ICYMI: Week 10 previews — Dawson Co. looks to clinch playoff berth as playoff positioning continues

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR Oct. 21
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
ATHENS CHRISTIAN at RABUN COUNTY
Records: Eagles (3-4, 0-1 Region 8-A Division 1); Wildcats, ranked 3rd in Class A D1 (8-0, 1-0 Region 8-A Division 1)
Last week: Athens Christian lost 49-24 to Commerce; Rabun County beat Elbert County, 41-21.
Where: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. The Wildcats did not miss a beat last week, knocking off their third-ranked team of the season and second in Class A D1. Keegan Stover and Jaden Gibson put on a record-breaking performance. Stover was 21-of-28 passing for 366 yards and 4 TDs, all to Gibson, who had 285 yards receiving, the 8th-highest game in state history. The 4 TDs by Gibson also set a new state record with 49 career TDs. Travis Hunter of Collins Hill (2018-2021) set the record last season with 48. It's the fourth time in the last five years the TD record has been broken. The 285 yards now gives him 4,537 for his career, breaking the old mark of 4,477 set from 1970 to 1973 by Stan Rome of Valdosta.
What to watch for: The Rabun County offense vs. the Eagles defense. The Eagles have given up the 5th-most points in the classification (255, 36.4 ppg) while the Wildcats have the No. 1 offense, scoring 284 points (35.5 ppg). Athens Christian has allowed 35 or more points in 5 of its 7 games.

BANKS COUNTY at ATHENS ACADEMY
Records: Leopards (4-3, 0-2 Region 8-2A); Spartans (5-2, 1-1 Region 8-2A)
Last week: Banks County was off; Athens Academy lost 28-6 to Fellowship Christian.
Where: Slaughter Field, Watkinsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Athens Academy leads the series 9-8-1. This will be the first meeting between the two schools since 1997. Banks County won the last meeting that year, 20-14 in Homer. The last Spartans win came in 1995, 14-0 in Homer. A huge game for the Leopards if they want to stay in the playoff race. After a 4-0 start, Banks County has lost 3 straight, two in the region, and another loss would virtually eliminate them. The Spartans can move into a tie for second with a win.
What to watch for: The Banks County offense vs. the Spartans defense. The Leopards are still one of the top rushing teams in Class 2A behind Andrew Shockley, who is still fourth in Class 2A with 1,125 yards and 13 TDs despite the week off last week. The Leopards will have to control the clock to keep the Spartans' offense off the field. Athens Academy is giving up 24.0 ppg on the season.

CHEROKEE BLUFF at EAST HALL
Records: Bears (2-4, 2-6 Region 8-4A); Vikings (2-5, 0-5 Region 8-4A)
Last week: Cherokee Bluff lost 28-25 to Walnut Grove; East Hall was off.
Where: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: The series is tied 1-1 with each team winning at home. Bluff is in must-win territory. The Bears have lost 4 straight, the longest streak since their inaugural season in 2018, which has now dropped them into seventh in the nine-team field. They will need a lot of help but are still mathematically alive for a playoff spot. East Hall, which has been battling injuries since a 2-0 start, has lost 5 straight, all in region play, and has all but been eliminated from the playoffs. 
What to watch for: The Bluff offense vs. the Vikings defense. Despite their struggles, the Bears are still averaging 24.7 ppg on offense. The East Hall defense is in the bottom 9 in Class 4A giving up 38.4 ppg and has allowed the 2nd-most in region play (170, 34.0 ppg). 

CHESTATEE at CEDAR SHOALS
Records: War Eagles (1-6, 1-4 Region 8-4A); Jaguars (3-5, 3-3 Region 8-4A)
Last week: Chestatee lost 28-21 to North Hall; Cedar Shoals lost 34-20 to Madison County.
Where: Waters-Wilkins Stadium, Athens
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Cedar Shoals leads series 2-0. Chestatee is still alive for a playoff spot but would have to win out and get a lot of help. The Jaguars are still in the middle of the playoff race  but their loss last week dropped them from third to a tie for fifth with North Hall and those two teams will meet next week at The Brickyard. 
What to watch for: The key number could be 22. The Jaguars are 1-5 when allowing 22 or more points. However, a usually potent Chestatee offense is averaging just 17.2 ppg. But the War Eagles have scored 21 or more in 3 of their last 5 games.

DACULA at BUFORD
Records: Falcons (2-5, 1-1 Region 8-7A); Wolves, ranked No. 1 in Class 7A (7-0, 2-0 Region 8-7A)
Last week: Dacula beat Central Gwinnett, 21-7; Buford beat Mill Creek, 39-27.
Where: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford 
Radio: WDUN AM 550
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Buford leads the series 26-8. This is the third straight year they have met but also just the third time since 1995. The Wolves won the last two seasons by a combined 77-7. The last Dacula win in the series came in 1994. Buford RB Justice Haynes rushed for 214 yards and 2 TDs, threw a 25-yard pass, and converted a huge fake punt from the Buford 9 in the first half last week. Despite giving up a season-high in points last week, the Wolves climbed to 3rd in 7A in defense, allowing just 74 points (10.5 ppg) on the season. The Falcons are only allowing 18.2 ppg on defense but have the 5th-worst offense in 7A scoring just 15.1 ppg (106 points) on the season.
What to watch for: The Buford offense vs. the Falcons defense. Dacula will have to find a way to slow down the Wolves' ground attack. Haynes is finding his stride averaging more than 200 yards/game and scored 5 TDs in region play so far. The Wolves had their best offensive game of the season last week as QB Dylan Wittke rejuvenated the passing game with 124 yards and connected with six different receivers.

DRUID HILLS at JOHNSON
Records: Red Devils (3-4, non-region); Knights (0-7, non-region)
Last week: Druid Hills beat Clarkston, 34-0; Johnson lost 39-21 to Towns County.
Where: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: The series is tied 1-1 with each team winning at home. Druid Hills won the last meeting in 2013. Johnson won in 2012. The Red Devils already have their most wins in a season since 2016. After last week, Johnson has now lost 29 straight going back to a win over Walnut Grove in 2019. 
What to watch for: The Druid Hills offense vs. the Johnson defense. The Red Devils are averaging 25.7 ppg over their past 4 games. The Knights are giving 31.4 ppg which is a marked improvement from the 49 ppg they allowed over the past two seasons combined. 

EAST JACKSON at UNION COUNTY
Records: Eagles (4-3, 1-1 Region 8-2A); Panthers (6-1, 2-0 Region 8-2A)
Last week: East Jackson was off; Union County beat Providence Christian, 56-49.
Where: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Union County leads the series 2-1, but this will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2010. The Panthers have won five straight and are looking to stay atop the region standings. The Eagles can jump into no worse than a tie for second with a win. Union County QB Caiden Tanner moved atop the passing and TD list in 2A (1,614 yards, 15 TDs) after a huge night last week. Tanner threw for 424 yards and 4 TDs in the win over Providence Christian. The Eagles' offense is the third-highest in program history already (182, 26.0 ppg) and the Panthers are giving up just 16.4 ppg on defense.
What to watch for: The key matchup to watch should be the Union offense, which is 9th in Class 2A (257, 36.7 ppg), against the Eagles defense, which is 12th in 2A (112, 16.0 ppg).

ELBERT COUNTY at COMMERCE
Records: Blue Devils, ranked 6th in Class A D1 (7-1, 0-1 Region 8-A Division 1); Tigers (6-2, 1-0 Region 8-A Division 1)
Last week: Elbert County lost 41-21 to Rabun County; Commerce beat Athens Christian, 49-24
Where: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: The series is tied 1-1. This is the third consecutive season the two teams have played with each winning at home. The Blue Devils are a perfect 4-0 on the road in 2022. Commerce is just 1-2 at home this season. This could be a shootout on the ground. Elbert County is 7th in Class D1 in scoring (253, 31.3 ppg) behind the classifications leading rusher, Quan Moss (1,291 yards, 16 TD). The Tigers are led by Jaiden Daniels, who now has 1,217 yards after a 278-yard outing last week, which puts him 3rd in Class A D1.
What to watch for: Both defenses are yielding 22.1 ppg and whichever one is able to slow down the other's ground game will have the advantage. However, Commerce is 4-1 in games decided by 5 points or less, and they have Ivey Tolbert, who already has kicked a pair of game-winning field goals.

GAINESVILLE at SHILOH
Records: Red Elephants, ranked 4th in Class 6A (7-0, 3-0 Region 8-6A); Generals (3-4, 2-1 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Gainesville beat Habersham Central, 34-0; Shiloh was off.
Where: Shiloh Community Stadium, Lithonia
Radio: 94.5 FM The Lake
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. Statistically, these are the top two teams in the region. Gainesville leads 8-6A in scoring (261, 37.2 ppg) and is No. 1 in defense (83, 11.8 ppg) which is 6th in Class 6A. The Generals are 2nd in the region in points (227, 32.4 ppg) and 2nd in defense (120, 17.1 ppg). Gainesville’s playmakers had a big week last week. Naim Cheeks rushed for 139 yards and 1 TD; QB Baxter Wright threw for 188 yards and 4 TDs, and Darius Cannon had 2 TD catches.
What to watch for: The Gainesville defense vs. the Generals offense. GHS has not allowed more than 23 points in any game this season behind LB Jeremiah Telander. Shiloh has averaged 41 ppg over its past 5 games, scoring 34 or more four times in that span.

GILMER at DAWSON COUNTY
Records: Bobcats (5-3, 2-2 Region 7-3A); Tigers (6-2, 4-0 Region 7-3A)
Last week: Gilmer lost to Pickens 27-10; Dawson County beat Wesleyan, 31-24.
Where: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville 
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Gilmer leads the series 7-3, but the Tigers have won the last three meetings, all since 2015, including the past two seasons in region play. Dawson County can clinch a playoff berth with a win. The Tigers have won 4 straight. The Bobcats have lost 2 straight but are still third in the standings based on their win over Wesleyan. Offense has been the issue for Gilmer. In their 5 wins, the Bobcats have averaged 39.0 ppg. In their 3 losses, they have scored just 38 points (12.6 ppg). Dawson County is yielding just 7.7 ppg in region play.
What to watch for: The Dawson County offense vs. the Bobcats' defense. The Tigers are the highest-scoring team in region play (145, 36.2 ppg) while Gilmer has given up 58 points (29.0 ppg) during its two-game losing streak.

HABERSHAM CENTRAL at NORTH FORSYTH
Records: Raiders (2-5, 0-3 Region 8-6A); Raiders (5-2, 3-0 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Habersham Central lost 34-0 to Gainesville; North Forsyth was off.
Where: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: The series is tied 1-1 with both teams winning at home when both were part of Region 6-6A before there were 7 classifications. North Forsyth cannot afford a slip up as it tries to stay tied atop the region with Gainesville. Hab Central is trying to get back in the playoff race but needs to win out and get some help. Hab Central has struggled in region play, scoring a region-low 34 points (11.3 ppg) and giving up 32.1 ppg. North Forsyth has allowed just 44 points (14.6 ppg) in region play.
What to watch for: The North Forsyth offense vs. the Hab Central defense. North Forsyth's West Roberts leads 8-6A in passing (1,518 yards, 15 TD, 11 INT) and teammate WR Logan Curry (42 rec., 599 yards, 6 TD) leads the region in receiving. Hab Central CB Chase Colbert leads the region with 6 INT so that could be a fun matchup to watch.

KING'S RIDGE CHRISTIAN at LANIER CHRISTIAN
Records: Tigers (1-5, non-region); Lightning (5-2, GAPPS Class 1-2A)
Last week: King’s Ridge was off; Lanier Christian was off.
Where: Cabbell Field, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. This will be the first-ever matchup for the Lightning against a GHSA team. The Tigers are part of Region 6 in Class A Division 1 but are playing a non-region schedule. King’s Ridge has dropped 3 straight and has averaged just 12.0 ppg during the losing streak.
What to watch for: The LCA offense vs. the Tigers defense. LCA is coming off a 21-16 loss to King’s Academy two weeks ago. That was a season-low in points but they are still averaging 52.2 ppg on the season. The Tigers have allowed 125 points (41.6 ppg) over their past three games. 

LANIER at JACKSON COUNTY 
Records: Longhorns (3-5, 2-2 Region 8-6A); Panthers (3-5, 2-2 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Lanier beat Apalachee, 27-20; Jackson County was off.
Where: Panther Stadium, Hoschton
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. Both teams are right in the middle of the playoff race and need a win. This could be the make-or-break game for the Panthers, who close out the season in two weeks against Gainesville. Lanier is just 1-3 on the road and is averaging just 11.6 ppg and has scored 7 or fewer three times. The Longhorns are 45th out of 57 6A teams in defense. Jackson County has led at the half in every game but one. Finishing games has been an issue.
What to watch for: The Panthers offense vs. the Lanier defense. Panthers' QB Chase Berrong is 3rd in the region with 1,262 yards and 9 TDs passing. RB MJ Spurlin is 3rd in rushing with 643 yards and 9 TDs. Lanier is minus-8 in turnover ratio.

LOGANVILLE at JEFFERSON
Records: Red Devils, ranked 4th in Class 5A (8-0, 4-0 Region 8-5A); Dragons, ranked 7th in Class 5A (5-2, 3-0 Region 8-5A)
Last week: Loganville was off; Jefferson beat Flowery Branch, 27-0.
Where: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
Radio: 102.9 FM WDUN
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Jefferson leads the series 7-3. This is the first meeting between the two teams since 1987. The Dragons are 4-1 all-time at home against Loganville. The one simple thing to know here is that the Red Devils can secure their first region title since 2008 and just the third ever in program history with a win. Jefferson, meanwhile, controls its fate as well. If they can win out, starting with Loganville, they will win the region title. They finish the regular season at home against Eastside, who is in third place but has lost to Loganville already. Expect another defensive battle as the Red Devils are 9th in 5A, allowing just 12.5 ppg while Jefferson is 10th allowing just 13.0 ppg. 
What to watch for: The Loganville offense vs. the Jefferson defense. The Red Devils are tied for 6th in scoring (269, 33.6 ppg) in Class 5A behind Red Devils RB Solomon Leslie, who is 3rd in 6A in rushing with 1,095 yards (136.9 yards/game), 12 TD, and has 6 100-yard games already this season. Jefferson, however, has given up just 7 points (2.3 ppg) in region play so far behind the play of LB Sammy Brown.

LUMPKIN COUNTY at WHITE COUNTY
Records: Indians (6-1, 2-1 Region 7-3A); Warriors (3-4, 1-2 Region 7-3A)
Last week: Lumpkin County was off; White County beat West Hall, 56-14.
Where: Warriors Stadium, Cleveland
Radio: 93.9 FM WRWH; www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: White County leads the series 40-11-1. The Warriors have won 5 straight in the series and 7 of the last 8 going back to 2012. They are 12-2 vs. the Indians going back to 2006 and are 23-3 all-time against Lumpkin at Warriors Stadium. However, this may be the best Indian team in two decades. Lumpkin is 7th in offense in Class 3A (251, 35.8 ppg) and 6th in defense (96, 13.7 ppg). The Warriors have battled injuries over the past month and defense is the key. In their 3 wins, they have allowed just 35 points (11.6 ppg). In their 4 losses, they have given up 148 points (37.0 ppg). 
What to watch for: The Lumpkin offense vs. the Warriors defense. White County is almost back to full strength, especially on the defensive side. They will need everyone to help slow down QB Cooper Scott (1,038 yards and 9 TDs passing; 298 yards, 6 TDs rushing), WR Cal Faulkner (27 rec., 471 yards, 7 TD), and RB Mason Sullens (817 yards, 13 TD rushing). Turnovers are a key for the Indians. In their 4-0 start, they had zero turnovers. They have 7 in the last 3 games. The Warriors have only created 2 turnovers on defense all season.

PICKENS at WEST HALL
Records: Dragons (2-5, 1-2 Region 7-3A); Spartans (1-6, 0-3 Region 7-3A)
Last week: Pickens beat Gilmer, 27-10; West Hall lost 56-14 to White County
Where: West Hall Stadium, Oakwood 
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: West Hall leads the series 6-4. The two teams have not met since 2009, a 28-21 Pickens win in Jasper. The Dragons were a preseason pick to make the playoffs but may find themselves in a must-win scenario the rest of the way after an 0-2 start in the region. The Spartans are still mathematically alive but would have to win out and get a lot of help to make the postseason. The two teams are at the bottom of the region in offense, but West Hall has given up the 5th-most points (257, 36.7 ppg) in Class 3A. Pickens can get back in the playoff race with another win, but the Spartans could deal them a severe blow with a loss.
What to watch for: Can the West Hall offense get back on track? After scoring 37 points in their first two games, the Spartans have scored just 31 since (6.2 ppg).

RIVERSIDE PREPARATORY at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
Records: Eagles (0-8, 0-2 GISA District 4-AAAA-AAA); Lions (4-3, 0-1 GISA District 4-AAAA-AAA)
Last week: Riverside lost 41-7 to Bethlehem Christian Academy; Lakeview Academy was off.
Where: Lakeview Stadium, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: The series is tied 2-2. It’s the first meeting since 2019, a 21-20 Lakeview win on the road. The Eagles continue to find the going rough. They are averaging a GIAA-low 8.0 ppg and giving up the most points in GIAA (408, 51.0 ppg). Lakeview is averaging 27.7 ppg on offense and yielding 24.2 ppg on defense.
What to watch for: Can Riverside snap its 14-game losing streak? The Eagles will have to find some offense and slow down a Lions offense that is coming off a 61-point outing two weeks ago and has scored 137 points (36.5 ppg) over its last 4 games.

WARREN COUNTY at TOWNS COUNTY
Records: Streaming Devils (2-5, 0-2 Region 8-A Division 2); Indians (2-5, 0-2 Region 8-A Division 2)
Last week: Warren County was off; Towns County beat Johnson, 39-21
Where: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. The Indians snapped their 4-game losing streak last week. Now they will see if they can snap a 9-game losing streak in region play going back to 2020. Warren County, a quarterfinalist each of the past three seasons, is young and struggling, having dropped 3 straight, the Screaming Devils’ longest losing streak since 2017. A win for the Indians would put them in a tie for fourth place. Indians’ RB Seth Gillis had a huge game last week vs. Johnson with 177 yards and 5 TDs.
What to watch for: The Towns County defense vs. the Warren County offense. The Indians have traditionally struggled with quicker defenses so finishing drives and controlling the clock will be crucial. The Streaming Devils have been outscored 87-26 in region play. However, Towns County is averaging just 9.5 ppg in the region.