Week 6: Moving week as teams try to keep playoff chances alive

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter

Posted 7:25PM on Friday 10th October 2014 ( 10 years ago )

This could be moving week for area teams in their respective regions. Some key matchups involving the top teams in every region could go a long way in determining the region champs -- and seeing others playoff chances virtually come to an end. Region 8-AAAAA has two huge contests, one that may well determine the champion and another that pits two perennial playoff teams trying to stay alive in the playoff race. The first has Lanier playing host to Gainesville in a battle of region unbeatens while the second has Flowery Branch playing host to Clarke Central. A loss for the Falcons would give them four region losses and almost assuredly knock them out of any chance to make the playoffs. In Region 8-AAA, Stephens County plays host to White County in what should be offensive showcase for both teams. The Indians are trying to keep pace with Buford and North Oconee for a shot at a region title while the Warriors are locked in a fight for both place with Madison County. Region 7-AAA has several key matchups, highlighted by Lumpkin County's traveling to Fannin County in a battle for first place. The Indians lead both Fannin and West Hall by one-half game. West Hall is playing host to East Hall with the Vikings tied with Franklin County for fourth place. Franklin County is playing host to winless Dawson County. Region 8-AAA also has No. 6-ranked Jefferson traveling to Morgan County in a battle of unbeatens while Jackson County and Elbert County fight for their playoff lives in Jefferson. The loser of that game is virtually eliminated with three region losses. In Region 8-AA, Union County travels to Greensboro to face Greene County in a showdown for first place. For a look at all of the night's contests involving area teams, simply scroll down. And be sure to check back with Access North Georgia and our <a href="http://www.accessnorthga.com/s15-football-central.php">Friday Game Night</a> page throughout the night for score updates and game stories and video highlights. You can also check for scores and highlights on our Twitter feed <a href="https://twitter.com/">@FridayGameNight</a> HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR Oct. 10 CLARKE CENTRAL at FLOWERY BRANCH -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch -- RADIO: AM 550 -- CLARKE CENTRAL (2-3, 2-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Off last week. Beat Apalachee 35-21 two weeks ago. -- FLOWERY BRANCH (2-3, 1-3 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 24-7 to Winder-Barrow last week. -- NOTABLE: Series tied 2-2. Flowery Branch won 37-7 last year. ... Amazing how things have changed since this time last year. Both perennial playoff teams, the loser of this one is almost assuredly out of any post-season race. The Falcons sit eighth and no team with four region losses has advanced to the playoffs in 8-AAAAA. The Gladiators are sixth and finish against three teams ahead of them in the standings but would probably need to win out to get back to the post-season. ... The Falcons troubles have been on offense, where they have managed just 16.2 ppg. Consistency at QB has been a big reason as both So. Jasen Johnson and Fr. Nick Lance have struggled at times. RB Jeremiah Goss is having a solid year but teams have begun to key on the run game with the passing game struggling. ... The Gladiators have been plagued by turnovers. They are 0-3 when turning the ball over two or more times and have scored just 17 ppg in their three losses. The are 2-0 with fewer than two turnovers and have averaged 39.5 ppg in their two wins. CHESTATEE at MADISON COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Red Raider Stadium, Danielsville -- CHESTATEE (1-4, 0-2 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 54-7 last week to No. 1 Buford. -- MADISON COUNTY (3-2, 1-1 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 34-27 to White County last week. -- NOTABLE: Chestatee leads series 2-0. The War Eagles won 42-0 last year ... Neither team is out of the playoff race but it is virtually a must-win for the War Eagles if they want to get back to the playoffs for a third straight season. ... Offensively Chestatee has struggled scoring just 38 points on the season. The Red Raiders have allowed just 18.4 ppg so the War eagles could be in for another tough night. ... Defensively Chestatee has faced five outstanding offensive teams allowing 36.8 ppg. Madison County is averaging 25 ppg. DAWSON COUNTY at FRANKLIN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Ed Bryant Stadium, Carnesville -- DAWSON COUNTY (0-5, 0-2 Region 7-AAA): Lost 36-29 to East Hall last week. -- FRANKLIN COUNTY (2-3, 1-1 Region 7-AAA): Lost 27-21 to Lumpkin County last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Tigers are not out of the playoff race but will probably have to win out with five teams ahead of them and facing tiebreaker issues already with West Hall and East Hall. ... It is a battle of the bottom two offenses in the region but Dawson County's offense finally broke out last week after scoring just 16 total points through the first four weeks. They have another opportunity against a Lions defense (26 ppg) that has allowed 21 or more points in all but one game. ... Franklin County is averaging just 22.2 pgg and take out 47 against east Jackson and they are scoring just 16.2 ppg EAST HALL at WEST HALL -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Spartans Stadium, Oakwood -- RADIO: 102.9 FM -- EAST HALL (2-3, 1-1 Region 7-AAA): Beat Dawson County 36-29 last week. -- WEST HALL (4-1, 1-0 Region 7-AAA): Off last week. Beat Dawson County 26-3 two weeks ago. -- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 10-9. West Hall won 27-7 last year. ... It has been a close series of late with the teams splitting the last six meetings and three of those decided by a touchdown or less. ... The key matchup will be the East Hall offense and Devin Watson vs. the Spartans defense, which has allowed just 31 points on the season with three shutouts. The Vikings offense got a boost with the return of Watson and have things rolling averaging 36.5 ppg over the past two weeks after scoring just 36 points in their first three games. ...But the West Hall offense should get a boost with the return of Kwon Williams to add to a solid running game that has put up nearly 300 yards rushing a game. The Vikings defense has struggled yielding 34 ppg over their past four games. ELBERT COUNTY at JACKSON COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Panthers Stadium, Jefferson -- ELBERT COUNTY (3-3, 0-2 Region 8-AAA): -- JACKSON COUNTY (1-5, 0-2 Region 8-AAA): -- NOTABLE: Elbert County leads series 7-1. The Blue Devils won 48-27 last year. ... A must-win for both teams with the loser almost assuredly out of the playoff race. It doesn't get any easier for the Panthers, who have No. 9 Hart County waiting next week. ... Offensively the Panthers have had success scoring 21 or more points in all but one game. the problem has been on defense, where they are yielding 30.5 ppg on the season. ... The Blue Devils have been without dynamic junior QB Mecole Hardman for the last weeks and have scored just 13 total points after averaging 31 ppg over the first four games. GAINESVILLE at LANIER -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Longhorn Stadium, Sugar Hill -- RADIO: 1240 AM -- GAINESVILLE (4-1, 4-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Salem 29-6 last week. -- 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. -- 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. HABERSHAM CENTRAL at LAMBERT -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Lambert Stadium, Suwanee -- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (0-5, 0-4 Region 6-AAAAAA): Off last week. Lost 52-3 to Alpharetta two weeks ago. -- LAMBERT (2-3, 2-2 Region 6-AAAAAA): Off last week. Beat North Forsyth 31-6 two weeks ago. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools ... The Raiders have had two weeks to try and get things turned around and snap their now 18-game losing streak. ... After Lambert, the Raiders have just one game left against teams with a winning record. ... The Longhorns are in the middle of the playoff race, however, tied with West Forsyth just a game out of the fourth spot, and have a lot to play for. They have been up-and-down on defense allowing just 13 total points in their two wins but giving up 30 ppg in their three losses. ... Habersham has struggled on offense all season. They have scored 14 or less in four games this season. JEFFERSON at MORGAN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Bill Corey Stadium, Madison -- JEFFERSON (6-0, 2-0 Region 8-AAA): Jefferson beat Elbert County 52-6 last week. The Dragons are ranked No. 4 in Class AAA. -- MORGAN COUNTY (3-2, 1-0 Region 8-AAA): Beat East Jackson 49-6 last week. -- NOTABLE: Morgan County leads series 11-4-2 going back to 1948 but it is the first meeting between the two schools since 1969, a 35-14 Jefferson win. ... The Dragons are tied with Oconee County atop the region standings but Morgan County and Hart County are just one-half game behind. Jefferson plays all three over the final month of the season. ... Jefferson's defense has been dominating all year allowing just 7.5 ppg and now more than 14 in any game. It will be tested against a Bulldogs offense averaging 31.8 ppg. ... The Dragons offense is rolling up 42.1 ppg behind Sammy Williams and Evan Shirreffs and should have opportunities vs. a Bulldogs defense allowing 21.4 ppg. LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at GEORGE WALTON -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: -- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (2-3, 2-1 Region 8-A): Beat Hebron Christian 29-27 last week. -- GEORGE WALTON (3-2, 2-1 Region 8-A): Beat Towns County 48-28 last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Lions are riding high after their thrilling win over rival Hebron Christian. Tae Turner has been the spark in two straight wins with over 340 yards rushing and seven TDs while the Lions have scored 67 in their last two games. ... George Walton also comes in on a two-game win streak and as averaged 42 ppg. Lakeview is allowing 20.4 ppg and just 15 ppg in region contests. LUMPKIN COUNTY at FANNIN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge -- LUMPKIN COUNTY (3-3, 2-0 Region 7-AAA): Beat Franklin County 27-21 last week. -- FANNIN COUNTY (3-2, 1-0 Region 7-AAA): Beat Banks County 30-23 last week. -- NOTABLE: Fannin County leads series 12-2 but this is first meeting since 1999, a 30-14 Fannin County win in Blue Ridge. ... The Rebels are 6-0 all-time against Lumpkin at home. Traditionally it has not been a close series with only one game being decided by 8-points or less. ... Both teams are surprises in the region so far with each having new coaches and systems. And there is a lot riding on this game for region standings. The Indians, who have won two straight, sit alone atop the standings with the Rebels and West Hall both one-half game back. ... Fannin County's new spread attack has been hit-and-miss with the Rebels averaging 40 ppg in their three wins but scoring just 15 total points in their two losses. ... Lumpkin County's split-veer attack has been devastating averaging nearly 400 yards a game on the ground. ... The Indians have shown a penchant for winning the close games with each of the last two games going down to the final possession. ... Fannin County is 3-0 at home this season. MOUNTAIN VIEW at MILL CREEK -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Mill Creek Community Stadium, Hoschton -- MOUNTAIN VIEW (1-5, 0-3 Region 7-AAAAAA): Lost 16-12 to Collins HIll last week. -- MILL CREEK (3-3, 2-1 Region 7-AAAAAA): Beat Meadowcreek 63-7 last week. -- NOTABLE: Mill Creek leads series 3-1. The Hawks won 42-3 last year. ... Mill Creek got back in the playoff race last week with a big win and a North Gwinnett loss. The Bulldogs face another tough test against Peachtree Ridge and the Hawks have a chance to move another game ahead of North Gwinnett with a win and a Peachtree Ridge win. ... The Hawks again got their ground game cranked up last week with 402 yards rushing behind Jonathan Hawkins and Bryan Efianayi. Mountain View's defense has been porous at times allowing 31.5 ppg. NORTH FORSYTH at WEST FORSYTH -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: West Forsyth Stadium, Cumming -- NORTH FORSYTH (0-5, 0-4 Region 6-AAAAAA): Off last week. Lost 31-6 to Lambert two weeks ago. -- WEST FORSYTH (2-3, 2-2 Region 6-AAAAAA): Off last week. Lost 28-14 to Northview two weeks ago. -- NOTABLE: West Forsyth leads series 4-2. The Wolverines won 28-7 last year and has won three straight in the series. ... North Forsyth is still looking for its first win of the season and has continued to struggled on both sides of the ball. The Raiders have scored just 26 points (5.2 ppg) in region contests and on the season and have allowed just under 40 ppg on defense. ... West Forsyth is still in the playoff just one game out of fourth place. The Wolverines start a stretch of three straight games against teams all within a game of each other. ... The Wolverines also have struggled defensively allowing 36.8 ppg. NORTH GWINNETT at PEACHTREE RIDGE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Lion's Den, Suwanee -- NORTH GWINNETT (4-2, 2-1 Region 7-AAAAAA): Lost 17-10 to Norcross last week. -- PEACHTREE RIDGE (5-1, 3-0 Region 7-AAAAAA): Beat Duluth 49-6 last week. -- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 9-1. The Bulldogs won 44-22 last year and have won five straight in the series. The only Lions win came in 2008, 19-7. ... It has been a lopsided series despite the high-level of both programs over the past decade. Only two games have been decide by 8 points or less. ... With the top five teams all within one game of each other, every game is practically a must-win in 7-AAAAAA. The Lions face a rough finish with their final four games all against the other top four teams with Norcross, Collins Hill, and Mill Creek to follow. ... A win for the Bulldogs would almost assure them of a playoff spot with finishing games against Duluth, Meadowcreek, and Mountain View, who are a combined 3-15 and 0-9 in region play. A loss, however, and the Bulldogs may be on the outside looking in. ... The Lions defense should pose a serious obstacle for the high-powered Bulldogs offense. Peachtree Ridge has yielded just 13.5 ppg while the North Gwinnett offense is scoring at a 35.3 clip. NORTH HALL at BUFORD -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford -- NORTH HALL (0-5, 0-2 Region 7-AAA): Lost 42-6 to North Oconee last week. -- BUFORD (5-0, 2-0 Region 7-AAA): Beat Chestatee 54-7 last week. The Wolves are ranked No. 1 in Class AAAA. -- NOTABLE: Buford leads the series 8-1-1. The Wolves won 42-14 last year. The only North Hall victory in the series came back in 1967, 12-7 at The Brickyard. ... In previous years this would be a marquee matchup with region title implications. but a young North Hall team has struggled all season and the Wolves are as deep and talented as ever. ... The Wolves, however, cannot afford a letdown with a finish against North Oconee, Madison County, and Stephens County, which are a combined 10-5 and improving each week. ... Buford is averaging 39.2 ppg and has given up just 37 total points on the season. ... North Hall is yielding a region-worst 44.4 ppg. 15. OGLETHORPE COUNTY at RABUN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger -- OGLETHORPE COUNTY (0-5, 0-2 Region 8-AA): Lost 46-0 to Union County last week. -- RABUN COUNTY (4-2, 2-0 Region 8-AA): Beat Social Circle 49-21 last week. -- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 11-9. The Wildcats won 57-0 last year. It has been a tight series with the Wildcats winning 4-of-7 since 2007. ... Rabun County needs a win to keep pace with Union County and Greene County, who are also unbeaten in region play. ... The Wildcats, who have won three straight, should find the Patriots defense accommodating. Oglethorpe has yielded 45.4 ppg, including 41 or more in four straight games. ... Charlie Woerner continues to pile up all-purpose yards and Collin Grant has improved at QB. The Wildcats will need a win before closing out the regular season against union County, Washington-Wilkes, and Greene County, which are a combined 12-5 overall. OSBORNE at JOHNSON -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood -- OSBORNE (1-4, non-region): Lost 30-7 to Kennesaw Mountain last week. -- JOHNSON (1-5, non-region): Off last week. Beat Riverside Military 16-7 two weeks ago. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The two programs are very similar in that they non-region schedules and have hard a hard time finding wins of late. ... The Knights finally broke into the win column after two close losses earlier in the season. Knights' RB Jason Griggs had a solid game against RMA with 27 carries and a touchdown. ... Only twice since 1994 has Osborne won more than three games. ... Johnson is averaging just under 9.0 ppg while Osborne is averaging just over 9.0 ppg. TOWNS COUNTY at ATHENS CHRISTIAN -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Eagle Field, Athens -- TOWNS COUNTY (1-6, 1-3 Region 8-A): Lost 41-0 to Athens Academy last week. -- ATHENS CHRISTIAN (3-3, 3-1 Region 8-A): Beat Providence Christian 54-7 last week. -- NOTABLE: Athens Christian leads series 8-0. The Eagles won last meeting 61-6 in 2007. ... Towns County has had no success against teams from Athens going 0-21 vs. the Eagles and Athens Academy. The key to beating the Eagles is to slow down their offense. They 3-0 when scoring more than 7 points and 0-3 when scoring 7 points or less. ... The Indians, however, are giving up 38.3 ppg so far. It is the second consecutive week where the Indians, who are averaging 12.6 ppg, face one of the top two defenses in the region. The Eagles are yielding just 18 ppg. UNION COUNTY at GREENE COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Greensboro -- UNION COUNTY (6-0, 2-0 Region 8-AA): Beat Oglethorpe County 46-0 last week. The Panthers are tied for 10th in Class AA. -- GREENE COUNTY (3-3, 2-0 Region 8-AA): Beat Washington-Wilkes 16-7 last week. -- NOTABLE: Series is tied 1-1. Union County won 42-0 last year. ... The Tigers are the surprise team of the region this year and pulled off the shocker last week. It's a huge game for both teams, who are tied with Rabun County for the region lead. ... The key matchup will be the Union offense vs. the Tigers defense. ... The Panthers have rolled up huge offensive numbers this year behind QB Joseph Mancuso and WRs Robert Prunier, Sam Gilbert, and Jacob Rogers. They are averaging 44.5 ppg and scored 28 or more in every game and 46 or more four times. ... Defense is the key for the Tigers. In their three wins they have allowed just 25 total points and in their three losses they have given up 36.3 ppg. ... This week begins the key stretch for the Panthers, who play the other top three teams in the region over the final month. WASHINGTON-WILKES at RIVERSIDE MILITARY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Maginnis Field, Gainesville -- WASHINGTON-WILKES (3-2, 0-1 Region 8-AA): Lost 16-7 to Greene County last week. -- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (1-4, 0-1 Region 8-AA): Lost 10-7 to Strong Rock Christian last week. -- NOTABLE: Washington-Wilkes leads series 3-0. The Tigers won 50-14 last year. ... A game for fourth place in the region in the early part of the region schedule. ... The Eagles need to find a way to win the close game. They have lost two games by 4 points or less. They will be put to the test this week against a Tigers team that is sure to be fired up after losing last week. The Tigers have yielded just 69 points (13.8 ppg) on the season while RMA has scored just 51 points (10.2 ppg). ... The Tigers have found points hard to come by of late as well. After averaging 31.5 ppg in their first two games, they have scored just 35 points (11.6 ppg) over their last three games. WHITE COUNTY at STEPHENS COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: The Reservation, Toccoa -- RADIO: www.wrwh.com -- WHITE COUNTY (3-2, 1-1 Region 8-AAAA): beat Madison County 34-27 last week. -- STEPHENS COUNTY (4-1, 2-0 Region 8-AAAA): Beat Monroe Area 42-34 last week. -- NOTABLE: Series is tied 1-1. Stephens County won last meeting in 2011, 25-14. ... Stephens County needs a win to keep pace with Buford and North Oconee atop the region while the Warriors are tied with Madison County for fourth but hold the tiebreaker after last week's win. ... Fans of the ground game should be in for a treat in this one. The Warriors' triple option attack features multiple, talented backs -- including Sam Turner and Max Taylor -- while the Indians' Desmond Wheeler showed that he is capable of dominating a game in last week's win, carrying 30 times for 263 yards and 6 touchdowns. It helps that both teams feature outstanding offensive lines. ... The key will be the Indians' new spread attack, which is paying dividends as they lead the region in scoring with 185 points (37 ppg), vs. the White County defense, which is yielding 30.8 ppg. ... The Warriors have scored 31 or more points vs. every team not named Buford. The Indians are giving up just 19 ppg on defense.

Lumpkin County's Gunnar Wood grinds out a gain in the Indians defeat of Franklin County earlier this season in Dahlonega. / photo: RMC Media

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/10/280542