Three more Northeast Georgia-area teams can punch their playoff tickets with wins while two others can also clinch with some outside help as Week 11 offers 19 games, most of them crucial to the playoff race, on Friday.
Dawson County and White County in Region 7-3A can clinch with outright wins, as can Flowery Branch in Region 8-4A, on Friday.
However, eight teams could see their seasons end with losses, including Gainesville, which is trying to avoid missing out on the postseason for the first time since 1999.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR Oct. 29
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
BUFORD at WINDER-BARROW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: W. Clair Harris Stadium, Winder
-- BUFORD (7-1, 4-0 Region 8-6A): Ranked No. 1 in Class 6A; defeated Lanier 56-0 last week
-- WINDER-BARROW (4-4, 2-2 Region 8-6A): Off last week; defeated Central Gwinnett 35-7 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Buford leads series 1-0. The Wolves won 45-7 in 2020 in Buford. ... There is a lot riding on this one for both teams. The Wolves already have clinched a playoff berth and can claim a home playoff game with a win. The Bulldoggs can’t clinch with a win but a loss would knock them into a tie for fourth with one game remaining. ... The Winder offense, which is averaging just 21.5 ppg, will have its hands full against the No. 1 defense in Class 6A. Buford is surrendering just 6.7 ppg on the season and has pitched four consecutive shutouts, all in region play. ... The Wolves defense can tie a 1963 program record for consecutive shutouts. Six is the program record set in 1945. ... Buford has just three turnovers on the season and is plus-8 in turnover ratio. Despite throwing 8 INTs, the Bulldoggs are still a plus-4 in turnover ratio. ... Buford is still a perfect 10-0 in 8-6A play since joining the region last year. They have not allowed a single point in region play in 2021 and just 24 in 2020.
CHEROKEE BLUFF at NORTH HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM WDUN
-- CHEROKEE BLUFF (8-0, 4-0 Region 7-3A): Defeated Dawson County 21-14 last week
-- NORTH HALL (6-2, 4-0 Region 7-3A): Off last week; defeated Gilmer 47-6 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: North Hall leads series 2-1. Cherokee Bluff won 41-24 in 2020 in Flowery Branch. ... The region title has come down to a three-way round-robin series with the Bears, the Trojans and Dawson County. Bluff struck the first blow with its win last week over the Tigers. North Hall, which has won 5 straight, closes out the season against Dawson County next week. ... It’s simple for the Bears: a win over North Hall and they will clinch their 2nd consecutive region title. A Trojans’ win and they could claim the title next week with a win over Dawson County. ... Despite a season-low in points last week, the Bears still lead Class 3A in scoring (385, 48.1 ppg) and they are 3rd in defense allowing just 63 points (7.8 ppg) on the season. ... The Trojans offense, however, will be the toughest challenge of the season for the Bluff defense. North Hall’s wing-T leads Class 3A in rushing at 310 yards/game behind Sr. RB Kevin Rochester, who is 3rd in 3A in rushing (1,101 yards, 14 TD). The Trojans have 4 other players with 125 yards or more, including Sr. QB Bradford Puryear (575 yards, 8 TD). ... The Bears offense is a more balanced attack (260 ypg rushing, 122 ypg passing) and is led by Sr. RB Jayquan Smith, who is 3rd in 3A in rushing with 1,161 yards and 16 TD. ... The key will be if an improved North Hall defense, which has allowed just 47 points in region play (11.7 ppg) can slow down the Bears. ... North Hall is 7-1 at The Brickyard in its last 8 games. Bluff, however, has won 8 straight road games.
CHESTATEE at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Falcon Field, Flowery Branch
-- CHESTATEE (3-5, 1-3 Region 8-4A): Lost 41-7 to No. 1 Jefferson last week
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (5-3, 2-2 Region 8-4A): Defeated Madison County 32-8 last week
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch leads series 13-2. The Falcons won 61-20 in 2020 in Gainesville. Branch has won 12 straight. The last Chestatee win in the series came in 2004, 17-7, in Gainesville. ... The Branch has owned this series but this may be the biggest game the two programs have played against each other since 2005. ... A lot of scenarios await 8-4A depending on the outcome of this one. The Falcons will clinch a playoff spot with a win. Chestatee will not be eliminated no matter what but if the War Eagles can win out, and get a Madison County loss along the way, they will earn the No. 3 seed for the playoffs. ... Branch has been tough at Falcon Field winning 6 straight and 8 of their last 10 at home going back to 2019. Chestatee has dropped 11 straight on the road going back to a win over East Hall in 2019. ... The offenses are about equal with Chestatee averaging 29.3 ppg behind Luke Bornhorst and the Falcons averaging 27.8 ppg behind David Renard. But the Falcons are 18th in defense in a very good Class 4A (133, 15.7 ppg) while the War Eagles are 46th out of 54 teams giving up 35.3 ppg.
DENMARK at GAINESVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 94.5 FM The Lake
-- DENMARK (6-1, 4-0 Region 6-77A): Defeated South Forsyth 17-14 last week
-- GAINESVILLE (4-4, 1-3 Region 6-7A): Lost 40-7 to West Forsyth last week
-- NOTABLE: Denmark leads series 1-0. The Danes won 24-21 in 2020 in Alpharetta. ... Anything is possible in this wide-open region. Six of the seven teams are still alive for the playoffs. All are separated by just 3 games with two to play for most. ... But a couple things are absolute. A Red Elephants’ loss and they will miss out on their first playoffs since 1999. Denmark can wrap up the region title with a win. ... GHS is in 6th place and will need an Avengers: Endgame like scenario to have a shot at the playoffs. But a win keeps them alive until next week’s season finale. ... The Danes will lean on a defense that is No. 2 in Class 7A (72, 10.2 ppg). That doesn’t bode well for a Gainesville offense that has ground to a half the last few weeks, managing just 16 points in back-to-back region losses. The Red Elephants averaged 29.6 ppg over their first 6 games. ... The GHS defense also has struggled, allowing 94 points over their last three games (31.3 ppg) after yielding just 75 points over their first five games (15.0 ppg).
EAST FORSYTH at SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Raider Stadium, Dalton
-- EAST FORSYTH (2-6, non-region): Off last week; lost 55-6 to Chamblee two weeks ago
-- SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD (1-8, non region): Lost 52-6 to Northwest Whitfield last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two programs. ... Both teams are playing non-region schedules. The Raiders have not played a region schedule since 2019. ... The Broncos have slowly been building and had won 2 of 3 games before running into a good Chamblee team. But they have gone 2-2 since an 0-4 start in their inaugural season. ... East Forsyth takes on a Raiders team that has been struggling. SE Whitfield has lost 6 straight and been outscored 238-40 in that span. They are just 2-29 in their last 31 games going back to the 2018 season. ... The Broncos are averaging 12.8 ppg and have given up 33.2 ppg on the season. The Raiders are averaging 14.3 ppg and yielding 37.6 ppg on defense. They have allowed the 3rd-most points (338) in Class 4A.
EAST JACKSON at HART COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Pete Herndon Stadium, Hartwell
-- EAST JACKSON (3-5, 1-2 Region 8-3A): Defeated Franklin County 26-0 last week
-- HART COUNTY (7-1, 2-1 Region 8-3A): Ranked No. 7 in Class 3A; defeated Stephens County 9-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Hart County leads series 10-1. The Bulldogs won 49-9 in 2020 in Commerce. Hart County is 5-0 all-time in Hartwell against the Eagles. East Jackson’s only win in the series came in 2016, 28-19, at home. ... Both teams are very much in the playoff race. The Eagles can’t win the region but can still snag a playoff spot. The Bulldogs can force a 3-way tie for the region lead if they can win out. An Eagles win over the Bulldogs would push them into 3rd place. ... Interestingly, the Bulldogs have lost 3 of their last 4 games to unranked teams while being ranked going back to 2019. East Jackson is 0-22 all-time vs. ranked teams. ... The Eagles put it all together last week pitching their first shutout since 2019 and snapping a 24-game losing streak in region play. They also piled up 328 rushing yards behind Tyler Crow and a big offensive line. Hart County is giving up 20.1ppg on defense. ... The Bulldogs are averaging 39.0 ppg on offense while the Eagles are surrendering just 22.1 ppg, more than 20 ppg off last season and their best since 2010 (21.9 ppg).
GILMER at WHITE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Warrior Stadium, Cleveland
-- RADIO: 93.9 FM WRWH
-- GILMER (3-5, 1-4 Region 7-3A): Defeated West Hall 26-21 last week
-- WHITE COUNTY (3-5, 2-2 Region 7-3A): Defeated Lumpkin County 49-13 last week
-- NOTABLE: White County leads series 23-13. The two teams did not play in 2020 because of COVID. This is the first meeting since 2009, a 35-0 White County win in Ellijay. The Warriors have won six straight in the series. The last Bobcats win came in 2003, 14-0 in Cleveland. ... Gilmer snapped a 4-game losing streak last week and stayed alive in the playoff race.... The Warriors sit alone in fourth place in the standings. It’s simple for White County this week: a Warriors win will clinch a playoff spot, which would eliminate the Bobcats. However, Gilmer can still claim a spot if it beats the Warriors and White County losses to Cherokee Bluff next week. ... Fr. QB Tripp Nix has taken control of the Warriors offense, which has averaged 34.7 ppg over the last four games behind playmakers Darius Cannon, Silas Mulligan and Bryson Cronic. ... The Bobcats are yielding 38.4 ppg on defense in region play.
GREENBRIER at JACKSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Panther Stadium, Jefferson
-- GREENBRIER (4-4, 3-2 Region 8-5A): Defeated Johnson 56-0 last week
-- JACKSON COUNTY (4-4, 2-3 Region 8-5A): Lost 42-7 to Eastside last week
-- NOTABLE: Greenbrier leads series 1-0. The Wolfpack won 26-12 in 2020 in Evans. ... The Panthers took a huge hit last week with perhaps their most disappointing showing of the season. But they are still very much alive for a playoff spot in a region where six teams are separated by just one game. Clarke Central has clinched the region title but everyone else, excluding Johnson, is still mathematically alive. ... Which means the Panthers control their own fate. Win out and it would be hard not to make their first playoffs since 2017. ... The Jackson County defense had been allowing just 17.2 ppg until last week and has given up the 3rd-fewest points in region play (115, 23.0 ppg). The Wolfpack is surrendering 27.6 ppg in region play. ... However, Greenbrier and Jackson County are the top 2 offenses in 8-5A as far as yards/game. Something will have to give.
JOHNSON at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Hot Gates, Oakwood
-- RADIO: WDUN AM 550
-- JOHNSON (0-8, 0-6 Region 8-5A): Lost 56-0 to Greenbrier last week
-- WEST HALL (2-6, 0-5 Region 7-3A): Lost 26-21 to Gilmer last week
-- NOTABLE: West Hall leads series 18-8-1. The Spartans won 50-0 in 2020 at The Dungeon. ... Both teams were officially eliminated from the playoffs last week so the only thing on the line in this one is pride. The Knights, however, also are trying to snap a 20-game losing streak, their 2nd-longest in program history. ... The Spartans are riding a 6-game losing streak after opening the season 2-0 for the first time since 2015. ... Offense has been the issue for both teams. Johnson has scored the 4th-fewest points in Class 5A (42, 5.2 ppg) and been shut out in six straight games. West Hall, since scoring 48 in a win over East Hall, has scored just 49 total points during its losing streak (8.1 ppg). ... The Knights also have allowed the most points in Class 5A (412, 51.4 ppg).
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at ST. FRANCIS
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Peter Carriuolo Field, Alpharetta
-- LAKEVIEW ACADEMY (1-6, 0-3 Region 6-A Private): Off last week; lost 35-6 to Mt. Pisgah two weeks ago
-- ST. FRANCIS (3-5, 1-1 Region 6-A Private): Defeated King’s Ridge 30-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: St. Francis leads series 4-3. Lakeview won 59-27 in 2020 in Gainesville. ... It has been a rough season for the rebuilding Lions, who have scored the 4th-fewest points (76, 10.8 ppg) and allowed the 6th-most points (268, 38.2 ppg) in Class A Private. ... Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives. But it’s pretty simple for the Lions: lose to the Knights and they are out. However, a win could eventually force a 3-way tie for fourth place sending things to a tiebreaker. ... The Knights are averaging 23.5 ppg on offense and giving up 23.3 ppg on defense.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at DAWSON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
-- RADIO: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
-- LUMPKIN COUNTY (2-6, 1-3 Region 7-3A): Lost 49-13 to White County last week
-- DAWSON COUNTY (4-4, 3-1 Region 7-3A): Lost 21-14 to Cherokee Bluff last week
-- NOTABLE: Dawson County leads 22-19-2. The Tigers won 63-3 in 2020 in Dawsonville. The Tigers have won 6 straight and 8 of the last 9 in the series. The Indians' last win came in 2014, 42-19, in Dahlonega in Sid Maxwell’s first season at Dawson County. ... A huge game for both teams. The Tigers clinch a playoff spot and stay alive for a possible region title with a win while the Indians need a win to stay alive but would also need some help. A Lumpkin loss AND a White County win over Gilmer would knock them out. ... The Tigers offense shot themselves in the foot last week with three big turnovers, including one on their final drive that could have tied the game. The defense, however, has steadily improved allowing just 77 points (15.4 ppg) over their last five games after surrendering 33.3 ppg in their first three games. ... Lumpkin has scored its most points already (123, 15.3 ppg) since 2018 and the defense, which gave up a Class 3A-worst 452 points in 2020 (45.2 ppg) has also improved giving up just 35.6 ppg in 2021. But the Tigers have averaged 46.5 ppg vs. the Indians during their 6-game win streak.
MADISON COUNTY at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
-- MADISON COUNTY (4-4, 1-3 Region 8-4A): Lost 32-8 to Flowery Branch last week
-- EAST HALL (1-7, 0-4 Region 8-4A): Off last week; lost 56-0 to North Oconee two weeks ago.
-- NOTABLE: Madison County leads series 3-0. The Red Raiders won 38-6 in 2020 in Danielsville. ... The Vikings are still alive for a playoff berth, but they will need a lot of help and will have to find a way to beat Flowery Branch as well next week in their finale to have a shot. But they can put a serious dent in Madison’s playoff chances, which is in line for the No. 4 spot right now, with a win. A loss, however, would eliminate the Vikings. ... The key once again for the Vikings will be if they can stop the Red Raiders offense. East Hall has allowed the 2nd-most points in Class 4A (400, 50.0 ppg). ... Madison County is only averaging 13.0 ppg in region play but is only giving up 24.1 ppg on defense. ... The Red Raiders are probably considering this a must-win with No. 1 Jefferson looming next week. They almost have to win since they lose the head-to-head tiebreaker to Cedar Shoals.
NORTH FORSYTH at SOUTH FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Cumming
-- NORTH FORSYTH (5-3, 2-2 Region 6-7A): Lost 26-7 to Lambert last week
-- SOUTH FORSYTH (6-2, 3-1 Region 6-7A): Lost 17-14 to Denmark last week
-- NOTABLE: South Forsyth leads series 16-7. The War Eagles won 52-7 in Coal Mountain in 2020. It was the 2nd-most lopsided game in the series’ history. The War Eagles have won 6 of the last 7 and 7 of the last 9 in the series. The last North Forsyth win came in 2019, 43-34, in Coal Mountain. ... Like with Gainesville, anything is possible in this wide-open region. Six of the seven teams are still alive for the playoffs. All are separated by just 3 games with two to play for most. ... The Raiders are tied for fourth but can move into 2nd place with a win and a Lambert loss to West Forsyth on Friday. ... A Raiders loss, however, would drop them into 5th and they would need some serious help to get into the playoffs. ... Defensively, the Raiders are solid sitting 5th in Class 7A (109, 13.6 ppg). The key will be if North can find some offense. ... In their three losses, they have scored just 30 points (10.0 ppg). In their five wins, they have averaged 29.2 ppg. ... North also has not been a good road team of late. They are 0-3 on the road in 2020 and just 2-5 on the road over the past two seasons. But the road team has won 4 of the last 5 in the series.
NORTH OCONEE at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM WDUN
-- NORTH OCONEE (6-3, 5-0 Region 8-4A): Ranked No. 9 in Class 4A; defeated Cedar Shoals 42-7 last week
-- JEFFERSON (8-0, 4-0 Region 8-4A):Ranked No. 1 in Class 4A; defeated Chestatee 41-7 last week
-- NOTABLE: Jefferson leads series 6-2. The two teams did not play in 2020 due to COVID. The Dragons won the last meeting in 2017, 44-0 in Jefferson and have won two straight in the series. ... This is a winner-take-all for the region title. It’s the Titans season-finale while Jefferson will close out its season next week against Madison County. But the winner will hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. ... Jefferson brings in the state’s No. 1 rushing attack (336 ypg) behind a plethora of weapons in the backfield and the 2nd-best defense in Class 4A (64 points, 8.0 ppg). ... The Titans feature a more balanced approach behind So. QB Max Wilson, Jr. WR Khalil Barnes, and Jr. RB Dominic Elder. ... After a slow start, and with Wilson unavailable in the early part of the season, North Oconee started 1-3. The Titans are 5-0 and have averaged 37.6 ppg since Wilson returned to the lineup, which would put them in the top three in Class 4A. ... The Dragons may still be without So. RB Sammy Brown and QB Malaki Starks due to injury but that has not slowed them down. They still have averaged 39.3 ppg. ... The difference may be on the defensive side. Jefferson is 2nd in 4A allowing just 8.0 ppg (64 points) while the Titans are in the middle of the pack giving up 17.6 ppg. However, in region play the Titans have allowed just 34 points (6.8 ppg). ... The fun matchup will be the Dragons secondary (Starks, Jordan Perry, Kaiden Bailey, Justin Beatty, Tre Reece, Spencer Neese) who have 7 INTs and 16 PBUs combined, against Wilson and the Titans passing attack. ... Wilson has thrown for 542 yards, 8 TD, 0 INT. Barnes, who also missed parts of two games, has 29 rec., 517 yards, 5 TD; 2 rushes for 20 yards, 1 TD.
RABUN COUNTY at UNION COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Mike Colwell Stadium, Blairsville
-- RABUN COUNTY (8-1, 2-0 Region 8-2A): Ranked No. 1 in Class 2A; defeated Elbert County 45-7 last week
-- UNION COUNTY (2-5, 2-1 Region 8-2A): Off last week; lost 52-29 to Elbert County two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: Rabun County leads series 38-16. The Wildcats won 63-14 in 2020 in Tiger. Rabun County has won seven straight in the series. Union County’s last win came in 2011, a 10-7 victory in Tiger and the last of five straight wins for the Panthers. ... The heavily-favored Wildcats can claim their 8th straight region title with a win. A Panthers upset and a Riverside Military win over Elbert County would give them their first region title since 1973. A Rabun win and an Elbert County win would push Union to third in the region. ... It will be a monumental task for the Panthers, The Wildcats lead Class 2A in scoring at 48.1 ppg behind Sr. QB Gunner Stockton and Jr. WR Jaden Gibson. Stockton leads Class 2A and the state in passing (2,927 yards, 39 TDs, 1 INT) while Gibson leads 2A and the state as well in receiving (1,315 yards, 12 TD). Sr. Ethan Clarke is 5th in 2A with 521 yards and 7 TDs. ... The Union County defense has struggled giving up 36.2 ppg on the season and is in the bottom 10 in Class 2A. ... Panthers’ Sr. QB Logan Helcher has climbed into 3rd in passing in Class 2A with 1,480 yards and 17 TDs. Jr. WR Griff Young is 7th in 2A in receiving with 493 yards and 5 TD for Union County.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY at ELBERT COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Granite Bowl, Elberton
-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY (1-5, 0-2 Region 8-2A): Lost 67-6 ro Banks County last week
-- ELBERT COUNTY (3-4, 1-1 Region 8-2A): Lost 45-7 to No. 1 Rabun County last week
-- NOTABLE: Elbert County leads series 3-1. The two teams did not play in 2020 due to COVID. The Blue Devils won the last meeting in 2009, 40-6, at home. The last RMA win in the series came in 2008, 21-20, in Gainesville. ... The Eagles have struggled all year with COVID-related issues and roster depletion from contract tracing and injuries. They have scored the fewest points (65, 10.8 ppg) and given up the most points (255, 42.5 ppg) in 8-2A. ... Elbert has alternated wins and losses all season. Traditionally the Granite Bowl has been a tough environment for the opposing team. But the Blue Devils are just 2-2 at home in 2021 and just 3-6 in their last 9 games at home. ... This is the season-finale for the Eagles and will be just the 2nd road game of the season. They beat Druid Hills in DeKalb County to open the season. They are 0-5 at Maginnis Field in 2020, which marks the first time since 2014 they failed to win a game at home and just the 2nd time since 1999.
TOWNS COUNTY at SOCIAL CIRCLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Redskins Field, Social Circle
-- TOWNS COUNTY (4-4, 0-3 Region 8-A Public): Lost 63-36 to Greene County last week
-- SOCIAL CIRCLE (4-4, 1-2 Region 8-A Public): Defeated Commerce 28-19 last week
-- NOTABLE: Social Circle leads series 10-3. The Redskins won 34-27 in 2020 in Hiawassee. Social Circle has won five straight. The last Towns County win came in 1993, 33-8, in Social Circle. ... The two teams are headed in opposite directions. The Indians, after a tremendous start, have dropped three straight, all in the region, and are tied for last place in the region. The Redskins knocked off Commerce last week for the first time in 16 years to move into a tie for fourth place. ... However, Towns still holds its playoff fate in its hands. If the Indians can win out, they can grab their first playoff spot since 2017. ... Social Circle is 3-1 at home in 2021 while the Indians are 3-2 on the road. ... In region play, the Redskins have scored the fewest points (61, 20.3 ppg) and the Indians are next, scoring just 68 points (22.6 ppg). But Towns has allowed the most points in region play (134, 44.2 ppg) while Social circle has allowed 87 points (29.0 ppg) in region play.
UNITY CHRISTIAN at LANIER CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Cabbell Field, Gainesville
-- UNITY CHRISTIAN (5-2, 1-1 Region 1 GAPPS 8-man): Off last two weeks; defeated Fideles Christian 22-21 three weeks ago
-- LANIER CHRISTIAN (6-2, 1-1 Region 1 GAPPS 8-man): Off last week; defeated New Creation Christian 52-0 two weeks ago
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two programs. ... On paper, this is another game the Lightning look to have the advantage. LCA is 3rd in scoring in GAPPS (339, 42.4 ppg) and has the No. 1 defense giving up just 35 points (4.3 ppg) on the season. ... The Lions are 8th in offense (246, 35.1 ppg) and have given up the 9th-most points (138, 19.2 ppg) on defense. ... LCA can claim the No. 2 seed in the region by winning out over the final two weeks.
WASHINGTON-WILKES at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
-- WASHINGTON-WILKES (7-1, 3-0 Region 8-A Public): Ranked No. 8 in Class A Public; defeated Lincoln County 44-36 last week
-- COMMERCE (5-3, 2-1 Region 8-A Public): Lost 28-19 to Social Circle last week
-- NOTABLE: The series is tied 3-3. Commerce won 28-17 in 2020 in Washington. ... Commerce saw its 4-game win streak snapped last week, which dropped the Tigers into a tie for 2nd with Lincoln County. However, a 2nd consecutive region title is very much in play for Commerce. But they will have to win out against Washington-Wilkes and then beat Lincoln County on the road next week. ... Washington-Wilkes is a tough road team. The Tigers are 9-1 in their last 10 road games going back to 2019. ... Commerce has been tough at home, though. Last week snapped a 10-game home winning streak during the regular season. Commerce is 16-2 at home, including playoffs, in its last 18 games at Tiger Stadium. ... Commerce Fr. RB Jaiden Daniels had another big game and now has 1,041 yards on the season in just 5 games. They will need everything they have against a Washington-Wilkes defense that is yielding just 16.0 ppg. ... The Washington-Wilkes offense is 6th in Class A Public (312, 39.0 ppg) behind QB Dalen Cobb, who is having a huge year. Cobb, who is starting to get some Division I interest, has thrown for 998 yards and 12 TD and run for another 978 and 15 TD. He accounted for 6 TDs and 3 more 2-pt conversions in the win over Lincoln County.
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