WEEK 3: Region play heats up; oldest N. Georgia rivalry resumes

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter

Posted 7:25PM on Friday 12th September 2014 ( 10 years ago )

Regions 6-AAAAAA and 8-AAAAA get into full swing this week in northeast Georgia with several key matchups on tap. And the oldest rivalry in north Georgia resumes on Friday night in Jefferson. The marquee game in 8-AAAAA figures to be Flowery Branch traveling to take on Lanier. The Longhorns shocked Clarke Central on the road last week and play their home opener against the Falcons, who are always considered among region title contenders. The winner may have the early inside track for the top spot. Commerce and Jefferson will tangle for the 63rd time at Memorial Stadium and both teams come in undefeated and in midseason form already. It will be a battle between the Tigers triple-option ground attack -- which churned out 397 yards last week ina win over Hebron Christian -- against the Dragons' pro-style offense -- which has shown tremendous balance in its first three games. Among other notable games, Gainesville has had two weeks to work out the kinks since a season-opening loss to Grayson and will try to things back on track against Winder-Barrow. Also, North Forsyth, which came into the 2014 season with hopes of making a run at the region title, faces the prospect of an unexpected 0-2 start in Region 6-AAAAAA unless it can find a way to knock off unbeaten Northview. The Titans have scored 83 points and yielded just seven in their first two games. 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 Sept. 12 ANDREWS, N.C. at UNION COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville -- ANDREWS, N.C. (0-3): Lost 28-8 to Rabun Gap last week. -- UNION COUNTY (2-0, 0-0 in Region 8-AA): Beat Lumpkin County 28-7 last week. -- NOTABLE: Union County leads series 12-1-1. The Panthers won 34-6 in 2013. The only Andrews win came in 1981 and the tie was in 1969. ... The Panthers have started strong to the season on both sides of the ball. They are averaging 42.5 ppg on offense behind QB Joseph Mancuso and WRs Jacob Rogers and Robert Prunier. ... Andrews is averaging just 12 ppg on offense and has given up 80 points (26.2 ppg) on defense. ... Union County is looking for its second 3-0 start to a season in the last three years. APALACHEE at SALEM -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Evans Stadium/Reid Stadium, Conyers -- APALACHEE (0-2, 0-1 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 26-20 to Winder-Barrow last week. -- SALEM (1-1, 1-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Heritage, Conyers 19-14 last week. -- NOTABLE: Apalachee leads the series 4-2. Salem won 27-7 in 2013. ... Apalachee is in the midst of a 12-game losing streak and has lost seven straight road games and has lost nine straight region games. ... The Seminoles are just 3-3 in their last six home games, however. ... But Salem could be a darkhorse in the region and snapped a four-game losing to arch-rival Heritage last week. ARMUCHEE at FANNIN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge -- ARMUCHEE (1-2): Beat Coahulla Creek 20-0 last week. -- FANNIN COUNTY (1-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Beat Murray County 55-7 last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Armuchee snapped an eight-game losing streak last week while the Rebels snapped a four-game losing streak. ... Fannin County's new spread offense found its stride last week. The 55 points tied a score-record for most in a game with the 2008 team, which scored 55 in a win over Oglethorpe County. ... The Indians defense pitched its first shutout since beating Murray County 41-0 last year. In between those games, the Indians had allowed 38 ppg (304 points) over an eight-game span. ... The Rebels have not started a season 2-1 since 2011. BLUE RIDGE, S.C. at STEPHENS COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: The Reservation, Toccoa -- BLUE RIDGE, S.C. (2-0): Beat Mann (Greenville, S.C.) 29-15 last week. -- STEPHENS COUNTY (1-1, o-0 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 35-33 to Elbert County last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. . .The Tigers are out of Greer, S.C. and were a playoff team last year. They are averaging 31.5 ppg on offense and have allowed 24 ppg on defense. ... The Indians new spread attack is paying off so far averaging 33.5 ppg. The Indians averaged just 21 ppg last season. ... Stephens lost a heartbreaker last week to Class AAA No. 9 Elbert County. ... The Indians would like to reestablish The Reservation as one of the toughest places to play in the state. They are just 1-4 in their last five home games. CHESTATEE at PEPPERELL -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Dragon Stadium, Lindale -- CHESTATEE (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 31-0 to West Hall last week. -- PEPPERELL (0-2, 0-0 Region 5-AAA): Lost 21-0 to Bowden last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. It is the second of three consecutive road games for Chestatee. ... It has been a rough beginning for the War Eagles, who have yet to score a point for new coach Bill Forman in 2014. It is their worst start since 2005, however, they have played two of the area's best teams in Flowery Branch and West Hall allowing 30 ppg. ... Look for a turnaround this week against a Pepperell team that also has struggled early. The Dragons have scored just 14 points and given up 67 points in their first two games. ... Chestatee needs to get things going this week with tough region games against North Oconee and Buford the next two weeks. COMMERCE at JEFFERSON -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson -- COMMERCE (2-0, 0-0 Region 8-A): Beat Hebron Christian 36-14 last week. -- JEFFERSON (3-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Beat North Hall 48-8 last week. Ranked No. 5 in Class AAA. -- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 42-21-5. Jefferson won 40-0 last year and has won 6 of the last 7 meetings between the arch-rivals. ... Both teams have started 2014 strong and will look to that trend going as they prepare for region play next week. ... It should be one of the marquee matchups of the week. ... The Dragons offense, despite a lot of new faces, keeps rolling averaging 46.3 ppg so far behind Evan Shirreffs, Sammy Williams, T.J. Skelton, and a retooled OL. But the defense has been just as dominant allowing just 29 points (9.6 ppg) over the first three games. ... Commerce will counter will its potent triple-option behind Caleb Brooks, Will Thomas, and Grant Mayberry. The three combined for five touchdowns as the Tigers rolled up 397 yards rushing against a good Hebron defense last week. The Tigers defense has allowed just 17.5 ppg in the early going. DAWSON COUNTY at HERITAGE, RINGGOLD -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Heritage Stadium, Ringgold -- DAWSON COUNTY (0-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 23-0 to Gilmer last week. -- HERITAGE, RINGGOLD (1-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Beat lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe 28-12 last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Tigers are another team that has had a rough start out of the gate. But their first three opponents have a combined 5-1 record. ... Dawson County has gone against two good defenses in Forsyth Central and Gilmer scoring just 7 points but should find the going slightly easier this week. The Generals are yielding 28 ppg so far. ... The Tigers also need some positives heading into next week's region opener against undefeated West Hall. EAST JACKSON at BANKS COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Leopard Stadium, Homer -- EAST JACKSON (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Off last week. Beat Lakeview Academy 13-6 two weeks ago. -- BANKS COUNTY (1-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Beat Johnson 28-24 last week. -- NOTABLE: East Jackson leads series 4-2. East Jackson won 14-10 last year. ... The Leopards snapped a 14-game losing streak last week and did it in dramatic style erasing a 24-13 fourth deficit behind Player of Week Malcolm Mitchell, who had a TD reception and returned a kickoff for a TD as well as setting up two other scores with long punt returns. ... East Jackson, after an 8-game losing streak last season, has won 2 of its last 3 games going back to the final game of 2013. The Eagles narrow win last week proved they can pull out close games but they will need to find some offense against a Leopards team that may be ready to find its stride. East Jackson has scored just 28 points (14 ppg) in its first two games. FLOWERY BRANCH at LANIER -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Longhorn Stadium, Sugar Hill -- FLOWERY BRANCH (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Off last week. Beat Chestatee 29-0 two weeks ago. -- LANIER (2-0, 1-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Clarke Central 35-20 last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Lanier was quietly considered a team to watch for in 8-AAAAA before the season began. The Longhorns made a loud and noticeable entrance into the region last week stunning perennial playoff power Clarke Central on the road. Junior Ashton Barnes torched the Gladiators for 241 yards rushing on just 8 carries. ... The Falcons have had a week off to fine-tune their spread attack with SO QB Jasen Johnson. Johnson was suspended for the opener but has had two weeks to get ready to take the reins. FR Nick Lance filled in nicely in the win over Chestatee for the Falcons throwing for 169 yards and 2 TDs. ... A win for Lanier would put the Longhorns in a strong position for a playoff run with just two games left on the schedule against teams with a winning record from last year (Gainesville and Heritage). ... The Falcons need a solid start to region play with games still looming against Clarke Central, and Gainesville. JACKSON COUNTY at RABUN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger -- JACKSON COUNTY (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Lost 34-26 to White County last week. -- RABUN COUNTY (1-2, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Lost 27-9 to Mt. Pisgah last week. -- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads the series 6-4. Jackson County won last meeting 42-7 in 2011. ... The Panthers are close to being 2-0 instead of winless. Their comeback came up just short last week and their loss to Madison County in the opener came in the final minute. Their tough non-region schedule, however, continues this week and they have East Hall and then Jefferson looming over the next two weeks. ... Rabun County also has had a tough non-region schedule and needs some confidence leading into next week's region-opener against Riverside Military. ... The Wildcats will have the best player on the field in Charlie Woerner but must stay away from turnovers, which have hurt in their two losses. ... Expect some points in this one as both defenses are yielding more than 30 ppg so far this season. JOHNSON at LUMPKIN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega -- RADIO: 102.9 FM -- JOHNSON (0-3, non-region): Lost 28-24 to Banks County last week. -- LUMPKIN COUNTY (0-2, Region 7-AAA): Lost 28-7 to Union County last week. -- NOTABLE: Lumpkin County leads the series 3-1. The Indians won the last meeting 30-21 in 2011. ... Both teams need a win for confidence. The Knights blew a 24-13 lead in the fourth quarter last week. The Indians were plagued by mistakes last week in the loss. ... The Knights have won just 1 of their last 5 road games. ... The Indians' switch to a veer attack has been slow to get going scoring just 15 points so far in their first two games but their opponents (Model and Union) are a combined 5-0 on the season and allowed just 53 total points between them. They have this week and next week to get things righted before entering Region 7-AAA play against East Hall in two weeks. LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at TOWNS COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee -- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-A): Lost 45-14 to St. Francis last week. -- TOWNS COUNTY (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-A): Lost 19-13 to Mt. Vernon Presbyterian last week. -- NOTABLE: Lakeview Academy leads the series 5-2. Towns County won 10-7 last week. ... It is the 8-A opener for both teams. Neither offense has put up big numbers. The Lions are averaging just 10 ppg while the Indians are averaging 13.5 ppg so far. But both offenses should have more success this week against two defenses that have had holes. ... It will be third straight road game for the Lions, who are just 1-6 on the road the past two seasons. NORTH HALL at WEST HALL -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Spartan Stadium, Oakwood -- RADIO: WDUN AM 550 -- NORTH HALL (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Lost 48-8 to Class AAA No. 5 Jefferson last week. -- WEST HALL (2-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Beat Chestatee 31-0 last week. -- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 8-4. The Trojans won 35-21 last year and has won seven straight in the series. ... By design, it will be the third game against AAAA opposition for the Spartans to open the season. ... This will the Spartans best chance to beat North Hall since a 28-7 win in 2002. West Hall 's offense has been rolling early scoring 29.5 ppg so far behind Tyquan Statham, Kwon Williams, and Tyrese Osborne. The trio combined for 237 yards in last week's win. ... The Spartans edge may be on defense where they have yet to surrender a point in two games. A young North Hall team struggled against a solid Jefferson defense early last week but finished with 200 yards rushing, most coming in the second half after adjustments. NORTHVIEW at NORTH FORSYTH -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain -- NORTHVIEW (2-0, 1-0 Region 6-AAAAAA): Beat Habersham Central 41-0 last week. -- NORTH FORSYTH (0-2, 0-1 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost 20-17 to Chattahoochee last week. -- NOTABLE: North Forsyth leads the series 3-1. Northview won the last meeting 39-13 in 2011 in Coal Mountain. ... If the Raiders, who had aspirations of playing for a region title before the season, are to be in the picture, they need a win against the Titans. An 0-2 start in the region would be a tough hole to climb out of. ... An inexperienced defense improved last week against Chattahoochee but will be tested this week. The Titans have scored 83 points in their first two games. ... Defensively Northview has allowed just 7 total points. PACE ACADEMY at WHITE COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland -- RADIO: www.wrwh.com -- PACE ACADEMY (1-2, 0-1 Region 6-AA): Lost 27-21 to Landmark Christian last week. -- WHITE COUNTY (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Beat Jackson County 34-26 last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Warriors built an early lead last week and had to hang on down the stretch. They need a win to keep momentum building with a brutal month ahead with consecutive games against No. 1 Buford, Madison County, Stephens County, and North Oconee. ... The Warriors triple-option has been potent averaging 34 ppg but the defense has shown some holes allowing 34 ppg in the first two games. ... The Knights, however, have been offensively challenged averaging just 12.6 ppg so far. RIVERSIDE MILITARY at HAPEVILLE CHARTER -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Hapeville Stadium, Union City -- RIVERSIDE (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Off last week. Beat Fellowship Christian 20-10 two weeks ago. -- HAPEVILLE CHARTER (0-2, 0-0 Region 6-AA): Lost 23-20 in overtime to Bremen last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Eagles are looking for their first 2-0 start since 2008 and had two weeks to work out the kinks from their season-opener. RMA got timely offense and the defense scored one TD and produced a late goal-line stand to preserve the win over Fellowship. ... Hapeville played a good George Walton team close until late and then lost in OT last week. ... Hunter Sims threw two TD passes and Tarik Holmes had an INT return for a touchdown for RMA in the opener. SOUTH FORSYTH at HABERSHAM CENTRAL -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy -- RADIO: 99.3 FM -- SOUTH FORSYTH (1-1, 1-0 Region 6-AAAAAA): Beat Centennial 49-20 last week. -- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (0-2, 0-1 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost 41-0 to Northview last week. -- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Raiders are now trying to snap a 15-game losing streak. They have struggled so far scoring just 14 total points and allowing 32 ppg on defense. ... South Forsyth is averaging 40 ppg a game but has given up 29 ppg on defense. ... Habersham had the lead at halftime against Rabun County in its opener but could not hang on in the second half. WINDER-BARROW at GAINESVILLE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Bobby Gruhn Field at City Park Stadium, Gainesville -- RADIO: 1240 AM -- WINDER-BARROW (1-1, 1-0, Region 8-AAAAA): Beat Apalachee 26-20 last week. -- GAINESVILLE (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Off last week. Lost 39-0 to Grayson two weeks ago. -- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 26-5-1. Gainesville won 69-0 last year. ... The Elephants have had two weeks to work on things since their opener against Grayson. The offense showed at times it could move the ball but turnovers and breakdowns on defense proved costly. ... Winder-Barrow is 1-0 in region for the first time since 2007. The Bulldoggs, however, will need to find a way to slow down Gainesville's spread attack. The Elephants have outscored the Bulldoggs 138-0 over the past two seasons. ... With games against winless teams Apalachee and Heritage to follow, Gainesville has a chance to get back on track in region play.

Johnson, right, and Banks County battle in Week 2. The Knights travel to face Lumpkin County in Week 3, while the Leopards will take on East Jackson. / photo: Sam Henry

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/9/279395