All but four of the 24 northeast Georgia area teams we cover at AccessWDUN will be in action on Friday as Week 4 of the 2019 season offers some intriguing matchups.
Near the top of the list once again is Flowery Branch, which is coming off an impressive dismantling of Clarke Central on the road. The Falcons (2-0) travel to Winder-Barrow this week to take on a Bulldoggs (0-2) team still in search of their first win but with two close losses. You can hear that game on WDUN AM 550.
Another interesting showdown will have Banks County (1-1) heading to nearby rival East Jackson (2-0). The undefeated Eagles are off to their best start in a decade while the Leopards are looking to build off a win over Franklin County last week.
On 94.5 FM The Lake, Chestatee travels to Valhalla to take on East Hall in what is expected to be an offensive showcase. The War Eagles (0-2) are still looking for their first win while the Vikings (1-2) got their first victory under new coach Michael Perry last week.
Both Jefferson and Buford will entertain out-of-state opponents this week. The Dragons (1-1) take on Southside (S.C.) for a second consecutive season. That game can be heard on WDUN FM 102.9. Meanwhile, the Wolves (2-0) play host to Life Christian Academy out of Virginia. Buford is coming off a win over defending Class 7A state champion Milton last week.
And Union County (2-0) travels across the mountains to Blue Ridge to take on Fannin County (2-0) in a matchup of unbeatens. Both teams have shown tremendous offensive firepower while also sporting a pair of stingy defenses.
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 Sept. 13
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
BANKS COUNTY at EAST JACKSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Eagles Stadium, Commerce
-- BANKS COUNTY (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Defeated Franklin County 15-7 last week
-- EAST JACKSON (2-0, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Defeated Oglethorpe County 30-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Banks County leads series 5-4. The Leopards won 50-10 in 2018 in Homer. Banks County has won three straight and 4 of the last 5 meetings since 2012. ... For Banks County, the Eagles are the third straight Region 8-3A team they have faced to open the season. The Leopards are just 12-24 all-time vs. current 8-3A teams but last week’s win was their first-ever over the Lions. They are 6-16 vs. Jefferson and 6-8 vs. the rest of the region. ... Both teams come into this rivalry riding some stingy defensive play. The Leopards have yielded just 14 points (7.0 ppg) far below 27.3 ppg average in 2018, which puts them 4th in Class 2A in fewest points allowed in the early going. East Jackson has given up just 29 points (14.5 ppf) after allowing 49.1 ppg in 2018. ... The Eagles are one of just 12 teams in Class 3A still unbeaten.
CHEROKEE BLUFF at ATHENS ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Slaughter Field, Watkinsville
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (1-2, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Defeated Johnson 37-7 last week for the program’s first-ever win
-- ATHENS ACADEMY (2-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Ranked No. 2 in Class A Private; defeated Class 4A Stephens County 49-19 last week
-- NOTABLE: Athens Academy leads series 1-0. The Spartans won 35-14 in 2018 in Flowery Branch. ... The 37 points for the Bears last week was a program-best. The 7 points allowed also was a program-best effort on defense in their short history. ... The Spartans represent another huge challenge for the Bears. Athens Academy, which has lost in Class A Private state championship game each of the last two seasons, has won 22 consecutive regular-season games. The Spartans are 28-2 overall since the start of the 2017 season with both losses coming to Eagles Landing Christian in the title games.
CHESTATEE at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
-- RADIO: 94.5 The Lake
-- CHESTATEE (0-2, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Off last week; lost 45-42 to Dawson County two weeks ago
-- EAST HALL (1-2, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Defeated Woodland-Cartersville 34-28 last week
-- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 4-3. The Vikings won 56-41 in 2018. East Hall has won two straight in the series. ... Chestatee’s last win in the series came in 2016, 23-21 at East Hall Stadium. In fact, the War Eagles have won the last two meetings in Valhalla, 2016 and 2006. ... An interesting matchup between two offenses that have put up big numbers the last three seasons against a pair of defenses that gave up the most points in their respective classifications in 2018. ... The Chestatee defense has had trouble stopping the Vikings the past two seasons yielding 115 total points in the two losses. The Vikings finally got things rolling last week after scoring just 8 points in their first two contests. ... East Hall’s defense is still shaky giving up 127 points (41.7 ppg) so far in 2019. Chestatee finally got untracked over the final three quarters against Dawson County. ... Expect another shootout. The team with the ball last may have the advantage.
DAWSON COUNTY at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Hot Gates, Oakwood
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- DAWSON COUNTY (2-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Off last week; defeated Chestatee 45-42 two weeks ago
-- WEST HALL (0-3, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Lost 62-7 to Jefferson last week
-- NOTABLE: West Hall leads series 6-4. Dawson County won 45-14 in 2018 in Dawsonville. The Tigers snapped a two-game losing streak to the Spartans last year. ... The Tigers were supposed to be in a slight rebuilding year but have looked better than expected early, especially on offense, which had just 1 returning starter. They have averaged 31 ppg in wins over Habersham Central and the War Eagles. ... West Hall, meanwhile, has had a disappointing start to a year the Spartans thought would help get them back in the playoffs. They have given up 140 points (46.6 ppg) and scored just 51 (17 ppg) in their first three games. ... Dawson County is looking for its second consecutive 3-0 start after not starting a season with three straight wins since 2001.
FLOWERY BRANCH at WINDER-BARROW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: W. Clair Harris Stadium, Winder
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (2-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Defeated Clarke Central 38-0 last week
-- WINDER-BARROW (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Off last week; lost 49-43 to Cedar Shoals two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 5-2. The Falcons won 23-7 in 2018 in Flowery Branch. The Falcons snapped a two-game losing streak to the Bulldoggs. ... It’s not a surprise that the Falcons are unbeaten but the manner in which they are has gotten many to take notice. The shutout of the Gladiators was their first at home since 1999. The Branch has not surrendered a point yet this season and is one of just four teams (Denmark, Thomson, Toombs County) in the state all-classifications to have pitched shutouts in their first two games. ... Offensively the Branch is showing off its depth with So. QB David Renard filling in nicely for the injured Elijah Gainey and Sr. RB Chandler White ran for 225 yards last week with Jaizen Ellingham out. ... The Bulldoggs have lost 8 straight games but four have been one score or less.
GILMER at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- GILMER (2-1, 0-0 Region 6-4A): Defeated Gordon Central 6-3 last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (0-3, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 31-0 to Jackson County last week
-- NOTABLE: Gilmer leads series 24-8-3. Lumpkin County won 23-13 in 2018 in Elijay. ... The Indians are still trying to break in a new spread offense and have struggled thus far. After 19 first-half points in their opener against East Jackson, they have scored just 9 points over their past 10 quarters. ... The Bobcats defense, after being torched for 41 points by Fannin County in their opener, has yielded just 15 points since. ... Lumpkin has a chance to get things turned around with this being the first of three consecutive home games, including opening Region 7-3A play in two weeks. However, the Indians have lost 10 straight games at The Burial Grounds going back to a 63-37 win over Fannin County in October of 2016.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at FRANKLIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Ed Bryant Stadium, Carnesville
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (1-2, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Defeated White County 42-28 last week
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Lost 15-7 to Banks County last week
-- NOTABLE: Habersham Central leads the series 17-4. The Raiders won 35-20 in 2018 in Mt. Airy. This is the fourth straight season they have met but just the sixth meeting between the two schools since 1987. Habersham has won 2 of the last 3 and 3 of the last 5 meetings since 2000. ... Three of the Lions wins in the series, however, have come at Ed Bryant Stadium. ... The rebuilding Raiders offense finally found some rhythm last week with a season-high in points. Sr. QB Ryte Woodruff is averaging 228 ypg passing with 5 TDs but also has thrown 4 INTs. WR Josh Pickett has 19 catches for 320 yards and 3 TDs. RB Jackson Clouatre has 282 yards rushing and 2 TDs. The Lions are giving up 28.5 ppg so there should be opportunities again this week. ... Franklin County is averaging just 14 ppg on offense. The Lions are looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2013.
JACKSON COUNTY at APALACHEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: R. Harold Harrison Stadium, Bethlehem
-- JACKSON COUNTY (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Defeated Lumpkin County 31-0 last week
-- APALACHEE (0-3, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Lost 21-20 to Madison County last week
-- NOTABLE: Apalachee leads series 3-0. The Wildcats won 16-0 in 2018 in Jefferson. ... It is just the fourth all-time meeting since 2006 but it will also mark the fourth different head coach for the Panthers in the series. ... The Panthers have leaned on their defense in the first month. They have allowed just 16 points, which puts them 4th in Class 3A (5.3 ppg), with two shutouts. ... Apalachee is off to a tough start but lost on a Hail Mary with 15 seconds left last week to the Red Raiders. They have played a tough schedule with their first three opponents sporting a 7-2 combined record. However, they are averaging 11.3 ppg on offense. ... The last time the Panthers started a season 3-1 was in 2017 when they made the playoffs. Apalachee is trying to avoid its first 0-4 start since 2015.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at ST. FRANCIS
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Peter Carriuolo Field, Alpharetta
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-A): Off last week; Lost 34-14 to Strong Rock Christian two weeks ago
-- ST. FRANCIS (1-1, 0-1 Region 6-A): Lost 45-27 to Mount Pisgah last week in their region opener
-- NOTABLE: St. Francis leads series 3-2. The Knights won 40-0 in 2018 in Gainesville. The teams have split the last two meetings. ... Both teams play in tough regions and could use some early success to build momentum for region play. ... The early look of the Lions new option attack showed promise. After averaging just 10.5 ppg in 2018 they managed a pair of touchdowns and had other chances as well.
LANIER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY at FULLINGTON ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Pinehurst (south of Warner Robins)
-- LANIER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (1-2): Defeated Holy Spirit Prep 36-13 last week
-- FULLINGTON ACADEMY (1-2): Lost 42-0 to Lafayette Christian last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Lightning got into the win column last week with their best defensive effort of the young season. ... Both teams share a loss to Lafayette Christian but the Lightning managed 14 points while the Trojans suffered a shutout. ... It’s the first -- and longest -- road trip of the season for the Lightning. They were 2-3 on the road in 2018.
LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Va.) at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Va.) (1-1): Off last week; lost 27-0 to Lee County (Ga.) two weeks ago
-- BUFORD (2-0): Ranked No. 4 in Class 5A; defeated Class 7A No. 6 and defending Class 7A state champion Milton 26-23
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Buford is 9-2 vs. out-of-state opponents since 2007. However, they have lost their last two games vs. out-of-staters (Deerfield, Fla. and South Pointe, S.C.). ... Life Christian plays a national schedule with teams from five different states on its schedule, including IMG Academy out of Florida. ... It has been all or nothing so far for the Eagles. They opened with a shutout win before being shutout by Lee County two weeks ago. ... Buford looked like the Wolves of old last week. They pounded the ball on the ground behind Elijah Turner and then the defense staged a pair of stops in the fourth quarter to preserve the win after building a 26-10 advantage.
PICKENS at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com
-- PICKENS (1-1, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 34-20 to Pepperell last week
-- WHITE COUNTY (1-1, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Lost 42-28 to Habersham Central last week
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 22-20-2. Pickens won 42-0 in 2018 in the first round of the 2018 playoffs. The Dragons also won 42-35 during the 2018 regular season. Pickens has won four straight in the series. ... The last White County win in the series came in 2009, 49-7 in Cleveland. ... The Warriors ran into a hot Habersham offense last week in a shootout. However, the defense has surrendered 41 or more points 6 times in their last 11 games. ... White County QB J Ben Haynes was 21-of-38 passing for 229 yards and 2 TDs and rushed for another 98 yards and two scores against the Raiders. ... The Dragons’ loss last week snapped an 11-game regular-season win streak.
RABUN COUNTY at STEPHENS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Reservation, Toccoa
-- RABUN COUNTY (2-0, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Off last week; ranked No. 9 in Class 2A; defeated North Murray 38-17 two weeks ago
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (1-2, 0-0 Region 8-4A): Lost 49-19 to Class A Private No. 2 Athens Academy last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 5-4. The Wildcats won 41-14 in 2018 in Tiger. Rabun has won all three meetings since the series resumed in 2016. ... The Wildcats have looked in midseason form in the early going averaging 36 ppg behind So. QB Gunner Stockton. The defense has yielded just 16 ppg against two good offenses in Bremen and North Murray. ... Stephens County has lost two straight and the offense has managed just 32 points. However, the Indians are averaging 24.6 ppg through the first three games after scoring just 11 ppg at the same point in 2018.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY at JOHNSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-A): Off last week; defeated King’s Ridge 41-13 two weeks ago
-- JOHNSON (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Lost 37-7 to Cherokee Bluff last week
-- NOTABLE: Johnson leads series 3-0. The Knights won 30-14 in 2018. All four meetings now have been since 2014. ... The Eagles have had two weeks off to prepare and bring in a team that is still learning on the job with the addition of several new players in key positions. Shad Dabney and Kayman Jeffley combined for 7 TDs in the Eagles' win over King's Ridge. ... Johnson had a letdown last week after its emotional win two weeks ago over West Hall. Turnovers and penalties hurt vs. the Bears. However, a defense that held the Spartans in check also was torched for several big plays by the Bears. ... RMA has big-play potential and the key could be if the Johnson defense can duplicate its effort against West Hall.
SOUTHSIDE, S.C. at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- RADIO: WDUN 102.9 FM
-- SOUTHSIDE (GREENVILLE, S.C.) (2-1): Defeated Riverside (Greer, S.C.) 32-20 last week
-- JEFFERSON (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Ranked No. 9 in Class 3A; defeated West Hall 62-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads series 1-0. The Dragons won 31-7 in 2018 in Jefferson. ... It is the second consecutive season the Tigers, a former rival of Jefferson coach Gene Cathcart in his days in South Carolina, have made the trek down I-85, which also is the only time the Dragons have played an out-of-state opponent in their history. ... The Tigers have won two straight with both wins coming on the road. They used a big third quarter last week to open a lead and then held on in the fourth quarter. ... Jefferson jumped on the Spartans early and often last week for their biggest offensive outburst since a 63-0 win over East Jackson in 2014. ... Southside, which is ranked 13th in South Carolina’s third-largest classification, has averaged 23.3 ppg on offense but is yielding 24.0 ppg on defense. ... Jefferson So. RB Malaki Starks finally had his breakout game, and showed his explosiveness, with 171 yards and 2 TDs rushing on just five carries last week.
UNION COUNTY at FANNIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge
-- UNION COUNTY (2-0, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Defeated Towns County 60-7 last week
-- FANNIN COUNTY (2-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Off last week; defeated Lafayette 42-14 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Union County leads series 14-13. The Panthers won 49-7 in 2018 in Blairsville. Union has won five straight and 7 of the last 8 in the series. ... The Panthers have won the last two meetings in Blue Ridge but are just 2-4 at Rebel Stadium since 2006. ... The Rebels are 2-0 for the first time since 2008. They are looking for their first 3-0 start since the 2005 campaign. ... Both teams are rolling early coming into this mountain showdown. Fannin County is averaging 41.5 ppg and has allowed just 23 points (11.5 ppg) while the Panthers have scored 109 points 54.5 ppg) and yielded just 15 total points. ... However, the Rebels have faced stiffer competition. Their first two opponents are 4-2 overall compared to just 1-5 for Union’s first two opponents.
