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Football game previews: Moving week for area teams as region titles come within reach

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter
Posted 9:15PM on Friday 28th October 2016 ( 8 years ago )

Golf has its "moving day" -- tonight, in high school football, we’re going to see moving week, as several northeast Georgia regions look to crown champions and others navigate soupy playoff waters with just two regular season Friday nights remaining.

The biggest game of the week has Buford entertaining Loganville in Region 8-AAAAA at Tom Riden Stadium in the Friday Game Night Game of the Week. Both teams have mauled the rest of 8-AAAAA, and it’s a winner-take-all showdown -- though the loser will still take second and get at least one home playoff game.

Region 8-AAAA could be decided in a couple of ways tonight when Stephens County travels to Jefferson in a battle of region unbeatens. An Indians’ win would seal their first region title since 2007. But a Dragons win would put the title decider off until next week when Jefferson travels to face Oconee County. (However, a Jefferson win and an Oconee County loss to Madison County would deliver the crown to the Dragons.) Stay tuned to AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night scoreboard throughout the night to see how this one plays out, and read an-depth look at the showdown by clicking here.

Region 8-AAAAAA could also settle things tonight when Lanier travels to Dacula. A Falcons win clinches the crown. But a Longhorns victory would set up a finale against Gainesville next week where either the Longhorns win it outright or the Red Elephants send it to tiebreakers with a three-way tie. (Click here for a more-depth preview of this showdown.)

Region 8-AA was for all practical purposes decided last week when Rabun County steamrolled Elbert County at the Granite Bowl. But the Wildcats can make it official with a victory over winless Oglethorpe County tonight.

And in Region 7-AAA nothing will be decided this week no matter what happens in Dawsonville when the No. 8 Tigers play host to Lumpkin County. Dawson County and No. 1 Greater Atlanta Christian will meet next week at Tigers Stadium for the title.

For a look at all of the night's contests involving area teams, simply scroll down. And be sure to check back with AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night throughout the night for score updates and game stories and video highlights. You can also check for scores and highlights on our Twitter feed: @FridayGameNight

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR Oct. 28
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
ATHENS CHRISTIAN at RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
-- ATHENS CHRISTIAN (5-3, 4-3 Region 8-A): Defeated Providence Christian 34-8 last week
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY (2-6, 1-6 Region 8-A): Defeated Georgia Military 14-6 last week
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 2-2. Athens Christian won the last meeting 35-7 in 2011 in Athens. The home team has won every meeting in the series. ... Riverside snapped a 5-game losing streak last behind a defense that gave up a season-low 6 points. The Eagles are not eliminated from the postseason and can play the spoiler and get back in the top 24 as Athens Christian, who sits one spot out of the top 16 power rankings to host a first round game, cannot afford a slip up, especially since they finish against Hebron Christian, who sits three spots behind them. ... The Riverside offense still continues to struggle scoring the 9th-fewest points in Class A (61, 7.6 ppg). The Athens Christian defense has given up the 7th-fewest points (79, 9.8 ppg) in Class A. However, Athens Christian is averaging just 19.3 ppg on offense.

BANKS COUNTY at PUTNAM COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Eatonton
-- BANKS COUNTY (4-4, 3-1 Region 8-AA): Defeated Social Circle 42-21 last week
-- PUTNAM COUNTY (1-7, 1-3 Region 8-AA): Lost 14-13 to Monticello last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... There is a lot riding on this one for the Leopards. Banks County, Elbert County, and Monticello all are 3-1 in the region. The Leopards do own the head-to-head over Monticello and will finish the season next week against the Blue Devils. ... A win would keep them alive for a home playoff game in the first round. ... They can’t afford to look past the War Eagles, who have been tough losing three games by a touchdown or less and two by a field goal or less. A loss could potentially throw the things to a series of tiebreakers for the Nos. 2-4 spots if they were to finish with a win over Elbert. ... A win tonight and next week’s game vs. Elbert County could be for the No. 2 seed. ... Putnam is in the bottom 10 of AA in scoring averaging just 12 ppg. The Leopards defense forced four Social Circle turnovers last week and has allowed just 24 points (12 ppg) the last two games compared to yielding 34.8 ppg the previous 6 games. ... Banks County is averaging 25.8 ppg behind QB Griffin Goodwin, who did not throw an interception for the second straight game last week.

COLLINS HILL at NORTH GWINNETT
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: Tom Robinson Memorial Stadium, Suwanee
-- COLLINS HILL (2-6, 2-2 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Bye last week; lost 24-21 to Mountain View two weeks ago
-- NORTH GWINNETT (4-4, 2-2 Region 6-AAAAAAA): Lost to Peachtree Ridge 28-21 in OT last week
-- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett leads series 9-6. Collins Hill won 52-23 in 2015 in Lawrenceville. The Eagles have 2 of the last 3 after North Gwinnett had won five straight. ... A huge game for both teams who are locked in a 3-way tie with Peachtree Ridge for third place. The Bulldogs can still grab the No. 2 seed and Collins Hill could eventually finish as high as third. But both could also virtually be eliminated with a loss. ... The Bulldogs could take No. 2 with two wins to close out the season and a Collins Hill win over Peachtree Ridge next week. The Bulldogs would finish tied for second with Mountain View but own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bears. However, North Gwinnett, Peachtree Ridge and Mountain View could finish in a 3-way tie having beaten each other and sending it to tiebreakers for second place. ... A loss for the Bulldogs would all but eliminate them with losses to both the Lions and Eagles and already behind Mountain View in the standings. The Bulldogs would then need for Peachtree Ridge to lose out to then sneak in as the fourth seed.

COMMERCE at ATHENS ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: Slaughter Field, Watkinsville
-- COMMERCE (6-2, 5-2 Region 8-A): Defeated Towns County 56-20 last week
-- ATHENS ACADEMY (8-0, 7-0 Region 8-A): Defeated George Walton 29-26 in OT last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 13-11. Athens Academy won 14-7 in 2015 at home. ... While the Tigers own the overall lead in the series, the Spartans have dominated the series since 2001 winning 10 of 15 and eight straight at Slaughter Field. The last Commerce win in Watkinsville was in 1996. ... Commerce is in need of signature win for the season. The Tigers sit precariously in the 16th spot in the power rankings (seeds 9 to 16 get to host a first round playoff game) with no wins over over any of the top 25 teams in Class A. ... But, they have an opportunity to nail down a playoff spot with wins over the Spartans, who are 6th, and George Walton, which is 14th in the power rankings in the final two weeks. ... Both offenses can score averaging over 35 ppg but neither gives up much. The Tigers are 10th in Class A (84, 10.4 ppg) and the Spartans are 11th (94, 11.7 ppg) in defense.

EAST HALL at NORTH HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- EAST HALL (2-6, 0-4 Region 7-AAA): Lost 38-24 to No. 8 Dawson County last week
-- NORTH HALL (5-4, 2-3 Region 7-AAA): Lost 42-14 to No. 1 Greater Atlanta Christian last week
-- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 33-18-1. North Hall won 56-31 in 2015 at The Brickyard. The Trojans have won eight straight in the series. The lst East Hall win was in 2001 in a 10-7 victory at East Hall Stadium. ... The Vikings have been eliminated after losing to Union, Lumpkin, and then Dawson last week and would lose all head-to-head tiebreakers. ... North Hall is hanging by a thread in fifth place. It is the season finale for the Trojans but they can can still sneak in as the No. 4 seed with a win tonight and two Lumpkin County losses. North Hall owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Indians, who face a tough close with No. 8 Dawson County tonight and then Union County next week. ... Defense has been the issue for the Trojans of late, especially vs. spread offenses. They went 3-0 vs. spread teams in the first half of the season but have allowed 122 points (40.6 ppg) in three losses to Dawson County, Union County, and GAC, which run similar approaches to East Hall. ... The Vikings have lost four straight and allowed 188 points (47 ppg) in that span.

GAINESVILLE at APALACHEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: R. Harold Harrison Stadium, Bethlehem
-- RADIO: 1240 AM ESPN Radio
-- GAINESVILLE (4-4, 2-1 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Winder-Barrow 30-16 last week
-- APALACHEE (2-5-1, 0-3 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 45-9 to Lanier last week
-- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 4-0. The Red Elephants won 48-0 in 2015. ... A huge game for Gainesville if it wants to stay in the race for a region title and/or a home playoff game. The Red Elephants will close out the season next week against Lanier, and based on the Longhorns showdown with Dacula, it could mean a possible 3-way tie for the title. ... However, Gainesville cannot afford a slip up against the Wildcats, who are better than their record indicates. Until last week, Apalachee had not allowed more than 28 points in any game. Gainesville is only averaging 20 ppg on offense. The Wildcats have had trouble scoring of late averaging just 12.3 ppg in region play. ... Gainesville is also looking for its first two-game win streak of the season. QB DJ Irons has continued to improve for the Red Elephants averaging nearly 250 yards passing a game over the past three games.

HABERSHAM CENTRAL at WINDER-BARROW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: W. Clair Harris Stadium, Winder
-- RADIO: 99.3 FM WCON
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (4-4, 0-3 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 9-0 to Dacula last week
-- WINDER-BARROW (4-5, 1-3 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 30-16 to Gainesville last week
-- NOTABLE: Habersham Central leads series 15-6. Habersham won the last meeting, 54-10, in 2011 in Mt. Airy. The Raiders have won six straight and 8 of the last 9 in the series going back to 1997. The last Bulldoggs win came in 2003 in Winder, 30-15. ... It is simple for Winder. A win for the Bulldoggs would clinch a playoff spot. However, a Raiders win tonight will give them the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bulldoggs, who still have Dacula to play in their finale. Habersham closes out the season over Apalachee at home. ... The Raiders offense, which averaged 28.4 in their first five games, has really struggled in region play scoring just a total 16 points vs. the top three defenses in 8-AAAAAA. ... Winder’s defense, which had allowed just 16.6 ppg through the first 6 games, has been roughed up for 64 points (32 ppg) during their current 2-game losing streak.

JACKSON COUNTY at EAST JACKSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: Eagles Stadium, Commerce
-- JACKSON COUNTY (3-5, 2-1 Region 8-AAA): Bye last week; defeated Hart County 18-14 two weeks ago
-- EAST JACKSON (2-6, 0-3 Region 8-AAA): Lost 27-26 to Haralson County last week
-- NOTABLE: Jackson County leads series 4-2. The Panthers won 69-7 in 2015 in Jefferson. Jackson County has won the last four meetings. ... Jackson County is tied for second place in the region and could force a region title showdown next week with Morgan County with a win and a Franklin County loss to Morgan County tonight. ... The Eagles, however, are still alive for a playoff spot but would need to win over the Panthers and Hart County next week and have Monroe Area lose its final two games. ... East Jackson, which has lost five straight, has yielded the most points in region play (119, 39.6 ppg) but Jackson County is averaging just 17.6 ppg on the season.

JOHNSON at CEDAR SHOALS
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: Waters-Wilkins Stadium, Athens
-- JOHNSON (0-8, 0-4 Region 8-AAAAA): Bye last week; lost 52-14 to Clarke Central two weeks ago
-- CEDAR SHOALS (3-5, 0-4 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 30-0 to No. 9 Loganville last week
-- NOTABLE: Cedar Shoals leads series 9-0. It is the first meeting between the two teams since 9187, a 21-0 Jaguars win in Oakwood. ... Both teams have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. The Jaguars started hot with three wins and averaging 39 ppg to open the season. But they have dropped five straight getting outscored 185-36 in that span. ... The Knights have allowed the 2nd-most points in AAAAA (343, 42.8 ppg). They also need one win to close out the season to avoid their first winless season since 2011.

LANIER at DACULA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: Barron Field, Dacula
-- LANIER (6-2, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Apalachee 45-9 last week
-- DACULA (4-4, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Habersham Central 9-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Both teams already have qualified for the playoffs. Now, it’s just about positioning. ... It’s simple for Dacula after last week’s victory over Gainesville: win tonight and claim the region title. ... However, a Lanier victory and the Longhorns would still need to beat Gainesville next week to claim their third straight crown. If Lanier wins tonight AND loses to the Red Elephants next that would set up a 3-way tie and bring tiebreakers into play to decide the champion. ... This is another huge defensive matchup for the night. They are nearly identical with Dacula allowing 158 points (19.6 ppg) and Lanier 145 points (18.1 ppg) on the season. However, the Falcons have allowed just 27 points (9.0 ppg) and the Longhorns 39 points (13 ppg) in region play. ... The difference could be in the Lanier offense, which has found its groove after some early-season growing pains. They are averaging 34.2 ppg during their 5-game win streak. Dacula battled early-season injuries and is just now getting healthy but has scored just 129 points (16.1 ppg) on the season.

LOGANVILLE at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- LOGANVILLE (6-2, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Ranked No. 9 in Class AAAAA; defeated Cedar Shoals 30-0 last week
-- BUFORD (6-2, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Ranked No. 2 in Class AAAAA; defeated Walnut Grove 38-6 last week
-- NOTABLE: Buford leads series 9-1. It’s the first meeting between the two teams since 2001, a 44-0 Wolves win at Tom Riden Stadium. It is just the third meeting between the two since 1987. The only Loganville win came in 1986 in a 25-7 win in Buford. ... This is basically for the region title, despite both teams still having one game left next week. No other team in the region has less than two losses. And, they both own the head-to-head tiebreakers over the third and fourth place teams so the loser will be the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. ... Both offenses have been rolling and both defenses have been stingy. Loganville is tops in AAAAA yielding just 87 points (10.8 ppg) and has allowed 7 points or less six times with three shutouts, including two straight. Buford is tied for 3rd allowing just 101 points (12.6 ppg) and has given up 8 points or less four times with one shutout. ... The Wolves are 4th in AAAAA in scoring (328, 41 ppg) and the Red Devils are 11th (260, 32.7 ppg). ... Buford is looking for its fourth straight region title, and 27th overall, while the Red Devils are looking for their first region title since 2008 when they were in 8-AAAA and just their third ever region title.

LUMPKIN COUNTY at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (4-4, 2-2 Region 7-AAA): defeated Fannin County 63-37 last week
-- DAWSON COUNTY (6-2, 5-2 Region 7-AAA): Ranked No. 8 in Class AAA; Defeated East Hall 38-24 last week
-- NOTABLE: Lumpkin County leads series 19-17-2. Dawson County won 41-0 in 2015 in Dawsonville. The Tigers have won six straight in the series at Tiger Stadium. ... Huge game for both teams with playoff implications all around. The Indians are locked in a fight with North Hall and Union County for the final two playoff spots and they get the Panthers at home next week to close out the season. They need a North Hall loss to East Hall and one win to eliminate the Trojans but could also grab the third spot but would have to beat Union County next week. ... The Tigers are still in line for a second straight region championship no matter the outcome tonight. Even with a loss tonight, a win over No. 1 GAC next week would give them the title. ... Lumpkin’s offensive explosion last week was the most points tallied since scoring 61 vs. Union County in 2003. They were close to the school-record 73 posted in a win over East Fannin in 1967. ... It will be a tough task for the Indians against a Dawson offense that is tied for 7th in AAA (291, 36.3 ppg) and a defense that is 11th in AAA allowing just 16 ppg. During their 5-game win streak the Tigers are averaging 47.6 ppg while the Indians defense has yielded 114 points (38 ppg) in their last three games vs. spread attack offenses.

MARIST at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- MARIST (5-3, 1-1 Region 7-AAAA): Lost to 28-26 to Blessed Trinity last week
-- CHESTATEE (4-5, 1-2 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated White County 27-21
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... Chestatee won a huge game last week and needs just a win or a White County loss to qualify for its first playoff berth since 2013. However, Chestatee could still miss out if it loses tonight in its season finale and White County wins out, though the Warriors have a tough finish with West Hall this week and Marist next week to close out the season. ... The Chestatee defense, which has struggled most of the year allowing the 3rd-most points in AAAA (298, 33.1 ppg), faces another tough task against a brutal Marist ground game that is averaging nearly 300 yards rushing on the season. Marist is only averaging 22 ppg but uses its wing-T to control the clock. ... The Chestatee offense has been cooled off in region play. After averaging 27.1 ppg in its first 6 games, Chestatee has averaged just 20.3 ppg in the region.

NORTH FORSYTH at WEST FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: Wolverine Stadium, Cumming
-- NORTH FORSYTH (4-4, 1-2 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Lost 42-7 to South Forsyth last week
-- WEST FORSYTH (6-2, 2-1 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Lost 17-7 to Lambert last week
-- NOTABLE: West Forsyth leads series 6-2. West Forsyth won 48-17 in 2015. The Wolverines have won four straight in the series. The Raiders last win came in 2010 in Coal Mountain. ... The Raiders ran into a pair of hot teams in Lambert and South Forsyth to fall into a tie for fourth place in the region standings. ... It is not do-or-die yet. They can lose this week and beat Milton next week in the season finale and still make the playoffs. But, with Milton taking on Lambert this week, if the Raiders can find a way past the Wolverines that could vault them into no worse than third place going into the final week. ... The North Forsyth defense has given up the most points of any 5-AAAAAAA team (237, 29.6 ppg) and will need to find some stops to help the offense. The Raiders are averaging 26.3 ppg but the Wolverines have yielded the fewest points in the region (141, 17.6 ppg).

OGLETHORPE COUNTY at RABUN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
-- OGLETHORPE COUNTY (0-8, 0-5 Region 8-AA): Lost 34-6 to Monticello last week
-- RABUN COUNTY (7-0, 4-0 Region 8-AA): Ranked No. 5 in Class AA;  Defeated Elbert County 42-10 last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 13-9. The Wildcats won 62-12 in 2015 in Lexington. Rabun has won 4 straight and 6 of the last 9 since series resumed in 2007 and 4 of 5 in Tiger in that span. ... The Wildcats can clinch the region title outright with a win tonight. ... It looks like a huge mismatch on paper as the Wildcats are 2nd in AA in scoring average at 45.2 ppg and the Patriots have allowed the 7th-most points (278, 34.7 ppg) and only Putnam County has fewer scorer points in the region. ... Oglethorpe has scored just 111 points (13.8 ppg) while Rabun has yielded the fewest points in AA (47, 6.7 ppg).

STEPHENS COUNTY at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (7-1, 3-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Oconee County 16-9 last week
-- JEFFERSON (7-1, 3-0 Region 8-AAAA): Ranked No. 4 in Class AAAA; Defeated St. Pius 24-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Stephens County leads the series 3-2. It is the first meeting since 1955 between the two powers. Stephens County won that meeting 27-7 in Jefferson. The last Dragons victory in the series came in 1950, 65-6, in Jefferson as well. ... Both teams are rolling coming into this one. Stephens has won six straight and Jefferson five straight. ... The Indians can practically claim the region title with a victory after last week’s win over Oconee County giving them head-to-head tiebreakers. Even if the Dragons win, they would still need a win over the Warriors next week in the season finale to clinch. ... For all the talk of the two offenses, expect this one to come down to the defenses. The Dragons are 8th in AAAA (264, 33 ppg) and the Indians are 13th (239, 29.9 ppg) in offense. But both defenses are in the top 8 (Stephens is 6th at 93 points, 11.6 ppg and Jefferson is 8th at 105 points, 13.1 ppg) in AAAA. ... The Indians have been extremely tough over the past 6 weeks. After yielding 44 points in their first two games, they have surrendered just 49 points (8.1 ppg) since. For Jefferson, 70 of their 105 points were given up to No. 2 Thomson and Gainesville. The Dragons have allowed just 35 points (5.8 ppg) in their other six games with three shutouts. ... The key for the Dragons will be getting the two Colby’s (Wood and Clark) going in the ground game. The key for the Indians will be balance on offense. ... The turnover battle will be key as well. Both teams have forced 10 takeaways. Jefferson has 11 sacks and the Indians 7 on the season.

TOWNS COUNTY at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: Gainesville
-- TOWNS COUNTY (2-6, 1-6 Region 8-A): Lost 56-20 to Commerce last week
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (1-7, 1-6 Region 8-A): Lost 34-14 to Hebron Christian last week
-- NOTABLE: Lakeview Academy leads series 5-4. Towns County won 25-21 in 2015 in Gainesville. The Indians have won three straight in the series. ... The Lions need at least one more win to avoid their worst season since 2009. One more for the Indians would give them their most wins since 2013. ... Both teams come in one four-game losing streaks and defense has been the issue. Lakeview has allowed 162 points (40.5 ppg) and Towns County has yielded 157 points (39.2 ppg) in that span.

UNION COUNTY at FANNIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge
-- UNION COUNTY (6-2, 2-2 Region 7-AAA): Bye last week; defeated North Hall 35-32 two weeks ago
-- FANNIN COUNTY (2-6, 0-4 Region 7-AAA): Lost 63-37 to Lumpkin County last week
-- NOTABLE: Fannin County leads series 13-11. Union County won 37-31 in 2015 in Blue Ridge. That snapped a four-game losing streak in Blue Ridge. The Panthers have won 5 of the last 7 meetings overall. ... The Panthers are locked in a duel with North Hall and Lumpkin County for the final two spots in the region and they finish next week against Lumpkin in Blairsville. They can clinch the No. 3 spot by winning out. However, a loss this week and they could face a must win next week just to get in based on North Hall’s game vs. East Hall tonight. ... The Rebels are not eliminated yet but a loss would eliminate them. ... It should be a favorable matchup for the Panthers, who still own the No. 3 offense in AAA (308, 38.5 ppg) vs. a Fannin County defense that has allowed the 3rd-most points in AAA (305, 38.1 ppg), including a whopping 167 points (55.6 ppg) in its last three games.

WHITE COUNTY at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. 
-- WHERE: Spartan Field, Oakwood
-- WHITE COUNTY (1-7, 0-2 Region 7-AAAA): Lost 27-21 to Chestatee last week
-- WEST HALL (5-3, 1-1 Region 7-AAAA): Bye last week; lost 43-3 to Marist two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 10-8. The Warriors won the last meeting in 2013 in Oakwood, 14-0. White County has won eight straight in the series. The Spartans last win came in 2005 in a 7-6 victory in Cleveland. ... Despite a rough season, the Warriors are still alive for a playoff spot. They will need to win out and get some help over the final week. ... West Hall got a much-needed week off after nine straight weeks. A win this week clinches a playoff spot for the Spartans for a program-best fourth straight season. ... The Warriors defense has struggled all year allowing 31.7 ppg and the offense is only averaging 12.8 ppg. The Spartans, until the Marist game, had been averaging 25.5 ppg and the defense had yielded just 17 ppg. ... Turnovers have been a problem for the Warriors, who had three key miscues last week. The West Hall defense has been among the area’s best forcing 16 turnovers o go with 40 tackles for loss, including 29 sacks.

North Forsyth quarterback Ben Bales

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