For some northeast Georgia teams, this week is the final tune-up before jumping into all-important region schedules.
While Region 8-A has been in that mode for two weeks, Regions 7-AAA and 8-AAAAA will have their final non-region battles this week before starting their treks toward the playoffs.
It is the lightest Friday night of the season since Week Zero for northeast Georgia with just 15 games on tap for area teams. But the lack of quantity does not mean there’s a lack of quality.
Class AAAAA No. 1 Buford will play host to traditional Alabama power Jeff Davis out of Montgomery. The Volunteers play in the largest classification in Alabama in one of the toughest regions that includes stalwarts Auburn, Prattville, and Enterprise. The Wolves (1-1) have won 32 straight at Tom Riden Stadium but both of Jeff Davis’s (2-2) wins this season have been on the road.
Former Region 7-AAA foes Dawson County and West Hall will tangle at “The Hot Gates” in Oakwood as both try to continue momentum gained from the past couple of weeks. The game can be heard on North Georgia Sports Link (www.northgeorgiasportslink.com). The battle to watch will be Tigers quarterback Coey Watson against a tough West Hall defense that has registered back-to-back shutouts.
Jackson County will travel to East Hall in a game that can be heard on 102.9 FM. The Vikings are coming off their first win of the season while the Panthers are trying to snap a three-game losing streak.
Flowery Branch continues its tough non-region schedule playing host to Class AAAA No. 8 Jefferson. The Falcons are smarting after a blowout loss to Stephens County last week while the Dragons have had two weeks to put their loss to No. 2 Thomson behind them.
Habersham and Stephens County will renew one of the oldest and fiercest northeast Georgia rivalries at The Reservation in Toccoa. The Raiders are off to their best start since 1990 and already have equaled their win total from the past four seasons combined. But the Indians have won 11 straight in the series.
North Hall will travel to arch-rival White County in a battle that is always intense. The Trojans have fought their way to three close wins this season and the Warriors are trying to grab their first win of the campaign after losing a potential win to lightning and then blowing a late lead against Habersham Central.
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 evening for score updates, game stories and video highlights. You can also check for scores and highlights on our Twitter feed: @FridayGameNight
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR WEEK 4, Sept. 16
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
CHESTATEE at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- CHESTATEE (2-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated Fannin County 47-30 last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (1-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 27-7 to Madison County last week
-- NOTABLE: Chestatee leads series 6-2. First meeting since 2013. Chestatee won the last meeting 42-14. ... This could be an intriguing matchup with contrasting styles. The War Eagles already have surpassed their win from the past two seasons combined. Coach Shaun Conley and his staff wanted a more uptempo and explosive offense and they are getting it with their new spread attack. The War Eagles are 11th in scoring in Class AAAA (111 points, 27.7 ppg) through four games after ranking near the bottom of the classification (15 ppg) last season. QB Storm Yarbrough, RB Nick Lyles, and an improved offensive line are the big reasons for the turnaround. However, they have given up the second most points in AAAA (127, 31.7 ppg) so expect more shootouts down the road. ... Lumpkin County ran into a very good and improved Madison team that is 3-0 for the first time since 2006. This week begins a critical three-game home stand for the Indians, who would like to build some confidence with East Hall and North Hall following to open region play. Zach Matthews and their ground game were held in check last week but could exploit the Chestatee defense, which has given up big chunks on the ground in 2016.
DAWSON COUNTY at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartan Stadium, Oakwood
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- DAWSON COUNTY (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Bye last week, defeated Chattooga 30-8 two weeks ago
-- WEST HALL (3-1, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Defeated Jackson County 42-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: West Hall leads series 4-3. Dawson County won 17-0 last year in Oakwood. The two teams were region rivals the last four seasons and split the four games. ... This could be one of the best games in northeast Georgia this week. The Spartans are coming off back-to-back shutout wins and have given up just 14 points since dropping their opener to Gainesville. And, they have had time to work the kinks out with four games so far while the Tigers have played just once what with their opener getting canceled and then a bye week last week. ... It could be biggest test for the West Hall defense since taking on Gainesville in the opener. Dawson County QB Coey Watson is one of the more dynamic players in the area. He had two TD passes and two TD runs and accounted for over 300 total yards vs. Chattooga. ... The Spartans will bring a powerful ground attack with Tyrese Osborne, who had four rushing TDs last week, leading the way. But, Dawson County shut down a Chattooga rushing attack that had averaged over 400 yards a game.
EAST JACKSON at GLYNN ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Glynn County Stadium, Brunswick
-- EAST JACKSON (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Defeated Oglethorpe County 28-14 last
-- GLYNN ACADEMY (3-1, 0-0 Region 2-AAAAAA): Ranked 10th in Class AAAAAA; defeated Camden County 56-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Eagles have been one of the surprise teams in northeast Georgia with their first two-game win streak since 2011. But, they have a huge challenge this week against the 2015 Class AAAAA state runners-up Red Terrors, who handed mighty Camden County its second-worst loss ever last week. ... It is the first home game for Glynn Academy of the season after three road games and one neutral-site game. ... Since their season-opening 24-7 loss to Class AA No. 1 Benedictine, the Red Terrors have averaged 35.3 ppg in their three wins and just 10.3 ppg allowed on defense. They are 11-3 in their last 14 homes games. ... Eagles QB Josh Adair and RB Kentay Rakestraw have paced the offense, which has scored 66 points the past two games, the best two game stretch for the Eagles since the mid-2010 season. ... East Jackson coach Christian Hunnicutt said he wants his team to see what a championship team looks like. They’ll get a good view for sure.
FANNIN COUNTY at ANDREWS (N.C.)
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Andrews, N.C.
-- FANNIN COUNTY (1-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Lost 47-30 to Chestatee last week
-- ANDREWS, N.C. (1-2): Lost 45-20 to Union County last week
-- NOTABLE: First meeting between the two teams since 1991. Fannin County won that matchup 20-13 in Blue Ridge. ... Offense has not been the problem for the Rebels, who have scored 30 points each of the last two contests behind QB Brad Davis. Defensively they have allowed 96 points (48 ppg) during their two-game losing streak. ... Defense has been an issue for the Wildcats as well, who have given up 79 points their last two games. ... Fannin needs a win to build momentum heading into next week’s region opener against North Hall. After North Hall, the Rebels have No. 1 GAC and Dawson County to follow in Region 7-AAA.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at STEPHENS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Reservation, Toccoa
-- RADIO: WCON 99.3 FM
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (3-0, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Franklin County 21-14 last week
-- STEPHENS COUNTY (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Flowery Branch 41-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Stephens County leads series 27-11-1. The Indians won the last meeting 49-14 in 2013. ... One of the more intense rivalries in northeast Georgia and they met every year from 1970 to 2001. But, they have only played six times since with region realignments and it has been all Indians since the mid-90s. Stephens has won 11 straight in the series. The last Habersham win came in 1996, 16-10, in Mt. Airy. The last road win for the Raiders was in 1993 in 6-3 defensive battle. ... Don’t look for a defensive slugfest in this one. Both teams are rolling offensively. The Raiders are averaging 31.6 ppg behind QB Cole Wilbanks and RB Michael Babers. Babers missed most of last week’s game with an ankle sprain but is expected to play tonight. Meanwwhile, the Indians are averaging 37.3 ppg behind QB Jackson Bell, RBs A.J. Howard and Hassan Brown, and a talented receiving corp in A.J. Curry, Malik Feaster and Donnie Curry. ... The Indians defense put in its best work of the season last week as well holding a potent Falcons offense to just 201 yards. Habersham has yielded just 16.6 ppg on defense so far after allowing 39.7 ppg in 2015.
JACKSON COUNTY at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- JACKSON COUNTY (1-3, 0-0 Region 8-AAA): Lost 42-0 to West Hall last week
-- EAST HALL (1-2, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Johnson 47-21 last week
-- NOTABLE: East Hall leads series 6-4. Jackson County won 34-28 in overtime in 2015. The Panthers have won three straight in the series. The last East Hall victory in the series came in 1996 at Valhalla. ... East Hall finally got its offense untracked last week behind Austin Parker’s 4 TD passes and three rushing touchdowns from three different players as the Vikings led 47-0 at halftime. ... The youth of the Panthers may be showing some as they return just 9 starters from last season. Their issues during their three-game losing streak has on defense where they have allowed 110 points (36.6 ppg) during that stretch. Offensively they have scored just 25 points (8.3 ppg) during the losing streak after scoring 21 in their season-opening win over Banks County. ... East Hall is yielding 29.6 ppg on defense so the Panthers may be able to find some success for QB Caleb Matthews and WR Zane Corley. ... Both teams would like a win to build momentum heading into next week’s region openers.
JEFF DAVIS (MONTGOMERY, ALA.) at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- JEFF DAVIS (MONTGOMERY, ALA.) (2-2): Lost 12-0 to Alabama Class AAAAAAA No. 9 Enterprise last week in a region contest
-- BUFORD (1-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Ranked No. 1 in Class AAAAA; bye last week; defeated Bishop Timon (Buffalo, N.Y.) 49-6 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... This will begin a stretch for Buford of eight straight games to finish the season without a bye week. With only two games it’s hard to measure the Wolves yet. They dropped their opener to Class AAAAAAA No. 2 Roswell (24-7) but hammered Bishop Timon two weeks ago. ... This is an intriguing matchup. The Volunteers are an old traditional Alabama power that is trying to regain its position after missing out on the playoffs in 2015 despite a winning record. ... They are a tough team away from Montgomery. Both Jeff Davis wins this season have been on the road. ... Jeff Davis has allowed just 18.7 ppg in Alabama’s largest classification. The Buford defense vs. the Volunteers offense may be the key. The Volunteers have averaged 33.5 ppg in their two road wins but scored 20 points (10 ppg) in their two home losses.
JEFFERSON at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- JEFFERSON (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA): Ranked 10th in Class AAAA; bye last week; lost 42-20 to No. 2 Thomson two weeks ago
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (1-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost 41-7 to Stephens County last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Dragons have had two weeks to regroup from their top 5 showdown and correct the special teams and turnovers issues that hurt them in that loss. The Falcons are coming off a rough outing where little went right against Stephens County. ... The Falcons offense has been up-and-down so far averaging just 22.6 ppg. They looked unstoppable against Chestatee two weeks ago but struggled against both North Hall and the Indians last week. RB/WR Malik Drayton was held to 24 total yards last after averaging over 200 all-purpose yards the first two games. ... The Dragons’ Colby Wood is coming off his worst game statistically after being held under 100 yards against Thomson. He came in averaging nearly 200 yards a game through the first two weeks. ... Whichever defense can make the most stops may decide this one. Flowery Branch is yielding 25 ppg while Jefferson is allowing 18.6 ppg so far.
LAMBERT at LANIER
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Longhorn Stadium, Sugar Hill
-- LAMBERT (1-2, 0-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Lost 50-36 to Cherokee last week
-- LANIER (1-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 38-7 to No. 1 Northside-Warner Robins last week
-- NOTABLE: Lanier leads series 2-0. The Longhorns won 17-7 in Sugar Hill in 2015. ... The Longhorns had a had a rough two weeks with two key players missing because of arrests and having to take on the No. 1 team short-handed. But, they may get back one of the players this week after charges were dropped. ... It is the first time since the mid-2012 season that Lanier is below .500 and it’s also the first two-game losing streak for the Longhorns since then. ... Lanier may be catching Lambert at the right time, though, to try and regain some confidence. Lambert has struggled on defense allowing 31.3 ppg so far and the 50 points allowed last week is the most ever allowed by a Lambert defense in program history. ... Lanier, however, has scored just 41 points (13.6 pgg) on the season as they are breaking in a new QB and have lost starting RB and 2015 leading rusher Marcko Baity.
LOGANVILLE at WINDER-BARROW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Clair Harris Stadium, Winder
-- LOGANVILLE (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Eastside (Covington) 21-0 last week
-- WINDER-BARROW (2-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Bye last week; defeated Northview 35-20 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Loganville leads series 12-2. The Red Devils won 27-20 in 2015 in Loganville. However, Winder won 46-7 at home in 2014. Both teams were old region foes in 8-AAAAA the last few years but are now in different regions and classifications. ... The Bulldoggs were probably disappointed they had their bye week last week after a two week offensive explosion. After being shutout in their opener by Clarke Central, they scored 76 points in wins over Walnut Grove and Northview. Junior QB Brock Landis had led the way. ... Since giving up 31 points to Clarke Central, the Winder defense has yielded just 27 since (13.5 ppg). Loganville is averaging 25 ppg but defense is the key for the Red Devils. In their two wins they have given up just 7 total points. In their loss they gave up 31 to North Forsyth.
NORTH HALL at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com
-- NORTH HALL (3-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Pickens 16-8 last week
-- WHITE COUNTY (0-3, 0-0 Region 7-AAAA): Lost 49-7 to Rabun County last week
-- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 22-21. The Trojans won 30-13 in 2015 in Cleveland. ... One of the oldest and most bitter northeast Georgia rivalries. The two teams have split the last 6 meetings but North Hall dominated for a while winning 16 straight from 1988 to 2009. The Trojans also have won 10 of the last 11 games in Cleveland. ... White County won 18 of the first 21 meetings from 1960- to 1987. ... But none of that may matter and neither will the records. Both teams will look to bruising ground attacks to control the game. North Hall will look to RB Kyle Bacus while the Warriors will counter with RB Kaleb Crane. ... The Trojans have needed defensive stands to win two games, including last week, stopping the Dragons inside the 4 on the final play of the game. ... The Warriors let a late lead against Habersham Central slip away two weeks ago and led Lumpkin County in a game called due to lightning so they could be 2-2on the season.
PICKENS at NORTH FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
-- PICKENS (1-2, 0-0 Region 6-AAAA): Lost 16-8 to North Hall last week
-- NORTH FORSYTH (2-1, 0-0 Region 5-AAAAAAA): Bye last week; defeated Loganville 31-24 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Series is tied 3-3. The two teams have not met since 2001 but North Forsyth won the last meeting 41-0 at home. ... The Raiders have been another one of the surprise teams so far in 2016 already equaling their win total from all of 2015. The Dragons have lost two straight. ... Offense has been the big turnaround for the Raiders. Led by QB Ben Bales, they have averaged 28.3 ppg so far after averaging just 19.8 ppg in 2015. One more win for the Raiders would equal their win total from the past two seasons combined. ... Pickens has been tough defensively allowing just 17.6 ppg and no more than 19 in any game this season. But, the Dragons, after scoring 49 in their season-opening win over Chattahoochee, have scored just 18 points in their past two games. North Forsyth is allowing 22 ppg on defense in 2016.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY (1-2, 1-2 Region 8-A): Lost 28-0 to George Walton last week
-- TOWNS COUNTY (1-2, 0-2 Region 8-A): Lost 47-13 to Class A Private No. 3 Prince Avenue Christian last week
-- NOTABLE: Towns County leads series 9-8. The two teams have not met since 2001, a 49-20 Riverside win in Gainesville. ... A streaky series in that Riverside won seven straight from 1979 to 1985 but the Indians won eight straight from 1992 to 2000. ... Both teams need a win to build some momentum but the Eagles have a chance to go into their two-week gauntlett of No. 10 Athens Academy and No. 1 Commerce with a winning record. After Riverside, the Indians have a tough stretch with four straight games against teams with winning records. ... It’s been hit-or-miss for the Eagles. When they score, they have won. They will need a big game from Isaac Teasley. The have been by shutout in their two losses but to teams that are a combined 7-0. Defensively they are allowing 28.6 ppg ... Towns County is averaging 17.3 ppg against but also has allowed 27.3 ppg on defense.
UNION COUNTY at BANKS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Leopard Stadium, Homer
-- UNION COUNTY (3-0, 0-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Andrews (N.C.) 45-20 last week
-- BANKS COUNTY (1-2, 0-0 Region 8-AA): Bye last week; defeated Johnson 54-35 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Union County leads series 19-18. Banks County won the last meeting in 2011, 16-14. The two teams met every year from 1984 to 2011 with the Panthers holding a 16-12 advantage during that stretch. But, Banks County has won 6 of the last 7 meetings overall. The Leopards also have won 4 of the last 5 in Homer. ... The 54 points for Banks County was the most a Leopards team has scored since a 55-point effort in a win over Riverside Military in 1996. The Leopards, however, also have yielded 99 points (33 ppg) on defense so far. ... Union County is allowing just 14.3 ppg on defense so far.
WALNUT GROVE at APALACHEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: R. Harold Harrison Stadium, Bethlehem
-- WALNUT GROVE (1-2, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Monroe Area 34-7 last week
-- APALACHEE (0-2-1, 0-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Lost 27-10 to Discovery last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... The Wildcats are still looking for their first win since 2014. Their winless streak is now at 14 games. ... The Warriors broke loose last week after scoring just 19 points in their first two games. They gave up just 7 after allowing 82 points in their first two games as well. ... Apalachee has allowed 25.3 ppg but offensively they have scored just 46 points (15.1 ppg) on the season.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/9/446331/football-game-previews-ranked-teams-buford-jefferson-face-tough-tasks-highlight-friday-game-night