The 2019 season in northeast Georgia really begins to heat up this week as Regions 7-3A, 8-3A, and 7-4A open region play and begin their quests for state playoff berths.
And each region offers some excellent opening week matchups.
However, a pair of non-region tilts may still highlight the action around northeast Georgia this week. Buford and Archer will meet at Tom Riden Stadium in a battle of two of the state’s premier programs. The Wolves are ranked No. 1 in Class 5A while the Tigers are ranked 6th in the state’s largest classification.
In Flowery Branch, the Falcons will entertain Gainesville in the two teams’ annual showdown. It features one of the state’s best defensive unit in Flowery Branch, which has yet to yield a single point on the season, against a big, bruising offensive line and powerful rushing attack by the Red Elephants.
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. 27
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
ARCHER at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- ARCHER (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-7A): Rank No. 6 in Class 7A; defeated Norcross 31-0 last week
-- BUFORD (4-0, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Ranked No. 1 in Class 5A; defeated Class 7A Newton 42-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Archer leads series 1-0. The Tigers won 48-24 in 2018. ... One of the premier matchups in the state this week. ... The Wolves are once again turning Tom Riden into a nightmare for the opposition. They are 3-0 at home this season after dropping two home games on the field last season for the first time since 1998. (The 2012 team had a loss and a forfeit at home.) Buford has outscored its three home opponents 116-36. ... Archer is 9-2 in true road games since the 2017 season. ... Archer rushed for 212 yards and spread the ball around as no player had over 70 yards vs. Norcross. Three players -- Sr. Jordan Swain (240 yards), Jr. Schmari Campbell (235 yards), Jr. Rinaldo Spivey (174 yards) -- have combined for 10 rushing TDs on the season in a loaded backfield. Sr. QB Carter Peevy has thrown for 528 yards with 6 TDs and no INTs at a 63.3 % rate. ... Buford DE Jackson Powell and the Wolves front-7 could be the key. Powell had 3 TKLs last week and the Wolves have 21 TKLs on the season as a unit. ...Elijah Turner (260 yards) and Gabe Ervin (258 yards) have combined for 8 rushing TDs for Buford.
BANKS COUNTY at OGLETHORPE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Patriot Stadium, Lexington
-- BANKS COUNTY (2-2, 1-0 Region 8-2A): Defeated Social Circle 45-7 last week in region opener
-- OGLETHORPE COUNTY (1-3, 0-1 Region 8-2A): Lost 63-0 to Elbert County last week in region opener
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 10-10. Banks County won 31-7 in 2018 in Homer. The Leopards have won three straight in the series. The last Patriots win came in 2009 in Homer. ... The Leopards have won three straight in Lexington going back to the 2004 season. The last Oglethorpe win at home in the series was in 2002. ... Oglethorpe has lost 22 consecutive Region 8-2A games going back to a 21-15 win over Riverside Military Academy in 2015. The Patriots have not won two region games in a season since 2012. ... Banks County is looking for its second straight 2-0 start in region play. ... The Leopards have been stout on defense allowing just 59 total points (14.75 ppg) with 38 coming in a turnover-aided loss to East Jackson. They have given 7 or less in their other three games. ... The Patriots have scored just 41 points (10.2 ppg) and have allowed 132 points (33 ppg) on defense.
BLESSED TRINITY at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Hot Gates, Oakwood
-- BLESSED TRINITY (3-1, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Two-time defending Class 4A state champion, ranked No. 6 in Class 4A; off last week; defeated Benedictine 28-7 two weeks ago
-- WEST HALL (0-4, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Off last week; lost 34-0 to Dawson County two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Blessed Trinity leads series 3-0. The Titans won 45-3 in 2018 in Roswell. ... Despite seeing their 23-game win streak snapped earlier in the season, the Titans are still as dangerous as ever. They are averaging 25 ppg on offense and yielding just 15 .25 ppg on defense. They have won 24 consecutive games vs. unranked opponents going back to a 2015 loss to Westminster in the playoffs. ... West Hall has struggled against one of the toughest schedules in the state. Blessed Trinity is the third-ranked team they have faced in their five games. The Spartans first four opponents are 11-5 combined while their next five region opponents, including the Titans, are 16-2 overall. ... West Hall has allowed 174 points (43.5 ppg) tied for 3rd-most in Class 4A. They have scored just 51 points (12.75 ppg) 9th-fewest in Class 4A.
CHEROKEE BLUFF at NORTH HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 94.5 FM The Lake
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (1-3, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Off last week; lost 13-0 to Athens Academy two weeks ago in a game that was called in the first half due to weather
-- NORTH HALL (2-2, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 34-31 to White County last week
-- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 1-0. The Trojans won 60-6 in 2018 in Flowery Branch. ... The Trojans have been battling injuries most of the season, which has grounded their usually potent wing-T offense. They managed 31 last week but are only averaging 22 ppg this season, just over half of what they averaged (42.0 ppg) in 2018. ... The North Hall defense also has taken a hit due to the injuries as lineups have been juggled. After allowing just 14 points in their first two games, the Trojans have given up 58 (29.0 ppg) in their last two games. ... The Bears have played a brutal schedule with their first four opponents owning a 12-3 record. But they did capture their first-ever win over Johnson, which is a run-oriented team similar to North Hall.
CHESTATEE at DENMARK
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Denmark Stadium, Alpharetta
-- CHESTATEE (1-3, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Lost 34-30 to Fannin County last week
-- DENMARK (3-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Ranked No. 9 in Class 4A; defeated Dawson County 38-24 last week
-- NOTABLE: Denmark leads series 1-0. The Danes won 61-47 in 2018 in the first-ever meeting. ... The War Eagles are just two plays from being 3-1 and are showing off an improved defense. After allowing the most points in Class 4A in 2018 (56.1 ppg) they are yielding just 34.7 ppg so far in 2019. The offense is still as potent as ever behind QB Christian Charles, who is 12th in the state in passing (1,034 yards) and WR Seth Pressley, who is 3rd in receiving yards (558). ... But Denmark is 2nd in Class 4A in scoring average (47.3 ppg) behind Aaron McLaughlin and WR Ze'Vian Capers. ... Capers had 9 catches for 282 yards and 2 TDs last week. According to the GHSFHA, the 282 yards are the 5th-most in a game in state history. ... The Danes also are tied for 5th in Class 4A in fewest points allowed (24, 8.0 ppg).
DAWSON COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- DAWSON COUNTY (3-1, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 38-24 to Denmark last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (1-3, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Off last week; defeated Gilmer 29-21 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Dawson County leads series 20-19-2. The Tigers won 36-3 in 2018 in Dawsonville. ... Dawson County has won four straight, 6 of the last 7, and 9 of the last 11 overall since 2004. However, the Indians most success recently has come at home. They are 3-3 in the last six meetings at The Burial Grounds. Lumpkin is 9-9-2 at home all-time in the series. ... Dawson County is 17-7 in road game under coach Sid Maxwell. ... The Tigers offense, despite losing 10 starters from last year’s team that averaged 38.7 ppg, has not missed much of a beat so far in 2019. They are averaging 32.5 ppg, which is good for 8th-best in Class 3A. ... The Indians defense is giving up 31.5 ppg. The Lumpkin County offense is scoring just 14.25 ppg
GAINESVILLE at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM WDUN
-- GAINESVILLE (2-2, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Lost 41-7 to Jefferson last week
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (3-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Off last week; defeated Winder-Barrow 7-0 two weeks ago in a game called in the first quarter due to weather
-- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 10-4. Flowery Branch won 28-19 in 2018 in Gainesville to snap a 3-game losing streak to the Red Elephants. ... The Falcons are just 2-4 all-time at home vs. Gainesville with just 1 home win in the series since 2006. ... The Red Elephants have been on the proverbial roller coaster all season. They have followed both wins with losses but also followed their first loss with a win. In their two wins, they have averaged 41 ppg and given up just 14 ppg. In their two losses, they have allowed 31 ppg and scored just 14 total points. ... The Branch, meanwhile, has been the model of consistency. The Falcons are the only team left in the entire state to have not given up a single point in 2019 to this point. The three shutouts to open the season ties the 2010 team for second-most shutouts in a season. The 2005 Falcons posted 6 shutouts, including four straight to open that campaign. ... The Red Elephants have not been shutout in 14 games going back to a 42-0 loss to Mary Persons to open the 2018 season. ... On offense, despite the loss of QB Elijah Gainey, the Falcons have scored 95 points in 9 quarters (10.5 points per quarter) so far in 2019. ... After a program-worst 7-game losing streak to open the 2018 season, Gainesville is 4-4 since.
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
-- GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN (3-1, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Defeated Class 4A Thomson 38-19 last week
-- EAST HALL (1-3, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Off last week; lost 34-26 to Chestatee two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: GAC leads series 7-0. The Spartans won 51-20 in 2018 in Norcross. ... Only one game in the series, which began in 2000, has been decided by 7 points or less. The Spartans have averaged 59.6 ppg over the past three meetings while allowing just 32 total points (10.6 ppg) on defense in that span. ... East Hall does come into this one on a positive uptick despite the loss to Chestatee. So. QB Clete Cooper is 16th in the state, all classifications, in passing yards (916) while Mon Prather (280 yards) is in the top 25 in the state in receiving. ... After scoring just 8 points in their first two games, the Vikings have averaged 30 ppg in their last two. The GAC defense is yielding 22.5 ppg on defense. ... The Spartans offense exploded last week. GAC trailed 19-10 with 2:24 left in the third quarter but scored 28 points over the final 14-plus minutes.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at FRANKLIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Ed Bryant Stadium, Carnesville
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (2-2, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Defeated Stephens County 27-21 last week
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (0-3, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Lost 35-14 to North Oconee 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 Raiders offense has gotten untracked. After scoring just 33 points in their first two games, both losses, they have averaged 34.5 ppg in their last two games, both wins. ... Sr. QB Ryte Woodruff is averaging 221 ypg passing with 7 TDs but also has thrown 4 INTs. WR Josh Pickett has 22 catches for 361 yards and 4 TDs. RB Jackson Clouatre has 386 yards rushing and 2 TDs with a pair of 100-yard games. ... The Lions are giving up 30.6 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 0-4 start since 2013.
JACKSON COUNTY at HART COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Pete Herndon Stadium, Hartwell
-- JACKSON COUNTY (2-2, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Off last week; lost 21-14 to Class 6A Apalachee two weeks ago
-- HART COUNTY (4-0, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Off last week; defeated Madison County 32-9 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Hart County leads series 15-1. The Bulldogs won 30-13 in 2018 in Jefferson. The only win for the Panthers came in 2016, an 18-14 victory at Panther Stadium. ... The key matchup in this one will be the Hart County offense, which is 4th in Class 4A (137 points, 34.25 ppg), against the Jackson County defense, which is 3rd in Class 3A in points allowed (37, 9.25 ppg) and has pitched a pair of shutouts. ... The Bulldogs’ Malachi Thomas is among the state’s top 10 in rushing with 678 yards. He and J.L. Lackey combined for nearly 300 yards on the ground against Madison County. ... The Panthers offense has only scored 52 points (13 ppg) but has begun to find some rhythm averaging 22.5 ppg in the last two games.
JEFFERSON at EAST JACKSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Eagles Stadium, Commerce
-- JEFFERSON (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Defeated Gainesville 41-7 last week
-- EAST JACKSON (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Lost 35-7 to Madison County last week
-- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads series 7-0. The Dragons won 70-0 in 2018 in Jefferson. ... This, too, has been a lopsided series with the Dragons winning the last three meetings by a combined 182-0. ... This begins the Eagles’ most critical stretch with four of their next five games vs. playoff teams from last season. But the Eagles already are a much-improved team under new coach Cameron Pettus collecting more wins than in the previous two seasons combined. ... East Jackson is averaging 25 ppg so after scoring just 41 total points in all of 2018. The Eagles have given up just 64 points (16 ppg) so far on defense. ... But the Dragons have found their offensive identity this season with a bruising option attack behind Sr. QB Colby Clark and So. do-it-all Malaki Starks that is averaging 374 yards a game rushing. Jefferson has scored 103 points (51.5 ppg) in its last two contests. But the defense has been even better. Jefferson is 4th in scoring averaging yielding just 11.6 ppg do far.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Keith Henderson Stadium, Monroe
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-A, Subregion B): 37th in Class A Private power ranking; off last week; lost 49-21 to St. Francis two weeks ago
-- GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-A, Subregion A): 25th in Class A Private power ranking; defeated Towns County 48-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: George Walton leads series 5-0. The Bulldogs won 46-15 in 2018 in Gainesville. ... The Lions have put up a fight in every meeting with the Bulldogs and their switch to an option attack in 2019 could help them shorten the game. ... The key matchup will be a Lakeview defense that is giving up 41.5 ppg vs. a traditional Bulldogs rushing attack that is averaging 30 ppg. ... George Walton is 6-2 at home since the start of the 2018 season. Lakeview has dropped 15 straight road contests. The Lions’ last win on the road came against Providence Christian in 2016.
LANIER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY at CENTRAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Sharpsburg
-- LANIER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (2-2) GAPPS AA: Lost 41-0 to The King’s Academy last week
-- CENTRAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (0-4) GAPPS AA: Lost 61-0 to Lafayette Christian last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Lightning continues to navigate their way through a new region and classification. They ran into a solid King’s Academy team last week that is 4-1 on the season. ... Offense is the key for LCA. In their two losses, the Lightning have scored just 14 total points. In their two wins, they have averaged 32 ppg. ... The Crusaders have struggled all season and are still looking for their first points of the season. They have been outscored 177-0 in 2019.
MADISON COUNTY at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 8 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
-- MADISON COUNTY (3-2, 0-0 Region 8-4A): Defeated east Jackson 35-7 last week
-- COMMERCE (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-A, Subregion A): 7th in Class A Public power ranking; defeated Providence Christian 49-6 last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 34-11. The Tigers won 35-8 in 2018 in Danielsville and have won 8 straight going back to 1995. ... The two teams met every season from 1958 to 1999 but this is just the fourth meeting since then. ... The Tigers are 17-5 all-time at home vs. the Red Raiders. The last win for Madison County in Commerce came in 1994. ... This will be the 6th consecutive game week for Madison County, who has yet to have an off week. ... The Red Raiders are much-improved already topping last year’s entire win total (2-8) against a schedule where their opposition has compiled a 14-7 record. Defense has been the difference. They have yielded just 97 points (19.4 ppg) after surrendering 29.7 ppg in 2018. Offensively is averaging 19.8 ppg. ... The Tigers will offer the Red Raiders another stern test. Commerce is 6th (163, 40.75 ppg) in offense in Class A and is giving up just 18.25 ppg on defense. ... The Tigers are 10-5 vs. higher-classification teams in the Michael Brown-era, with four of those losses coming against Jefferson.
RABUN COUNTY at MONTICELLO
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Rose Bowl, Monticello
-- RABUN COUNTY (4-0, 1-0 Region 8-2A): Ranked No. 6 in Class 2A; defeated Putnam County 55-8 last week in region opener
-- MONTICELLO (0-4, 0-1 Region 8-2A): Lost 53-21 to Union County last week in region opener
-- NOTABLE: Monticello leads series 4-3. Rabun County won 42-16 in 2018 in Tiger. The Wildcats have won three straight, all since the series resumed in 2016. ... The Hurricanes, coming off their best season since 2014, have been a disappointment record-wise despite a tough schedule. They have been outscored 140-55 so far. They get no rest with the Wildcats, who are 4th in scoring with 171 points, 42.7 ppg) and 8th in defense (45, 11.2 ppg) in Class 2A. ... Rabun So. QB Gunner Stockton 1,341 combined yards passing and rushing putting him in the top 5 in the state, all classifications, for total yards from scrimmage. ... The Wildcats have won 32 consecutive Region 8-2A games. Their last region loss came in 2013 to Washington-Wilkes on the road.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY at PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Wolverine Field, Bogart
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-A Subregion B): 8th in Class A Private power ranking; off last week; defeated Johnson 32-24 two weeks ago
-- PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN (3-1, 0-0 Region 8-A Subregion A): 13th in Class A Private power ranking; off last week; defeated Providence Christian 49-3 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Prince Avenue leads series 6-0. The Wolverines won 48-27 in 2018 in Bogart. ... It has been a lopsided series, which began in 2010. The average margin of victory in the series has been 33.5 ppg. But the Wolverines are without Class of 2021 No. 1 QB prospect Brock Vandagriff (lower leg injury) for at least the regular season. The Eagles have a solid secondary that already has 5 INTs on the season (Jordan Thomas, 2; Adriel Clark, Nic Hester, Lamar Gordon 1 each) and the defense has produced 8 turnovers as a whole. They have 2 sacks and 11 QB hurries in their first three games as well. ... Offensively the Eagles are slightly ahead of 2018 averaging 26.3 ppg and have scored 73 points (36.5 ppg) in their last two contests. ... The Wolverines are still averaging 40 ppg even without their star QB and yielding just 19 ppg on defense. ... The Eagles, however, have ended long losing streaks to Commerce, Johnson, and George Walton within the past year.
TOWNS COUNTY at ATHENS ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Slaughter Field, Watkinsville
-- TOWNS COUNTY (0-4, 0-0 Region 8-A, Subregion A): 33rd in Class A Public power rankings; Lost 48-14 to George Walton last week
-- ATHENS ACADEMY (3-0, 0-0 Region 8-A, Subregion A): Ranked No. 2 in Class A Private; 9th in Class A Private power rankings; off last week; defeated Cherokee Bluff 13-0 two weeks ago in a weather-shortened game
-- NOTABLE: Athens Academy leads series 17-0. The Spartans won 46-8 in 2018 in Hiawassee. ... The Indians have played a very tough opening schedule with their opponents compiling a 13-3 record to this point. This is the third of six straight games against playoff teams from last season. ... The Spartans are still loaded from a team that has reached the Class A Private state title game the past two seasons. They are averaging 9.7 points per quarter (38.8 ppg) behind a balanced attack. ... The Indians have allowed the 2nd-most points in Class A (199, 49.75 ppg).
UNION COUNTY at PUTNAM COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Eatonton
-- UNION COUNTY (4-0, 1-0 Region 8-2A): Defeated Monticello 53-21 last week in region opener
-- PUTNAM COUNTY (1-3, 0-1 Region 8-2A): Lost 55-8 to Class 2A No. 6 Rabun County last week in region opener
-- NOTABLE: Putnam County leads series 2-1. Union County won 55-0 in 2018 in Blairsville. The Panthers have never won in Eatonton losing two games by a combined three points. ... That streak should come to an end in 2019. On paper, it’s one of the biggest mismatches of the week Union County is the top offense in Class 2A (195 points, 48.75 ppg) averaging 565 yards a game behind Sr. QB Pierson Allison, who is 5th in the state in passing yards with 1,127. Last week Allison was 26-of-36 passing for 490 yards and 4 TDs. According to the GHSFHA, the 490 yards in a game ranks in the top 25 all-time in Georgia. ... Meanwhile, the War Eagles have given up the 2nd-most points (185, 46.25 ppg) in Class 2A. They are averaging 21.5 ppg on offense but half of their 86 total points came in their only win, 43-35, over Greene County. They are averaging just 14.3 ppg in the rest of their games.
WHITE COUNTY at MARIST
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Hughes-Spalding Stadium, Atlanta
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com
-- WHITE COUNTY (3-1, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Defeated North Hall 34-31 last week
-- MARIST (4-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Ranked No. 2 in Class 4A; defeated St. Pius 30-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Marist leads series 3-0. The War Eagles won 41-6 in 2018 in Cleveland. ... This is another lopsided series over its history. Marist has outscored the Warriors 111-13 in the three meetings. ... The key will be if a revamped White County offense, which is averaging 34.5 ppg behind Jr. QB J. Ben Haynes and WR Cooper Turner, who had 10 receptions for 155 yards last week, can get any traction against a Marist defense that has pitched consecutive shutouts and yielded just 8 points (2.0 ppg) on the season. St. Pius was held to just 107 total yards and suffered its first shutout since 2016. ... The Warriors defense also has improved on 2018’s numbers allowing just 24.75 ppg compared to 32.6 ppg last year.
