Region champions were crowned and playoff trips were booked in Week 11 of high school football.
Here are five things we learned:
1. Irons makes Bluff a true balanced attack
Plenty has been written about Cherokee Bluff's running game and defense, and not without good reason. The Bears' defense was the top statistically in the area through the first 10 weeks of the season and Jayquan Smith and Charles Tolbert combined to wear down every defense they faced. On Friday night, with a region championship on the line against North Hall, Cherokee Bluff had to turn to the least-talked-about aspect of their team: their passing game. Sebastian Irons, in his first year in the program, delivered. With neither of the Bears' star tailbacks reaching 100 yards, Irons delivered key throws, converting third downs and striking on a pair of long touchdowns that proved to be the difference. He finished 8 of 12 for 198 yards and Cherokee Bluff (9-0, 5-0) finished the game with a 41-24 win and the first region championship in the school's short history. The playoffs will be the next new frontier for the three-year-old program, and they look to have the tools necessary to make a deep run. Now teams know that stopping their brutal ground game may not be enough.
2. Lakeview offense joins the party, sends Lions to postseason
Lakeview Academy could have backed into their first-ever playoff appearance. With King's Ridge losing Friday night, a win against St. Francis wasn't necessary to seal up a spot in Region 6-A Private. The Lions (4-3, 2-2) had no interest in backing in, though. Instead, they used the stage to finally find their offensive firepower, lighting up their brand-new stadium's scoreboard in a 59-27 rout of the Knights, clinching the third seed in the region. Leading the way was the rushing attack, which piled up more than 400 yards behind 204 yards and a touchdown from Ben Puckett. Quarterback Jesse Whiting ran for 168 yards and a whopping four touchdowns while also throwing for 114 and another two scores. Big offensive production was nothing unusual for Lee Shaw's Flowery Branch and Rabun County teams, but his first year at Lakeview has seen the Lions largely lean on their defense. Friday night, however, showed that this team's offense may finally be finding its footing. Just in time for their first ever playoff run.
3. Commerce is resilient and ready for region title
It's been 17 years since Commerce has won a region championship. They're now one week away from snapping that skid. That's thanks to a 28-17 win at Washington-Wilkes Friday night. The win did not come easy, as Washington-Wilkes (6-1, 3-1) cashed in Commerce (8-1, 4-0) turnovers in the first half to take a 17-14 lead into the halftime break. In the second half, however, the Commerce defense stole the show. Washington-Wilkes did not score again, and they were stopped on a key fourth-down attempt near midfield that set up Commerce's go-ahead touchdown drive. The Tigers are now set for what, for them, will be a region championship showdown with fellow historic powerhouse Lincoln County. The Red Devils will no doubt present another challenge, but this Commerce team appears up to the task. And after Friday night, it's clear it will take more than an early deficit to deter them.
4. Buford defense ready for 8-6A tangle with Dacula
The saying goes: there's nothing new under the sun. So Buford once again sporting one of the stoutest defenses in Georgia should come as no surprise to anyone. That unit continued their dominance this year Friday night as they held a red-hot Winder-Barrow offense to just 152 total yards in a 45-7 Wolves win. Now they'll put that defense to the biggest test of the year to date when they renew a long-dormant rivalry with Dacula with the Region 8-6A championship at stake. The Falcons (6-2, 5-0) will be one the most talented and balanced offenses Buford (7-1, 5-0) has faced, but likewise, the Wolves will likely be the toughest defense Dacula has seen. Buford is allowing just 7.2 points per game and hasn't allowed more than 10 points since the season opener at Class 7A stalwart North Cobb. Head coach Bryant Appling said in the preseason that this could be one of Buford's best ever defenses. That's no small statement, but so far they've lived up to that billing. Now it's time to put it to the test.
5. Last week's losses to make for crucial Week 12 games
Week 11 saw many teams in the area have their playoff fates decided. For those who didn't, the pressure gets dialed up even higher for the final week of the regular season. Gainesville, Habersham Central, Jackson County and Towns County are still in postseason limbo. All four could either make the playoffs or be eliminated based on this week's results, and that will make for some critical games this weekend. Habersham could be the first of the group to punch their tickets if they beat a Central Gwinnett team that has yet to win a region game on Tuesday. A loss would put them in a do-or-die game on Saturday against Shiloh. Gainesville can clinch their 22nd consecutive playoff appearance with a win over North Forsyth, but a loss could leave them in a three-way tie with the Raiders and South Forsyth. One of those three would be left out of the postseason. Jackson County needs a win over Apalachee and a Loganville loss to Walnut Grove. Anything else would eliminate the Panthers. Towns County is behind the 8-ball after a home loss to Social Circle. They will need to beat an outstanding Washington-Wilkes team and have Social Circle lose to Greene County to make their second-ever postseason appearance. There will be some sweaty palms for the final regular season week of the year.
