Week 2 of the 2021 Georgia High School Association football season may not pack the punch of last week’s season-openers, but it does offer some intriguing matchups that could tell Northeast Georgia fans just what to expect over the final 10 weeks.
Once again, there are 18 contests involving area teams, including a nationally-televised showdown between Rabun County and Pace Academy on Saturday in Tiger.
There were 19 games involving area teams, however, the Franklin County at Banks County matchup scheduled for Friday has been cancelled due to COVID. No makeup date is planned, according to Banks County head coach Jay Reid.
Perhaps the most compelling matchup will have Stephens County heading to The Brickyard to take on North Hall in a battle of teams coming off impressive wins. You can hear that game live on WDUN 102.9 FM.
The Trojans unleashed a midseason-like wing-T barrage on Paulding County last week behind Gaining the Edge recipient Kevin Rochester, who had 248 yards and one touchdown rushing. The Indians, meanwhile, held White County scoreless in the second half in a 34-20 win in Toccoa. This one also could be a future playoff preview in Class 3A.
In Rabbittown, East Hall and dynamic quarterback Clete Cooper open their season against West Hall in a cross-classification matchup of teams that are looking to build on 2020 campaigns. You can hear that game live on WDUN 550 AM.
The Spartans rallied from an early deficit to beat East Jackson last week. They picked off a pair of Eagles passes and the key matchup may be how the Spartans defense, led by one of the best linebacking groups in the area in seniors Tilil Blackwell, Nick Sturm, Caleb Baker, Blake McCray, and sophomore Maliek Richardson, fare against Cooper and some young and talented receivers.
Meanwhile, Buford, Cherokee Bluff, Flowery Branch, Jefferson, Lanier Christian, North Forsyth, and Towns County all are looking for 2-0 starts on the season.
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 Aug. 27
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
APALACHEE at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
-- RADIO: WCON 99.3 FM
-- APALACHEE (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Lost 19-6 to Winder-Barrow last week
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Lost 28-25 to Madison County last week
-- NOTABLE: Habersham Central leads series 5-4. The Raiders won 56-35 in 2020. ... Habersham has won 4 of the last 5 meetings and has won the last three meetings at Raider Stadium. The last, and only, Apalachee win in Mt. Airy came in 2009. ... Sr. RB had a solid debut for the Raiders piling up 129 yards on 16 carries and new So. QB Carson Parker went 11-for-23 for 140 yards and 2 TDs in his debut as well. Fr. WR Zeke Whittington also debuted strongly with 8 catches for 99 yards and 2 TDs. ... The kicking game was an issue as the Raiders missed two PATs which resulted in having to go for two and missing that opportunity as well. ... Hab outgained Madison 389 to 333 but gave up 309 yards on the ground. ... Going back to last season, the Wildcats have been held to 17 points or less 6 times in their last 9 games, all losses. ... Apalachee is trying to avoid its fifth straight 0-2 start.
BUFORD at CLARKE CENTRAL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Billy Henderson Stadium, Athens
-- BUFORD (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Ranked No. 1 in Class 6A; defeated Class 7A No. 3 North Cobb 35-27 last week
-- CLARKE CENTRAL (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Season-opener vs. Cedar Shoals was postponed last week and moved to Oct. 28.
-- NOTABLE: Buford leads series 4-1. The Wolves won 47-0 in 2020 in Buford. ... The last time the two teams met in Athens, in 2019, the Gladiators knocked off the Wolves 31-28 in the 2019 regular-season finale to claim the Region 8-5A title. ... Buford showed its quick-strike ability last week rallying from 14-0 down to score 28 points in a 6-minute period. ... Fou different players scored as CJ Clinkscales and Victor Venn had TD runs and Malik Spencer and Tobi Olawole (two) caught TD passes. ... The defense, meanwhile, settled down after a Warriors first-half blitz to force two 2nd half turnovers that set up scores. ... The Gladiators will be breaking in a new QB after William Robinson, who accounted for over 2,000 yards of offense and 17 TDs, graduated. Clarke has three guys who combined for less than 200 yards passing battling for the position. ... Top rushers William Richardson, a senior (124 car., 661 yards, 13 TD), and Jr. Felix Braddy (100 car., 627 yards, 7 TD) both return for the Gladiators, however. ... The Clarke defense in 2020 was excellent allowing just 18.1 ppg on the season. The 47 by Buford was the most allowed by the Gladiators in 2020.
CHAMBLEE at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- CHAMBLEE (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Defeated North Springs 59-21 last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (0-1, 0-0 Region 5-5A): Lost 20-6 to Franklin County last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two programs. ... The Indians looked much improved in their opener but have now lost 17 straight. ... Lumpkin’s defense kept them in the game forcing a turnover and stopping three Lions drives on fourth down plays. But the offense managed just 130 total yards. ... The Bulldogs’ 59 points were the most they have scored in a game since a 55-21 win over Lakeside-Atlanta in 2011. ... Chamblee is on the verge of turning the program around. The Bulldogs are 7-1 since the final game of the 2019 season after a 5-43 stretch from 2015-2019.
CHESTATEE at CHEROKEE BLUFF
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Bears Stadium, Flowery Branch
-- CHESTATEE (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-4A): Season-opener; finished 0-10 in 2020
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Defeated Johnson 57-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Cherokee Bluff leads series 1-0. The Bears won 49-14 in 2020. ... Despite having to fill several holes on both sides of the ball, the Bears picked up right where they left off last season. They pounded out over 200 yards on the ground with Jayquan Smith scoring 3 TDs, Marlion Jackson 2 TDs, and Max Eubanks had 2 TDs, one rushing and one off a punt return. ... Bluff also held Johnson to less than 50 yards of offense. ... The War Eagles should offer a different style with their spread attack behind QB Luke Bornhorst, who is looking to improve off his breakout season in 2020 (1,116 passing yards, 11 TD). ... Chestatee also is reworking its defense that allowed 46.9 ppg last season. ... The War Eagles have dropped three straight and 8 of their last 9 season-openers.
COMMERCE at PICKENS
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Dragon Stadium, Jasper
-- COMMERCE (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-A Public): Ranked No. 5 in Class A Public; defeated Banks County 10-0 last week
-- PICKENS (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-4A): Season-opener; their opener last week vs. Gilmer was canceled
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 2-0. The two teams have not met since 1973, a 35-0 Tigers win in Jasper. ... This game was not on either team’s original schedule but the Dragons lost their game last week and the Tigers’ matchup with Union County was canceled on Tuesday due to COVID issues. ... Both programs are sporting new coaches in 2021. The Dragons, in fact, have their third coach in 4 years in Grant Myers, who had been their defensive coordinator since 2019. ... The Tigers opened the Mark Hollars-era with a win but struggled against an improved Banks County. Their usually powerful triple-option attack was held to just 199 total yards, with 71 coming on the third play of the game on a long TD run by Dreylan Martin. ... Defensively, the Dragons were pretty good in 2020 allowing 25.3 ppg. They really struggled on offense, however, scoring just 140 points (15.5 ppg) and missed out on the playoffs by just one game last season.
DAWSON COUNTY at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch
-- RADIO: northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- DAWSON COUNTY (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 27-19 to Cass last week
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-4A): Ranked No. 7 in Class 4A; defeated St. Pius 21-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 1-0. The Falcons won 45-42 in 2020. ... The Falcons had been looking for that signature win and got it last week. QB David Renard was the catalyst rushing for 116 yards and passing for another 133 yards to lead the offense. ... Branch held St. Pius to just over 200 yards of total offense (19 passing, 193 rushing) for the game. ... The Tigers outgained Cass 351-293 with QB Zach Holtzclaw throwing for 218 yards and Bailey Dameron catching 6 passes for 109 yards, including a 57-yard TD. ... But turnovers, a major issue in 2020, again was a problem for Dawson County with one fumble and 3 INTs, all of which snuffed out scoring chances. ... The Tigers also are trying to avoid a 2nd straight 0-2 start to a season. ... Branch is looking for its 4th 2-0 start in 5 seasons under coach Ben Hall.
EAST JACKSON at JACKSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Panther Stadium, Jefferson
-- EAST JACKSON (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Lost 14-7 to West Hall last week
-- JACKSON COUNTY (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-5A): Season-opener; finished 4-6 in 2020
-- NOTABLE: Jackson County leads series 7-3. The Panthers won 17-0 at home in 2020. Jackson County is 4-1 all-time at Panther Stadium vs. the Eagles. ... Jackson County has won 6 straight season openers. ... East Jackson is trying to snap a 9-game losing streak. ... The Eagles looked much-improved last week in a tight loss to West Hall. They led 7-0 in the first half but could not hold on. ... The 14 points allowed by the Eagles were the fewest since a 38-0 win over Banks County on Sept. 18, 2019. ... East Jackson also was breaking in several new players at key offensive positions so look for them to make adjustments. ... Region 8-3A went 5-1 in Week 1. ... Region 8-5A went 0-4 in Week 1 with four teams not playing until this week.
GAINESVILLE at CHATTAHOOCHEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Arena, Alpharetta
-- RADIO: 94.3 FM The Lake
-- GAINESVILLE (0-1, 0-0 Region 6-7A): Lost 26-10 to Johns Creek last week
-- CHATTAHOOCHEE (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-6A): Lost 35-0 to Alpharetta last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two programs. ... The Red Elephants are trying to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2018. The Cougars have lost 6 straight going back to last season. ... GHS So. QB Baxter Wright had a solid start to the season going 16-for-24 for 138 yards passing yards and another 38 on the ground. But turnovers plagued the Red Elephants in the opener. ... The Red Elephants are just 2-4 in their last 6 games against lower classification teams and 3-3 in their last 6 road games. The Cougars are just 2-4 in their last 6 home games.
HART COUNTY at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warriors Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: WRWH 93.9 FM
-- HART COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Defeated Elbert County 54-21 last week
-- WHITE COUNTY (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 34-20 to Stephens County last week
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 1-0. The Warriors won 50-47 in 2020 in Hartwell. ... The Bulldogs were in midseason form against the Blue Devils churning out over 300 yards rushing. Hart County RB J.L. Lackey had 208 yards and 2 TDs. ... The White County defense and special teams had a big night as Colton Turner scored on an interception return and they got another score on a 95-yard kickoff return from Darius Cannon. ... But, after averaging just under 40 ppg in 2020, the Warriors offense was held to just one TD, a 28-yd TD catch by Cannon from Billy Carder. ... Cannon had 242 all-purpose yards for the game (175 yards on kick returns, 35 receiving, 32 rushing). ... Region 8-3A was strong out of the gate going 5-1 in Week 1. Region 7-3A went 3-4 with two of the losses coming to Region 8-3A.
JEFFERSON at CENTRAL GWINNETT
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tally Johnson Field, Lawrenceville
-- JEFFERSON (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-4A): Ranked No. 1 in Class 4A; defeated Class 2A No. 1-ranked Rabun County 22-13 last week
-- CENTRAL GWINNETT (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-6A): Defeated Discovery 20-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads series 3-0-1. The Dragons won 61-7 in 2020 in Jefferson in the first meeting between the two programs since 1975. ... The Jefferson defense was in beast mode last week holding the powerful Wildcats offense and Gunner Stockton to just 224 total yards and 30 points below their 2020 average. ... Central Gwinnett was led last week by So. RB Jason Jackson, who had a career-high 171 yards and 3 TDs vs. Discovery. ... The Dragons offense did pile up 350 yards on the ground last week but was plagued by 7 fumbles, two lost, and was shutout in the second half. ... Jefferson has been a tough road team going 14-1 in its last 15 games away from Memorial Stadium since 2018. Their only loss in the span was to Crisp County (22-20) in the 2019 Class 3A quarterfinals.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at DARLINGTON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Chris Hunter Stadium, Rome
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-1, 0-0 Region 6-A Private): Lost 48-13 to Mount Paran Christian last week
-- DARLINGTON (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-A Private): Ranked No. 7 in Class A Private; season-opener
-- NOTABLE: Darlington leads series 1-0. The Tigers won 32-7 in 2020 in Rome. ... The Lions last week struggled on defense against a much-improved Mt. Paran squad giving up nearly 500 yards of offense, including 360 on the ground. They will be tested for sure against a powerful Darlington team. ... The Lakeview offense showed some flashes. QB Harrison Cooper (9-for-20, 136 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) and Sr. WR Sam Perrott already are showing they will be a formidable duo. Perrot caught 8 balls for 129 yards with both TD catches. RB Landon Hanes had 68 yards to lead the Lions on the ground.
LANIER CHRISTIAN at LAFAYETTE CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: LaGrange
-- LANIER CHRISTIAN (1-0, 0-0 GAPPS 8-man): Defeated Covington Academy 68-0 last week
-- LAFAYETTE CHRISTIAN (0-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Season-opener
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two programs. ... The Lightning broke out their new spread offense in style putting up huge numbers. Jr. RB Carter Raulerson had 3 rushing touchdowns for LCA. ... On defense, Sr, LB Ethan Jarrard had a big game with 7 tackles, including 5 for losses, for the Lightning. In all, LCA recorded 12 tackles for loss against Covington.
NORTH FORSYTH at HARRISON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Bruce Cobleigh Stadium, Kennesaw
-- NORTH FORSYTH (1-0, 0-0 Region 6-7A): Defeated Alcovy 37-7 last week
-- HARRISON (1-0, 0-0 Region 3-7A): Defeated Allatoona 25-17 last week
-- NOTABLE: North Forsyth leads series 1-0. The Raiders won 10-9 in 2020. ... The Raiders blew open a close game in the 2nd half scoring the final 28 points. QB Drew Aucoin finished 14-of-25 for 183 yards and a touchdown. He added another 18 yards on the ground and 2 scores. ... Since winning the Class 7A title in 2019, the Hoyas went just 1-4 at home in 2020. They scored just 87 points (17.4 ppg) in those 5 games. ... The Raiders are 3-2 in their last 5 road games. ... North Forsyth is looking for its 2nd straight 2-0 start. The last time they started 2-0 in consecutive seasons was 2012 & 2013.
RABUN GAP at EAST FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Broncos Stadium, Gainesville
-- RABUN GAP (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 35-21 to Baylor (Tenn.) last week
-- EAST FORSYTH (0-1, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Lost 19-0 to Ridgeland last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two programs. ... The Broncos defense played well holding Ridgeland to just 7 points after the first quarter. ... East Forsyth moved the ball on offense behind So. QB Will Moffit, who had 117 passing yards and 73 rushing yards, but could get into the end zone. ... Jr. WR David Navarette hauled in 6 catches for 42 yards. Jr. Brandon Peoples had 2 catches for 63 yards. ... Rabun Gap has four seniors -- DE Darren Agu, TE Marlin Klein, DL Linus Zunk, S Coleman Bryson -- all ranked in the top 94 in their class in Georgia.
STEPHENS COUNTY at NORTH HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville
-- RADIO: WDUN FM 102.9
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-3A): Defeated White County 34-20 last week
-- NORTH HALL (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Defeated Paulding County 23-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Stephens County leads series 21-1. The Indians won 34-0 in 2020 in Toccoa. The Trojans' only win in the series came in 2004 in the 2nd round of the playoffs. ... This is one of two matchups between Regions 8-3A and 7-3A. Region 8-3A was strong out of the gate going 5-1 in Week 1. Region 7-3A went 3-4 with two of the losses coming to Region 8-3A teams. ... North Hall’s wing-T was clicking last week with 348 yards on the ground, led by Sr. Kevin Rochester, who had 22 carries for 248 yards and 1 TD -- a 50-yard run seconds into the fourth quarter. The Trojans also showed they have another weapon in PK Luke Brown, who booted a 43-yard FG. ... Indians QB Ben Stowe led an attack that piled up over 300 yards against the Warriors. ... The Trojans defense was stout last week holding Paulding County to just 15 yards rushing on 16 carries for the game.
TOWNS COUNTY at ARMUCHEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Reservation, Armuchee
-- TOWNS COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-A Public): Defeated King’s Academy 29-6 last week
-- ARMUCHEE (0-0, 0-0 Region 6-A Public): Season-opener; finished 2-6 in 2020
-- NOTABLE: Armuchee leads series 3-0. The Indians won 10-7 in 2020. ... The revamped Towns County offense looked sharp in its opener. New QB Connor Chastain was 20-of-23 for 215 yards and 2 TDs passing. WR Collin Crowder had 12 catches for 154 yards and both TDs. RB Kyle Oakes had 88 yards and 1 TD rushing. ... The defense was equally good. Seth Gillis had 12 tackles, 4 TFL, and recorded a safety. Dawson Barrett 62-yard INT return for a TD and Josh Berrong and Oakes combined for 14 tackles and 3 TFL.
WEST HALL at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- WEST HALL (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A): Defeated East Jackson 14-7 last week
-- EAST HALL (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-4A): Season-opener; finished 4-4 in 2020
-- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 12-10. The Vikings won 30-22 in 2020 in their season-opener in Oakwood. ... East Hall has won two straight and 4 of the last 6 meetings overall going back to 2011. The Spartans have lost 4 straight in Valhalla. Their last win at East Hall Stadium came in 2007, 37-7. ... West Hall is looking for its first 2-0 start since 2015. East Hall has not won consecutive season-opening games since 2002 & 2003. ... West Hall finished with 244 yards of total offense last week with Sr. QB Nick Sturm, making his first start, going 9-of-11 for 86 yards through the air. Noah Legault had 34 yards receiving and Maliek Richardson added 33 yards rushing for the Spartans. ... The Vikings are expected to have another potent offense with Sr. QB Clete Cooper (153-248, 2,197 pass yards, 14 TD, 6 INT; 47-187 rush yards, 3 TD) returning and some talented, but untested, WRs in seniors Levi Howard and Darius Holcomb. Sr. RB Marcus Holcomb is definitely a player to watch in 2021. ... On defense, the Spartans picked off a pair of passes with Legault snagging one and Andy Mayo the other, including an 86-yard return that set up the Spartans go-ahead score against the Eagles.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR Aug. 28
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
PACE ACADEMY at RABUN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
-- PACE ACADEMY (0-0, 0-0 Region 6-2A): Season-opener for the Knights; 6-4 in 2020, lost 1st round Class 2A playoffs
-- RABUN COUNTY (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-2A): Ranked No. 2 in Class 2A; lost 22-13 to Class 4A No. 1 Jefferson last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two programs. ... The Wildcats dropped a spot after their loss last week and now are trying to avoid their first 0-2 start to a season since 2010. ... Rabun Sr. QB and Georgia-commit Gunner Stockton was held in check by the Dragons defense after a solid opening drive (152 yards passing, 43 yards rushing). ... The Knights defense, which gave up just 11.4 ppg in 2020, poses another tough, and talented, challenge. Knights’ So. DL Hevin Brown-Shuler is the 7th highest-rated Class of 2022 in Georgia and could be a huge obstacle for a Wildcats OL that had trouble with the Dragons talented front-7 last week. ... The Wildcats defense, however, looked up to the challenge of a big, physical offense. They held Jefferson scoreless in the second half and forced two turnovers. ... Pace has won three straight and five of its last 6 season-openers. ... Region 8-2A went 0-4 Week 1. Region 6-2A was just 1-5 in Week 1.
