ICYMI: Week 11 previews — Half-dozen teams can wrap up region titles

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR OCT. 28
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
APALACHEE at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
Records: Wildcats (0-8, 0-4 Region 8-6A); Raiders (2-6, 0-4 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Apalachee was off; Habersham Central lost 24-14 to North Forsyth.
Where: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Habersham Central leads the series 6-4. The Raiders have won 5 of the last 6 since they resumed the series in 2016. Both teams are clinging to a faint playoff hope. The Raiders will need to win out to have any chance but a loss to the Wildcats or a Shiloh loss to Lanier would eliminate them. Raiders' WR Zeke Whittington had a single-game school-record 15 catches for 132 yards and 1 TD last week.
What to watch for: The Habersham defense vs. the Apalachee offense. The Wildcats have scored the 3rd-fewest points in Class 6A (70, 8.75 ppg) while the Raiders have allowed 121 points (30.25 ppg) in region play. 

BANKS COUNTY at FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN
Records: Leopards (4-4, 0-3 Region 8-2A); Paladins (5-3, 3-0 Region 8-2A)
Last week: Banks County lost 70-13 to Athens Academy; Fellowship beat Providence Christian, 42-10.
Where: Paladin Field, Roswell
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. The Paladins have been dominating in region play outsourcing their first three opponents 100-30. The 30 points allowed are the lowest in the region. Banks County needs to win out to have any chance at the playoffs but would be eliminated with a loss on Friday.The Paladins will clinch a home playoff game with a win.
What to watch for: The Banks County defense vs. the Fellowship offense. Banks County has given up the most points in region play 167 points (55.6 ppg). 

BUFORD at MOUNTAIN VIEW
Records: Wolves (8-0, 3-0 Region 8-7A); Bears (5-3, 2-1 Region 8-7A)
Last week: Buford beat Dacula, 50-7; Mountain View beat Central Gwinnett, 20-6
Where: Mountain View Community Stadium, Lawrenceville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. It’s pretty simple for the Wolves: win and they capture the Region 8-7A title in their first season. However, the Bears have plenty to play for. If they win out, beating Buford and Mill Creek next week, they will win the title. But they can finish anywhere from title winner to out of the playoffs depending on the final two weeks. Buford RB Justice Haynes, looking to try and crack the 7,000-yard career plateau, had just 77 yards last week in just three quarters.
What to watch for: The Buford offense vs. the Bears defense. The 2022 Mountain View defense is on pace for its best unit in school-history. They are yielding just 14.75 ppg and just 9.0 ppg in region play. Their best season was in 2017, giving up just 15.75 ppg. The Wolves are averaging 37.3 ppg in region play.

CEDAR SHOALS at NORTH HALL
Records: Jaguars (4-5, 4-3 Region 8-4A); Trojans (3-5, 3-3 Region 8-4A)
Last week: Cedar Shoals beat Chestatee, 46-39; North Hall was off.
Where: The Brickyard, Gainesville
Radio: 94.5 FM The Lake
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Cedar Shoals leads series 4-0. This is the first meeting between the two teams since 2001. A huge game that will make-or-break either team for the playoffs. The Jaguars are in 4th place with North Hall and East Forsyth tied for 5th just one-half game behind. North Hall is out with a loss but can clinch a spot if they win out. Cedar Shoals is in with a win plus any of the following: an East Forsyth loss; Walnut Grove beats Chestatee; Madison County beats Walnut Grove; or East Hall beats Madison County. Cedar Shoals QB Mandrell Glenn passed for a school-record 378 yards and 5 TDs last week.
What to watch for: North Hall offense vs. the Cedar Shoals defense. The Jaguars have given up the 4th-most points in Class 4A (316, 35.1 ppg) while the Trojans are averaging 27.0 ppg in region play.

COMMERCE at RABUN COUNTY
Records: Tigers (6-3, 1-1 Region 8-A Division 1); Wildcats, ranked 3rd in Class A D1 (9-0, 2-0 Region 8-A Division 1)
Last week: Commerce lost 41-21 to Elbert County; Rabun County beat Athens Christian, 52-7
Where: Tiger
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Commerce leads the series 21-7-1. This series dates back to 1951 but this is just the 5th time they have met in the 21st Century, the last time in 2013, a 28-0 Rabun win in Tiger. Rabun QB Keegan Stover (2,701 yards, 32 TDs) took over the state lead in passing and WR Jaden Gibson added to his state-record with 121 yards receiving.
What to watch for: The Rabun County offense vs. the Tigers defense. The Tigers gave up nearly 500 yards of offense last week and now must face the classification’s No. 1 group. The Wildcats offense has been even more potent in region play averaging 46.5 ppg. The Commerce defense is allowing 32.5 ppg in region play. If the Tigers will have to find a way to slow down Stover, Gibson, and Windham.

DAWSON COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
Records: Tigers (7-2, 5-0 Region 7-3A); Tigers (7-1, 3-1 Region 7-3A)
Last week: Dawson County beat Gilmer, 17-7; Lumpkin County beat White County, 56-35
Where: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Dawson County leads the series 23-19-2. The Tigers have won 7 straight, including the last three in Dahlonega. The last Indians win came in 2014 at The Burial Grounds. It’s the season-finale for the Tigers while Lumpkin closes out the season next week against West Hall. A win for Dawson clinches the region title. A win for the Indians puts them in position to win their first-ever region title next week. It depends on which stats you want to look at as to may have an advantage. Lumpkin is in the top 10 in Class 3A in both offense (4th: 307, 38.3 ppg) and defense (8th: 131, 16.3 ppg) while Dawson is just 20th in offense (236, 26.2 ppg) and 16th in defense (159, 17.6 ppg). But the Tigers lead the region in most points scored in region play (162, 32.4 ppg) and fewest points allowed (38, 7.6 ppg). 
What to watch for: The Lumpkin County offense vs. the Tigers defense. Something will have to give. No team has scored more than 24 on Dawson in region play. Lumpkin has scored 31 or more in 3 of its 4 region games  The Indians put up over 500 yards of offense last week in Cleveland. The Tigers will have to slow down QB Cooper Scott to secure their first region title since 2015.  

EAST FORSYTH at CHESTATEE
Records: Broncos (5-3, 3-3 Region 8-4A); War Eagles (1-7, 1-5 Region 8-4A)
Last week: East Forsyth lost 42-34 to Madison County; Chestatee lost 46-39 to Cedar Shoals
Where: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
Radio: 102.9 FM WDUN
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. The War Eagles have been eliminated from the playoffs but can play a huge spoiler role. The Broncos hold their fate in their hands. If they win out, they will qualify for their first-ever playoffs. East Forsyth is tied for 5th with North Hall just one-half game behind fourth place Cedar Shoals but the Broncos own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Jaguars. 
What to watch for: The Chestatee offense vs. the Broncos defense. East Forsyth is 11th in Class 4A allowing just 14.75 ppg. The War Eagles have started to find a spark offensively averaging 30 ppg over their past 2 games after scoring 16.6 ppg over their first 6 games.

EAST HALL at NORTH OCONEE
Records: Vikings (2-6, 0-6 Region 8-4A); Titans (8-0, 6-0 Region 8-4A)
Last week: East Hall lost 34-20 to Cherokee Bluff; North Oconee beat Walnut Grove, 44-0.
Where: Titan Stadium, Bogart
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: North Oconee leads the series 2-0 and has outscored the Vikings 104-7 over the past two seasons. The Titans already have clinched the region title so could the opportunity to rest some of their key players. But they are 3rd in 4A in scoring (334, 41.75 ppg) and 2nd in defense (45, 5.6 ppg). East Hall has been eliminated from the playoffs. North Oconee has won 10 straight at home.
What to watch for: The East Hall defense vs. the Titans offense. East Hall is allowing 45.0 ppg in region play while the Titans are averaging a region-best 51.8 ppg on offense.

EAST JACKSON at PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN
Records: Eagles (4-4, 1-2 Region 8-2A); Storm (2-6, 0-3 Region 8-2A)
Last week: East Jackson lost 21-17 to Union County; Providence Christian lost 42-10 to Fellowship Christian.
Where: Providence Stadium, Lilburn
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. The Eagles are just one win from their first playoff appearance since 2009. Beat Providence Christian and they’re in. East Jackson’s Nate Heiss (CB) had a big night defensively last week with 9 tackles (7 solo and 1 TFL), forced two fumbles and broke up a pair of passes.
What to watch for: The East Jackson offense vs. the Storm defense. The Storm have given up 146 points (48.6 ppg) in region play. The Eagles have scored 199 points, the 3rd-most in program history. Eagles’ RB Gary Maddox III is 3rd in the region in rushing with 725 yards and 9 TDs.

FLOWERY BRANCH at LOGANVILLE
Records: Falcons (2-6, 0-4 Region 8-5A); Red Devils (8-1, 4-1 Region 8-5A)
Last week: Flowery Branch was off; Loganville lost 42-6 to Jefferson
Where: Red Devil Stadium, Loganville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Flowery Branch leads the series 6-2. The two teams have not played since 2017, a 6-3 Falcons win in Loganville. Branch, which has dropped 6 straight, has been eliminated from the playoffs while the Red Devils can clinch a home playoff berth with a win.
What to watch for: The Branch offense vs. the Red Devils defense. Branch is averaging just 11.5 ppg during its losing streak while Loganville has given up 64 points over the past 2 games after allowing just 78 total points (11.1 ppg) over its first 7 games.

GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
Records: Bulldogs (3-5, 2-0 GIAA Region 4-3A); Lions (5-3, 1-1 GIAA Region 4-3A)
Last week: George Walton was off; Lakeview Academy beat Riverside Preparatory, 44-6.
Where: Lions Stadium, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: George Walton leads the series 6-0. First meeting since 2019 when both were part of the old Region 8-A. The Lions can jump into 2nd place with a win and the Bulldogs still have to play unbeaten Bethlehem Christian next week. The Lions are ona 2-game win streak and outscored their two opponents 105-6. The Bulldogs also have won 2 straight and outscored their opponents 118-15. Lakeview’s Landon Hanes had 206 yards and 4 TDs rushing last week.
What to watch for: The Lakeview offense vs. the Bulldogs defense. In Lakeview’s 3 losses, the Lions scored just 29 points (9.6 ppg). In their 5 losses, the Bulldogs allowed 171 points (37.0 ppg).

JEFFERSON at HERITAGE-CONYERS
Records: Dragons, ranked 7th in Class 5A (6-2, 4-0 Region 8-5A); Patriots (2-6, 0-4 Region 8-5A)
Last week: Jefferson beat Loganville, 42-6; Heritage lost 52-0 to Winder-Barrow
Where: Evans Memorial Stadium, Conyers
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. The Dragons can clinch a home playoff game with a win. Heritage has been eliminated from the playoffs. It’s a bad matchup on paper. The Dragons are averaging 30.7 ppg while the Patriots have allowed a region-worst 331 points (41.5 ppg). Jefferson’s Sammy Brown rushed for 282 yards and five touchdowns on 19 carries, caught two passes for 55 yards and a TD and had two tackles and five assisted tackles.
What to watch for: The Jefferson defense vs. the Patriots offense. Heritage has scored just 18 points during a 5-game losing streak. Jefferson has surrendered just 22 total points (3.6 ppg) over the past 6 games.

LOGANVILLE CHRISTIAN at RIVERSIDE PREPARATORY
Records: Lions (1-7, 0-2 GIAA Region 4-3A); Eagles (0-9, 0-3 GIAA Region 4-3A)
Last week: Loganville Christian lost 41-6 to Bethlehem Christian; Riverside lost 44-6 to Lakeview Academy.
Where: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. Both teams are looking to end long losing streaks. The Lions have dropped 7 straight by a 283-76 score. Riverside has been outscored 452-70 this season and has lost 15 straight going back to last season.
What to watch for: Look for both offenses to score some points against the two worst defenses in GIAA.

NORTH FORSYTH at GAINESVILLE
Records: Raiders (6-2, 4-0 Region 8-6A); Red Elephants, ranked 5th in Class 6A (8-0, 4-0 Region 8-6A)
Last week: North Forsyth beat Habersham Central, 24-14; Gainesville beat Shiloh, 34-7.
Where: City Park Stadium, Gainesville 
Radio: WDUN AM 550
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: North Forsyth leads the series 7-1. The Red Elephants only win came in 2020 at City Park. GHS is one of just four unbeaten teams left in Class 6A. This one is for the region title with the loser taking the No. 2 seed into the playoffs. Gainesville is looking for its first region title since 2013. The Raiders have not won a region title since 2001, Bruce Miller’s last year in Coal Mountain before moving over to Gainesville. RB Naim Cheeks continued his resurgence with 157 yards rushing and he added 55 yards receiving as well.  
What to watch for: The Gainesville defense vs. the Raiders offense. Defensively, GHS has climbed to 4th-best in the classification (90, 11.25 ppg). They have only given up 27 points (6.75 ppg) in region play. The Raiders are averaging 25.25 ppg on offense but they also have 17 turnovers, including 11 INTs. The Red Elephants have forced 21 turnovers, including 10 INTs, which we think leads Class 6A.

UNION COUNTY at ATHENS ACADEMY
Records: Panthers  (4-4, 1-2 Region 8-2A); Spartans  (4-4, 1-2 Region 8-2A)
Last week: Union County beat East Jackson, 21-17; Athens Academy beat Banks County, 70-13.
Where: Slaughter Field, Watkinsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Athens Academy won the only meeting between the two programs in 2011. The Panthers control their destiny. If they win out, they will win the region title. However, they also have the toughest finish with the Spartans and then Fellowship Christian. The two offenses sit atop the region while the Panthers have the top defense in the region. Union County’s Jensen Goble caught 10 balls for 146 yards and 2 TDs last week. He and Class 2A’s No. 2 passer Caiden Tanner (1,922 yards, 18 TD, 4 INT), will need another huge game.
What to watch for: The Athens Academy offense vs. the Panthers defense. The Spartans are averaging 35.5 ppg and the Panthers are giving up just 16.5 ppg. But Union County is allowing 24.3 ppg in region play.

WALKER at LANIER CHRISTIAN
Records: Wolverines (1-6, non-region 6-2A); Lightning (6-2, GAPPS Region 1-2A)
Last week: Walker lost 45-8 to Cherokee Christian; Lanier Christian beat King’s Ridge Christian (GHSA), 42-21.
Where: Cabbell Field, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. The Lightning are hoping to tune-up for a future playoff run. The Wolverines are trying to break a 6-game losing streak. 
What to watch for: The Lanier Christian offense vs. the Wolverines defense. LCA is the highest-scoring team in GAPPS (408, 51.0 ppg) while Walker has surrendered 253 points (42.1 ppg) during their losing streak.

WASHINGTON-WILKES AT TOWNS COUNTY
Records: Tigers (6-2, 2-1 Region 8-A Division 2); Indians (3-5, 1-2 Region 8-A Division 2
Last week: Washington-Wilkes beat Aquinas, 34-26; Towns County beat Warren County, 20-8
Where: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Washington-Wilkes leads the series 2-0, Both wins came over the past two seasons. Towns County snapped a 9-game losing streak in region play last week putting the Indians right in the middle of the playoff race. They also one of four teams within 1 game of 2nd place. But they also have the toughest finish with the Tigers this week and Lincoln County next week.
What to watch for: The Towns County offense vs. the Tigers defense. The Indians are in the bottom 11 in Class A D2 (134, 16.75) while Washington-Wilkes is 7th in defense, allowing just 122 points (15.2 ppg). Towns County has gotten most of their main pieces back and have averaged 24.0 ppg over the past 3 games after scoring just 40 total points (10.0 ppg) during a 4-game losing streak.

WEST HALL at WESLEYAN
Records: Spartans (1-7, 0-4 Region 7-3A); Wolves (3-5, 2-2 Region 7-3A)
Last week: West Hall lost 29-7 to Pickens; Wesleyan was off.
Where: Henderson Stadium, Norcross
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. Neither team has been eliminated from the playoffs but the Wolves still have an inside track to a possible top two finish. If they win out and Lumpkin County loses to Dawson, they have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Indians and would take the No. 2 seed. The Spartans are still alive but would have to win out and get a lot of help. 
What to watch for: The West Hall defense vs. the Wolves offense. The Spartans have given the most points in region play (186, 46.5 ppg) but the Wolves have scored the 3rd-fewest (94, 23.5 ppg). 

WHITE COUNTY at PICKENS
Records: Warriors (3-5, 1-3 Region 7-3A); Dragons (3-5, 2-2 Region 7-3A)
Last week: White County lost 56-35 to Lumpkin County; Pickens beat West Hall, 29-7
Where: Dragon Stadium, Jasper
Radio: 93.9 FM WRWH
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: White County leads the series 25-20-2. This is the 8th meeting since 2014. It’s been a streaky series. The Warriors have won 3 straight after the Dragons won 4 straight, which followed White County winning 4 of 5 from 2005-09. Both teams are in the middle of the playoff race and a loss for either would almost certainly kill any playoff chances. 
What to watch for: The White County offense vs. the Dragons defense. The Warriors have scored 91 points and tallied nearly 900 yards of offense the past two weeks. The Dragons defense, after allowing 211 points in their first 6 games (35.1 ppg) allowed just 17 points (8.5 ppg) over the past two weeks, both wins.