There will be a few key region showdowns on tap, but perhaps the most intriguing contest around northeast Georgia -- and the entire state -- has very little playoff implication.
Jefferson at Commerce doesn’t need anything extra going for it, however. Already a long and bitter rivalry, this year’s contest features two powerful teams looking to maintain their unblemished records and claim a major scalp before region play begins.
This season’s battle will be the 70th between the two teams, who have played every season since 1951 (according to Georgia High School Football Historians.org). And while the Tigers own a 42-22-5 advantage in the series, it has been largely Dragons for the last eight seasons -- Jefferson winning seven of the last eight showdowns, though its lone loss over that period came in 2012 (the same season the Dragons won a state title).
This time around promises plenty more fireworks, as both teams bring dominating offensive lines and powerful ground games to bear against each other. And while they go about it in different fashions -- Commerce (2-0) depending on the triple option, while Jefferson (3-0) bases out of a pro-set -- neither has proven easy to stop. Yet both defenses will also be eager to try.
Speaking of strong rushing attacks, Winder-Barrow will look to make the most of its ground game and running back Cece Green when the Bulldoggs play host to Gainesville in a key Region 8-AAAAA showdown that will be broadcast live on 1240 AM ESPN Radio.
The Red Elephants (0-1) have had a week off to recover from a season-opening defeat to Class AAAAAA No. 4 Grayson and know that they cannot afford back-to-back stumbles now that league play has begun. Winder (1-1) already experienced a bounce back last week, storming to a 45-0 win over county rival Apalachee after opening the season with a loss at Jefferson.
Elsewhere in 8-AAAAA, Lanier (2-0) travels to Flowery Branch (1-1). The Longhorns first team defense has dominated so far this season, yielding just one touchdown -- a defensive score and a couple of late TDs against back-ups make up the bulk of the points against Lanier. Meanwhile, Apalachee is looking to avoid an 0-3 start against a resurgent Salem (2-0).
In another non-region showdown, West Hall (2-0) travels to North Hall (0-1) in a face-off broadcast live on WDUN AM 550.
The Spartans appear to be rolling again, dominating their first two victories by a combined score of 77-12. The Trojans, meanwhile, are coming off a season-opening loss at Jefferson and will look to gain traction for their re-introduced wing-T offense.
Lumpkin County (0-2) also travels to face Johnson (1-2) with both teams in need of a victory. The game will take place live on WDUN FM 102.9. (NOTE: The game for FM 102.9 was changed from the original schedule of Jefferson at Commerce)
Elsewhere, Dawson County (1-1) will look to make it two in a row against Heritage, Catoosa at home after notching the Tigers first victory under new head coach Sid Maxwell last week. The contest can be heard on northgeorgiasportslink.com.
And, on wrwh.com, White County will look to get its first win of the young season when the Warriors (0-2) travel to Pace Academy (3-0) on Friday.
WEEK 3 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, SEPT. 11
Banks County at East Jackson
Fannin County at Armuchee
Gainesville at Winder-Barrow -- Radio: 1240 AM
Habersham Central at South Forsyth
Hapeville at Riverside Military
Heritage, Catoosa at Dawson County -- Radio: northgeorgiasportslink.com
Jefferson at Commerce
Lanier at Flowery Branch
Lumpkin County at Johnson -- Radio: FM 102.9
North Forsyth at Northview
Pepperell at Chestatee
Rabun County at Jackson County
Salem at Apalachee
Stephens County at Blue Ridge, S.C.
Towns County at Lakeview Academy
Union County at Andrews, N.C.
West Hall at North Hall -- Radio: AM 550
White County at Pace Academy -- Radio: www.wrwh.com
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/9/334398/old-rivalry-region-showdown-and-non-region-battles-feature-for-week-3