If Week 8 was ‘moving week’ then Week 9 of the 2022 season was taking control for several teams in the Northeast Georgia area. Others, however, found themselves on the brink of playoff elimination.
Every region involving our 26 teams covered by AccessWDUN was in play on Friday night.
Here’s a look at how things stand in the regions involving our area teams:
REGION 8-7A
It’s perhaps the best region in the state’s largest classification. And the top two ranked teams -- Buford and Mill Creek -- squared off at Tom Riden Stadium. The No. 1 Wolves (7-0, 2-0 Region 8-7A) held off the No. 2 Mill Creek, 39-27, to remain the only unbeaten team in the region.
The Wolves now hold tiebreakers over both Mill Creek and defending region and state champion Collins Hill.
The second-ranked Hawks (6-1, 1-1 Region 8-7A) dropped into a four-way tie for second with Collins Hill, Dacula, and Mountain View. Collins Hill (3-4, 1-1 Region 8-7A) beat Mountain View (4-3, 1-1 Region 8-7A) and Dacula (2-5, 1-1 Region 8-7A) beat Central Gwinnett (5-2, 0-2 Region 8-7A).
Buford will play host to Dacula next week while Mill Creek entertains Collins Hill.
REGION 8-6A
Gainesville joined idle North Forsyth atop the standings after a dominating 34-0 win over Habersham Central on Friday.
The fifth-ranked Red Elephants (7-0, 3-0 Region 8-6A) and Raiders (5-2, 3-0 Region 8-6A) are one game ahead of Shiloh (3-4, 2-1 Region 8-6A) and 1 1/2 games ahead of Jackson County and Lanier, who are 3-5, 2-2 in Region 8-6A and tied for fourth place.
Jackson County and Lanier will meet next week in Hoschton with a playoff spot most definitely on the line. Gainesville will travel to Shiloh and North Forsyth will play host to Habersham Central.
But the key game still looming is Gainesville’s showdown with North Forsyth on Oct. 28 at City Park.
REGION 8-5A
Jefferson stayed perfect in the region with its second consecutive shutout, this time over Flowery Branch, 27-0. That moved the Dragons (5-2, 3-0 Region 8-5A) within one-half game of idle and fourth-ranked Loganville (8-0, 4-0 Region 8-5A).
It also sets up what looks like a winner-take-all showdown for the region title between the two teams next week at Memorial Stadium.
The loss for Flowery Branch (2-6, 0-4 Region 8-5A) all but eliminated the banged-up Falcons from the playoffs.
Three-time defending region champ Clarke Central (3-5, 2-2 Region 8-5A) got back in the playoff race with a 63-7 demolition of Heritage-Conyers (2-5, 0-3 Region 8-5A). The Gladiators could still climb into third place next week when they play host to Eastside (5-2, 2-1 Region 8-5A) who was off this week.
REGION 8-4A
No. 2 North Oconee (7-0, 5-0 Region 8-4A) remained the only unbeaten team after hammering East Forsyth (5-2, 3-2 Region 8-4A) 48-0 on Friday. Walnut Grove (6-1, 4-1 Region 8-4A) moved into second place all alone after holding off Cherokee Bluff (2-6, 2-4 Region 8-4A), 28-25.
The Broncos loss dropped them into a tie for third with Madison County (4-3, 3-2 Region 8-4A), who beat Cedar Shoals 34-20. Meanwhile, North Hall (3-5, 3-3 Region 8-4A) climbed into a tie for fifth place with the Jaguars (3-5, 3-3 Region 8-4A) after beating arch-rival Chestatee, 28-21.
But no one is completely out of it except for perhaps Chestatee (1-7, 1-5 Region 8-4A) and East Hall (2-5, 0-5 Region 8-4A). Head-to-head tiebreakers are sure to come into play down the road.
Bluff is just 1 1/2 games out of fourth place and holds a tiebreaker over Madison County. But the Bears also lost to Cedar Shoals, North Hall, and East Forsyth.
The Trojans may control their own playoff destiny. They have a week off before closing out the season against Cedar Shoals and East Forsyth.
It promises to get messy by the end.
REGION 7-3A
Preseason-favorite Dawson County (6-2, 4-0 Region 7-3A) continues to set the pace after rallying to beat Wesleyan (3-5, 2-2 Region 7-3A) 34-27 in Norcross.
The Tigers still are the only unbeaten team left and now have a 1 1/2 game lead over Lumpkin County (6-1, 2-1 Region 7-3A), who was off. The Indians now sit in second place all alone and if things stay as they are, their showdown with the Tigers in Dahlonega in two weeks could be for the region title.
But White County (3-4, 1-2 Region 7-3A) may have something to say, however. The Warriors routed West Hall (1-6, 0-3 Region 7-3A) 56-14 to get back in the playoff race and snapped a three-game losing streak at the same time. Lumpkin County travels to Cleveland next week in a huge matchup.
Wesleyan’s loss and Gilmer’s (5-3, 2-2 Region 7-3A) 27-10 loss to Pickens dropped both into a tie for fourth place. The win for the Dragons (2-5, 1-2 Region 7-3A) also moved them into a tie with White County.
Next week could help set things for good or throw even more turmoil into the mix as Dawson County plays host to Gilmer and Pickens travels to West Hall to go along with the big showdown in Cleveland.
It ain’t anywhere near over yet in this region.
REGION 8-2A
Fellowship Christian (4-3, 2-0 Region 8-2A) and Union County (6-1, 2-0 Region 8-2A) jumped to the top of the region with wins on Friday.
The Panthers exploded for 700 yards of offense in a 56-49 win over Providence Christian (2-5, 0-2 Region 8-2A) while Fellowship whipped Athens Academy (5-2, 1-1 Region 8-2A), 28-6.
The loss for the Spartans dropped them into a tie for third with East Jackson (4-3, 1-1 Region 8-2A), who was idle. The Eagles face a tough road game next week against Union County. Athens Academy will play host to Banks County (4-3, 0-2 Region 8-2A) who is desperate for a win to stay in the playoff race.
Fellowship travels to Providence Christian next week.
REGION 8-A DIVISION 1
The top two projected teams in this small region did not disappoint with big road wins to open the region slate on Friday.
No. 3 Rabun County (8-0, 1-0 Region 8-A Division 1) routed No. 6 Elbert County (7-1, 0-1 Region 8-A Division 1), 41-21, at The Granite Bowl. Meanwhile, Commerce (6-2, 1-0 Region 8-A Division 1) whipped Athens Christian, 49-24, in Athens.
Next week, Commerce plays host to Elbert County while Rabun County plays host to Athens Christian with a chance to set up their Oct. 28 meeting in Tiger for the region title.
