Week 8 of the 2022 season played out like golf’s third round ‘moving day’ as several teams in the Northeast Georgia area did just that -- some for the good and some for the not-so-good.
Nearly every region involving our 26 teams covered by AccessWDUN was in play on Friday. Only Region 8-A Division 1, which begins its four-week journey next week, was still in non-region action.
Let's take a look at each of the regions and where things stand, and what's coming up in the future that could help decide things.
REGION 8-4A
With East Forsyth’s rally to beat Cherokee Bluff, things suddenly began to take shape here. No. 2 North Oconee (6-0, 4-0 Region 8-4A) remained the only unbeaten team with the Broncos (5-1, 3-1 Region 8-4A) and Walnut Grove (5-1, 3-1 Region 8-4A) right behind. Despite its loss to North Oconee on Friday, Cedar Shoals (3-4, 3-2 Region 8-4A) held on to fourth place.
But Madison County, Bluff, and North Hall all are within one game of the Jaguars. Cedar Shoals owns the tiebreaker over both Walnut Grove and Bluff. The Red Raiders knocked off North Hall on Friday but the Trojans also own the tiebreaker over Bluff. Cedar Shoals, however, still has road games at Madison County and North Hall. It's not over yet for any of those teams.
The Broncos control their own destiny. If they win out, they can win their first region title in just their second season. It will start next week against North Oconee on the road.
REGION 8-6A
North Forsyth and Gainesville, the top two projected teams, have not disappointed. The Raiders (5-2, 3-0 Region 8-6A) jumped into first place on Friday with their win over Lanier (2-5, 1-2 Region 8-6A) who fell to fifth place. Idle and Class 6A fifth-ranked Gainesville (6-0, 2-0 Region 8-6A) is in second. Shiloh (3-4, 2-1 Region 8-6A) moved into third with Jackson County (3-5, 2-2 Region 8-6A) dropping to fourth after its loss to the Generals. The Panthers will need some help to climb the standings with losses already to both North Forsyth and Shiloh. They have a tough finish with Lanier and Gainesville still left.
Habersham Central (2-4, 0-2 Region 8-6A) controls its fate. The Raiders still have games with Gainesville, North Forsyth, and Shiloh down the stretch. But the key game still looming is Gainesville’s showdown with North Forsyth on Oct. 28 at City Park.
REGION 7-3A
Preseason-favorite Dawson County (5-2, 3-0 Region 7-3A) continues to lead the way. The Tigers won their third straight game, recording their second consecutive shutout with a win over Pickens (1-5, 0-2 Region 7-3A) on Friday. They have a one-game lead over Lumpkin County (6-1, 2-1 Region 7-3A), Gilmer (5-2, 2-1 Region 7-3A), and Wesleyan (3-4, 2-1 Region 7-3A).
The top four is almost looking set with White County, Pickens, and West Hall all sitting at 0-2 at the bottom of the standings. But all three of those teams will play a huge part as each plays at least two of the top four teams over the final month. Lumpkin, Gilmer, and Wesleyan all have beaten each other so any loss could be disastrous.
But the really fun part of this region title battle is about to begin. Dawson County controls the fate of the region. The Tigers close out the season, beginning next week, against Wesleyan, Gilmer, and Lumpkin County.
REGION 8-5A
Clarke Central’s reign on this region looks in serious jeopardy. Class 5A No. 6 Loganville has been the class of the league to this point. The Red Devils (8-0, 4-0 Region 8-5A) already own wins over third-place Eastside and took down the three-time defending region champ Gladiators on Friday.
Second-place Jefferson (4-2, 2-0 Region 8-5A) was off on Friday but already owns wins over Clarke Central (2-5, 1-2 Region 8-5A) and fourth-place Winder-Barrow (4-3, 1-2 Region 8-5A). The Dragons hold their fate in their hands as well, getting Loganville at home in two weeks and third-place Eastside (5-2, 2-1 Region 8-5A) at home to close out the season.
Meanwhile, preseason playoff pick Flowery Branch (2-5, 0-3 Region 8-5A) is reeling from injuries and has lost five straight. The Falcons probably will have to win out to have any shot at the playoffs. It won’t be easy with Jefferson next week and Loganville to follow on the 28th.
REGION 8-2A
This group is just two games into their five-week sprint to the finish. So far, the top four preseason favorites have started strong with Athens Academy (5-1, 1-0 Region 8-2A), Union County (5-1, 1-0 Region 8-2A), Fellowship Christian (3-3, 1-0 Region 8-2A), and East Jackson (4-3, 1-1 Region 8-2A) taking wins.
Next week, Athens Academy travels to Fellowship Christian while Union County plays host to Providence Christian (2-4, 0-1 Region 8-2A). The Panthers have a chance to stay atop the region and the region title may have to go through Blairsville as they still have East Jackson, the Spartans, and the Knights, two of them at home, left.
Banks County (4-3, 0-2 Region 8-2A) took a huge hit to their playoff chances with their loss to Union County on Friday. They have the toughest road left to the playoffs with Athens Academy and Fellowship up next after an off-week.
REGION 8-A DIVISION 1
This will be one of the most intense three-weeks in the area to finish the season. No. 3 Rabun County, Commerce, Elbert County, and Athens Christian were the most dominant region in the classification going an astounding 22-5 (.815 winning percentage) combined in non-region play. Only Region 7-4A (25-5, .833) was better in the entire state.
Rabun County and Elbert County open in the Granite Bowl while Commerce travels to Athens Christian on Friday.
Let the games begin!
