakwood’ at Spartans Field. West Hall has owned the series of late winning six straight. But the Knights bring in new coach Stan Luttrell, who was part of a Johnson staff in 2003 that ended a seven-game winless streak to the Spartans that season.
Another interesting showdown will be in Coal Mountain. Despite winning a state title in 2012 and currently residing as the state’s third-most winningest program, Gainesville has not started a season 2-0 since 2009. The Red Elephants (1-0) travel to North Forsyth (0-1) on Friday against one of just three teams they have never beaten in five or more tries.
Jackson County, behind legendary and new coach Rich McWhorter, heads to The Brickyard to take on North Hall (1-0) in a matchup of two of the area’s best defenses. The Panthers (1-0) are looking to mirror a rebuild similar to the Trojans’ back in the early 2000s.
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 AUGUST 30
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
ATHENS CHRISTIAN at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 8 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
-- ATHENS CHRISTIAN (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-A Subregion A): Lost 35-18 to The Walker School last week
-- COMMERCE (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-A Subregion B): Defeated West Hall 48-17 last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 11-2. The Tigers won 35-18 in 2018. ... Commerce is 5-1 all-time at home against the Eagles. The only win at Tiger Stadium for the Eagles came in 2012, 19-14. ... Athens Christian has lost 10 straight games against teams with winning records going back to a 21-14 over Commerce in 2016 in Athens. ... The Eagles also are trying to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2011. Commerce is looking for its sixth straight 2-0 start. ... The Tigers got a score from their offense, defense, and special teams in last week’s win over the Spartans.
DENMARK at CHEROKEE BLUFF
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Cherokee Bluff Stadium, Flowery Branch
-- DENMARK (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Season-opener for the Danes; finished 5-5 in 2018 in inaugural campaign
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 26-3 to Whitefield Academy last week
-- NOTABLE: Denmark leads series 1-0. The Danes won 43-0 in 2018 in Alpharetta. ... The Bluff is still looking for its first-ever program win. The Danes are projected as a preseason favorite to win Region 7-4A after several high-profile players found their way to Alpharetta over the offseason, including former Buford quarterback Aaron McLaughlin. ... The Bears’ defense, which allowed 420 points in 2018 (42.0 ppg) will be challenged by a Danes offense that features McLaughlin and Sr. WR Ze'Vian Capers, who both have committed to Auburn. Former South Forsyth RB and Virginia Tech-commit Jordan Brunson transferred in as well to give them a talented group of skilled players. ... The Bears opener to their second season looked improved against a Whitefield team that is projected to make the playoffs in a very tough Class A Private field.
DAWSON COUNTY at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- DAWSON COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Defeated Habersham Central 27-13 last week
-- CHESTATEE (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 34-14 to North Hall last week
-- NOTABLE: Chestatee leads series 4-3. The Tigers won 58-0 in 2018 in Dawsonville. ... Last year’s win for the Tigers, the first meeting between the two schools since 2011, snapped a four-game losing streak to the War Eagles. ... A new-look Tigers offense looked the same as the old Tigers offense piling up 350 yards last week against the Raiders. Shawn Thomas has a huge game with 135 yards rushing and added a 96-yard kickoff return to open the game. ... However, the Tigers defense gave up 371 yards to the Raiders’ spread attack. Chestatee runs a similar style and has dynamic playmakers in Jr. QB Christian Charles and Sr. WR Seth Pressley leading the way. The pair connected on 8 passes for 147 yards last week. ... Dawson County is looking for its third straight 2-0 start to a season. Chestatee is trying to avoid its second straight 0-2 start.
FRANKLIN COUNTY at BANKS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Leopard Stadium, Homer
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Lost 42-21 to Stephens County last week
-- BANKS COUNTY (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Lost 7-0 to Jackson County last week
-- NOTABLE: Franklin County leads series 3-0. The Lions won 17-0 in 2018 in Carnesville. All three meetings have been since 2014. ... It is the second of three straight Region 8-3A foes for the Leopards before beginning region play in three weeks. They are 3-6 against 8-3A teams since 2013. ... The Lions are just 1-5 on the road since the start of the 2018 season. Banks County, however, is just 8-8 at home since the 2016 season. ... The Leopards also are looking for a breakout game in their wing-T offense. Last week was their second straight shutout loss going back to the 2018 regular-season finale against Elbert County.
GAINESVILLE at NORTH FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
-- RADIO: 94.5 FM The Lake
-- GAINESVILLE (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Defeated Mary Persons 27-21 last week
-- NORTH FORSYTH (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Lost 29-14 to Cherokee last week
-- NOTABLE: North Forsyth leads series 5-0. The Raiders won 24-21 in 2018 in Gainesville. The Raiders won the game on a last-second field goal. ... North Forsyth is one of just three schools (Lanier and Dacula also) all-time the Red Elephants have never beaten in five or more tries, with four of the losses coming in the late 1990s to former Gainesville coach Bruce Miller when he coached at North Forsyth. ... This could be Gainesville’s best chance to end the streak. The Red Elephants ground game looked as good as advertised last week. Their big offensive line helped pave the way for 344 yards rushing and a pair of 100-yard gainers in Dez Brown and JD Brooks. QB Ginonni Williams (91 yards) just missed a 100-yard game of his own. ... The Gainesville defense also did not allow a point over the final 27 minutes of play to a good Bulldogs offense. The only score for Mary Persons after the second quarter came on a kickoff return for a TD. ... The Raiders are looking to avoid their first 0-2 start to a season since 2014. Gainesville has not started a season 2-0 since 2009.
JACKSON COUNTY at NORTH HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville
-- JACKSON COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Defeated Banks County 7-0 last week
-- NORTH HALL (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Defeated Chestatee 34-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 3-0. The Trojans won 35-0 in 2018 in Jefferson. ... North Hall is looking for its second straight 2-0 start and third in the last four seasons. ... The Panthers have won 5 straight season openers but are looking for their first 2-0 start since 2017. The 7 points were the lowest points scored by the Panthers in a win since beating Oglethorpe County by an identical 7-0 score in 2010. ... Sr. DL Andrew King had 8 tackles for Jackson County last week and he and fellow Sr. DL Brandon Fisher were huge disruptors in the middle. ... North Hall pounded out 303 yards rushing last week but it was the 141 yards passing that had most fans talking. New QB Trey Sanders passed for 3 TDs as they went over the top against a Chestatee defense that stacked the box. It could become a familiar pattern as teams try to slow down their wing-T offense.
JOHNSON at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartans Field, Oakwood
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- JOHNSON (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Defeated Oglethorpe County 32-20 last week
-- WEST HALL (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Lost 48-17 to Class A-Public No. 5 Commerce last week
-- NOTABLE: West Hall leads series 17-7-1. The Spartans won 41-8 in 2018 and has won six straight in the series overall. The average margin of victory in that stretch has been 33.6 ppg. ... The last Johnson victory in the series came in 2012 (19-13) at home. ... West Hall is 10-2 all-time against the Knights at Spartans Field. The last road win for Johnson in the series came in 2009 in a 49-45 shootout. ... The last 2-0 start for Johnson also came in 2012. The Spartans are trying to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2012.
JONESBORO at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- JONESBORO (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Defeated Mt. Zion-Jonesboro 15-12 last week
-- BUFORD (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Season-opener; finished 10-3 in 2018, quarterfinals of Class 5A playoffs
-- NOTABLE: Buford leads series 3-0. The Wolves won 58-7 in 2018 in Buford in the first meeting between the two schools since 1947. ... Buford’s season opener last week against Milton was canceled because of rain and moved to next week so this will be their official opener. The Cardinals got a solid defensive effort in their opening win. ... In 2018 Jonesboro allowed just 234 points (21.2 ppg) on defense but Buford torched the Cardinals for their most points allowed during the season since giving up 58 to Tucker in 2016. ... The Wolves offense will have a more throwback look to it with a new QB in Jarvis Evans, the backup in 2018, and a power run game led by Sr. RB Elijah Turner and an O-line that features a pair of Division I prospects in Seth McLaughlin and Malone VanGorder. ... Buford’s last loss in an opener was in 2016 (Roswell). The Wolves are 22-2 in season openers since the Dexter Wood-era began in 1995.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at STRONG ROCK CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Patriot Stadium, Locust Grove
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-A Subregion B): Season-opener; finished 1-9 in 2018
-- STRONG ROCK CHRISTIAN (0-0, 0-0 Region 5-A): Season-opener; finished 3-7 in 2018
-- NOTABLE: Strong Rock leads series 1-0. The Patriots won 33-21 in Gainesville in 2018. ... The Patriots are 3-1 against Region 8-A teams all-time. The Lions are 3-8 all-time in season openers. Their last win on their opening week was in 2017, a 42-13 win over East Jackson. ... The defense will be the key for Lakeview. The Lions gave up 378 points in 2018 (37.8 ppg) the most of any Region 8-A team. ... A revamped Lakeview offense will have some playmakers with Sr. WR Jordan Thomas and Sr. RB Brandon Wilson, who both will need to help Jr. QB Ben Puckett ease into his new spot.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com; www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 25-22 to East Jackson last week
-- WHITE COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Season-opener; finished 3-8 in 2018, first-round Class 4A playoffs
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 37-11-1. The Warriors won 40-7 in Dahlonega in 2018. ... In one of the longest-running rivalries in northeast Georgia, the two teams have met virtually every season since 1964. This will be the 50th meeting overall. ... White County has won two straight and 9 of the last 11 overall in the series going back to 2006. The last Lumpkin County victory came in 2016, 20-14 in Dahlonega. ... Lumpkin County has dropped five straight in Cleveland. The Indians’ last road win in the series came in 2000, 35-7. White County is 21-3 at home all-time vs. Lumpkin County. ... White County is 2-0 in season openers under coach Tim Cokely. ... Lumpkin County’s new spread offense struggled last week piling up just 67 yards of offense but the Indians took advantage of several East Jackson mistakes to run out to a 22-6 lead. But the defense could not hold it as the Eagles scored the final 19 points for the comeback win to spoil new coach Caleb Sorrell’s debut.
MADISON COUNTY at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE:
-- RADIO: WCON 99.3 FM
-- MADISON COUNTY (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-4A): Lost 18-8 to Cedar Shoals last week
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Lost 27-13 to Dawson County last week
-- NOTABLE: Habersham Central leads series 19-4. The Raiders won 42-35 in 2018 in Danielsville. Habersham has won three straight in the series. The last Madison County win came in a 35-6 victory in 2009 in Mt. Airy. ... Two of Madison County’s four wins have come on the road but the Red Raiders are just 2-9 all-time in Mt. Airy. ... The 19 wins for Habersham over Madison County is the most against any team they have played. They have 17 all-time wins against Franklin County. ... Both teams are coming off disappointing losses in their openers. Habersham was its own worst enemy last week committing four turnovers and dropping two touchdown passes. It was only the third time in their past 23 games, going back to the start of the 2017 season, the Raiders scored less than 21 points. ... Defensively the Red Raiders showed some promise allowing just 18 points to a very talented Jaguars offense. Madison County yielded 194 points (38.8 ppg) over their final five games in 2018.
NORTH MURRAY at RABUN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
-- NORTH MURRAY (0-0, 0-0 Region 6-3A): Season-opener; finished 6-5 in 2018, first-round Class 3A playoffs
-- RABUN COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Ranked No. 8 in Class 2A; defeated Bremen 34-13 last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 1-0. The Wildcats won 52-42 in 2018 in Chatsworth. ... Rabun County avenged its only regular-season loss of 2018 last week. ... So. QB Gunner Stockton looked in midseason form already rushing for 254 yards and three scores while throwing for another 211 yards and one touchdown on an efficient 8-of-11 passing. The Wildcats piled up 501 yards of total offense. ... The Mountaineers had trouble stopping the Wildcats last year in a shootout. The Rabun County front-line defense also looked solid holding the Blue Devils to just a pair of field goals through the first three quarters before the reserves took over.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY at KING’S RIDGE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: King’s Ridge Stadium, Alpharetta
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-A Subregion B): Lost 27-6 to Christian Heritage last week
-- KING’S RIDGE (0-0, 0-0 Region 6-A): Season-opener; finished 1-9 in 2018
-- NOTABLE: Riverside leads series 1-0. The Eagles won 27-3 in Gainesville in 2018. ... RMA still has not won an opener since 2014 after last week’s loss but they get a Tigers team this week that has gone just 3-17 over their past three seasons. ... The Eagles are still breaking in several new players at some key positions on offense. It may take some time before new QB Dylan Spinks meshes with super Jr. Shad Dabney, who is expected to lineup all over the field most every night. ... The 6 points scored was the fewest in the two-plus seasons of the Nicholas Garrett-era.
TOWNS COUNTY at GILMER
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Huff-Mosley Stadium, Ellijay
-- TOWNS COUNTY (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-A Subregion B): Lost 35-0 to Hayesville (N.C.) last week
-- GILMER (0-1, 0-0 Region 6-4A): Lost 41-9 to Fannin County last week
-- NOTABLE: Gilmer leads series 4-0. The Bobcats won 38-6 in 1997. This is the first meeting between the schools since 1997. ... Towns County is looking for its first win under new coach Jason Roquemore. Meanwhile, the Bobcats are mired in a program-worst 31-game losing streak. Gilmer’s last win came on Nov. 6, 2015, in a 29-27 victory over Heritage-Catoosa. ... The Indians were 2-3 on the road in 2018.
UNION COUNTY at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
-- RADIO: WDUN FM 102.9
-- UNION COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Season-opener; finished 9-2 in 2018, first-round Class 2A playoffs
-- EAST HALL (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 50-0 to Flowery Branch last week
-- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 7-4. Union County won 35-6 in 2018 in Blairsville. ... The two teams have split the last two meetings, however, the Panthers are 1-4 all-time at East Hall Stadium and have not won in Rabbittown since 1959. ... This could be the year they break that streak. Union County opens the season with one of the best-projected offenses in Class 2A behind Sr. QB Pierson Allison and a slew of talented receivers led by seniors Sawyer Drake, Kyle Morlock, and Cayden Rich. The Panthers averaged 39.9 ppg in 2018. ... The East Hall defense, which gave up a Class 3A-worst 517 points in 2018 (51.7 ppg), was roughed up by the Falcons last week. It was the seventh time in their last 11 games the Vikings have surrendered 50 or more points. ... The East Hall offense, which is under another new coordinator in 2019, has been shutout three times over its last six games going back to last season.
