Preview: Gainesville-Lanier battling for their own versions of history <b>(VIDEO)</b>

SUGAR HILL -- Lanier has never played in a game like this -- Gainesville has seen dozens just in the past decade.<br /> <br /> Yet come Friday night, you can expect almost the exact same attitude on each sideline, when the only two teams left undefeated in Region 8-AAAAA match-up for sole possession of first place in Sugar Hill.<br /> <br /> "Honestly we think it's the region championship," Red Elephants receiver Chris Williamson said. "There's a lot of talk going around school... I can't wait till Friday."<br /> <br /> Neither can the Longhorns, who are in just their fifth season as a program and third of varsity play.<br /> <br /> "This is the most exciting and biggest game in Lanier's history," Lanier defensive back Canyon Cook said. "Gainesville is a powerhouse, but coach always says we're striving for 1-0, and that's what we want this week."<br /> <br /> <b>(To watch a video preview of the game simply click "play" in the box to the right.)</b><br /> <br /> Attaining that goal will not come easy, but after sprinting to a 5-0 start, eighth-ranked Lanier has built plenty of confidence -- and they expect that confidence to be put to the test on Friday.<br /> <br /> "We're going to have to play our best ballgame," Longhorns coach Korey Mobbs said. "We've talked to the kids about it being our biggest challenge, but just to be in this position is all you can ask for."<br /> <br /> It is a sentiment that Gainesville coach Bruce Miller echoes, and even though his Red Elephants (4-1, 4-0 Region 8-AAAAA) have won five region titles in the last six seasons -- including the 2012 Class AAAAA crown -- he is taking nothing for granted.<br /> <br /> "I think our kids have been in the big-time atmosphere, and I think it helps any time you've been there, but (Lanier is) hungry. They're a new school, only been open 4-5 years; they've been coming along, and they've arrived," Miller said. "They're 4-0 in region; we're 4-0. It will be interesting to see how it turns out."<br /> <br /> Gainesville may have played more than 100 years of tradition and claimed 29 region titles, but both teams know that this week is about the here and now. And the now has been pretty good for both squads. <br /> <br /> Despite an opening week setback to Grayson, Gainesville has stormed into the 8-AAAAA campaign, outscoring four region foes 170-32 -- included in that are current third place team Salem and fourth place team Winder-Barrow. And the Red Elephants have bounced back in all three phases: its defense enters Friday's game having scored touchdowns in back-to-back games and forcing 20 turnovers; its special teams has also scored two touchdowns and placekicker Chandler Staton has converted 8 of 9 field goal attempts; its offense has also gotten back on track, averaging 310 yards per game through four region wins.<br /> <br /> The Gainesville defense, led by linebacker JD Sosebee (team-high 56 tackles), and linemen Kash Jones (35 tackles) and Jamel Dabney (32 tackles) has been downright nasty since starting region play, allowing just eight points per game.<br /> <br /> "We knew that we had to come together as a team (after the Grayson loss)," Williamson said. "As a team we had to get closer and get back to the fundamentals of the game and get back together as a team."<br /> <br /> Gainesville's offense will want to bounce back from last week's 29-6 defeat of Salem that saw the Red Elephants struggle inside its opponents 20-yard line and score just one offensive touchdown. Yet Lanier is plenty of wary of a Red Elephants' attack led by quarterback Mikey Gonzalez (74 percent completion rate, 1,057 yards passing, 12 TDs, 3 INTs), running back Michael Byrd (now back from injury) and receivers Williamson (20 receptions, 283 yards, 4 TDs), Rodney Lackey (26 receptions, 246 yards, 5 TDs) and Messiah Dorsey (28 receptions, 291 yards, 2 TDs).<br /> <br /> "You talk about a complete football team, Gainesville is that," Mobbs said. "You look at them on offense, they get the ball to their playmakers in a hurry, in space and allow them to make plays. Then defensively, they force turnovers, fly around the football. They're athletic, they're big, they're physical, they're the complete package, so we're excited about getting the opportunity to play a team like that."<br /> <br /> Miller returns the compliments as wholeheartedly, and with good reason. Lanier brings a balanced offense to the game, led by an impressive trio running backs -- Tario Fuller (72 carries, 319 yards, 4 TDs), Ashton Barnes (33 carries, 358 yards, 2 TDs) and Marcella Baity (32 carries, 193 yards, 2 TDs). Meanwhile quarterback Tahj Tolbert has passed or 753 yards and 7 TDs with 6 interceptions to guide an offense averaging 390 yards per game.<br /> <br /> "I think the biggest thing about them is they've got good running backs and a good passing game -- I think they're the first team that we've faced that have both," Miller said. "I'm anxious to see how we handle that. Usually we go into games knowing if we stop the run we can win; If we stop the pass we can win. They can do both very well, and we've got to be ready to handle both."<br /> <br /> The Longhorns' sizable defense could also be handful. Led by safety Stefan Ball (team-high 54 tackles, 6 interceptions) and defensive end Derrick Brown (a Football Bowl Subdivision recruit, 50 tackles, 7 sacks).<br /> <br /> "We're pretty big up front on defense, but I'd say they're about the same defensively," Mobbs said. "When you look at the two defenses -- on paper you would say those have been the strengths."<br /> <br /> With that in mind, both offenses are wary of keeping a tight grasp on the football.<br /> <br /> "I think the key is just protecting the football, and doing the little things -- field position will be huge and taking opportunities when they present themselves," Mobbs said.<br /> <br /> And both squads are ready for those opportunities.<br /> <br /> "We're definitely pretty confident right now. We're a team, we're one, we're family, and that's our motto this year," Barnes said. "We've banded together, and we've put together a team with some pretty good confidence."<br /> <br /> "We're expecting a big game, and we're really depending on our guys up front to balance out the game," Gainesville defensive lineman Kash Jones said. "This is just one of those big games that doesn't come around often."<br /> <br /> Coming from a Red Elephant that speaks volumes.<br /> <br /> <b>GAINESVILLE at LANIER</b><br /> -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. <br /> -- WHERE: Longhorn Stadium, Sugar Hill<br /> -- RADIO: 1240 AM<br /> -- GAINESVILLE (4-1, 4-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Salem 29-6 last week.<br /> -- LANIER (5-0, 4-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Off last week. Beat Loganville 28-14 two weeks ago. The Longhorns are ranked No. 8 in Class AAAAA.<br /> -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... For all the talk preseason about both teams' spread attack offenses, it is the defenses that are the key for both teams this year. And expect a hard-hitting affair as they are the top two defenses in the region. ... The winner will have the inside track to the region title. ... The Red Elephants have forced 20 turnovers so far on the season and have four touchdowns combined on defense and special teams. The Elephants have allowed just 32 total points the past four games since giving up 39 to Class AAAAAA No. 2 Grayson in the opener. ... Lanier's defense is led by DE Derrick Brown, who is one of the state's most sought-after linemen, and has allowed just 13.6 ppg and no more than 20 points in any game. ... Gainesville is averaging 42.5 ppg in region contests. Lanier is averaging 27.6 ppg.

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