Region 7-3A, 8-4A and 6-7A remain very interesting as two weeks are left in the regular season.
Cherokee Bluff held on to beat Dawson County and are tied with North Hall atop the Region 7-3A standings. The two region foes meet on Friday at The Brickyard to settle the tie. If Bluff wins, they'll clinch the region title, but if North Hall wins, the looming showdown with Dawson County could make it interesting. If the Tigers beat Lumpkin County this week, they'll have a chance to force the region championship into a three-way tie with a win over North Hall.
In Region 8-4A, it's pretty simple with a potential twist. The winner of the Jefferson-North Oconee game will be the region champion. Flowery Branch helped themselves into third place in the region. However, Chestatee could make it interesting. If the War Eagles beat Flowery Branch and Cedar Shoals, they would lift themselves from the fifth spot to the third spot.
It's messy in Region 6-7A. Gainesville has to beat region leader Denmark on Friday, North Forsyth on Nov. 5, and hope for some help from others to get in the playoffs. Even then, though, the Red Elephants would need the tiebreaker on their side. If the Red Elephants lose on Friday, they'll miss the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
Other key games on tap this week: Gilmer travels to White County, Buford travels to Winder-Barrow, and Rabun County is at Union County.
Three games highlight the Jacobs Media airways, and all three should provide fans with plenty of excitement.
Johnson at West Hall ... This one is a reschedule from Week 3. The game was pushed to Week 11 because West Hall's field was not ready for play. The Spartans lead the series 18-8 and have won the last 7 of 8 games, including last season, 50-0. Johnson's last win in the series was in 2019, 30-27. The win broke a six-game skid against the Spartans. The 2021 matchup will be an interesting game. Johnson is winless, and the Spartans have only won two games this season. You can hear that game on WDUN AM 550. (Click to listen live)
Cherokee Bluff at North Hall ... Last season, the game was tied 17-17 at the half, and North Hall had a 24-17 lead in the third quarter, but Cherokee Bluff's offense big-played the Trojans to take a 41-24 win and the Region 7-3A title. Well, it's the same setup as last year, both are 4-0, and if Bluff wins, they win the region title. However, the Trojans are coming off a BYE week, and the game is at The Brickyard. Will playing at home make a difference for the Trojans? Maybe. You can listen to the game on WDUN FM 102.9. (Click to listen live)
And Gainesville plays host to Denmark... With the loss to West Forsyth last week, Gainesville is on the brink of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1999. However, it's almost impossible for them to make the playoffs this season, and if they lose to Region 6-7A leader, Denmark, on Friday at City Park, they'll be buying tickets to watch a playoff game in November. The Red Elephants will need to beat Denmark and North Forsyth and hope for some help from the region to get in. The game can be heard live on FM 94.5 The Lake. (Click to listen live)
Friday Game Night will keep you in tune with all of these contests and more. Be sure to check in with us throughout the night and keep up with live scoring on Twitter: @FridayGameNight.
SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, OCT. 29
Buford at Winder-Barrow*
Cherokee Bluff at North Hall*
Chestatee at Flowery Branch*
Clarke Central at Johnson*
Denmark at Gainesville*
East Forsyth at Southeast Whitfield
East Jackson at Hart County*
Gilmer at White County*
Greenbrier at Jackson County*
Johnson at West Hall
Lakeview Academy at St. Francis*
Lumpkin County at Dawson County*
Madison County at East Hall*
North Forsyth at South Forsyth*
North Oconee at Jefferson*
Rabun County at Union County*
Riverside Military at Elbert County*
Towns County at Social Circle*
Unity Christian at Lanier Christian
Washington-Wilkes at Commerce*
(* -- Denotes region contest)
OFF THIS WEEK
Banks County
Habersham Central
