The final two regions involving northeast Georgia area teams crowned their champions on Thursday, with Jefferson defending its Region 8-5A title with a 35-0 win over Eastside on the road. The Dragons' defense, which came in second-best defense in Class 5A, proved it will be one of the dominant units in the classification in the upcoming playoffs.
But Union County's bid for the Region 8-2A title ended with a tough 28-21 loss to seventh-ranked Fellowship Christian on Thursday on the road. The Panthers led 14-0 in the first half but could not hold on.
They joined Regions 8-7A (Mill Creek), 8-6A (Gainesville), 8-4A (North Oconee), 7-3A (Lumpkin County), and 8-A Division 1 (Commerce) who all have claimed titles last week
Meanwhile, Jackson County, Flowery Branch, East Forsyth, East Jackson, and White County all need wins to get in. Cherokee Bluff and East Jackson also need some help to get in.
It figures to be an exciting Week 12 as the final playoff pieces are revealed.
(Commerce, Dawson County, Rabun County, and Riverside Prep all have completed their regular seasons.)
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 Nov. 3
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
APALACHEE at NORTH FORSYTH
Records: Wildcats (0-9, 0-5 Region 8-6A); Raiders (4-5, 3-2 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Apalachee lost 42-15 to Habersham Central; North Forsyth lost 41-14 to Gainesville
Where: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: North Forsyth leads series 1-0. The Raiders won 44-0 in 2022. There are no playoff implications in this one. The Wildcats have been eliminated while the Raiders have clinched a playoff spot and the No. 3 seed.
What to watch for: The Raiders struggled on offense against one of the best defenses in 6A last week. That can build some momentum heading into the playoffs?
BANKS COUNTY at PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN
Records: Leopards (4-5, 0-4 Region 8-2A); Storm (7-2, 2-2 Region 8-2A)
Last week: Banks County lost 21-10 to Fellowship Christian; Providence beat East Jackson, 54-27
Where: Lilburn
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Banks County leads series 1-0. The Leopards won 40-39 in 2022. There are no playoff implications in this one. The Leopards have been eliminated from the playoffs. The Storm clinched a playoff berth and no worse than the No. 3 seed last week. Leopards RB Aucy Jacobs over 1,000 yards rushing for the season last week and now sits at 1,024 yards.
What to watch for: The Banks County defense vs. the Providence offense. The Storm are 3rd in 2A in offense, averaging 45.6 ppg. The Leopards are yielding 25.8 ppg on defense.
CENTRAL GWINNETT at BUFORD
Records: Black Knights (3-6, 1-3 Region 8-7A); Wolves (8-1, 3-1 Region 8-7A), ranked 4th in Class 7A
Last week: Central Gwinnett lost 35-0 to Collins Hill; Buford beat Mountain View, 51-0
Where: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Buford leads series 7-6-1. The Wolves won 49-7 in 2022 and have won four straight and 6 of 7 meetings since 2000. There are no playoff implications in this one. Buford clinched the No. 2 seed and the Black Knights were eliminated last week.
What to watch for: The Buford offense. Dylan Raiola and the passing game has been rolling since their only loss to Mill Creek. But can the running game continue to get better as they get ready for the brutal 7A playoffs?
CHEROKEE BLUFF at NORTH OCONEE
Records: Bears (4-5, 4-3 Region 8-4A); Titans (9-0, 7-0 Region 8-4A), ranked No. 2 in Class 4A
Last week: Cherokee Bluff was off; North Oconee beat East Hall, 70-15
Where: Titan Stadium, Bogart
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: North Oconee leads series 1-0. The Titans won 42-7 in 2022. The Titans have clinched the No. 1 seed and the Bears are still alive. Bluff will clinch a playoff spot, win or lose, if North Hall beats East Forsyth.
What to watch for: The Bluff defense vs. the Titans offense. North Oconee leads 4A in scoring (429, 47.2 ppg) while the Bears are 2nd in 8-4A in defense, giving up just 18.0 ppg.
CHEROKEE CHRISTIAN at LANIER CHRISTIAN
Records: Warriors (5-3, 3-0 GAPPS 1-2A); Lightning (3-6, 1-2 GAPPS 1-2A)
Last week: Cherokee Christian beat Pinecrest Academy, 49-10; LCA lost 31-0 to Walker
Where: Cabbell Field, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Cherokee Christian leads series 3-0. The Warriors beat the Lightning twice in 2022, including 24-14 in the semifinals of the GAPPS playoffs. LCA is playing for a wild card berth in GAPPS. The top two teams in each region and two wild cards are selected.
What to watch for: Can the LCA defense slow down a Warriors offense that is averaging over 30 ppg over the past month? The Lightning have allowed 31 or more points 5 of their last 6 games.
EAST FORSYTH at NORTH HALL
Records: Broncos (6-3, 4-3 Region 8-4A); Trojans (7-2, 5-2 Region 8-4A)
Last week: East Forsyth beat Chestatee, 51-20; North Hall beat Cedar Shoals, 24-14
Where: The Brickyard, Gainesville
Radio: WDUN 102.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: East Forsyth leads series 1-0. The Broncos won 28-21 in 2022. The Trojans clinched a playoff spot last week. It’s easy for the Broncos. An East Forsyth loss knocks them out. A Broncos win gives them the No. 3 seed and North Hall would drop to fourth giving Madison County the No. 2 seed. North Hall can clinch the No. 2 spot with a win AND a Madison County loss to East Hall.
What to watch for: The Broncos offense vs. the North Hall defense. East Forsyth has scored 34 or more points 6 times in 2023. The Broncos are 5-1 in those games. North Hall has held teams to 17 or less 6 times. The Trojans are 6-0 when doing so.
EAST HALL at MADISON COUNTY
Records: Vikings (2-7, 1-6 Region 8-4A); Red Raiders (7-2, 5-2 Region 8-4A)
Last week: East Hall lost 70-15 to North Oconee; Madison County beat Walnut Grove, 56-14
Where: Red Raider Stadium, Danielsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Madison County leads series 5-0. The Red Raiders won 42-7 in 2022. There are no playoff implications in this one. The Vikings have been eliminated while the Red Raiders can clinch the No. 2 seed with a win OR a North Hall loss. This is the fourth straight year the two teams have played.
What to watch for: The East Hall defense. After giving up just 23.4 ppg in their first 5 games, the Vikings have surrendered 202 points (50.5 ppg) in their last 4 games. Madison County is 6th in 4A (470, 41.1 ppg) in scoring.
EAST JACKSON at ATHENS ACADEMY
Records: Eagles (6-3, 1-3 Region 8-2A); Spartans (5-4, 2-2 Region 8-2A)
Last week: East Jackson lost 55-27 to Providence Christian; Athens Academy lost 35-21 to Union County
Where: Slaughter Field, Athens
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Athens Academy leads series 2-0. The Spartans won 34-7 in 2022. Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives. The Eagles would be eliminated with a loss while the Spartans would be eliminated with a loss AND a Providence win.
What to watch for: The Eagles offense vs. the Spartans defense. East Jackson has scored the most points in a season (310, 34.4 ppg) since 2009. The Spartans have struggled of late, giving up 114 points (38.0 ppg) over their past three games.
FLOWERY BRANCH at HERITAGE-CONYERS
Records: Falcons (4-5, 2-3 Region 8-5A); Patriots (3-6, 1-4 Region 8-5A)
Last week: Flowery Branch lost 32-28 to Loganville; Heritage lost 42-0 to Jefferson
Where: Evans Memorial Stadium, Conyers
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Flowery Branch leads series 6-1. The Falcons won 46-0 in 2022. The Falcons were stunned late at home and now need a win to get into the postseason. The Patriots can get in with a win AND a Winder-Barrow win over Clarke Central.
What to watch for: The Heritage defense vs. the Branch offense. The Patriots are 45th out of 54 5A teams, allowing 33.2 ppg while the Falcons are averaging 30.1 ppg behind QB Josh Oliver and WR Jeremiah Ware.
GAINESVILLE at JACKSON COUNTY
Records: Red Elephants (9-0, 5-0 Region 8-6A), ranked No. 2 in Class 6A; Panthers (4-5, 2-3 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Gainesville beat North Forsyth, 41-14; Jackson County was off
Where: Panther Stadium, Hoschton
Radio: 94.9 FM The Lake
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Gainesville leads series 4-1. The Red Elephants won 51-0 in 2022. Gainesville clinched the region title last week. The Panthers can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Habersham loss to Shiloh. Gainesville RB Gavin Hall had his biggest game of the season last week, rushing for 302 yards and 3 TDs and added another 36 yards receiving.
What to watch for: The Jackson offense vs. the Big Red defense. GHS is 9th in 6A, allowing just 11.4 ppg (103 points) but they have yielded just 27 points (5.4 ppg) in region play. The Panthers have scored 27 or more in 6 of their past 8 games and will have to find a way to keep up with a GHS offense that is averaging 50.0 ppg in region play.
GILMER AT WHITE COUNTY
Records: Bobcats (6-3, 3-2 Region 7-3A); Warriors (4-5, 2-3 Region 7-3A)
Last week: Gilmer was off; White County lost 39-37 to Pickens
Where: White County Stadium, Cleveland
Radio: 93.9 WRWH; www.wrwh.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: White County leads series 25-13. The Warriors won 38-35 in 2022 and have won 8 straight in the series. The last Bobcats win in the series came in 2003, which was also the last time they won in Cleveland. Neither team has clinched a playoff spot. The winner will advance while the loser could be thrown into tiebreakers depending on the rest of the region outcomes.
What to watch for: The White County defense vs. the Bobcats offense. After giving up just 23..7 ppg in their first 7 games, the Warriors have surrendered 100 points over their last two. The Bobcats are 6-1 when scoring 28 or more points. They’re averaging 26.4 ppg in region play.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at SHILOH
Records: Raiders (4-5, 2-3 Region 8-6A); Generals (2-7, 1-4 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Habersham beat Apalachee, 42-15; Shiloh lost 30-28 to Lanier.
Where: Shiloh Community Stadium, Lithonia
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Shiloh leads series 2-1. The Generals won 42-9 in 2022 and have won two straight in the series. The Raiders will clinch the final playoff spot with a win by virtue of their win over Jackson County earlier this season. The Generals led Lanier late in the game last week and can create a three-way tie for fourth with a win and a Jackson County loss to Gainesville, sending it to a tiebreaker. Raiders' WR Zeke Whittington had 5 catches for 158 yards and 3 TDs last week and now has 208 career catches, which broke the school record held held by former University of Georgia standout Tavarres King.
What to watch for: The Raiders offense vs. the Shiloh defense. In their 4 wins, the Raiders have averaged 30.25 ppg. In their 5 losses, just 15.8 ppg. The Generals are giving up 34.0 ppg in region play
JOHNSON at MIDTOWN
Records: Knights (4-5, Region 8-4A, non-region); Knights (4-5, Region 5-5A, non-region)
Last week: Johnson beat Clarkston, 35-6; Midtown beat Stone Mountain, 21-6
Where: Grady Stadium, Atlanta
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Midtown leads the series 1-0. Midtown won 36-7 in 2022. Johnson has matched its best win total in a season since 2019 and has a chance to finish with their first non-losing season since 2012, when they went 6-4. Both teams have lost to Druid Hills and beaten Clarkston in 2023.
What to watch for: The Johnson offense vs. the Midtown defense. The Johnson ground game has been solid all season. Johnson has averaged 22.5 ppg over its last 4 games. Midtown has allowed just 6 points (3.0ppg) over its last 2 games.
LINCOLN COUNTY at TOWNS COUNTY
Records: Red Devils (5-4, 2-2 Region 8-A Division 2); Indians (0-9, 0-4 Region 8-A Division 2)
Last week: Lincoln County beat Warren County, 27-0; Towns County lost 41-14 to Washington-Wilkes
Where: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Lincoln County leads series 2-0. The Red Devils won 35-8 in 2022 and all three meetings have been since 2020. There are no playoff implications in this one. The Indians have been eliminated from the playoffs. The Red Devils are the No. 4 seed.
What to watch for: The Towns County offense has scored just 57 points (6.3 ppg) on the season.
LOGANVILLE CHRISTIAN at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
Records: Lions (3-6, 1-2 GIAA 4-AAA/AAA); Lions (4-5, 1-2 GIAA 4-AAA/AAA)
Last week: Loganville Christian beat Riverside Prep, 42-7; Lakeview lost 28-10 to George Walton Academy
Where: Lions Stadium, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Lakeview Academy leads series 1-0. Lakeview won 52-34in 2022. With power rankings used to determine the top 10 teams for the playoffs, Lakeview sits 11th and LCA is 12th in GIAA AAA. A win would give new coach Lee Coleman a .500 campaign in his first season with the Lions.
What to watch for: The Lakeview offense. In their 4 wins, the Lions have scored 164 points (41.0 ppg). In their 5 losses, they’ve scored just 31 points (6.2 ppg).
LUMPKIN COUNTY at WEST HALL
Records: Indians (9-0, 5-0 Region 7-3A), ranked 6th in Class 3A; Spartans (1-8, 0-5 Region 7-3A)
Last week: Lumpkin County beat Dawson County, 34-23; West Hall lost 49-21 to Wesleyan
Where: Spartans Stadium, Oakwood
Radio: WDUN AM 550; www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: West Hall leads series 12-6. Lumpkin County won 48-7 in 2022 to snap a 6-game losing streak to the Spartans. There are no playoff implications in this one. The Indians have clinched the region title and the Spartans have been eliminated.
What to watch for: Can Lumpkin County RB Mason Sullens win the Class 3A rushing title and stay in the top five in the state? Sullens already has over 1,600 yards and leads De'ante Childs of Carver-Columbus by nearly 200 yards coming into the final week.
WALNUT GROVE at CHESTATEE
Records: Warriors (3-6, 2-5 Region 8-4A); War Eagles (0-7, 0-9 Region 8-4A)
Last week: Walnut Grove lost 56-14 to Madison County; Chestatee lost 51-20 to East Forsyth
Where: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Chestatee leads series 3-1. Walnut Grove won 35-14 in 2022. There are no playoff implications in this one. Both teams have been eliminated from the playoffs. But the War Eagles are looking to avoid their second winless campaign in the last four seasons.
What to watch for: The Chestatee offense. After scoring just 46 points in their first 7 games (6.5 ppg) the War Eagles have scored 41 points (20.5 ppg) in their last 2 games.
