GAMES TO WATCH: Dawson Co, NHall openers, GHS, Jefferson, Buford showdowns are must-see

After a few upsets and some better-than-expected performances last week, Week 2 of the high school football season will have a lot to live up to this week.

But five games have caught our eye at Friday Game Night this week as ones that could tell us even more, or in the case of two teams, show what could be in store in 2025.

The are 18 games spread out over three days, beginning with Gainesville playing host to Moody (Ala.) on Thursday at City Park Stadium. The weekend will end with East Hall traveling to Oglethorpe County on Saturday in a game moved due to referee shortages.

In between, there will be plenty of intrigue. After a wild fourth quarter rally last week to beat Wheeler, can North Forsyth get its first 2-0 start since 2020 against Creekview? Can Buford follow up its impressive win over Milton against a Benedictine squad on the road that has won 28 of its last 31 home games? North Hall, Johnson, Dawson County, Riverside Prep, and Union County all will be opening their seasons on Friday.

With that, here are the five GAMES TO WATCH that had us asking the most questions among ourselves this week. Three can be heard on Jacobs Media airwaves.

Moody (Ala.) at Gainesville
Records: Blue Devils (0-0, Alabama Region 6-5A); Red Elephants (1-0, Region 7-5A)
Last week: Season-opener for Moody; Gainesville beat Marietta, 26-7
Radio: 94.5 FM The Lake
Time: 7 p.m., City Park Stadium, Gainesville (Thursday, August 21)
Key players: Moody (2024 stats) -- Jr. DL Baroc Willis DL (6-4, 230, Willis (95 tkl, 26.0 TFL, 17 sacks, 38 QB hurries, 1 FR, 3 FF, 1st-team ASWA), Sr. RB Le'kamren Meadows (149-1,037 12 TD), Sr. RB Kevin James (71-559 7 TD; only played in 10 games), Sr. WR Josiah Dozier (6-2, 204 , 45-1,081 yards, 17 TD receiving, 1st-team ASWA), Jr. WR Jalijah Rutledge (53-819 yards, 6 TD), both Dozier and Rutledge outstanding return guys as well, over 300 yards combined last year, Sr. LB Jagger Ludolf (200 tkl, 13.0 TFL), Sr. LB Marshall Teofilo (161 TKL, 5.0 TFL, 3 sacks, 11 QB hurries), Sr. DE Henry Smith (109 tkl, 19.0 TFL, 10 sacks, 16 QB hurries), Sr. DE Cam Mallory (96 tkl, 22.0 TFL, 12 sacks, 13 QB hurries); Gainesville (2025) -- Jr. QB Kharim Hughley (13-of-23 191 yards, 2 TD passing; 7-31 31 yards, 1 TD rushing), Jr. RB Nigel Newkirk (22-120 yards, 2 TD), Sr. WR Phillip Williams (4-108 yards, TD), RB Dwight Lewis (1 rec., 19 yards, TD), DB Jeremiah Proctor 1 INT last week), Sr. LB Xavier Griffin (Alabama commit, 2 sacks last week)
Why watch it: For one, the defenses. Both are expected to be nasty. Gainesville recorded 7 sacks and 15 TFL overall last week. Moody returns the core of its defense, who piled over 650 tackles, 83 TFL, and 60 sacks combined in 2024. The Blue Devils finished the 2024 campaign 11-3 and as the Alabama Class 5A state runners-up. Gainesville may have one of the most balanced rosters in the state. The Red Elephants won 31-7 last season and it was the most points allowed and the 7 points scored were the fewest by the Blue Devils in 2024. But both teams have made some changes since last season. Moody is having to replace its QB (3,800 yards, 32 TD). The Blue Devils do return 2 of top 3 rushers and their top 2 receivers from last season. Another reason to watch is because of how explosive the Gainesville offense can be with Hughley, Newkirk, Williams, and a solid offensive line. It will be interesting to see if they can have success again against what could be the second-best defense they’ll encounter in 2025 (behind Milton). The final reason could be revenge. The Blue Devils are more experienced this year and would love nothing better than to prove they are ready to jump onto the radar in the southeast with a road win against what is considered one of the best teams in Georgia.

Buford at Benedictine
Records: Cadets (0-1, Region 1-4A); Wolves (1-0, Region 8-6A)
Last week: Benedictine lost 27-24 to Colquitt County; Buford beat Milton, 20-13
Time: 7:30 p.m., Savannah Memorial Stadium, Savannah
Key players: Benedictine -- Sr. LB Larson Little, LB Jayden Houston, Jr. LB Rasheen Jackson, Sr. CB  Micah Williams (committed to Appalachian State), Sr.. CB Wyatt Estabrook, Jr. DL LaDamion Guyton (9 tkl, 2 TFL, committed to Texas Tech), So. DL Jamir Lee (6-3, 260), Sr. WR Bubba Frazier, (committed to Notre Dame), Sr. DL Kameron Cody (committed to Clemson), Sr. QB Stephen Cannon (13-of-19 130 yards, 2 TD passing; 34 yards rushing, committed to Texas Tech), RB Stan Smart (83 yards rushing); Buford -- Sr. QB Dayton Raiola (13-19 159 yards), Sr. RB/CB Ty Green, Sr. LB Deion Miller (15 tkl, 3 TFL), Sr. DL Bryce Perry-Wright (11 tkl, 3 TFL, 1 QB hurry), Jr. LB Joshua Echols (9 tkl, 1 INT), Jr. FS Silas Nuckles (4 tkl, 1 INT, TD), Sr. DL Dre Quinn (12 tkl, 2 QB hurries)
Why watch it: Well, the 14 players that are considered Power 4 prospects between the two teams is a good place to start. Another would be that the Cadets have won 28 of their last 31 games in Savannah. It’s one of the toughest places to get a road win in the state. It won’t have any bearing on playoffs or region standings but will be a solid test for the Wolves, who want challenges as they build for what they hope is another deep playoff run. The Benedictine offense features the duo of Cannon and Frazier. The Cadets have one of the better front-7s in Class 4A, led by Guyton, Lee, and Cody. The Wolves defense was downright nasty last week against Milton. They had nearly a dozen TFLs and picked off the Eagles three times. The Buford offense was outgained by Milton despite the solid work of the Wolves’ defense. Raiola, Ty Green and the rest of the offense will need to show some progress with ranked teams Roswell (Class 5A) and Douglas County (6A) coming up over the next three weeks. And Buford had to rally at home to beat the Cadets 29-28. Benedictine is hoping being at home will give them just the nudge to knock off the Wolves this time around.

Jackson County at Jefferson
Records: Panthers (1-0, Region 8-5A); Dragons (1-0, Region 8-3A)
Last week: Jackson County beat Flowery Branch, 36-13; Jefferson beat Marist, 19-0
Radio: WDUN AM 550
Time: 7:30 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
Key players: Jackson County -- Sr. QB RJ Knapp III (9-for-15, 156 yards, 2 TD), Sr. RB Daylon Maxwell (18-147 yards, 1 TD), Jr. FS Tyler Mobbs (13 tkls), So. LB Noah Bade (11 tkls), Sr. LB Caylor Phillips (10 tkls 3 TFL),
they return all five starters along the offensive line; Jefferson -- Sr. QB Colton Grant (4-of-8 76 yards, 2 TD passing; 7-45 yards, 1 TD rushing), Jr. RB/LB Max Brown (7-36 yards rushing, 16 tkl, 7 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR), Jr. LB Dylan Berardinelli (11 tkl, 1 TFL), Sr. WR Logan Edmunds (2 rec., 55 yards, TD)
Why watch it: Okay, we’ll bite. Some have suggested that 2025 could be the Panthers’ best-ever chance to end the streak against the Dragons, who are 11-0 all-time against their rivals, with only two games being decided by fewer than 21 points. The last six contests have been Jefferson routs by an average of 36 points, including last year’s 38-3 Dragons win. But the Panthers are a program on the rise, tying a record for wins in a season (8) and securing their first-ever home playoff game in 2024. They return virtually everyone on offense, including all five starters across a big offensive line. They should be a strong contender for the Region 8-5A title. Add to that the fact that Jefferson had some question marks coming into the season. However, the Dragons are coming off an impressive shutout win over Marist, who had not been shut out since 2018. The defense will be nasty once again behind junior linebacker and Clemson commit Max Brown. They forced two fumbles last week. The Panthers defense held Branch to just 13 yards rushing. Look for a low scoring game. Jackson County’s Daylan Maxwell had 176 yards and two scores rushing last week. The Panthers defense held the Falcons to 13 yards rushing. The Dragons had just 126 total yards rushing against Marist. It could come down to whoever can run the ball against a pair of stout front-sevens. It will not be for the faint of heart, which is just the way we love it!

Wesleyan at North Hall
Records: Wolves (1-0, Region 5-A D1); Trojans (0-0, Region 6-3A)
Last week: Wesleyan beat Commerce, 45-27; season-opener for North Hall
Radio: WDUN 102.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m., The Brickyard, Gainesville
Key players: Wesleyan --  Sr. QB Walker Kirkland (8-of-16 153 yards, 2 TD passing), Sr. RB/LB Maddox Gartland (17-111, 1 TD), Sr. WR Carter Hayes (5-102, 1 TD), Sr. WR/FS Brice Gillis (multiple Division I offers), Sr. OL/DL Eli Rickell (committed to North Carolina), defense forced 3 turnovers (2 INT) vs. Commerce; North Hall (2024 stats) -- Sr. QB Alex Schlieman (50-of-73 633 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT in 7 games), Sr. QB Smith McGarvey (147-for-232 1,701 yards, 21 TD, 5 INT passing; 75-492 yards, 8 TD rushing), Sr. RB/LB Parker Carlton, (113-681 yards, 11 TD rushing; 13-112 yards receiving; 93 tkl, 3 TFL, 6 sacks, 17 QB hurries,2 FR, 5 FF, 1 blocked kick), Jr. WR Cole Cable (60-967 yards, 13 TD), Jr. OL Mason McGill, Sr. DB Walker Davis (103 tkl, 4 TFL, 2 INT, 6 PBU, 1 FR, 2 FF, 1 blocked kick), Jr. DL Dawson Reed, Sr. K/P Walker Vining 
Why watch it: The Trojans are looking for big things in 2025. They bring in the most returning starters of any team in northeast Georgia, including two quarterbacks, their top WR, and their entire defense. Wesleyan was a quarterfinalist in a difficult Class A Private, and despite some new pieces on offense, the Wolves looked sharp in a win over Commerce last week. The Trojans lost 24-21 to Wesleyan last year and exacting a little revenge never hurt anyone. And The Brickyard is always a fun atmosphere to help create some magic. Expect some points to be scored in this one. But if the Trojans defense is able to contain the Wolves’ high-powered passing attack this time around, that could bode well for the rest of the season and show the rest of the area, and Class 3A, they will once again be a team to be reckoned with.

Dawson County at East Forsyth
Records: Tigers (0-0, Region 6-3A); Mascot (1-0, Region 8-4A)
Last week: Season-opener for Dawson County; East Forsyth beat Forsyth Central, 19-15
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m., Broncos Stadium, Gainesville
Key players: Dawson County (2024 stats) -- Sr. QB Gunner Weaver (69-for-124 787 yards, 6 TD, 2 INT), Jr. RB Cody McBrayer (89-485 yards, 1 TD), Jr. RB Aden Bannister (39-204 yards, 2 TD), Sr. WR Dylan Edwards (28-465 yards, 3 TD), Sr. LB Owen Wooten (56 tkl, 5 TFL, 1 INT, 2 FF); East Forsyth -- Sr. QB Chase Rhoads (17-for-25, 254 yards), Sr. WR Jace Forrest (5-106 yards), Sr. LB Kellen Moran (22 tkls), Sr. LB Knox Allen (19 tkls), Sr. LB Jake Hudson (16 tkls)
Why watch it: For the simple fact that both teams came into the season with more than a few question marks yet both are expecting to be in the playoff hunt by season’s end. Offense, or the lack thereof, was expected to be an issue for the Broncos, especially at quarterback with a new signal-caller for the first time since the program began in Chase Rhoads. But Rhoads looked sharp in his first varsity start and the LB group for the defense was all over the field against the Bulldogs. The Tigers open with new coach Jaybo Shaw, who knows how to build an offense, and all eyes will be on them to see how the offseason changes take shape. They scored 16 or less in seven games last year, including just 1 TD in a 38-7 loss to the Broncos, but return several key pieces that should be more experienced in 2025. Look for a more competitive game this time. And whichever offense is able to make the most traction against a pair of pretty good defenses should be the difference.