Northeast Georgia area teams enter the home stretch Friday night and several teams face must-wins to stay alive while others can punch their playoff ticket this week.
With one of the busiest nights of the season -- 18 games in all -- more than a dozen teams in the thick of playoffs races face key region showdowns. Every team in Regions 8-3A and 8-6A are still alive for playoff spots while only two teams in Region 7-3A are essentially eliminated.
Surprise teams like Johnson and newcomer Cherokee Bluff are among that group. Stalwarts like Buford, Flowery Branch, North Hall, Rabun County, Union County, and Commerce can take steps toward punching tickets this week.
For a look at all of the weekend's contests involving area teams, simply scroll down. And be sure to check back with AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night throughout Friday and Saturday 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. 25
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
CHEROKEE BLUFF at GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartans Sports Complex, Norcross
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (3-5, 2-2 Region 7-3A): Defeated East Hall 41-12 last week
-- GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN (7-1, 4-0 Region 7-3A): Ranked No. 3 in Class 3A; defeated Lumpkin County 49-6 last week
-- NOTABLE: GAC leads series 1-0. The Spartans won 45-7 in Flowery Branch in 2018. ... The Bears are certainly the feel-good story of the season. They have put their winless first season behind them and last week’s victory marked their first back-to-back wins. But extending that to three straight will take the upset of the season. ... GAC is 6th in 3A in scoring (283 points, 35.3 ppg) and is averaging 40.3 ppg in region play behind a balanced attack averaging 205 yards rushing and 188 yards passing. GAC has allowed a region-low 41 points (10.25 ppg) on defense. ... The Bears are averaging 26.7 ppg in region play but also are yielding 22.7 ppg on defense. ... Bluff So. RB Jayquan Smith is having a breakout season. He has rushed for over 450 yards with 6 TDs in his last two games. ... The Spartans can clinch the region title with a win and a Fannin County loss on Friday. The Bears are in position for a possible playoff spot but will need some help and get an upset against either GAC or Dawson County next week.
CHESTATEE at BLESSED TRINITY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Blessed Trinity Stadium, Roswell
-- CHESTATEE (1-6, 0-3 Region 7-4A): Off last week; lost 40-7 to Flowery Branch two weeks ago
-- BLESSED TRINITY (6-1. 3-0 Region 7-4A): Ranked No. 5 in Class 4A; defeated No. 6 Flowery Branch 20-17 in OT last week
-- NOTABLE: Blessed Trinity leads series 3-0. The Titans won 42-0 in Gainesville in 2018. ... The Titans have dominated this series outscoring the War Eagles 125-20 in the three previous games. Blessed Trinity is not as explosive as the last two seasons averaging just 26.0 ppg in region play so far. But Chestatee has allowed the 4th-most points in 4A (293, 41.8 ppg) on defense. ... The War Eagles do have Jr. QB Christian Charles and Sr. WR Seth Pressley, who both are still among the state leaders in passing and receiving yards. The Titans are yielding just 14.7 ppg on defense. ... It could be a trap game for the Titans, who have No. 1 Marist next week with a chance to clinch a region title. A loss and a Flowery Branch win over Marist on Friday would throw things into a 3-way tie for first place with two weeks left.
DENMARK at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: www.wrwh.com
-- DENMARK (5-2, 2-2 Region 7-4A): Lost 37-14 to No. 1 Marist last week
-- WHITE COUNTY (4-3, 2-2 Region 7-4A): Defeated West Hall 42-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Denmark leads series 1-0. The Danes won 28-27 in 2018 in Alpharetta. ... The Danes, who were considered a preseason favorite to win the region, have lost two straight and now are in a near-must win mode to stay alive in the playoff race. They close out the regular season against Flowery Branch in two weeks. ... The Warriors can jump into fourth place in the standings with a win Friday. They snapped a two-game losing streak with their first shutout win since the 2017 season opener against Franklin County. ... The key matchup for White County will have to be its offense (220, 31.4 ppg). Warriors’ QB J. Ben Haynes accounted for 6 TDs last week (3 pass, 3 rush) and over 250 total yards last week. But the Danes have allowed the 5th-fewest points in 4A (81, 11.5 ppg) on defense. ... The Denmark offense, which is rife with Division I talent, is 6th in 4A (282, 40.2 ppg) while the White County defense is giving up 25.5 ppg on the season.
EAST JACKSON at HART COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Pete Herndon Stadium, Hartwell
-- EAST JACKSON (3-4, 0-3 Region 8-3A): Lost 35-14 to Franklin County last week
-- HART COUNTY (5-2, 1-2 Region 8-3A): Lost 28-21 to Monroe Area last week
-- NOTABLE: Hart County leads series 8-1. The Bulldogs won 56-0 2018 in Commerce. The Eagles only win came in 2016, 28-19, in Commerce. ... The Eagles have never won in Hartwell and have been outscored 189-20 in their last three trips to Hartwell. ... However, East Jackson is still alive for a playoff berth. A win coupled with a Franklin County loss to Jackson County would put all four teams in a four-way tie for the final playoff spot. ... The Bulldogs have dropped two straight and still have Morgan County in their finale so it is a must-win for them as well. ... But the Eagles will have to turn around a four-game losing streak. They have scored the fewest points in region play (27, 9.0 ppg) and have given up the most points in region play (161, 53.6 ppg). ... Hart County is 9th in 3A in scoring averaging 33.4 ppg and has allowed just 16.8 ppg on defense.
FANNIN COUNTY at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- FANNIN COUNTY (5-2, 2-1 Region 7-3A): Lost 38-0 to North Hall last week
-- DAWSON COUNTY (5-2, 2-1 Region 7-3A): Off last week; lost 20-7 to GAC two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Fannin County leads series 8-7. Dawson County won 53-7 in Blue Ridge in 2018. The Tigers have won three straight and 7 of the last 9 in the series going back to 2010. ... It is a key game for both teams and both still have sights on the No. 2 spot. The Rebels can still win the region if they win out, which would include a win over GAC in their season finale. The Tigers can clinch at least the No. 2 spot if they win out, including a win over North Hall in their finale, and the top spot if they get some help. ... The Rebels suffered their first shutout loss last week since 2017 (10-0 to Lumpkin County) and were run over by the Trojans, who had over 300 yards on the ground, allowing their most points of the season. ... The Tigers offer a more balanced attack (172 yards passing, 147 yards rushing) than the North Hall wing-T but also use a power run game. Dawson is yielding just 18 ppg in region play.
FRANKLIN COUNTY at JACKSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Panther Stadium, Jefferson
-- FRANKLIN COUNTY (1-6,1-2 Region 8-3A): Defeated East Jackson 35-14 last week
-- JACKSON COUNTY (2-5, 0-3 Region 8-3A): Off last week; lost 49-0 to Monroe Area in two weeks
-- NOTABLE: Franklin County leads series 11-4. The Lions won 24-6 in 2018 in Carnesville. Jackson County, however, has won 3 of the last 5 meetings. ... The Lions snapped an 8-game losing streak going back to last season. ... Despite being mired in a 4-game losing streak, the Panthers are still alive for a playoff berth. A win, coupled with an East Jackson win over Hart County on Friday, would force a 4-way tie for the final spot. But a loss would eliminate the Panthers. ... Neither team has been an offensive juggernaut in region play with the Lions averaging just 17. 0 ppg and the Panthers just 10.0 ppg. But the Jackson County defense, which was stout early on, has been hit for 41.6 ppg in region play through the first half of the region schedule.
GAINESVILLE at WINDER-BARROW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: W. Clair Harris Stadium, Winder
-- RADIO: 94.5 The Lake
-- GAINESVILLE (3-4, 1-1 Region 8-6A): Off last week; defeated Habersham Central 48-21 two weeks ago
-- WINDER-BARROW (2-5, 1-1 Region 8-6A): Lost 27-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Gainesville leads series 29-5-1. The Red Elephants won 20-7 in Gainesville in 2018. Gainesville has won 7 straight since the series resumed in 2013 after a 20-year hiatus. ... After a 9-game losing streak back to last season, the Bulldoggs have won 2 of their last 4 games. Four of their 5 losses have been by 8 points or less. ... GHS snapped a 3-game losing streak against the Raiders after a brutal 6-game opening stretch of games. ... The winner of this one will move into no worse than 3rd place while the loser could drop into a tie for last place. However, both teams also are still in line to finish as high as second if they can win out. ... It is a simple formula for the Red Elephants: when they run for over 300 yards, they are 3-0. When they don’t, they are 0-4. ... The Bulldoggs are led by Sr. QB Jahyden Sullivan, who has thrown for 702 yards and 4 TDs and has another 448 yards and 8 TDs rushing.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at DACULA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Dacula
-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL (3-4, 0-2 Region 8-6A): Off last week; lost 48-21 to Gainesville two weeks ago
-- DACULA (7-0, 2-0 Region 8-6A): Ranked No. 1 in Class 6A; defeated Apalachee 43-0 last week
-- NOTABLE: Dacula leads series 5-2. The Falcons won 49-7 in 2018 in Mt. Airy. ... Dacula is off to its best start since 2014 since opening with 8 straight wins. ... A revamped Habersham defense was playing well until the past two games. After allowing just 121 points over their first five games (24.2 ppg) the Raiders have been torched for 90 points (45.0 ppg) during their current 2-game losing streak. ... The Falcons are 10th in 6A in scoring (248, 35.4 ppg) but their real success is on the defensive side. Dacula is 4th in defense (79, 11.2 ppg) in 6A with three shutouts. ... The Raiders may be catching the Falcons at the right time. Dacula could be caught looking ahead to next week’s top-five showdown with Lanier for what is expected to be the region title. ... Habersham will not be eliminated with a loss but would face an almost win-out scenario if they can’t pull the upset. A win would put them in a tie for fourth at best but keep their playoff chances more than alive.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY at HEBRON CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Lions Stadium
-- HEBRON CHRISTIAN (5-2, 3-0 Region 8-A North): Defeated No. 6 Commerce 21-7 last week
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (4-3, 1-1 Region 8-A North): Lost 21-20 to Lakeview Academy last week
-- NOTABLE: Hebron leads series 3-0. The Lions won 17-7 in 2018 in Gainesville. ... The Lions are coming off arguably their biggest win ever last week. It was their first-ever win over the Tigers and the highest-ranked team they’ve ever beaten. Meanwhile, the Eagles are coming off their worst loss of the season against a winless Lakeview team. ... However, a run at the subregion title is still within Riverside’s sights. A win for RMA and then a win for the Eagles over Commerce, a team they beat in 2018, next week would give them the subregion title and a chance at the 8-A crown in the crossover game in the final week. ...Both teams offer balanced attacks on offense. The Lions are averaging 205 yards passing and 129 yards rushing. Riverside is averaging 179 yards passing and 179 yards rushing. ... RMA’s defense has been hawkish forcing 14 turnovers and has added 26 sacks on the season.
JEFFERSON at MONROE AREA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Monroe
-- JEFFERSON (6-1, 4-0 Region 8-3A): Ranked No. 8 in Class 3A; defeated Morgan County 47-12 last week
-- MONROE AREA (6-2, 3-1 Region 8-3A): Defeated Hart County 28-21 last week
-- NOTABLE: Monroe Area leads series 2-0. The Hurricanes won 35-21 in Jefferson in 2018, which was the first meeting between the two teams since 1948. ... For the third consecutive week, it will be a battle for first place in Region 8-3A. The Dragons took down both Hart County and Morgan County over the past two weeks. A win for Jefferson this week will clinch its first region title since 2016. Even with a win, the Hurricanes would need a Morgan County loss to clinch the top spot. ... The key will certainly be whether Monroe can slow down the Dragons ground game, which is averaging 343 yards a game on the ground. Last week QB Colby Clark rushed for 195 yards and 4 TDs. ... Jefferson is 4th in 3A in scoring (301, 43.0 ppg). The Hurricanes are 11th in defense in 3A yielding just 12.8 ppg. They are averaging 28.3 ppg on offense while Jefferson is 3rd in 3A yielding just 10.8 ppg.
LANIER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY at COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Stockbridge
-- LANIER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (3-5, 0-0 in GAPPS AA Region 1): Lost 35-14 to North Georgia last week
-- COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN (6-2, 1-0 GAPPS AA Region 1): Lost 35-0 to John Milledge Academy last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two schools. ... This will be the season finale for LCA. ... The Lightning are reeling having lost three straight and 4 of their last 5. They have given up 32.2 ppg in those four losses. ... After scoring 26 ppg over their its first three games, LCA is averaging just 12.4 ppg since. ... Community Christian has lost 2 of its last 3 and has averaged just 12 ppg on offense while giving up 67 points (22.3 ppg).
MARIST at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Falcon Field, Flowery Branch
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- MARIST (8-0, 4-0 Region 7-4A): Ranked No. 1 in Class 4A; defeated No. 9 Denmark 37-14 last week
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (6-1, 2-1 Region 7-4A): Ranked No. 6 in Class 4A; lost 20-17 in OT to No. 5 Blessed Trinity last week
-- NOTABLE: Marist leads series 1-0. The War Eagles won 20-0 in Atlanta in 2018. ... Marist has been rolling all season and has been dominating as well. The War Eagles are 3rd in scoring (311, 38.8 ppg) and 2nd in defense (62, 7.6 ppg). They’ve allowed 8 points or less five times with 3 shutouts. White County’s 20 points were the most they have allowed in any game this season. ... The Branch can match Marist defensively. The Falcons are 3rd in defense (68, 9.7 ppg) and have 3 shutouts as well. But they sit just 15th in offense (225, 32.1 ppg). The Branch outplayed Blessed Trinity for most of the game last week and it took a late 4th-and-inches stop by the Titans to force OT. ... Sr. QB Connor Cigelske will be the key for both teams. He rushed for 135 yards and passed for 121 last week and is perfectly built for their read-option attack. ... Marist can clinch the region title with a win and a Blessed Trinity loss to Chestatee. If both teams win, they will meet next week for the region title. ... Branch can still win the region title with a win this week and over West Hall and Denmark the next two weeks and a Marist win over Blessed Trinity next week.
NORTH HALL at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
-- RADIO: WDUN FM 102.9
-- NORTH HALL (4-3, 2-1 Region 7-3A): Defeated Fannin County 38-0 last week
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (1-7, 0-4 Region 7-3A): Lost 49-6 to GAC last week
-- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 20-7. The Trojans won 70-0 in 2018 in Dahlonega. North Hall has won four straight and 8 of 9 since the series resumed in 2006. ... It has not been a good matchup for the Indians recently scoring just 34 points (11.3 ppg) over the past three meetings while giving up 51 ppg. ... North Hall finally got healthy last week and responded with its best outing of the season. The offense piled up nearly 400 yards of offense. ... The Trojans still control their own destiny. If they win out, which includes against Dawson County in their finale, they will clinch at least the No. 2 spot in the region. ... Lumpkin is still struggling in their new systems despite being 8 games into the season. The Indians have scored the 4th-fewest points in 3A (77, 9.6 ppg) and given up the 8th-most in 3A (265, 33.1 ppg).
OGLETHORPE COUNTY at UNION COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
-- OGLETHORPE COUNTY (2-5, 1-3 Region 8-2A): Lost 28-13 to Monticello last week
-- UNION COUNTY (7-0, 4-0 Region 8-2A): Ranked No. 9 in Class 2A; defeated Banks County 14-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Union County leads series 8-6. The Panthers won 59-0 in 2018 in Lexington. Union County has won seven straight. The last Oglethorpe County win came in 2007, 28-27, in Blairsville. ... The Panthers managed to get a win last week despite several key suspensions on the offensive side. They dropped from the No. 1 offensive unit in Class 2A to 5th, averaging 45.4 ppg. ... Defensively Union has played well yielding just 128 points (18.2 ppg) so far in 2019. The Patriots are averaging just 13.5 ppg on offense. ... The Panthers can clinch a playoff spot with a win.
PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Jock Horner Field, Gainesville
-- PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN (5-2 2-1 Region 8-A South): Ranked No. 7 in Class A Private; off last week; defeated Athens Christian 56-20 two weeks ago
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (1-5, 1-2 Region 8-A North): Defeated Riverside Military Academy last week
-- NOTABLE: Prince Avenue leads series 9-0. The Wolverines won 55-6 in 2018 in Athens. ... The Lions are riding high after snagging their first win of the season last week in one of the biggest upsets in the state. The blocked a late field goal attempt by the Eagles to preserve the win. That snapped a 6-game losing streak going back to last year. ... Since opening the 2017 season 2-2 Lakeview is just 2-20 since. ... The secret for Prince Avenue is its offense. When scoring 14 points or less, the Wolverines are 0-2. When scoring more than 14 they are 5-0. ... That does not bode well for the Lions. In the series Prince Avenue has averaged 48.3 ppg and has not scored less than 35 in any of the previous contests. ... Lakeview is allowing 41.1 ppg on defense but the 20 points by RMA were the fewest allowed in the Lions’ last 8 games.
PUTNAM COUNTY at BANKS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Leopard Stadium, Homer
-- PUTNAM COUNTY (3-4, 2-2 Region 8-2A): Defeated Social Circle 49-14 last week
-- BANKS COUNTY (3-4, 2-2 Region 8-2A): Lost 14-7 to No. 9 Union County last week
-- NOTABLE: Banks County leads series 3-0. The Leopards won 24-12 in 2018 in Eatonton. ... Banks County pushed Union County down to the wire last week. Defensively they have made big strides allowing just 19.2 ppg through seven games after giving up over 27 ppg during the same stretch in 2018. ... The Leopards offense has struggled while still implementing new schemes and has scored just 125 points (17.8 ppg). However, Putnam is 53rd in defense in Class 2A allowing 294 points (42.0 ppg). ... Playoff aspirations will be affected for both teams. The winner will move into no worse than third place while the loser could drop into a tie for sixth.
SOCIAL CIRCLE at RABUN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
-- SOCIAL CIRCLE (2-5, 0-4 Region 8-2A): Lost 49-14 to Putnam County last week
-- RABUN COUNTY (7-0, 4-0 Region 8-2A): Ranked No. 5 in Class 2A; defeated Elbert County 52-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 7-0. The Wildcats won 63-7 in 2018 in Social Circle. ... Rabun has dominated the Redskins of late averaging 63.8 ppg and giving up just 21 total points over the past three meetings. ... The Wildcats are 3rd in offense (324, 46.2 ppg) and 9th in defense (88, 12.5 ppg) in Class 2A. The Redskins have scored 20 points or less in 6 of 7 games and allowed 234 points (33.4 ppg) on defense. ... The Wildcats can clinch a playoff spot with a win.
TOWNS COUNTY at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 8 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
-- TOWNS COUNTY (0-7, 0-2 Region 8-A North): Off last week; lost 42-20 to Hebron Christian two weeks ago
-- COMMERCE (5-2, 1-1 Region 8-A North): Ranked No. 7 in Class A-Public; lost 21-7 to Hebron Christian last week
-- NOTABLE: Commerce leads series 23-0. The Tigers won 49-7 in 2018 in Hiawassee. ... The Tigers are sure to be ready to put last week’s tough loss behind them. The subregion title and a chance at the region title may have taken a big hit with the loss and they fell to No. 13 in the power rankings. The top 16 teams in the power rankings get at least one home field game in the playoffs so another loss could push them to the edge of being able to host a first-round game. ... The Indians are out of any contention for a playoff spot but are still looking for their first win for coach Jason Roquemore. ... It has the makings for a tough matchup for the Indians, who have given up the most points in Class A (386, 55.1 ppg). Commerce is 12th in Class A in scoring (259, 37.0 ppg) behind a powerful triple-option attack.
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