Here's a look at five things we learned from Week 9 of high school football...
1. Gainesville is finding its momentum -- at just the right time
As tough as the Red Elephants start to the season was -- and 1-4 was not up to Gainesville's normally-lofty standards -- Friday showed that Big Red is starting to roll again and in so doing could still nail down a home game in the state playoffs. In handing eighth-ranked Winder-Barrow its first loss of the season, the Red Elephants showed that they are a team to be reckoned with down the home stretch. Gainesville made plays on defense, offense and special teams -- and, most importantly, did so consistently. The Red Elephants had shown flashes in every game but saw penalties or turnovers stunt their momentum in a number of contests. But Friday showed Gainesville in a different light, and, after winning two of its last three, Gainesville is now tied for second in Region 8-AAAAAA. The Red Elephants play host to 1-7 Apalachee this week and a resurgent Lanier (5-3 and 2-1 in region itself) on Nov. 3. Sweep through that slate and the Red Elephants will, at worst, finish second in region play and host a first round playoff game. Considering where the Red Elephants were just a month ago, that is one impressive bounce back.
2. Rabun County keeps on rolling through key test
We expected the Wildcats to be in this position -- undefeated and staring at their fourth straight region title with just two games remaining on the regular season schedule. But it was still impressive to see how Rabun ran past Elbert County on Friday night. The Blue Devils stormed into Friday's game on the back of a five game win streak and represented Rabun County's toughest test in weeks. And while Elbert put up a fight, trailing just 14-7 after the first quarter, Rabun dominated from there, putting up 457 total yards and allowing just 265. The fifth-ranked Wildcats are looking to to tune up for the postseason, and performances like Friday's show that they are doing just that. We expect Rabun to dominate in region, but it's good to see the Wildcats tested -- and react.
3. Stephens County grit keeps Indians alive
The Indians have reached the state playoffs in seven straight seasons -- and 20 of the last 21 -- and that streak was hanging by a thread on Friday night. Instead of panicking, Stephens County rolled up its sleeves and produced its most important victory of the campaign to date, edging Oconee County 24-17. The victory put the Indians in a position to get back to the playoffs for an eighth straight season with two regular season contests to go. Win both and the postseason is a lock -- even win one, however, and there's still a good chance the streak continues. This week, the Indians travel to Jefferson -- and you know the Dragons will be champing at the bit after a shock defeat to St. Pius last week. They then close the regular season against North Oconee (currently winless in 8-AAAA). If Madison County defeats Oconee County this week, a win over the Titans would suffice. It's going to be an exciting close to the season -- thanks to Stephens' fight in defeating the Warriors last week.
4. West Hall at White County presents intriguing showdown
White County picked up a huge win at Chestatee on Friday to clinch a postseason berth. The Spartans are also in the playoffs. Now they battle on Friday to determine seeding. The Spartans bring a stout defense to face off against the Warriors' high-flying offense. State powers Rabun County and Marist are the only attacks that have put the Spartans on their heels. Meanwhile, White County enters averaging almost 37 points per game. While Marist and Blessed Trinity have proven the heavyweights so far in Region 7-AAAA, the entire region has shown itself to be quality, and Friday's winner puts itself in a position to do exactly what West Hall did last season -- go on the road and knock off a No. 2 seed. For that matter, the No. 4 seed from 7-AAAA could be just as tough an out. Regardless, this week's showdown should prove a lot to two teams now warming up for the playoffs.
5. North Gwinnett storming into region title shot
We had a feeling Bill Stewart would make an impact for the Bulldogs, but this is beyond impressive. North Gwinnett enters Friday's game at Collins Hill knowing that a win would guarantee the program's first region championship since 2014 in Stewart's first season in charge. The ninth-ranked Bulldogs have, so far, proven themselves rugged and explosive in going 4-0 in Region 6-AAAAAAA, allowing just over 15 points per game (eight points per game less than last year). Meanwhile, their scoring is also up at almost 36 points per game -- over last seasons 31.8. And they have done this while facing down a number of injuries to key players, like losing starting quarterback Cade Fortin early in the season. Every time someone has gone down, however, someone else has stepped up to fill the gap -- back-up Jimmy Urzua is playing like a veteran campaigner, while a number of running backs have rotated for each other. It's been nothing short of impressive and must be very encouraging for Bulldogs fans.
WEEK 9 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES, OCT. 20
Banks County 38, Social Circle 6
Buford 49, Walnut Grove 0
Commerce 38, Towns County 14
Dacula 35, Habersham Central 28
Dawson County 56, East Hall 48
Flowery Branch 32, Clarke Central 14
Gainesville 38, Winder-Barrow 16
Greater Atlanta Christian 56, North Hall 6
Haralson County 23, East Jackson 0
Hebron Christian Academy 42, Lakeview Academy 26
Lanier 39, Apalachee 7
Lumpkin County 10, Fannin County 0
Mountain View 20, Mill Creek 17
North Gwinnett 44, Peachtree Ridge 8
Rabun County 35, Elbert County 7
St. Pius 43, Jefferson 29
South Forsyth 47, North Forsyth 10
Stephens County 24, Oconee County 17
White County 56, Chestatee 27
WEEK 10, HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, OCT. 27
Apalachee at Gainesville
Athens Academy at Commerce
Buford at Loganville
Cedar Shoals at Johnson
Chestatee at Marist
Dacula at Lanier
Dawson County at Lumpkin County
East Jackson at Jackson County
Fannin County at Union County
Jefferson at Stephens County
Lakeview Academy at Towns County
North Gwinnett at Collins Hill
North Hall at East Hall
Putnam County at Banks County
Rabun County at Oglethorpe County
Riverside Military Academy at Athens Christian
West Forsyth at North Forsyth
West Hall at White County
Winder-Barrow at Habersham Central
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/10/596917/5-things-what-we-learned-from-week-9-of-high-school-football