Games2Watch: Will the playoff picture become any clearer this week?

COLLINS HILL at BUFORD
Records: Eagles (6-0, 2-0 Region 8-6A), ranked 7th in Class 6A; Wolves (4-1, 1-0 Region 8-6A), ranked 2nd in Class 6A
Last week: Collins Hill beat Mountain View, 51-0; Buford was off
Where: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
Radio: WDUN AM 550
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: BUFORD: Dayton Raiola (37-64, 564 yards passing, 4 TDs, 3 INTs), RB Justin Baker (41-259 yards rushing, 3 TDs), RB Ethan Ervin (32-235 yards rushing, 2 TDs), WR Jordan Allen (18-263 yards rec., 1 TD), LB AJ Holloway (26 tkls, 5 TFL), DE Bryce Perry-Wright (20 tkls, 5 TFL), LB Mantrez Walker (20 tkls), LB Benji Wyatt (19 tkls), DL Nicco Maggio (16 tkls, 4 TFL), LB Kenyan Rivera (11 tkls), LB Jadon Perlotte (8 tkls); COLLINS HILL: QB AJ Bush (23-39, 215 yards passing, 1 TD, 4 INT), QB Makyree Cross (44-74, 486 yards passing, 4 TDs, 4 INT), RB Maddox Henderson (24-248 yards rushing, 2 TDs, RB Jacari Thomas (54-245 yards rushing, 1 TD), WR Alijah Patillo (18-223 yards rec, 2 TDs), WR Atticus Joseph (11-134 yards rec., 2 TDs), LB Javyon Hatch (56 tkls, 7 TFL), DE Deuce Geralds (46 tkls, 15 TFL, 9 sacks), LB Jack Hernandez (43 tkls), SS Stephen Barjolo (36 tkls, 4 TFL, 4 sacks), DE Katrell Webb (34 tkls, 16 TFL, 8 sacks), DB Jeremiah Proctor (27 tkls), LB Cam Daniels (26 tkls, 10 TFL, 2 sacks), NGlLB Joshua Johnson (22 tkls, 6 TFL, 3 sacks), LB/DE Jadon Martin (21 tkls, 7 TFL, 2 sacks)
WHY WATCH IT: Collins Hill can relish they have the best player in college football right now in Travis Hunter. However, he can't help the Eagles in their battle against Gwinnett County rival Buford. What does help the Eagles is a nasty defense. The defense, led by Jr. 4-star Power 4 DE Deuce Geralds, has been their calling card this season, ranking fourth in Class 6A and giving up 12.6 points per game. Geralds leads a solid front seven that has 55 tackles for a loss, 26 sacks, 56 QB hurries and forced 11 turnovers so far. Buford’s offense has come alive since losing to top-ranked Milton Week 1, averaging almost 40 points per game since, against a brutal schedule. Defensively, they’ve also been pretty good, giving up 14.4 ppg — seventh best in Class 6A. So, trying to pinpoint what to expect in this one? Well, Collins Hill will give the Wolves their best shot, and the Wolves will most certainly give the Eagles their best shot. I’m thinking this is a defensive slugfest. Whoever wins the trenches wins this one. So, if you want to flip a coin, go for it. My money, if I had any, is on Buford. 

JEFFERSON at MONROE AREA
Records: Dragons (4-2, 1-0 Region 8-3A); Hurricanes (4-1, 1-0 Region 8-3A)
Last week: Jefferson beat West Hall, 49-7; Monroe Area beat East Hall, 48-42
Where: The Pit, Monroe
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: JEFFERSON: QB Gavin Markey (45-73, 747 yards passing, 5 TDs, 2 INTs, 284 yards rushing, 5 TDs), RB Dallas Russell (69-332 yards rushing, 5 TDs), RB Mykel Pittman (51-215 yards rushing 2 TDs) RB/LB Rett Hemphill (13-180 yard rushing, 4 TDs, 48 tkls, 4 TFLs), WR Dalton Dye (15-251 yards rec., 1 TD), WR Talan Childress (12-228 yards rec., 1 TD), LB Max Brown (52 tkls, 6 TFLs), LB Jaden Yang (38 tkls, 2 TFLs), Darren Pinkard (33 tkls, 6 TFLs, 2 sacks), DE Kelan Butler (31 tkls, 5 TFLs, 4 sacks); MONROE AREA: QB Forrest Ross (37-65, 674 yards pass, 10 TDs, 2 INTs, 467 yards rushing, 4 TDs), RB Jitt Carr (92-754 yards rushing, 6 TDs, 224 yards rec., 3 TDs), WR Kenzi Battle (9-187 yards rec., 5 TDs), LB Antonio Mitchell (54 tkls), DT Luke Butler (44 tkls), SS Mandela Manga (42 tkls), LB Cortavious Scott (40 tkls), LB Charles Manga (38 tkls), DE Dacian Davis (38 tkls, 15 TFLs, 7 sacks), DE William Carr (31 tkls, 9 TFLs, 4 sacks).
WHY WATCH IT: There really isn't any clarity in Region 8-3A, but we could get some this week. The Dragons are playing really well right now. Maybe it was the blowout loss to North Oconee two weeks ago. Then again, maybe that game was a fluke. Yeah, probably not. The Titans are really good ... as usual. Meanwhile, the Dragons have improved week after week, minus the North Oconee game. Last week, they pushed the gas pedal through the floor against West Hall. This week, they could do the same to Monroe Area. The Hurricanes proved they were very vulnerable, blowing a 42-0 lead and holding on for dear life late in the game to get the six-point win over the Vikings. Monroe Area is very athletic, which poses a threat to the Dragons' defense. QB Forrest Ross and RB Jitt Carr have combined for most of the Canes’ 2,055 yards. Ross has also thrown for 10 TDs and averages 18.2 yards per pass and 8.6 yards per carry, and Carr is averaging 150 rushing yards per game. However, the Dragons have one of the best linebacker trios in the area in Rett Hemphill, Max Brown and Jaden Yang. The three have combined for 120 tackles, eight TFLs and three turnovers. Speaking of Hemphill, he’s also emerged as a threat out of the Dragons' very deep backfield. Coupled with the accuracy of quarterback Gavin Markey and the stability of running backs, the Dragons have the right ingredients to roll to the win. But the Canes can score as well, and they will, but how much is the question? They're averaging only 17.5 points per game on the road — 45 at home. Will they be able to score their home average on the road? Probably not. So, what can we expect in this one? Some might say shootout. I think it’s going to be business as usual for the Dragons. It may not be an easy win, but it’ll be a win. 

RABUN COUNTY at COMMERCE
Records: Wildcats (5-1, 2-0 Region 8-A D1); Tigers (3-3, 1-1 Region 8-A D1)
Last week: Rabun County beat Providence Christian, 50-14; Commerce beat Elbert County, 42-20
Where: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
Radio: WJJC 95.1 FM/1270 AM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: RABUN COUNTY: RB/FS Reid Giles (110-774 yards rushing, 9 TDs, 35 tkls, 5 TFLs), RB Lake Evans (76-361 yards rushing, 6 TDs), RB/LB Noah English (18-107 yards rushing, 2 TDs, 35 tkls, 3 TFLs), LB Jakaden Shiflet (39 tkls, 5 TFLs), D Tyler (34 tkls, 4 TFLs), DB Reed Burrell (33 tkls), LB Elvis Hunt (33 tkls, 3 TFLs), DT Ethan Hopper (31 tkls, 2 TFLs); COMMERCE: QB/S Jaiden Daniels, RB/DT Tysean Wiggins, RB/SS Jacari Huff, SS Mac Mullis, LB Bryson Fleeman, LB Braxton Epps, DT Jeremiah Mintz.
WHY WATCH IT: Oh boy. The end. That’s really all you have to say with this one. Commerce led the all-time series, but the two have split the last two meetings since becoming region mates. The Tigers captured the region title in 2023 with an overtime win against the Wildcats. Expect this one to be the same nail-biting tear-jerker as last season. Rabun County comes into this game with the ability to adjust on the fly to any adversity thrown at them. QB Ty Truelove continues to heel up from a shoulder injury, so the Wildcats have gotten it done on the ground behind Reid Giles, averaging just over 260 yards per game and 32 ppg. This one has big-time region title implications. If the Wildcats win, the pending Athens Academy battle would be for the top spot in the region. As for the Tigers, a win keeps them in second place, and Rabun County needs to knock off the Spartans in two weeks to create a tie for the top spot. Regardless of how the region standings shake out, Commerce is starting to churn with superstar Jaiden Daniels at quarterback and Jacari Huff and Tysean Wiggins behind him; the Tigers’ offense is becoming a juggernaut, averaging 300 yards per game. Watching these two clash might be the best game all night, especially when you factor in a Rabun County defense that hasn’t given up more than 28 points in a game this season, compiled 40 tackles for a loss and forced 12 turnovers — 10 of which were fumbles. Expect this one to be an all-out brawl in the trenches, and if the Tigers' newly found passing game with Daniels is clicking, oooooo boy! It's gonna get good! 

PREP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, October 4
Athens Academy at Banks County*
Cedar Shoals at East Forsyth*
Cherokee Bluff at West Hall* -- WDUN FM 102.9
Clarke Central at Habersham Central*
Collins Hill at Buford* -- WDUN AM 550
Denmark at North Forsyth*
East Jackson at Franklin County*
Jackson County at Apalachee*
Jefferson at Monroe Area*
Johnson at Dawson County*
Lakeview Academy at Bethlehem Christian*
Loganville Christian at Riverside Prep*
Oconee County at East Hall*
Rabun County at Commerce*
Seckinger at Gainesville* -- FM 94.5 The Lake
Towns County at Anderson Christian (SC)
Union County at Ringgold*

(Chestatee, Flowery Branch, Lanier Christian, Lumpkin County, North Hall and White County are all off.)

(* -- denotes region contest)