Not only is it the busiest week of the season in terms of number of games, but Week 11 may be the biggest week of the season with playoff fates hanging in the balance for a dozen teams in the northeast Georgia area.
North Hall punched its playoff ticket last night with a tough 24-14 win over Cedar Shoals in a huge Region 8-4A showdown in Athens. The Trojans will now sit back tonight to see how things shake out to see if they have a chance at the No. 2 seed and a home playoff spot before closing out the regular season next week against East Forsyth at The Brickyard.
Nineteen more games -- and most of them crucial to the playoffs in the 10 regions and 26 teams covered by AcessWDUN/Friday Game Night in the GHSA, GIAA, and GAPPS leagues -- are on tap for Friday.
Gainesville in Region 8-6A, Lumpkin County in Region 7-3A, and Commerce in Region 8-A Division 1 all can wrap up region titles with wins on Friday.
Buford in region 8-7A, Flowery Branch in Region 8-5A, White County in Region 7-3A, and Union County in Region 8-2A al can secure playoff spots with wins on Friday.
Several teams are hoping to stave off elimination. East Forsyth in Region 8-4A, East Jackson and Banks County in Region 8-2A, and Towns County in Region 8-A Division 2 all need wins to stay alive.
(Cherokee Bluff and Jackson County 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. 27
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
ATHENS ACADEMY at UNION COUNTY
Records: Spartans (5-3, 2-1 Region 8-2A), ranked 10th in Class 2A; Panthers (6-2, 2-1 Region 8-2A)
Last week: Athens Academy beat Banks County, 56-27; Union County beat East Jackson, 48-28
Where: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Athens Academy leads series 5-0. The Spartans won 38-7 in 2022. The winner of this one will take over 2nd place in the region. Both offenses have been potent all season. The Spartans are 5th in Class 2A (327, 40.8 ppg) and the Panthers are 6th (322, 40.25 ppg). Union is finding a way to keep its potent passing attack going despite the loss of WR Jensen Goble. QB Caiden Tanner is 2nd in 2A in passing (2,017 yards, 21 TD) while Hampton Johnson of Athens Academy leads the classification with 2,086 yards and 18 TD. The Spartans are giving up 28.3 ppg on defense.
What to watch for: The Union County defense vs. the Spartans offense. The Panthers have been battling injuries on the defensive side, giving up 83 points the past two weeks. But they could get a couple of key guys back just in time. Despite the injuries, they are allowing just 20.38 ppg on the season.
CHESTATEE at EAST FORSYTH
Records: War Eagles (0-8, 0-6 Region 8-4A); Broncos (5-3, 3-3 Region 8-4A)
Last week: Chestatee lost 45-21 to Cedar Shoals; East Forsyth lost 50-34 to Madison County
Where: Broncos Stadium, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Chestatee leads series 1-0. The War Eagles won 32-28 in 2022. The Broncos would love a measure of revenge as the War Eagles knocked them out of the playoff picture last season. And, it’s a must win for the Broncos, who have lost 3 straight and sit 6th in the standings and would head-to-head tiebreakers with both Cherokee Bluff and Madison County. But Chestatee is really struggling, sitting 57th in 4A in defense (360, 45.0 ppg) and 56th in offense (67, 8.3 ppg). The Broncos have allowed 94 points the past two weeks (47.0 ppg) but it came against North Oconee and Madison County, who both are in the top 8 in 4A in offense.
What to watch for: The East Forsyth offense vs. the Chestatee defense. Since averaging 38.2 ppg during a 5-game win streak, the Broncos have scored just 56 points (18.6 ppg) during the losing streak.
CLARKSTON at JOHNSON
Records: Angoras (1-7, Region 6-4A, non-region); Knights (3-5, Region 8-4A, non-region)
Last week: Clarkston lost 30-0 to Midtown; Johnson lost 41-0 to Druid Hills
Where: The Dungeon, Oakwood
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Johnson leads series 2-1. Clarkston won 8-6 in 2022. All three meetings have been since 2012. Johnson can match its best win total since 2019 and if the Knights can win out they’ll post their first non-losing season (region or non-region) since 2012. They play Midtown next week.
What to watch for: The Johnson defense vs. the Clarkston offense. The Angoras are 57th in 4A in scoring (57, 7.13 ppg) and have not scored more than 8 points during a 5-game losing streak. The Knights are yielding 31.25 ppg.
FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN at BANKS COUNTY
Records: Paladins (6-2, 3-0 Region 8-2A), ranked 7th in Class 2A; Leopards (4-4, 0-3 Region 8-2A)
Last week: Fellowship beat Providence Christian, 73-39; Banks County lost 56-27 to Athens Academy
Where: Leopards Stadium, Homer
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Fellowship leads series 1-0. The Paladins won 42-7 in 2022. Both teams have plenty to play for. The Paladins can clinch the region title with a win while the Leopards need a win to stay in the playoff race..
What to watch for: The Paladins offense vs. the Leopards defense. Fellowship is 4th in scoring in Class 2A (361, 45.1 ppg) while Banks County is allowing 26.5 ppg (212 points).
GAINESVILLE at NORTH FORSYTH
Records: Red Elephants (8-0, 4-0 Region 8-6A), ranked No. 1 in Class 6A; Raiders (4-4, 3-1 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Gainesville beat Shiloh, 55-0; North Forsyth beat Habersham Central, 36-19
Where: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
Radio: 94.5 FM The Lake
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: North Forsyth leads series 7-2. Gainesville won 34-21 in 2022 and both of the Red Elephants’ wins have been since 2020. Both teams have locked up playoff spots and both can win the region title. Gainesville can clinch the title with a win over NoFo. The Raiders sit 3rd but can clinch the region title if they can win out and get a Lanier loss to Shiloh.
What to watch for: The Gainesville offense vs. the North Forsyth defense. Since giving up 25.6 ppg over their first five games, the Raiders are yielding just 17.6 over their last three. The Red Elephants are 6th in Class 6A in scoring (331, 41.38 ppg).
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at APALACHEE
Records: Raiders (3-5, 1-3 Region 8-6A); Wildcats (0-4, 0-4 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Habersham Central lost 36-19 to North Forsyth; Apalachee was off
Where: R. Harold Harrison Stadium, Bethlehem
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Habersham Central leads series 7-4. The Raiders won 28-14 in 2022. Hab Central has won three straight and 7 of the last 8 overall in the series. The Raiders sit 5th at the moment in the standings but if they can win out, they own the tiebreaker over Jackson County and would grab the No. 4 spot. The Wildcats have lost 19 straight, the longest losing streak in program history.
What to watch for: The Hab Central offense vs. the Apalachee defense. The Wildcats are 54th out of 57 teams in 6A in defense (339, 42.3 ppg). The Raiders are averaging just 19.25 ppg but are 1-4 when scoring 19 or less.
HERITAGE-CONYERS at JEFFERSON
Records: Patriots (3-5, 1-3 Region 8-5A); Dragons (8-0, 4-0 Region 8-5A), ranked No. 4 in Class 5A
Last week: Heritage beat Winder-Barrow, 40-21; Jefferson beat Loganville, 56-20
Where: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Jefferson leads series 1-0. The Dragons won 49-6 in 2022. Jefferson is one of just two unbeaten teams left in Class 5A (Coffee, 8-0). The Dragons have clinched a playoff spot but can clinch a home playoff game with a win. The Patriots are just one-half out of fourth place and can still make the playoffs. However, they would have to beat the Dragons and then Flowery Branch next week AND get a Loganville loss to Branch this week to get in. Any loss would eliminate them from the playoffs. Last week, Gavin Markey was 5-of-5 passing for 190 yards and 3 TDs. Sammy Brown had 123 yards on just 5 carries.
What to watch for: The Jefferson offense vs. the Heritage defense. The Patriots are in the bottom 10 in 5A (257, 32.13 ppg). They have given up 157 points (39.25 ppg) in region play. The Dragons, behind RB Sammy Brown, are 4th in scoring average in 5A (313, 39.13 ppg).
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY
Records: Lions (4-4, 1-1 District 4-AAAA-AAA); Bulldogs (5-3, 2-0 District 4-AAAA-AAA)
Last week: Lakaview beat Riverside Military, 41-0; George Walton was off
Where: Keith Henderson Stadium, Monroe
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: George Walton leads series 7-0. The Bulldogs won 56-36 in 2022. With power rankings used to determine the top 10 teams for the playoffs, the Lions sit 11th in GIAA AAA. A win over the Bulldogs, who are 6th in GIAA AAAA, could be enough to move them up.
What to watch for: The George Walton offense vs. the Lions defense. The Bulldogs have scored 145 points during a 3-game win streak (48.3 ppg). The Lions are giving up 22.13 ppg but have surrendered 156 points (39.0 ppg) in their four losses.
LANIER CHRISTIAN at THE WALKER SCHOOL
Records: Lightning (3-5, 1-1, GAPPS Region 1-AA); Wolverines (4-4, Region 6-2A, non-region)
Last week: LCA lost 32-14 to King’s Ridge Christian; Walker lost 50-6 Cherokee Christian
Where: Robertson Field, Marietta
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. LCA is playing for a wild card berth in GAPPS. The top two teams in each region and two wild cards are selected. Beating the Wolverines could boost their power rankings.
What to watch for: The LCA offense has been hit hard by injuries. Since averaging 41.0 ppg over their first five games, the Lightning have scored just 42 (14.0 ppg) over their past three games. Walker has given up 153 points (30.6 ppg) over its past five games.
LOGANVILLE at FLOWERY BRANCH
Records: Red Devils (4-5, 2-3 Region 8-5A); Falcons (4-4, 2-2 Region 8-5A)
Last week: Loganville lost 56-20 to Jefferson, Flowery Branch was off
Where: Falcon Field, Flowery Branch
Radio: WDUN FM 102.9
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Flowery Branch leads series 6-3. Loganville won 31-22 in 2022 and have won 3 of the last 4 going back to 2015. All nine meetings have been since 2010. Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives. The loser of this game is not eliminated but would need help to get in with one week remaining. The Falcons can clinch a playoff spot with a win AND either Heritage or Winder-Barrow loss. Loganville clinches a spot with a win AND Jefferson and Eastside wins. In region play, the Falcons are averaging 33.5 ppg while Loganville is surrendering 44.2 ppg.
What to watch for: The Branch defense vs. the Loganville offense. Red Devils’ QB Brody Hannah leads the state in passing with 2,543 yards, 23 TD, and 9 INT and teammate Ahmed Souare leads the state in receiving with 1,247 yards and 15 TDs. The Falcons have yielded 38 or more points in three of their four region games.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at DAWSON COUNTY
Records: Indians (8-0. 4-0 Region 7-3A), ranked No. 6 in Class 3A; Tigers (2-7, 2-3 Region 7-3A)
Last week: Lumpkin County beat White County, 61-56 in 4OT; Dawson County lost 31-24 to Gilmer
Where: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Dawson County leads series 24-19-2. The Tigers won 38-10 in 2022 and have won eight straight in the series. The last Lumpkin win came in 2014 in Dahlonega. Dawson County has won 9 straight at Tiger Stadium. The last Lumpkin win in Dawsonville was in 1998. The Indians can erase all that and clinch their first-ever region title with a win Friday night. Meanwhile, the Tigers are hanging on by a fingernail. A loss to the Indians OR a White County win over Pickens would eliminate them.
What to watch for: The Lumpkin County offense vs. the Dawson County defense. The Indians are 2nd in Class 3A, averaging 44.0 ppg (352 points) while the Tigers are giving up 26.22 ppg but have played well in 7-3A games, yielding just 19.4 ppg. Indians RB Mason Sullens
MOUNTAIN VIEW at BUFORD
Records: Bears (4-4, 2-1 Region 8-7A); Wolves (7-1, 2-1 Region 8-7A), ranked No. 4 in Class 7A
Last week: Mountain View beat Central Gwinnett, 31-18; Buford beat Dacula 66-0
Where: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
Radio: WDUN AM 550
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Buford leads series 1-0. The Wolves won 56-7 in 2022. There is plenty at stake in this one, including the winner taking over 2nd place in the region and having the head-to-head tiebreaker. Buford clinches a layoff spot with a win and a home playoff spot with a win, a Mill Creek win, AND a Central Gwinnett win. The bears clinch a playoff spot with a win AND a Central Gwinnett win.
What to watch for:
NORTH OCONEE at EAST HALL
Records: Titans (8-0, 6-0 Region 8-4A), ranked No. 2 in Class 4A; Vikings (2-6, 1-5 Region 8-4A)
Last week: North Oconee beat Walnut Grove, 49-0; East Hall lost 49-0 to Cherokee Bluff
Where: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: North Oconee leads series 3-0. The Titans won 48-7 in 2022. There are no playoff implications in this one. North Oconee has clinched the 8-4A title and the Vikings have been eliminated from the playoffs.
What to watch for: Can the East Hall offense, which has been shut out in two of its last three games, build some momentum going into next season?
PICKENS at WHITE COUNTY
Records: Dragons (2-6, 1-3 Region 7-3A); Warriors (4-4, 2-2 Region 7-3A)
Last week: Pickens beat West Hall, 35-12; White County lost 61-55 to Lumpkin County in 4OT
Where: White County Stadium, Cleveland
Radio: www.wrwh.com; WRWH 93.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: White County leads series 25-21-2. Pickens won 48-28 in 2022. The home team is 6-1 over the past seven meetings. It’s pretty simple for both teams. The Warriors would clinch a playoff spot with a win. The Dragons need a win to stay alive or be eliminated.
What to watch for: The White County offense vs. the Pickens defense. The Warriors are 2nd in the region in scoring, averaging 35.25 ppg while the Dragons have surrendered the 3rd-most points in region play (138, 34.5 ppg). If QB Tripp Nix and RB Ryan Fowler have big games, is could be playoff-clinching night for the Warriors.
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN at EAST JACKSON
Records: Storm (6-2, 1-2 Region 8-2A); Eagles (6-2, 1-2 Region 8-2A)
Last week: Providence lost 73-39 to Fellowship Christian; East Jackson lost 42-28 to Union County
Where: Eagle Stadium, Commerce
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: East Jackson leads series 1-0. The Eagles won 41-34 in 2022. The Storm already are having their best season in their 10th campaign as a program. The Eagles are having their best season since 2009. Both teams are tied for fourth place and East Jackson needs a win to stay in the playoff race. The Storm has a win over Union County and finishes with Banks County next week. The Eagles close out the season against Athens Academy. The Storm offense is averaging 44.5 ppg and is 2nd in Class 2A. The Eagles are giving up just 17.6 ppg, which is in the top 15 in 2A.
What to watch for: The East Jackson offense vs. the Storm defense. The Eagles are averaging 35.3 ppg behind QB Drew Richardson (1,425 yards, 12 TD, 2 INT) who is 7th in 2A in passing. Providence has allowed a respectable 25.5 ppg overall but has given up 159 points (53.0 ppg) in region play.
RABUN COUNTY at COMMERCE
Records: Wildcats (7-2, 1-1 Region 8-A Division 1), ranked 5th in Class A Division 1; Tigers (8-1, 2-0, Region 8-A Division 1), ranked 3rd in Class A Division 1
Last week: Rabun County beat Athens Christian, 38-0; Commerce beat Elbert County, 49-21
Where: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Commerce leads series 21-8-1. Rabun County won 27-22 in Tiger in 2022 and has won two straight in the series. It’s pretty straightforward. For Commerce, win and the Tigers will capture their first region title since 2020. The Wildcats can win their 10th straight region title if they can beat Commerce by more than 13 points.
What to watch for: The Commerce I-formation triple-option vs. the Rabun defense. The Tigers piled 535 yards rushing last week vs. an Elbert County defense that limited the Wildcats to 9 points in a win two weeks ago. If the Tigers are able to produce like that again with Jaiden Daniels and Tysean Wiggins, it could be a long night for the Wildcats defense.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY PREP at LOGANVILLE CHRISTIAN
Records: Eagles (0-8, 0-3 District 4-AAAA-AAA); Lions (2-6, 0-2 District 4-AAAA-AAA)
Last week: Riverside lost 41-0 to Lakeview Academy; Loganville Christian lost 48-3 to Bethlehem Christian
Where: Loganville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Loganville Christian leads series 1-0. The Lions won 21-12 in 2022. This could be the final game for coach Nick Garrett, who is stepping down at the end of the season. With power rankings used to determine the top 10 teams for the playoffs, these are the bottom two teams in the 12-team GIAA AAAA.
What to watch for: Both offenses. RPA has scored the fewest points (46, 5.75 ppg) while LCA has scored the 3rd-fewest (147, 18.3 ppg).
TOWNS COUNTY at WASHINGTON-WILKES
Records: Indians (0-8, 0-3 Region 8-A Division 2); Tigers (5-3, 2-1 Region 8-A Division 2)
Last week: Towns County lost 44-0 to Warren County; Washington-Wilkes beat Aquinas, 31-27
Where: Tiger Field, Washington
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Washington-Wilkes leads series 3-0. The Tigers won 29-6 in 2022. Towns County has never recovered from losing six starters early in the season. However, they are still alive for a playoff spot if they can win out. It will be a tough task, starting with the Tigers, who are 5th in offense in Class A D2, averaging 35.8 ppg (287 points). The Indians have given up the 5th-most points in Class A D2 (319, 39.8 ppg).
What to watch for: The Towns County offense, which was hit the hardest by injuries, has scored just 43 points (5.38 ppg) tied for the fewest in Class A D2. The Tigers are giving up just 17.38 ppg but have surrendered 54 points over their past two games.
WESLEYAN at WEST HALL
Records: Wolves (5-3, 3-1 Region 7-3A); Spartans (1-7, 0-4 Region 7-3A)
Last week: Wesleyan was off; West Hall lost 35-12 to Pickens
Where: West Hall Stadium, Oakwood
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Wesleyan leads series 1-0. The Wolves won 45-0 in 2022. The Spartans have been eliminated from the playoff race. The Wolves can clinch a playoff spot with a win OR a Pickens loss to White County.
What to watch for: The West Hall offense. After scoring 57 points in their first two games, the Spartans have scored just 53 points (8.8 ppg) since. Spartans’ RB Elijah Haynes had 204 yards and 2 TDs last week and went over 1,000 yards for the season (1,129). The Wolves are giving up 25.5 ppg on defense in region play.
