If last week wasn’t tension-filled enough for coaches, players and fans, then this week should fill that void.
There are now 12 games involving northeast Georgia area teams and all 12 have playoff implications from possible region title clinchers to playoff positioning to elimination games.
Two area teams can wrap up region titles outright this week -- Cherokee Bluff and Rabun County -- while Buford, Commerce, Gainesville, and North Hall all could move within one win of region titles with victories on Friday.
Jefferson could have wrapped up the Region 8-4A title but the Dragons' game with North Oconee was canceled on Friday afternoon after the Titans reported 1 (one) positive test for COVID-19 and several associated quarantines.
But that also means several teams are facing do-or-die situations. East Hall and East Jackson face must-wins while others like Towns County and Lakeview Academy can get in with wins but would need help with losses. Jackson County also faces a virtual must-win against Greenbrier in Region 8-5A. A loss to the Wolfpack and a Loganville win would eliminate the Panthers. But if they can pull the upset over the Wolfpack it could set up a wild finish next week in the region with three teams still alive for the final two spots.
Once again, expect a wild Friday night as teams pull out all the stops to stay alive and go title hunting.
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 Nov. 13
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
COMMERCE at WASHINGTON-WILKES
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Field, Washington
-- COMMERCE (7-1, 3-0 Region 8-A Public): Ranked No. 4 in Class A Public; defeated Social Circle 48-22 last week
-- WASHINGTON-WILKES (7-0, 3-0 Region 8-A Public): Ranked No. 8 in Class A Public; defeated Lincoln County 14-13 last week
-- NOTABLE: Washington-Wilkes leads series 3-2. Washington-Wilkes won the last meeting, 33-0, in 2011 in Commerce. ... After meeting just once in their history from 1957 to 1999, a Commerce win in 1957, this will be the fifth meeting since 2000. Commerce has won just once since then, a 41-34 victory in 2010. ... This will be a battle for first place. Washington-Wilkes can clinch the title outright with a win while Commerce will need a win and a win next week over Lincoln County to capture the region title. ... The key matchup will be the Commerce offense (314, 39.2 ppg) which leads the region and is tied for 3rd in Class A-Public, against the Washington-Wilkes defense (40, 5.7 ppg) which leads the region and is 4th in Class A-Public. ... The Commerce triple-option is pounding out over 330 yards/game. Fr. Sammy Brown leads Commerce with 756 yards on the ground and has over 1,000 all-purpose yards. ... Washington-Wilkes is plus-9 on turnover ratio and has not allowed more than 20 points to anyone this season while Commerce has scored less than 32 points just once (a 24-7 loss to Class A Private No. 2 Athens Academy). ... Washington-Wilkes is averaging 34.2 ppg and Commerce is yielding just 17.4 ppg but just 9.6 ppg in region play. ... Remarkably, Commerce is looking for its first region title since 2003. Washington-Wilkes has not won a region title since 2013.
DAWSON COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: www. northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- DAWSON COUNTY (4-4, 3-1 Region 7-3A): Lost 28-27 to No. 9 Cherokee Bluff last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (0-8, 0-4 Region 7-3A):
-- NOTABLE: Dawson County leads series 21-19-2. The Tigers won 45-0 in 2019 in Dahlonega. Dawson County has won 5 straight in the series and 10 of the last 12 meetings overall since 2004. ... The last Lumpkin County win came in 2014, a 42-19 victory in Dahlonega. The Tigers have won 4 of the last 6 at The Burial Grounds. ... The Tigers had their 4-game win streak snapped last week and their shot at a region title took a blow. They must win Friday, have North Hall beat Bluff, and beat the Trojans next week to force a 3-way tie for the region lead. ... This looks like a mismatch on paper as the Indians have allowed the 3rd-most points in 3A (333, 41.6 ppg) while the Tigers are 6th in offense (281, 35.2 ppg). Dawson County's Zach Holtzclaw remained in sixth overall in the state with 2,020 yards passing, which once again leads Class 3A. The junior has tossed 21 TD passes to three different receivers with over 420 yards each. ... Also, Lumpkin has scored just 60 points (7.5 ppg) on the season. The Indians, who have dropped 14 straight games going back to last season, need a win to avoid tying the program’s longest-ever losing streak (15) set from October 1991 to September 1993.
EAST HALL at MADISON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Red Raider Stadium, Danielsville
-- EAST HALL (4-4, 1-3 Region 8-4A): Off last week; lost 48-7 to North Oconee two weeks ago
-- MADISON COUNTY (2-6, 1-3 Region 8-4A): Lost 49-7 to No. 5 Flowery Branch last week
-- NOTABLE: Madison County leads series 2-0. The two teams have not played since 1967 when LBJ was president. ... The playoff picture is uncertain with the Vikings having two forfeit games that will not count in the final standings. But this is a de facto elimination game for both teams as the playoff teams will be determined by winning percentage and head-to-head matchups. ... The Vikings have been depleted at times since their two weeks loss to COVID, which affected conditioning. They still have QB Clete Cooper, who is 14th in the state and 3rd in Class 4A with 1,630 yards and 11 TDs and a plethora of WRs but they also have a lot of two-way players. They are still averaging 33.8 ppg, which would be in the top 10 in Class 4A. The Red Raiders are allowing 28.6 ppg on defense. ... The Vikings defense has been much improved in 2020 giving up just 190 points (31.6 ppg) after giving up 44.0 ppg over the past 3 seasons. Only Cedar Shoals has scored fewer points than Madison County (131, 16.3 ppg) in 8-4A in 2020.
FLOWERY BRANCH at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (6-2, 3-1 Region 8-4A): Ranked No. 5 in Class 4A; defeated Madison County 49-7 last week
-- CHESTATEE (0-8, 0-4 Region 8-4A): Lost 67-12 to No. 2 Jefferson last week
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads the series 12-2. The Falcons won 40-7 in 2019 in Gainesville. The Branch also has won 11 straight over the War Eagles. The last Chestatee win in the series came in 2004, 17-7, in Gainesville. ... This game will have no playoff implications as the War Eagles were eliminated and the Falcons clinched a playoff spot last week. However, the Falcons are still fighting for a possible top-two finish so this is a game they must win to maintain their status in the standings. ... Jr. QB Flowery Branch QB David Renard is leading Class 4A and is 7th overall (1,991 yards) after another big week vs. Madison County (248 yards, 3 TDs passing; 111 yards, TD). The Chestatee defense has given up the 2nd-most points in 4A (367, 45.8 ppg).
GAINESVILLE at DENMARK
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Danes Stadium, Alpharetta
-- RADIO: 94.5 FM The Lake
-- GAINESVILLE (5-3, 3-1 Region 6-7A): Lost 14-7 to West Forsyth last week
-- DENMARK (4-3, 4-0 Region 6-7A): Defeated South Forsyth 36-22 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two programs. ... Despite the loss last week, the Red Elephants still control their fate, at least as far as a top-two seed in the region. A win over the Danes would guarantee no worse than second. They are still alive for a region title if they can win out and have Denmark beat West Forsyth next week. A Denmark win and a West Forsyth loss would give the Danes the region title.. ... GHS has shown it can put tough outings behind them. The Red Elephants followed up its first two losses this season with a win. ... However, no team is hotter in the region than the Danes, and it coincides with the return of Sr. QB and N.C. State commit Aaron McLaughlin. They were 0-3 and averaged just 9.0 ppg in their first three games with him out due to injury. They are 4-0 and have averaged 32.2 ppg since he returned. Last week he engineered a 523-yard offensive effort, including rushing for 219 yards and throwing for 125 yards. ... But as good as the Danes offense has been, they have been a beast in region play allowing just 46 points (11.5 ppg) in their first four games. The GHS offense is averaging 32.0 ppg but was held to its lowest output over their last 12 games last week.
HART COUNTY at EAST JACKSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Eagles Stadium, Commerce
-- HART COUNTY (2-4 1-1 Region 8-3A): Did not play vs. Stephens County (COVID)
-- EAST JACKSON (1-6, 0-3 Region 8-3A): Lost 27-12 to Franklin County last week
-- NOTABLE: Hart County leads series 9-1. The Bulldogs won 49-0 in 2019 in Hartwell. The only Eagles win in the series came in 2016, a 28-19 win in Commerce. ... Both teams are still alive for a playoff spot. The Eagles have a tough road, though. They must win out and have Hart County and Stephens County both lose their remaining games. East Jackson finishes the season against Stephens County next week. Hart County still has Monroe Area. ... The Bulldogs are probably the biggest disappointment in the region. They were expected to challenge for the region title but two of their losses have been to the top 3 teams (Jefferson in 4A and Oconee County in the region). ... Hart is averaging 29.5 ppg while the Eagles have been given up the 10th-most points in Class 3A (274, 39.1 ppg) which includes 70 points by Rabun County. ... The East Jackson offense has struggled in region play managing just 39 points (13.0 ppg) but may be able to find some traction against the Bulldogs, who are giving up nearly double their total on defense (29.6 ppg) from last year’s quarterfinals run (16.3 ppg).
JACKSON COUNTY at GREENBRIER
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Brierpatch, Evans
-- JACKSON COUNTY (3-5, 2-3 Region 8-5A): Lost 27-0 to Eastside last week
-- GREENBRIER (6-2, 3-2 Region 8-5A): Defeated Johnson 49-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two programs. ... The Panthers, despite a tough couple of weeks, are still right in the middle of the playoff picture. They are tied for fourth with three other teams (Loganville, Walnut Grove, Apalachee). They beat Walnut Grove but lost to Loganville two weeks ago. Loganville and Apalachee play this week so one of them will drop and a win over the Wolfpack could put them in third~place with the tiebreaker over Greenbrier. ... But the key will be the Panther’s offense (129, 16.1 ppg). Only Johnson has scored fewer points in the region and they have been without leading rusher Trey Ranson the past two games and have managed just 7 total points in a 2-game losing streak. The Wolfpack is allowing just 18.6 ppg, the 2nd-fewest in the region. ... The Jackson County defense has been good all year allowing just 21.0 ppg and will need to find a way to slow one of the region’s best passing attacks in Jr. QB Brooks Pangle (1,836 yards, 25 TD, 5 INT) and Sr. WR Brayden Collett (43 rec., 685 yards, 15 TD). The ‘Pack has 3 receivers with 28 or more catches and 300 or more yards on the season. But they are very one-dimensional averaging just 66 yards/game rushing.
NORTH HALL at CHEROKEE BLUFF
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Bears Stadium, Flowery Branch
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- NORTH HALL (5-3, 4-0 Region 7-3A): Off last week; defeated Gilmer 33-13 two weeks ago
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (8-0, 4-0 Region 7-3A): Ranked No. 9 in Class 3A; defeated Dawson County 28-27 last week
-- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 2-0. The Trojans won 42-14 in 2019. ... For the Bears, this is a region title game. Win and they’re the champs. For North Hall, the Trojans have to beat the Bears and then beat Dawson County next week to secure the title. ... Cherokee Bluff with its 8-game win streak is one of just four teams in Class 3A with a longer streak than the Trojans, who are on a 5-game win streak. ... It should be a tremendous battle upfront as both teams look to run the ball. ... North Hall has unleashed its wing-T with devastating effect averaging 38.0 ppg and more than 300 yards rushing during the streak behind Clarke Howell, who leads Class 3A in rushing (1,259 yards; 6th in the state) going into last week. ... Bluff also likes to run the ball averaging 242 yards/game, led by Jayquan Smith (764 yards, 10 TDs) who had 318 yards and 4 TDs last week. ... The key will be the Bears defense, which is 6th in Class 3A yielding just 7.5 ppg.
SOCIAL CIRCLE at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
-- SOCIAL CIRCLE (2-6, 0-3 Region 8-A Public): Lost 48-22 to No. 4 Commerce last week
-- TOWNS COUNTY (3-5, 1-2 Region 8-A Public): Defeated Greene County 20-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Social Circle leads series 9-3. This is the first meeting between the two programs since 2005, a 55-0 Redskins win in Hiawassee. Social Circle has won four straight in the series. The last Indians win came in 1993, 33-8 in Hiawassee. ... Both teams are playing for their playoff lives. Towns can wrap up its second-ever playoff appearance (2017) with a win. A loss would not eliminate the Indians but they would then have to beat No. 8 Washington-Wilkes and have the Redskins lose to Greene County next week. ... The matchup to watch is the Towns running game, which is averaging more than 200 yards a game behind Kyle Oakes, who is just shy of 1,000 yards on the season (952 yards) despite missing some time, vs. the Social Circle defense. The Redskins have allowed the 6th-most points in A Public (302, 37.7 ppg) but they are plus-9 on turnover ratio, including forcing 8 fumbles. Turnovers have been an issue for the Indians. ... The Towns defense has been solid all season. Take out the 55 by No. 4 Commerce and they have allowed just 15.0 ppg against everyone else. Social Circle is averaging just 15.3 ppg on offense.
ST. FRANCIS at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Lions Stadium, Gainesville
-- ST. FRANCIS (3-4, 1-2 Region 6-A Private):
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (3-4, 1-2 Region 6-A Private): Off last week; lost 31-15 to Mt. Pisgah two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: St. Francis leads series 4-2. The Knights won 49-21 in 2019 in Alpharetta. The last Lakeview win came in 2015, 27-7, in Gainesville. All seven meetings have been since 2012. ... For the Lions it’s simple: win and they’re in the playoffs for the first time in school history. Lose and they’ll need some help. ... The key will be the Lakeview defense, which is giving up just 17.3 ppg, against the Knights’ offense, which has scored the 2nd-fewest points in A Private (80, 11.4 ppg). If the Lions win that matchup it should open things up for the offense. ... Although Lakeview is averaging just 19.3 ppg, St. Francis has allowed the 2nd-most points in A Private (264, 37.7 ppg). The Knights have given up 35 or more in 6 of 7 games. ... Lakeview has not lost two consecutive games in 2020. They have followed their first two losses on the field with victories the next week.
UNION COUNTY at RABUN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
-- UNION COUNTY (3-4, 1-1): Lost 21-6 to Rabun Gap last week
-- RABUN COUNTY (8-1, 2-0 Region 8-2A): Ranked No. 3 in Class 2A; defeated Elbert County 63-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 37-16. The Wildcats won 49-7 in 2019 in Blairsville. Rabun has won 6 straight in the series. The last Union victory came in 2011, 10-7, in Tiger. ... It is the season finale for both teams. Rabun County can clinch its 7th straight 8-2A title with a win outright. The Panthers will need a win and a Banks County win over Elbert County next week to throw it into a 3-way tie. ... Union County already is assured of its first non-winning season since 2011, which also was its last losing season (3-7). The Wildcats are looking for their 7th straight 9-win campaign. ... A pretty good Panthers defense (148, 21.1 ppg) will have its hands full against the Wildcats’ top-rated offense in Class 2A, which is averaging 49.3 ppg for the season but is scoring a ridiculous 59.6 ppg since their loss to Jefferson. ... Jr. QB and South Carolina-commit Gunnar Stockton and Sr. WR Adriel Clark are perhaps the state’s most deadly combination. Stockton leads Class 2A in passing (1,985 yards, 32 TD, 1 INT) while Clark leads 2A and the entire state in receiving (44 rec., 1,013 yards) and he has hauled in 19 TD catches on the season. Last week they showed off their big-play ability as Clark had just 4 catches but for 190 yards (47.25 ypc) and 3 scores. ... The issue for the Panthers this season has been an inconsistent offense (136, 19.4 ppg) which has scored 20 or less five times (1-4 record). The Panthers also are a minus-5 on turnover ratio and are going against a Rabun defense (159, 17.8 ppg) that has forced 18 turnovers, including picking off 11 passes.
WINDER-BARROW at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- WINDER-BARROW (4-4, 2-2 Region 8-6A): Defeated Central Gwinnett 37-0 on Monday
-- BUFORD (6-1, 4-0 Region 8-6A): Ranked No. 2 in Class 6A; defeated Lanier 38-10 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two programs. ... This will be the Bulldoggs’ second game in five days. Their game with Central had to be moved because of coronavirus issues and now they get the Wolves on the back-end of two games in less than a week. ... However, Winder is coming in hot having won three straight, its most consecutive wins since 2017 in Heath Webb’s final season. The Bulldoggs have averaged 43.3 ppg during the streak after scoring just 83 total points (16.6 ppg) in their first five games. ... The Buford defense, though, is as good as any in the state. The Wolves have given up just 51 points (7.1 ppg) the 2nd-fewest in Class 6A. They have allowed just 23 points over their last 6 games (3.8 ppg). ... The Buford offense rediscovered its passing game last week as Ashton Daniels and Dylan Wittke each tossed TD passes. ... A win for the Wolves would clinch a home playoff game and give them a shot at the region title next week against Dacula. A loss to the Bulldoggs could potentially throw the region into a mess if Winder and Habersham Central both win out and Buford falls to Dacula next week creating a three-way tie for second place.
