Week 10 is a huge week for northeast Georgia area teams.
Almost a dozen crucial games involving 24 of the 26 teams covered by AccessWDUN/Friday Game Night highlight a 19-game schedule on Friday, one of the busiest weeks of the season.
Nearly a half-dozen teams face elimination coming into this week’s action while others can put themselves in line for region titles.
Region 8-4A continues to be wild as six teams are within 1 1/2 games of second place with some ultra-important matchups on Friday with every game having a huge impact on the standings.
Region 7-3A is much the same way with five teams within 1 1/2-games of first place Lumpkin County, who is the only unbeaten team left.
(Flowery Branch and North Hall are off this week.)
For a look at all of the weekend's contests involving area teams, scroll down. And be sure to check back with AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night throughout the night for score updates, game stories and video highlights. You can also check for scores and highlights on our Twitter feed: @FridayGameNight
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR Oct. 20
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
ATHENS ACADEMY at BANKS COUNTY
Records: Spartans (4-3, 1-1 Region 8-2A), ranked 9th in Class 2A; Leopards (4-3, 0-2 Region 8-2A)
Last week: Athens Academy lost 52-28 to Fellowship Christian; Banks County was off
Where: Leopards Stadium, Homer
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Athens Academy leads series 10-8-1. The Spartans won 70-13 in 2022. This is just the 2nd meeting between the two teams since 1997. This is probably a must-win for the Leopards, who are the only team coming into this week with two region losses. It will be another tough task for the Banks County defense.
What to watch for: The Banks County defense vs. the Spartans offense. Athens Academy is 9th in scoring in Class 2A (271, 38.7 ppg) behind QB Hampton Johnson (1,777 yards, 15 TD), who leads 2A in passing. The Leopards have yielded 106 points (35.3 ppg) during their 3-game losing streak. But Johnson has thrown 10 INTs on the season and the Leopards defense has picked off 8 passes in 2023.
BUFORD at DACULA
Records: Wolves (6-1, 1-1 Region 8-7A), ranked 4th in Class 7A; Falcons (1-6, 0-2 Region 8-7A)
Last week: Buford lost 31-24 to Mill Creek; Dacula lost 10-7 to Central Gwinnett
Where: Barron Field, Dacula
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Buford leads series 27-8. The Wolves won 50-7 in 2022 and have won all four meetings since the series resumed in 2020. The Falcons have lost three straight but one was by a field goal and the other was in overtime. The Falcons are giving up a respectable 23.2 ppg on defense. The Buford offense had its worst rushing day in decades last week with just 20 yards on 15 carries.
What to watch for: The Buford defense vs. the Dacula offense. The Wolves, despite the 31 points allowed last week, are still 2nd in Class 7A in defense, allowing just 9.8 ppg. The Falcons have scored the 4th-fewest points in 7A (91, 13.8 ppg) and have scored just 13 points (6.5 ppg) in region play.
CEDAR SHOALS at CHESTATEE
Records: Jaguars (3-5, 3-3 Region 8-4A); War Eagles (0-7, 0-5 Region 8-4A)
Last week: Cedar Shoals beat Madison County, 40-36; Chestatee lost 27-0 to North Hall
Where: Lynn Cottrell Complex, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Cedar Shoals leads series 3-0. The Jaguars won 46-39 in 2022 and all four meetings have been since 2020. The last two games have been decided by 7 points or less. The Jaguars got back in the playoff race last week with an upset win over the Red Raiders. The War Eagles were eliminated last week and probably would love nothing more than to play spoiler the rest of the way.
What to watch for: Both offenses. Both teams are in the bottom third in 4A in offense. The Jaguars had their biggest output of the season last week but are still averaging just 13.3 ppg. The War Eagles have scored just 46 points (6.5 ppg), the 3rd-fewest in Class 4A.
COMMERCE at ELBERT COUNTY
Records: Tigers (7-1, 1-0 Region 8-A Division 1), ranked 7th in Class A Division 1; Blue Devils (7-1, 1-0 Region 8-A Division 1), ranked 3rd in Class A Division 1
Last week: Commerce beat Athens Christian, 39-0; Elbert County beat Rabun County, 21-9
Where: The Granite Bowl, Elberton
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Elbert County leads series 2-1. The Blue Devils won 41-21 in 2022 and have won the last two in the series. Jaiden Daniels and Tysean Wiggins are the best 1-2 combo in the classification. Daniels (1,060 yards) still leads Class A D1 and Wiggins (1,002 yards) is third, according to the latest MaxPreps stats. Both offenses are potent. Elbert is 7th in Class A D1 (255, 31.8 ppg) and the Tigers are 8th (254, 31.75 ppg). Defensively, however, Commerce has allowed just 108 points (13.5 ppg) while the Blue Devils have given up 195 points (24.3 ppg).
What to watch for: The Elbert defense vs. the Commerce triple-option. The Blue Devils held an explosive Rabun County offense (32.8 ppg) to just one TD last week. But they gave up 55 to Madison County, which also runs a similar triple-option offense. Can they stop Daniels and Wiggins from finding running lanes? That may be the difference in this one.
DAWSON COUNTY at GILMER
Records: Tigers (2-6, 2-2 Region 7-3A); Bobcats (5-3, 2-2 Region 7-3A)
Last week: Dawson County lost 21-20 to Wesleyan; Gilmer beat Pickens, 35-24
Where: Huff-Mosley Stadium, Ellijay
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Gilmer leads series 7-4. Dawson County won 17-7 in 2022 and has won four straight in the series. The Tigers are 3-0 in Ellijay under Sid Maxwell. The two teams are tied for fourth and the winner would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with one game left. Both teams are giving up 25 ppg on defense. The Bobcats have 100 more points than the Tigers.
What to watch for: The Dawson County offense vs. the Gilmer defense. After some early-season struggles, the Tigers have averaged 27.5 ppg in region play. The Bobcats are allowing 34.0 ppg on defense in region play.
EAST FORSYTH at MADISON COUNTY
Records: Broncos (5-2, 3-2 Region 8-4A); Red Raiders (5-2, 3-2 Region 8-4A)
Last week: East Forsyth lost 44-19 to North Oconee; Madison County lost 40-36 to Cedar Shoals
Where: Red Raider Stadium, Danielsville
Radio: WDUN 102.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Madison County leads series 1-0. The Red Raiders won 42-34 in 2022. A huge game for both teams, who are tied for third in the region and just one-half ahead of both Cedar Shoals and Cherokee Bluff. The winner would be tied with North Hall for 2nd while the loser may find themselves in 6th place at best with just two games left.
What to watch for: The East Forsyth defense vs. the Red Raiders triple-option. The Broncos are still 5th in Class 4A, allowing just 13.4 ppg while the Red Raiders are 10th in 4A in scoring (264, 37.7 ppg).
EAST HALL at CHEROKEE BLUFF
Records: Vikings (2-5, 1-4 Region 8-4A); Bears (3-5, 3-3 Region 8-4A)
Last week: East Hall was off; Cherokee Bluff lost 21-16 to Walnut Grove
Where: Yonah Field, Flowery Branch
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Cherokee Bluff leads series 2-1. The Bears won 34-20 in 2022 and have won the last two meetings. Bluff was stunned last week to drop into a 5th-place tie with Cedar Shoals, but they own the tiebreaker over the Jaguars. A win would put the Bears into fourth place no matter the Jaguars outcome with Chestatee. East Hall is still alive but would need a lot of help. A Vikings loss would eliminate them.
What to watch for: The Bluff defense vs. the East Hall offense. The Vikings have scored just 49 points (9.8 ppg) in region play. The Bears are yielding just 16.8 ppg (101 points) in region play.
JACKSON COUNTY at LANIER
Records: Panthers (4-4, 2-2 Region 8-6A); Longhorns (6-2, 3-1 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Jackson County was off; Lanier beat Apalachee, 42-13
Where: The Ranch, Sugar Hill
Radio: WDUN 102.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Lanier leads series 1-0. The Longhorns won 21-14 in 2022. Both teams are in the middle of the playoff race and need wins. Jackson County is 4-0 at home but 0-4 on the road in 2023. The Panthers, however, have the toughest finish in the region and are in a must win out scenario. With losses already to North Forsyth and Habersham Central, the Panthers would lose any head-to-head tiebreakers. To ensure a playoff spot, they will have to beat the Longhorns and then No. 1 Gainesville next week to get in. The Longhorns are in a duel for the No. 2 spot with North Forsyth but hold the tiebreaker.
What to watch for: The Jackson County offense vs. the Longhorns defense. The Panthers have averaged 33.25 ppg since RJ Knapp took over at QB. And MJ Spurlin is back to infuse the ground game. Lanier is yielding 20.75 ppg in region play.
JEFFERSON at LOGANVILLE
Records: Dragons (7-0, 3-0 Region 8-5A), ranked 3rd in Class 5A; Red Devils (4-4, 2-2 Region 8-5A)
Last week: Jefferson beat Flowery Branch, 41-13; Loganville was off
Where: Loganville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Jefferson leads series 8-3. The Dragons won 42-6 in 2022 in the first meeting between the two schools since 1987. They have won two straight in the series. Jefferson can clinch a playoff berth with a win. It’s a huge game for the Red Devils, who are tied for 3rd with Flowery Branch and those two teams close out their regular season next week. Sammy Brown topped the 1,000-yard mark for a 2nd consecutive season last week with 228 yards. He now has 1,025 on the season with 15 TDs. QB Gavin Markey threw three TD passes, two to Talan Childress.
What to watch for: The Loganville offense vs. the Jefferson defense. The Dragons are 2nd in Class 5A allowing just 72 points (10.29 ppg). Loganville has scored 42 or more four times, all wins, but also have been held to 15 or less four times, all losses. Red Devils' So. QB Brody Hannah leads Class 5A and the state in passing with 2,264 yards, 21 TDs, and just 6 INTs. Teammate WR Ahmed Souare leads the state in receiving with 1,115 yards and 14 TD.
JOHNSON at DRUID HILLS
Records: Knights (3-4, non-region Region 8-4A); Red Devils (5-1-1, non-region Region 6-4A)
Last week: Johnson beat Towns County, 35-0; Druid Hills beat Clarkston, 58-7
Where: Druid Hills
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Druid Hills leads series 2-1. The Red Devils won 56-15 in 2022. The Knights have won back-to-back games for the first time since 2019 and one more victory will equal their most wins since 2019 as well. Druid Hills has won 3 straight and the 5 wins are its most since 1993. Edgar Vazquez had 113 yards and 2 TDs rushing last week for the Knights.
What to watch for: The Johnson offense vs. the Druid Hills defense. The Knights are averaging 165 ypg on the ground behind Demetri Moon (629 yards, 3 100-yard games, 9 TD). Druid Hills is giving up just 15.5 ppg on the season.
LANIER CHRISTIAN at KING’S RIDGE CHRISTIAN
Records: Lightning (3-4, GAPPS 11-man); Tigers (2-3, non-region, Region 6-A Division I)
Last week: Lanier Christian lost 14-7 to Lakeview Academy; King’s Ridge was off
Where: Alpharetta
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Lanier Christian leads series 1-0. The Lightning won 42-21 in 2022. The LCA offense is still trying to regroup after the loss of QB CJ Britt. Look for the Knights to go more toward the run with Noah Freeman (63 car., 348 yards, 1 TD), Isaiah Hrenuic (38 car., 281 yards, 2 TD), and
Shephard Acton (24 car., 257 yards, 5 TD). The Tigers have lost two straight and have not played since Sept. 29
What to watch for: The LCA defense vs. the Tigers offense. LCA is allowing just under 30 ppg while the Tigers have scored just 54 points (10.8 ppg) on the season.
NORTH FORSYTH at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
Records: Raiders (3-4, 2-1 Region 8-6A); Raiders (3-4, 1-2 Region 8-6A)
Last week: North Forsyth was off; Habersham Central lost 49-7 to Gainesville
Where: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: North Forsyth leads series 2-1. North Forsyth won 24-14 in 2022 in Coal Mountain. Hab Central’s only win in the series came at home in 2014. NoFo is just 1-3 away from home but Hab Central is just 2-2 at home this season. Both teams are locked in a tight playoff race. North Forsyth can stay in 3rd place with a win or move into 2nd with a win and a Lanier loss to Jackson County. Hab Central can move into 3rd place with a win and a Lanier win.
What to watch for: The Hab Central offense vs. the NoFo defense. Hab central has scored the 2nd-fewest points in region (55, 18.3 ppg) while the NoFo defense has given up the 2nd-fewest in region play (69, 23.0 ppg). NoFo has forced 15 turnovers (10 INT). Hab Central has 8 turnovers (4 INT, 4 fumbles) on the season.
RABUN COUNTY at ATHENS CHRISTIAN
Records: Wildcats (6-2, 0-1 Region 8-A Division 1), ranked 5th in Class A Division 1; Eagles (0-7, 0-1 Region 8-A Division 1)
Last week: Rabun County lost 21-9 to Elbert County; Athens Christian lost 39-0 to Commerce
Where: Eagle Field, Athens
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Rabun County leads series 1-0. The Wildcats won 52-7 in 2022. The Wildcats’ 50-game region win streak, the longest in the state, came to a stunning end last week. They had not lost to a region opponent since Washington-Wilkes beat them 52-7 on Oct. 18, 2013, almost 10 years to the day. QB Ty Truelove threw for 249 yards and a TD but 5 big penalties and 3 sacks thwarted several drives. Willie Goodwyn had 7 catches for 107 yards and a TD.
What to watch for: The Rabun County offense vs. the Eagles defense. Athens Christian has given up the most points in Class A D1 (282, 54.5 ppg) while the Wildcats, despite just the 9 points last week, are still 6th in offense (263, 32.8 ppg).
RIVERSIDE PREP at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
Records: Eagles (0-7, 0-2 District 4-AAAA-AAA); Lions (3-4, 0-1 District 4-AAAA-AAA)
Last week: Riverside lost 51-0 to Bethlehem Christian; Lakeview beat Lanier Christian, 14-7
Where: Lakeview Stadium, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Lakeview leads the series 3-2. The Lions won 44-6 in 2022 and have won two straight in the series. Lakeview is right in the middle of the pack for the playoffs and can’t afford any losses. The Eagles have lost 23 straight games.
What to watch for: The Lakeview offense vs. the Riverside defense. The Eagles are giving up 42.0 ppg. The Lions have scored 123 points in their 3 wins (41.0 ppg) but just 21 points in their 4 losses (5.25 ppg).
SHILOH at GAINESVILLE
Records: Generals (2-5, 1-2 Region 8-6A); Red Elephants (7-0, 3-0 Region 8-6A), ranked No. 1 in Class 6A
Last week: Shiloh was off; Gainesville beat Habersham Central, 49-7
Where: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
Radio: 94.9 FM The Lake
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Gainesville leads series 1-0. The Red Elephants won 34-7 in 2022. The Red Elephants have dominated region play, outscoring their first three opponents 154-13. Shiloh is 2-0 when scoring 30 or more points. However, the Generals have scored 7 or less with two shutout losses in their other 5 games.
What to watch for: The Gainesville offense vs. the Shiloh defense. The Red Elephants are 8th in 6A in scoring (276, 39.4 ppg). The Generals are 54th out of 57 6A teams in defense (279, 39.8 ppg).
TOWNS COUNTY at WARREN COUNTY
Records: Indians (0-7, 0-2 Region 8-A Division 2); Screaming Devils (2-5, 0-2 Region 8-A Division 2)
Last week: Towns County lost 35-0 to Johnson; Warren County was off
Where: Albert Massey Field, Warrenton
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Towns County leads series 1-0. The Indians won 20-8 in 2022. Both have been struggling. Towns County has been battling injuries to key starters. The Screaming Devils are young with their top five rushers either juniors or sophomores. However, they are averaging over 200 ypg with 7 rushers with over 100 yards on the season.
What to watch for: Both offenses. Warren County has scored just 28 points during a 5-game losing streak (5.6 ppg). The Indians have scored the fewest points in the classification (43, 6.14 ppg).
UNION COUNTY at EAST JACKSON
Records: Panthers (5-2, 1-1 Region 8-2A); Eagles (6-1, 1-1 Region 8-2A)
Last week: Union County lost 55-35 to Providence Christian; East Jackson was off
Where: Eagles Stadium, Commerce
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Union County leads series 3-1. The Panthers won 21-17 in Blairsville in 2022. A huge game and almost a must-win for both teams, who are battling for a playoff spot in one of the deepest regions in the state. The Panthers may have the toughest finish of any of the 8-2A teams with ranked teams Athens Academy and Fellowship Christian still left. The Eagles also have Athens Academy left. Expect a wide-open contest with both QBs among the classification leaders in passing. Union’s Caiden Tanner (1,667 yards, 18 TD, 5 INT) is 2nd in Class 2A while the Eagles’ Drew Richardson (1,247 yards, 9 TD, 1 INT) is 8th.
What to watch for: Both defenses. The offenses will put pressure on from the opening play. Whichever defense can create a turnover or two, or make a stop, could be the difference. The Panthers have forced 9 turnovers (2 INT, 7 fumbles) while the Eagles have forced 11 turnovers (4 INT, 7 fumbles) on the season.
WEST HALL at PICKENS
Records: Spartans (1-6, 0-3 Region 7-3A); Dragons (0-0, Region 7-3A)
Last week: West Hall lost 38-7 to White County; Pickens lost 35-24 to Gilmer
Where: Dragon Stadium, Jasper
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: West Hall leads series 6-5. The Dragons won 29-7 in 2022 and have won two straight over the Spartans. West Hall’s last win in the series came in 2008 in Oakwood. The winner mathematically stays alive in the playoff race in 7-3A. West Hall would be eliminated with a loss while the Dragons would be eliminated with a loss and a White County win on Friday. The Dragons have lost 6 straight while the Spartans have lost 5 straight.
What to watch for: Both defenses. The Dragons have given up 41.8 ppg during their losing streak while the Spartans have surrendered 37.8 ppg during their streak. Whichever unit can make the most stops will probably be the key.
WHITE COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
Records: Warriors (4-3, 2-1 Region 7-3A); Indians (7-0, 3-0 Region 7-3A), ranked 7th in Class 3A
Last week: White County beat West Hall, 38-7; Lumpkin County was off
Where: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
Radio: WRWH 93.9 FM; www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: White County leads series 40-12-1. Lumpkin County won 56-35 in 2022 to snap a 5-game losing streak to the Warriors. Lumpkin County is one of just three undefeated teams left in Class 3A. The Indians have been dominating all season. They are 2nd in scoring average (41.5 ppg) and 5th in defense, allowing just 11.7 ppg. Lumpkin County RB Mason Sullens leads the state, all classes, in rushing with 1,302 yards.
What to watch for: The White County offense vs. the Lumpkin County defense. Something will definitely have to give here. The Warriors have scored the 2nd-most points for 7-3A teams (232, 33.1 ppg) and have not scored less than 24 in any game. The Indians have given up more than 21 just once, in their opener in a 44-27 win over Union County.
