It's hard to believe, but we are already one quarter of the way through the high school football season after Week 3 came to a close Saturday evening.
Here are five things we learned from Week 3 of high school football:
1. IS NORTH HALL READY FOR A DEEP RUN?
The Trojans took one huge step toward a perfect regular season after knocking off No. 9 Cherokee Bluff in the game of the week Friday night, and they did so by putting up points all night long. The Bluff scored their points too, so there are still some things that North Hall is sure to work on over the next eight weeks, but if the Trojans can put up points like that the rest of the year, we aren't sure there is a team on the calendar that can score with them. The question then becomes, where will they be ranked and what will the draw be for the Class 3A playoffs? Depending on that, this North Hall team might have the Benz in their crosshairs.
2. JACKSON COUNTY IS GOING TO BE JUST FINE
And they might just be the favorites to win 8-5A again. Here's why. Clarke Central looked, well, not very good against Jefferson (but who does?). Habersham Central and Winder-Barrow have been inconsistent, and Apalachee, Loganville and Alcovy never really figured to factor into the top spot. That just leaves Jackson County, who's only loss was to Jefferson by a 10-3 final score. The Panthers found a way to beat Dacula Friday night to prove that they are legit. Can they keep it going and find a way to beat the Raiders and Bulldoggs when the time comes? Only time will tell.
3. GAINESVILLE HAS THEIR NEXT STAR
His name is Nigel Newkirk. And he has turned heads over the first three weeks of the season. Three straight 100-yard rushing nights, this time on just 13 carries as he showed off the explosiveness to go with the hard-nosed game he has previously showed. The tests get tougher, starting in two weeks against Carrollton, but Newkirk looks like a guy that can lead Gainesville to heights not seen in some time in City Park.
4. EAST JACKSON SHOWS OFF WEAPONS
We all know what Army commit Drew Richardson can do for the Eagles. He runs and throws it extremely well. Now, we have a new face of East Jackson, and his name is Branturan Callahan. He had just four carries Friday against Dawson County, but boy were they impactful. 185 yards on four jet sweeps. Two touchdowns. Both barely touched by Tiger defenders. We think Dawson County is going to be a thorn in the side of Region 6-3A opponents, so what he was able to do against the Tigers is eye-opening for sure.
5. THIS SEASON IS ALREADY GOING WAY TOO FAST
Remember how we mentioned in this same writeup after Week 1 that we need to enjoy this while it lasts? Well, it's September now, which means we have just two more months of regular season ball. Hard to think that as the college football season started just last week and NFL starts Thursday that our beloved high school football will be over in just two months. There's still a lot to figure out and learn over these next two months, but the next time we blink, the season will be over.
