East Forsyth and Lanier Christian got Week 3 going with a pair of road wins on Thursday.
The Broncos got a 95-yard kickoff return for the eventual game-winner late in the game to beat Winder-Barrow 34-30 while the Lightning got 3 TD passes from Drew Kalinauskas and the defense shut out Riverside Prep for a 27-0 win.
The win moved East Forsyth to 3-0 on the season. As for Friday night, several other surprise teams will be looking to stay undefeated as well, no one more so than Towns County. The Indians are 2-0 for the first time since 2008 and have a chance to match their best start ever when they opened the 2008 campaign 3-0.
East Hall (2-0) has already matched its win total from 2023, while Chestatee, winless in 2023, is looking for its first 2-0 start in more than a dozen seasons.
Gainesville continues its ridiculous roadshow heading to perennial power Westlake. Jefferson takes on former region foe and unbeaten Clarke Central in what should be a huge test for both teams at Memorial Stadium.
On the flip side, Commerce is still looking for its first win of the season. The Tigers travel to Class 3A Luella trying to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2010. But they should be getting Jaiden Daniels back, which should help solve some of their early offensive troubles.
Twenty-four of the 26 area teams covered by AccessWDUN will be in action on Thursday or Friday.
(Buford and Rabun County are off this week.)
For a look at all of the weekend's contests involving area teams, simply 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 August 30
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
CLARKE CENTRAL at JEFFERSON
Records: Gladiators (2-0, Region 8-5A); Dragons (1-1, Region 8-3A)
Last week: Clarke Central beat Oconee County, 37-36; Jefferson beat Jackson County, 38-3
Where: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Jefferson leads series 2-0. The Dragons won 44-7 in 2023. Former region rivals the last two seasons. The Dragons shook off a tough Week 1, getting stellar performances from both the offense and defense. QB Gavin Markey, also shaking off an injury in the opener, combined for 287 yards, passing for two scores and rushing for another. The defense picked off a pair of Jackson County passes, including getting a pick-6 from Deshaun Keith. The Gladiators staged a big second-half rally to beat Oconee County, trailing 24-0 in the 1st half at one points. QB Hezekiah Millender (Boise State commit) has thrown for 392 yards and 7 TDs and rushed for 186 yards and 1 TD in two games.
What to watch for: The Jefferson offense vs. the Warriors defense. The Dragons, sporting several new pieces, found rhythm and balance last week behind Markey. Dallas Russell had 85 yards rushing and scored twice. Oconee County is yielding 29 ppg. Defense has been the issue since the beginning of 2023. In their five wins, they gave up just 12.6 ppg. In their last eight losses, including this season, they are yielding 34.1 ppg.
COMMERCE at LUELLA
Records: Tigers (0-2, Region 8-A D1); Lions (1-1, Region 5-3A)
Last week: Commerce lost 14-13 to East Jackson; Luella beat Carver-Atlanta, 18-13
Where: Luella Stadium, Locust Grove
Radio: WJJC 95.1 FM/1270 AM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. The Tigers are 0-2 for the first time since 2010 but should be getting Jaiden Daniels bck this week. Daniels has been nursing a sprained ankle in the offseason. The difference last week for Commerce in their loss to East Jackson was a missed PAT. A playoff team last season in Class 4A, Luella will offer another challenge for the Tigers. Commerce is still putting some solid numbers on the ground. Tysean Wiggins had 136 yards, and Jacari Huff had 120 yards of rushing last week.
What to watch for: The Commerce offense vs. the Luella defense. Turnovers have been the biggest issue for the Tigers. Several untimely fumbles have stalled the offense at crucial times. If they can fix that, they should be able to stay in the game with the Lions. However, the Tigers are just 2-2 in their last four road games.
DACULA at JACKSON COUNTY
Records: Falcons (1-1, Region 8-6A); Panthers (1-1, Region 8-5A)
Last week: Dacula beat Meadowcreek, 65-6; Jackson County lost 38-3 to Jefferson
Where: Panther Stadium, Hoschton
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Dacula leads series 15-0. It is just their third meeting this century and the first since 2007, a 33-0 Dacula win at Jackson County. The Panthers had to be disappointed after last week's showing, feeling they were ready to match up with the Dragons. Turnovers killed several drives, including a momentum-changing pick-6. The Falcons snapped a 7-game losing streak last week with their biggest offensive output since a 69-0 win over Georgia Military in 1988. They had averaged just 10.2 ppg over their last 12 games overall.
What to watch for: The Jackson County offense vs. the Falcons defense. Since Korey Mobbs took over, the Panthers are 4-2 when scoring 30 or more points. They are just 1-5 when scoring less than 30. Dacula is giving up 28.3 ppg over its last 12 games.
EAST JACKSON at DAWSON COUNTY
Records: Eagles (2-0, Region 8-2A); Tigers (0-1, Region 6-3A)
Last week: East Jackson beat Commerce 14-13; Dawson County lost 38-7 to East Forsyth
Where: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statistical: East Jackson leads the series 2-0. The first meeting since 2009, a 41-0 Eagles win in Dawsonville. A rebuilding Tigers team ran into a solid Bluff squad last week. It won’t get any easier this week as the Eagles are fresh off their first-ever win over rival and ranked Commerce. But East Jackson has lost three straight on the road, including its season-opener to Class 5A Winder-Barrow. Dawson County has lost seven straight at Tiger Stadium going back to 2022. That’s the longest home streak for the Tigers since dropping 11 straight from 2008-2010.
What to watch for: The Eagles offense vs. the Dawson County defense. The Tigers have yielded 308 points (28 ppg) over their last 11 games and have surrendered 30 or more five times in that span. The Eagles have dynamic quarterback Drew Richardson, who scored both of the Eagles TDs last week.
FANNIN COUNTY at UNION COUNTY
Records: Rebels (2-0, Region 7-A D1); Panthers (0-1, Region 7-2A)
Last week: Fannin County beat Rabun County, 28-7; Union County lost 33-0 to Gilmer
Where: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Union County leads series 17-15. The Panthers won 50-12 in 2023 and have won two straight. This will be the 19th consecutive season the two rivals have played. Union County has gone 11-7 and is 7-1 at home in that span. The Panthers, who lost starting QB Cade Dockery just before the season, struggled on offense last week. They ran just 33 plays for 108 yards (77 passing, 31 rushing). That was the first shutout loss for the Panthers since 2012 (Washington-Wilkes, 36-0). The Rebels are 2-0 for the first time since 2020.
What to watch for: The Fannin County defense vs. the Union County offense. The Panthers, who lost starting QB Cade Dockery just before the season, struggled on offense last week. They ran just 33 plays for 108 yards (77 passing, 31 rushing). The Rebels held a similar offense in Rabun County to just 1 TD last week.
FLOWERY BRANCH at FORSYTH CENTRAL
Records: Falcons (1-1, Region 8-4A); Bulldogs (0-2, Region 6-6A)
Last week: Flowery Branch beat Habersham Central, 23-13; Forsyth Central lost 31-19 to Winder-Barrow
Where: Forsyth County Stadium, Cumming
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. The Bulldogs are 0-2 for the first time since 2017. After managing just a field goal in their opener, the Falcons turned to the Paul Johnson offense against Hab Central. They piled up 211 yards of offense, all on the ground, led by Griffin Harper's 176 yards on 25 carries. Branch is trying to avoid a 1-2 start for the first time since 2016.
What to watch for: The Branch offense vs. the Bulldogs defense. Forsyth Central is allowing 37.5 ppg in the early going. Branch has changed its offense in an effort to better fit the personnel.
FRANKLIN COUNTY at BANKS COUNTY
Records: Lions (1-1, Region 8-2A); Leopards (0-1, Region 8-A D1)
Last week: Franklin County beat Johnson, 68-7; Banks County was off
Where: Leopards Stadium, Homer
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Franklin County leads series 4-3. Banks County won 34-16 in 2023 and has won two straight and 3 of the last four meetings. All eight meetings have been since 2014. The 68 points for the Lions were the most in a game in 99 years. The 1925 team scored 74 twice. Sporting a new triple-option offense, Banks County had a solid opening game. But they were stuffed at the goal line by East Hall on the final play of the game. The Leopards are looking to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2021.
What to watch for: The Banks County defense vs. the Lions offense. The new-look Leopards defense held East Hall to just a pair of touchdowns. The Lions, after scoring just 103 points in all of 2023 (10.3 ppg), have scored 89 (44.5 ppg) in their first two games in 2024.
GAINESVILLE at WESTLAKE
Records: Red Elephants (2-0, Region 7-5A); Lions (1-1, Region 2-6A)
Last week: Gainesville beat Moody (Ala.), 31-7; Westlake beat Douglass, 23-7
Where: Westlake Stadium, College Park
Radio: 94.5 FM The Lake
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Gainesville leads series 1-0. The Red Elephants won 27-20 in 2005 in the 2nd round of the Class 3A playoffs. Big Red continues its roadshow with another tough matchup against their 3rd straight playoff opponent from last season. The offense once again exploded in the 3rd quarter last week and has outscored the opposition 49-0 in the 3rd this season. Westlake has won 10 straight at home going back to a loss to Carrollton in 2022.
What to watch for: The Gainesville defense vs. the Westlake offense. The Lions’ Sean Smith has thrown for 440 yards and 2 TDs, while Travis Smith Jr. has eight catches for 221 yards and 1 TD already on the season. The Red Elephants, however, have allowed less than 400 total yards and just 10 points so far, with more than a dozen TFLs and six sacks.
HART COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
Records: Bulldogs (1-1, Region 8-2A); Indians (0-1, Region 6-3A)
Last week: Hart County lost 37-36 to Madison County; Lumpkin County was off
Where: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Lumpkin County leads series 1-0. The Indians won 30-10 in 2023 in Dahlonega. The Bulldogs dropped a heartbreaker last week, while the Indians had the week off to regroup after a rough showing in their opener vs. Cherokee Bluff. The Bears held Lumpkin County to less than 200 yards of total offense (187), with 52 coming on a TD run by Cal Faulkner. The Indians are trying to avoid a 0-2 start for the first time since 2021.
What to watch for: The Lumpkin County offense vs. the Bulldogs defense. The Indians will have to find some traction on offense to keep up with a Hart County offense averaging 26.5 ppg. Lumpkin had just 73 yards on the ground vs. Cherokee Bluff after averaging 267 yards/game rushing in 2023.
JOHNSON at EAST HALL
Records: Knights (0-1, Region 6-3A); Vikings (2-0, Region 8-3A)
Last week: Johnson lost 68-7 to Franklin County; East Hall beat Oglethorpe County, 40-7
Where: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Johnson leads series 23-20-1. The Knights won 20-19 in 2023, snapping an 8-game losing streak to the Vikings. The 68 points allowed by Johnson was the most since a 65-0 loss to Eastside in 2021. East Hall’s offense broke out last week with its best showing since winning a 49-35 shootout over Johnson in 2021.
What to watch for: The Johnson offense vs. the Vikings defense. Johnson is rebuilding its offense but moved the ball well at times last week. Turnovers, including a football at the Franklin 1, killed several potential drives last week for the Knights. The Vikings have yielded just 21 total points in their first two games.
LANIER at NORTH FORSYTH
Records: Longhorns (1-1, Region 7-5A); Raiders (1-1, Region 6-6A)
Last week: Lanier beat Mountain View, 49-21; North Forsyth lost 20-14 to Creekview
Where: Raider Valley, Cumming
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Former region rivals the last two seasons. The series is tied 1-1 with each team winning at home. The Longhorns won 27-21 in 2023 in Sugar Hill. Lanier had its best offensive day last week since scoring 48 in a win over Central Gwinnett in 2021. North Forsyth had the lead at halftime last week but was shutout in the second half as Creekview rallied from a 14-6 deficit.
What to watch for: The North Forsyth offense vs. the Longhorns defense. They had a solid first half but will need to get more production from an experienced group led by QB Eli Seaney. The Raiders piled up over 300 yards vs. Creekview, but a crucial fumble and penalties killed drives in the 2nd half. The Lanier defense picked 2 Mountain View passes to go with three sacks and a half-dozen QB hurries.
NORTH HALL at CHEROKEE BLUFF
Records: Trojans (0-1, Region 6-3A); Bears (2-0, Region 8-3A)
Last week: North Hall lost 24-21 to Wesleyan; Cherokee Bluff beat Apalachee, 49-7
Where: Yonah Field, Flowery Branch
Radio: WDUN AM 550
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: North Hall leads series 4-2. The former region rivals have played every season since the Bears program started. It has quickly turned into one of the better Hall County rivalries and has been close of late. The last three meetings were decided by just 14 total points. Bluff, thought to be in a bit of a rebuild mode, has been the surprise in the early going with two impressive wins, half of their entire win total from last season. They last started a season 2-0 in 2021. The Trojans also thought to be in a rebuild mode, nearly pulled off a huge road upset last week as they lost on a field goal as time expired. The North Hall offense, which is replacing virtually all of its skilled players, looked solid last week. The QB tandem of Smith McGarvey (12-for-18, 132 yards) and Alex Schlieman (10-of-14, 116 yards) was hard to handle. Cole Cable finished with 111 yards receiving, and Luke Jenkins received 99 yards.
What to watch for: The Bluff offense vs. the North Hall defense. After watching Ben Brown throw for over 400 yards vs. a good Commerce defense, North Hall held the Wesleyan gunslinger to 260 yards passing last week. That was enough to keep them within striking distance. They’ll need another good showing this week. New Bluff QB Brooks Brien has been impressive, with over 500 yards and 5 TDs passing so far. After averaging just 22 ppg in 2023, the Bears have scored 80 points (40 ppg) in their first two games.
TOWNS COUNTY at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
Records: Indians (2-0, Region 8-A D2); Lions (2-0, GISA District 4A/3A)
Last week: Towns County beat Riverside Prep, 14-0; Lakeview beat Creekside Christian, 52-6
Where: Lakeview Stadium, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Lakeview Academy leads series 9-6. The two teams played every season from 2007-2021. This will be the first meeting since then. Both teams have been pleasant surprises in 2024. The Indians are averaging 28 ppg, which would be the best since 2008 if they can maintain that pace. They have allowed just 14 points. The Lions are averaging 36.5 ppg so far.
What to watch for: The Towns County offense vs. the Lakeview defense. The Lions defense has not allowed a touchdown so far in 2024. The Indians are getting balance across the board and had 4 TDs called back as part of 176 penalty yards last week in their win over Riverside.
WEST HALL at CHESTATEE
Records: Spartans (1-1, Region 8-3A); War Eagles (1-0, Region 6-3A)
Last week: West Hall beat Northview, 56-14; Chestatee was off
Where: Lynn Cottrell Complex, Gainesville
Radio: WDUN 102.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: West Hall leads series 10-8. Chestatee won 42-7 in Sardis in 2021 and has won 2 of the last three meetings, both at home. West Hall has not won at Lynn Cottrell since 2016. The Spartans exploded last week with their biggest offensive output since a 56-14 win over Lumpkin County to end the 2020 season. It also snapped their 9-game losing streak. The War Eagles broke their 11-game losing streak two weeks ago. Both teams would love to keep the momentum going. Chestatee ran for over 300 yards in its win over Franklin County.
What to watch for: The West Hall offense vs. the Chestatee defense. The War Eagles allowed 43.6 ppg in 2023 but looked much improved in their 27-21 win over Franklin County. West Hall got a balanced performance last week with QB Brett Sturm passing for 217 yards and 3 TDs. RB Elijah Hayes rushed for 110 yards and 3 TDs and caught a TD pass as well. Sturm also rushed for 72 yards and a score.
WHITE COUNTY at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
Records: Warriors (0-1, Region 6-3A); Raiders (0-2, Region 8-5A)
Last week: White County was off; Habersham lost 23-13 to Flowery Branch
Where: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
Radio: WRWH 93.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Habersham Central leads series 9-5. White County won 34-6 in 2023. This is the 11th meeting since 2012, and the two teams have split the last 10 matchups. The Raiders are 5-3 all-time in Mt. Airy but have dropped 2 of the last three at home vs. the Warriors. The Raiders need a win with a resurgent Cherokee Bluff up next before beginning a tough 8-5A schedule. The Warriors have had a week off to work out their bugs after a disappointing loss to Rabun County to open the season.
What to watch for: The White County defense vs. the Raiders offense. The Warriors came into the season with most of the defensive unit intact. But they were roughed up by a potent Wildcats offense (40 points, 400-plus yards) in the opener. The Raiders, who were expecting an improved offense in 2024, have struggled, scoring just 23 points against a pair of good defenses.
