It will be make or break time for several northeast Georgia teams this week as the playoff races in virtually every region begin to take nearly full shape.
It will also be a long weekend as area teams will play on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to accommodate stadium sharing and COVID-19 issues.
(UPDATE: On Thursday, No. 2-ranked Jefferson routed Chestatee 67-12 to clinch at least second place in Region 8-4A while Jackson County fell 27-0 to Eastside in Region 8-5A play.)
Eight of the nine regions involving northeast Georgia teams will stage games that will affect the standings as well as the playoff futures for several teams.
Region 7-3A once again will stage three monster matchups, highlighted by Dawson County playing host to Cherokee Bluff. It will be a showdown between the Tigers high-octane offense and the Bears’ top-rated defensive unit in Class 3A. Something will have to give for sure.
West Hall will try to keep its playoff hopes alive against Gilmer. A loss and the Spartans are out. The same thing for Lumpkin County, which takes on Class 3A’s best offensive unit in White County. The Warriors need a win to keep pace while the Indians need a win to avoid elimination.
Gainesville puts its unbeaten Region 6-7A streak on the line at City Park against a West Forsyth team that struggled early but was the preseason favorite to win the region. A loss for either would send them to the middle of the pack with just two weeks left.
In Region 8-6A, Buford and Lanier, two schools less than two miles apart, will meet for the first time ever on Saturday with the Longhorns needing a win to avoid falling into the bottom tier of the region. The Wolves can clinch a 22nd-consecutive playoff spot with a win.
No. 6 Flowery Branch also is in action in Region 8-4A, while East Jackson looks to keep its slim playoff hopes alive against one of the biggest surprise teams in the state in Franklin County, which is off to its best start since 1985.
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 the 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 Friday, Nov. 6
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
CHEROKEE BLUFF at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550; www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (7-0, 3-0 Region 7-3A): Ranked No. 9 in Class 3A; defeated Lumpkin County 41-6 last week
-- DAWSON COUNTY (4-3, 3-0 Region 7-3A): Defeated West Hall 38-21 last week
-- NOTABLE: Dawson County leads series 2-0. The Tigers won 52-9 in 2019 in Flowery Branch. ... This is the biggest matchup in Region 7-3A in 2020 with a share of 1st-place on the line. It’s also the biggest game in the brief history of the Bluff, who has already clinched a playoff spot but is looking for more ... Both teams sit one-half game behind idle North Hall in the standings and the winner joins the Trojans atop the standings and puts themselves in a position for a region title. The loser drops to third with just two weeks left in the season. ... Both teams have been nearly unstoppable on offense. The Bears are 3rd in 3A in scoring (284, 41.1 ppg) while the Tigers are 5th (254, 36.2 ppg) but Dawson has averaged 44.2 ppg during its 4-game win streak. ... The key matchup, however, will be the Bears defense, the top unit in Class 3A (33 points, 4.7 ppg). No team has scored more than 14 on the Bears. ... The Tigers’ defense is in the bottom-third of 3A (207, 29.5 ppg) but they have steadily improved allowing just 76 points (19.0 ppg) during the win streak. ... The Bears offense is more run-oriented behind Jayquan Smith (448 yards, 6 TD), Charles Tolbert (407 yards, 8 TD), and Micah Hunter (200 yards, 2 TD). But QB Sebastian Irons is one of the most efficient passers in the state completing 65 percent for 852 yards, 11 TD, and just 2 INT on the season.
COMMERCE at SOCIAL CIRCLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Redskins Field, Social Circle
-- COMMERCE (6-1, 2-0 Region 8-A Public): Off last week; ranked No. 4 in Class A Public; defeated Towns County 55-7 two week ago
-- SOCIAL CIRCLE (2-5, 0-2 Region 8-A Public): Off last week; lost 36-20 to Lincoln County two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 15-2. The Tigers won the last meeting, 45-21, in 2011. Commerce has won 6 straight in the series. The last Redskins victory was in 2005, 31-21, in Social Circle. ... The Tigers quietly have been as dominating as any team in the area. They are 4th in Class A Public in scoring (266, 38.0 ppg) and have given up 18 of less points or less in 5 of their 7 games. Their average margin of victory in their 6 wins is 43.1 to 12.6. ... Social Circle has yielded the 6th-most points in A Public (254, 36.2 ppg). The Redskins are 2-0 when scoring 21 or more but are 0-5 when scoring 20 or less. ... Commerce Fr. RB Sammy Brown is already having a breakout season with 625 rushing, 139 receiving, and 115 return yards for 125.5 yards/game. ... This could be a trap game for the Tigers, who close out the season the next two weeks against No. 8 Washington-Wilkes and Lincoln County as they prepare for a two-week sprint for a shot at a region title.
EAST JACKSON at FRANKLIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Ed Bryant Stadium, Carnesville
-- EAST JACKSON (1-5, 0-2 Region 8-3A):
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (6-1, 1-1 Region 8-3A): Off last week, defeated Stephens County 29-28 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Franklin County leads series 8-0. The Lions won 35-14 in 2019 in Carnesville. ... It has not been a kind matchup for the Eagles over the years as only one game has been decided by 11 points or less. The latest edition may be the toughest in the series for East Jackson. ... The Lions are 6-1 for the first time since 1985. Their best start until this season was the 2008 campaign when they opened 5-2. ... It’s a crucial game for both teams. The Eagles need a win to stay alive in the playoff race. A win would put them into fourth place with the tiebreaker edge over the Lions. However, a Lions’ win would give them their first 7-win season since 2000 and clinch their first playoff berth since 2016 ... A East Jackson loss would all but eliminate them from the playoff picture and force them to win out and get help from Stephens County and Hart County. ... The Lions are averaging 30.2 ppg on offense while the Eagles are giving up 41.1 ppg on defense.
GEORGE WALTON at BANKS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Leopards Stadium, Homer
-- GEORGE WALTON (5-1, 1-1 Region 8-A Private): Ranked No. 10 in Class A Private; lost 41-17 to No. 1 Prince Avenue last week
-- BANKS COUNTY (1-7, 1-1 Region 8-2A): Lost 71-0 to No. 3 Rabun County last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two programs. ... The Leopards continue perhaps the toughest schedule of any northeast Georgia team, and that’s saying something. The Bulldogs are the fourth ranked team the Leopards have played in 2020, the most of any of the teams in the area. ... The problems for Banks have a defense that has allowed the 2nd-most points in Class 2A (282, 35.2 ppg) and an offense that has been prone to turnovers. ... After averaging 20.7 ppg in their first four games, the Leopards have scored just 20 total points (5.0 ppg) in their last four games and been shut out twice. ... The Bulldogs are yielding 20.3 ppg on defense. ... GW will look to pound the ball behind a rushing attack that is averaging just under 250 yards/game.
GILMER at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartan Stadium, Oakwood
-- RADIO: WDUN FM 102.9
-- GILMER (3-4, 1-3 Region 7-3A): Lost 33-13 to North Hall last week
-- WEST HALL (2-6, 0-4 Region 7-3A): Lost 38-21 to Dawson County last week
-- NOTABLE: Series tied 4-4. The Bobcats won 35-18 in the last meeting in 2009 in Ellijay. ... It’s a basic elimination game for both teams. The loser is eliminated from the playoffs while the winner is still kicking for the postseason. ... The Spartans are trying to snap a 4-game losing streak while the Bobcats have dropped two straight. ... Both teams also are trying to snap playoff skids. The Bobcats have not advanced to the postseason since 2014. West Hall has not been to the playoffs since 2017. ... It will be a good contrast of styles as the Bobcats will employ a wing-T offense and the Spartans will throw it with one of Class 3A's best combos in quarterback Clayton Jenkins and receiver Rodrogo Lopez. ... The offensive-minded teams in 7-3A have posed problems for the Spartans defense. They allowed just 64 points (16.0 ppg) during their non-region schedule but have given up 150 points (37.5 ppg) in region play. ... The Bobcats have allowed just 24.0 ppg in region play but have scored just 19 points (6.3 ppg) in their three region losses.
GREENBRIAR at JOHNSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- TICKETS:
-- WHERE: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood
-- GREENBRIAR (5-2, 2-2 Region 8-5A): Lost 56-21 to No. 10 Clarke Central last week
-- JOHNSON (0-8, 0-5 Region 8-5A): Lost 45-0 to Apalachee last week
-- COVID PROTOCOLS: Masks are recommended, but no temperature checks. Concessions will be prepackaged.
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two programs. ... Johnson continues to struggle with numbers and youth. The Knights, who are on an 11-game losing streak, have scored just 17 points on the season and have allowed the most points (385, 48.1 ppg) in Class 5A ... The Wolfpack can match their highest win total since 2017, the last time they had a winning season. They have not won more than 6 games in a season since 2003. ... Greenbrier is 3-1 on the road in 2020. ... Johnson’s last home win came against Walnut Grove in Oct. 2019.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warriors Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (0-7, 0-3 Region 7-3A): Lost 41-6 to No. 9 Cherokee Bluff last week
-- WHITE COUNTY (5-2, 1-2 Region 7-3A): Off last week; defeated West Hall 35-0 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 38-11-1. The Warriors have won three straight and 8 of the last 10 going back to 2006. One of the oldest rivalries in the area. The two teams have played every year but six since 1964. The last Lumpkin win in the series was in 2016, 20-14, in Dahlonega. ... Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives. The Indians are out with a loss while the Warriors can clinch nothing yet but must win to stay alive mathematically. ... It looks like a mismatch on paper. White County played the last two games without standout QB J. Ben Haynes, who is expected back after the off week. Still, without Haynes the Warriors are among the top-scoring teams in Class 3A (5th, 265, 37.8 ppg). The Indians (284, 40.5 ppg) have given up the 3rd-most points in 3A. ... Offensively Lumpkin also has struggled scoring just 47 points (6.7 ppg).
MADISON COUNTY at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch
-- MADISON COUNTY (2-5, 1-2Region 8-4A): Defeated Chestatee 44-21 last week
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (5-2, 2-1 Region 8-4A): Ranked No. 6 in Class 4A; defeated Cedar Shoals 27-20 last week
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 2-0. The Falcons won the last meeting in 2011, 56-7, in Flowery Branch. ... It’s a huge game for both teams’ playoff futures. ... The Falcons, who sit third in the standings, hold the tiebreaker over 2nd-place North Oconee and need a win to keep pace. The Titans have yet to face No. 2 Jefferson. ... The Red Raiders, a quarterfinalist team in 2019, face an almost must-win-out scenario beginning this week. But starting with the Falcons they will see the top three offenses (East Hall and Jefferson to follow) in the region sporting a defense that has given up 28.6 ppg over its past five contests. ... The Branch offense has been slowed a bit with injuries and mistakes. The Falcons are averaging almost two touchdowns less since a hot start to the season (38.5 ppg first 4 games but just 26.3). ... But the Falcons defense, which has allowed 204 points (29.1 ppg) also has shown to be clutch at the right times. They staged a late-game stand inside their 20 last week, their second in as many weeks and third of the season. ...
RABUN COUNTY at ELBERT COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Granite Bowl, Elberton
-- RABUN COUNTY (7-1, 1-0 Region 8-2A): Ranked No. 3 in Class 2A; defeated Banks County 71-0 last week
-- ELBERT COUNTY (2-4, 1-0 Region 8-2A): Defeated Union County 31-10 last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 4-0. The Wildcats won 52-14 in 2019 in Tiger. ... The Blue Devils are now headed by former Mill Creek coach Shannon Jarvis but they have played a tough schedule with four teams either leading or tied for their respective region lead. ... It has been a lopsided series with Rabun averaging a 43.5-11.2 margin of victory. This one could fall into category again as the Wildcats lead Class 2A in points (381) and scoring average (37.4 ppg). Elbert is giving up 27.3 ppg but 97 points came against predominately rush-oriented teams in Commerce and Washington-Wilkes. The Blue Devils did pick off 5 Banks County passes last week, including a pair of pick-6s. ... The Elbert offense is averaging just 16.6 ppg, the 8th-fewest among teams that have played at least six games in Class 2A.
TOWNS COUNTY at GREENE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Greensboro
-- TOWNS COUNTY (2-5, 0-2 Region 8-A Public): Off last week; lost 55-7 to No. 4 Commerce two weeks ago
-- GREENE COUNTY (1-6, 0-2 Region 8-A Public): Defeated Crawford County 27-18 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two programs. ... This is a crucial game for both teams. The loser would essentially have to win out to get into the playoffs. ... The Indians with a win and a Social Circle loss to Commerce would jump into sole-possession of fourth place in the region. They finish against Social Circle and Washington-Wilkes and could set themselves up for a run at the third spot. ... Towns Sr. RB Kyle Oakes (811 yards) is still among the top 10 rushing leaders in Class A Public despite the Indians playing just once in the past month. ... Among teams playing 5 or more games, the Tigers have scored the 3rd-fewest points (43, 7.1 ppg) in the classification. They scored 27 last week against the classification’s worst defense. Greene also is giving up 36.8 ppg on the season. ... Towns has dropped 5 straight road games going back to a 20-17 win over Providence Christian to end the 2018 season.
WEST FORSYTH at GAINESVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 94.5 FM The Lake
-- WEST FORSYTH (4-3, 2-1 Region 6-7A): Defeated Forsyth Central 21-0 last week
-- GAINESVILLE (5-2, 3-0 Region 6-7A): Defeated South Forsyth 28-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 3-1. The Red Elephants won the last meeting, 58-28, in 2013 in Cumming. ... The last time these two teams played Deshaun Watson was roaming the GHS sideline. ... This game begins what is expected to be a three-week gauntlett for the Red Elephants with the three teams right below them in the standings (Denmark and North Forsyth to follow). ... The Red Elephants can clinch a playoff spot with a win. GHS and Denmark both are undefeated in region play but the Wolverines were many people’s pick to win the region. GHS can take sole possession of the region lead with a win and a Denmark loss to South Forsyth or drop as far as third place with a loss and a Denmark win. ... The key matchup may be the GHS offense (249, 35.5 ppg) which is 6th in 7A, vs. the West defense (133, 19.0 ppg). The Red Elephants have scored fewer than 27 points just once on the season. ... Gionni Williams and Naim, Cheeks give the Red Elephants a solid ground game while the passing game has shown big-play ability. ... But the GHS defense has yielded 22.4 ppg while the Wolverines are averaging 24.5 ppg.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR Saturday, Nov. 7
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
BUFORD at LANIER
-- WHEN: 12:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Ranch, Sugar Hill
-- BUFORD (5-1, 3-0 Region 8-6A): Ranked No. 2 in Class 6A; defeated Shiloh 44-0 last week
-- LANIER (4-2, 1-2 Region 8-6A): Lost 36-15 to Habersham Central lst week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two programs. ... With the two schools less than 2-miles apart, this has been a matchup that has been highly-anticipated since Lanier opened in 2010 and began playing a varsity schedule in 2012. ... The game was moved from Friday to accommodate the Longhorns, who needed one extra day for COVID-19 protocols. ... It's easy for Buford. Win and they clinch a playoff spot. The Longhorns’ loss to the Raiders last week has put their backs against the wall. Lanier needs a win to avoid possibly missing out on the playoffs for the first time since 2012. They currently sit 4th in the standings and have not lost three region games since 2012 as well. A loss to the Wolves could mean their season-ending showdown with Winder-Barrow would decide the final playoff spot. ... Lanier was missing its top running back for a good chunk of last week. The defense, typically the staple for the Longhorns, also was roughed up by the Raiders ground game for over 300 yards ... Buford will present just as big a challenge on the defensive side. Statistically the Wolves are the highest-scoring team in 6A (39.8 ppg) and averaging just under 300 yards/game on the ground behind Gabe Ervin and Victor Venn. ... But the Buford defense, which gave up 28 points to North Cobb in a season-opening loss, has allowed just 13 points over their last 5 games (2.6 ppg) with three shutouts. They held Shiloh to just 17 total yards last week. ... The Lanier offense, which is averaging 24.8 ppg, has struggled with turnovers, including 5 INTs last week against Habersham. The Longhorns are a minus-1 in turnover ratio on the season.
