What a way to open the 2022 season.
Week 1 saw Buford make a statement, not just to Georgia but perhaps the entire nation, that the supremacy of high school football just may run through the small Gwinnett County town.
The Wolves dominated 2021 Class 7A Alabama state champion Thompson last week 38-7 in the Freedom Bowl. Buford exploded for 31 second-half points while holding the Warriors scoreless over the final 24 minutes.
Commerce also got in on the act, knocking off two-time defending Class A South Carolina state champion Southside Christian, 21-17, on the road. The Tigers got a three-touchdown performance from sophomore running back Jaden Daniels.
Gainesville, after an offseason of unbridled enthusiasm and anticipation by its fan base with the hire of former Hoover, Ala., coach Josh Niblett, put on an early show and then held on late for a 34-23 win over perennial power Marist in Atlanta.
But those weren't the only teams to open with a bang. Lumpkin County routed Riverside Military Academy, 61-7, for its third-largest margin of victory in program history.
Banks County piled up 567 yards on the ground in a 41-20 win over Johnson.
Despite a new coach and new quarterback, Rabun County picked up where it left off last year in a 49-3 win over Haralson County.
Which teams will make a statement in Week 2? Who knows, but we’ll take a look at all 19 games this week involving area teams.
(Banks County off, Chestatee off, East Hall, and North Hall all are off this week.)
For a look at all of the week's contests involving area teams, simply scroll down. And be sure to check back with AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night throughout the night on Friday 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 date
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
CHEROKEE BLUFF at ADAIRSVILLE
Records: Bears (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-4A); Tigers (0-0, 0-0 Region 6-3A)
Last week: Bluff lost 38-23 to Kell; Adairsville season-opener.
Where: Tiger Stadium, Adairsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. The Bears allowed 38 points in their loss last week, the most they have allowed in a game since a season-finale loss to White County in 2020. After averaging 245 yards/game on the ground in 2021, Bluff was held to 143 yards rushing last week. It’s the season-opener for the Tigers.
What to watch for: The Tigers' offense vs. the Bears' defense. The Tigers were a young team in 2021 and return the bulk of an offense that averaged nearly 350 yards/game. Bluff is rebuilding the defense in spots but has had nine days to make adjustments. The Bears did block a punt last week. Also, can the Bears find a steady presence in the backfield on offense?
DAWSON COUNTY at LAMBERT
Records: Tigers (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A); Longhorns (1-0, 0-0 Region 6-7A)
Last week: Dawson County beat Jackson County, 28-21; Lambert beat Sequoyah, 41-14
Where: Longhorn Stadium, Suwanee
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. During a 22-point barrage last week, the Tigers’ defense and special teams scored with a pick-6 and a safety. The Tigers are 3-3 vs. higher-classification teams over the past three seasons and 8-19 all-time vs. Forsyth County teams.
What to watch for: A new Tigers passing combo could already be emerging. QB Davis Glass and WR Dom LeBlanc accounted for a pair of 50-yard TD passes last week.
DULUTH at JACKSON COUNTY
Records: Wildcats (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-7A); Panthers (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Duluth beat ML King, 35-0; Jackson County lost 28-21 to Dawson County
Where: Panthers Stadium, Hoschton
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First meeting between the two programs since 1985. Duluth is 4-0 all-time vs. the Panthers. The Wildcats are looking for their first 2-0 start since 2011. The Panthers are trying to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2014.
What to watch for: Can the Panthers find some traction in the running game? They were held to just 73 yards last week. The Duluth defense forced 4 turnovers last week (2 fumbles, 2 INT).
EAST JACKSON at SOCIAL CIRCLE
Records: Eagles (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-2A); Redskins (0-0, 0-0 Region 5-A, Division 1)
Last week: East Jackson lost 16-7 to Oglethorpe County; Social Circle lost 42-18 to Morgan County.
Where: Redskins Field, Social Circle
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. Social Circle has not started a season 0-2 since 2014. The Eagles are trying to avoid their 2nd straight 0-2 start.
What to watch for: The Eagles are replacing several key offensive starters but do return Gary Maddox and Quay Hill in the backfield. Can the duo get going this week? Since averaging 20 ppg over the first eight games in 2021, the Eagles have scored just 25 points (8.3 ppg) over their last three games, including last week.
LAKE OCONEE ACADEMY at TOWNS COUNTY
Records: Titans (0-1, no-region); Indians (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-A, Division 2)
Last week: Lake Oconee lost 42-6 to George Walton Academy; Towns County lost 13-12 to Hayesville (N.C.)
Where: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs, and this will be the first official GHSA game for the Titans, who played a non-region schedule vs. now-GIAA and GAPPS programs last year. George Walton was a long-standing GHSA member but is in the GIAA this season. The Indians had a 2-to-1 yardage advantage on Hayesville last week but had a game-winning TD pass called back with 36 seconds left on a pass interference call.
What to watch for: Indians QB Connor Chastain. The junior had TDs passing and rushing last week—Indians' Seth Gillis. The Sr. LB led the Towns defense, which held Hayesville to just 5 first downs last week.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at ATHENS CHRISTIAN
Records: Lions (1-0, 0-0 Region 4-3A GIAA); Eagles (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-A Division 1)
Last week: Lakeview beat King’s Ridge, 35-28; Season-opener for Athens Christian
Where: Eagle Field, Athens
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: The Lions are 0-7 all-time vs. the Eagles. The two teams last played in 2018. Lakeview rallied from a pair of 14-point deficits to win its first season-opener since 2017. The Lions outscored Kings Ridge 28-7 in the second half and got the game-winning score from RB Antonio Cantrell with just 41 seconds left.
What to watch for: The Lions revamped offense got 90 yards and 3 TDs on 15 carries from Cantrell, while QB Logan Stanley went 19-of-35 for 191 yards passing.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at UNION COUNTY
Records: Indians (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A); Panthers (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-2A)
Last week: Lumpkin County beat Riverside Military, 61-7; Union County beat Fannin County, 14-7.
Where: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
The Statisticals: Union County leads the series 24-15-1. The Panthers have won 4 straight over the Indians going back to 2014. The Indians’ win last week was their 3rd-largest margin of victory in program history and biggest in 48 years since a 1974 60-0 shutout of Banks County. Lumpkin County has not started a season 2-0 since 2011. The Panthers snapped a 2-game losing streak to the Rebels last week.
What to watch for: A new QB-WR duo in Blairsville could be emerging as Union Co. Jr. QB Caiden Tanner had 195 yards passing in his first varsity start. WR Jenson Goble had 5 catches for 65 yards and a TD last week. Jr. RB Mason Sullens had 121 yards and 4 TDs on 13 carries for Lumpkin last week.
MALLARD CREEK (N.C.) at BUFORD
Records: Mavericks (1-0); Wolves (1-0)
Last week: Mallard Creek beat Myers Park (NC), 21-3; Buford beat Thompson (Ala.), 38-7.
Where: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. Buford is now 12-3 all-time vs. out-of-state opponents. The Wolves already look in playoff form after crushing the 3-time 7A Alabama champs last week. Transfer RB Justin Haynes blew the game open with a kickoff return for a TD, but it was also a pair of pick-6s by the Buford defense that set the tone.
What to watch for: Haynes is now just over 1,100 yards from the 6,000-yard plateau for his career, something only 25 other RBs have done. He averaged over 1,600 yards each of his 3 seasons at Blessed Trinity.
MOUNTAIN VIEW at GAINESVILLE
Records: Bears (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-7A); Red Elephants (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Mountain View beat Shiloh, 24-14; Gainesville beat Marist, 34-23.
Where: City Park, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Radio: 95.5 FM The Lake
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. The Red Elephants are looking for their first 2-0 start to a season since 2009. GHS Sr. RB Naim Cheeks rushed for 120 yards, but the GHS offense was held to minus-7 yards in the 2nd half. The Bears' defense held Shiloh to just 87 yards rushing last week.
What to watch for: Red Elephants’ QB Baxter Wright. The Jr. had 14 completions for 250 yards and 2 TDs passing last week. With WRs like Darius Cannon, Tre Reece, and Travien Watson, the GHS offense could be poised for a huge year. Mountain View’s Jayden Dooley had 111 yards on 8 carries last week.
MURPHY (N.C.) at COMMERCE
Records: Bulldogs (0-1, 0-0 Region 1A-West); Tigers (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-A Division 1)
Last week: Murphy lost 24-7 to Franklin (NC); Commerce beat Southside Christian, 21-17.
Where: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. The Tigers are now 3-0 all-time vs. out-of-state opponents. The game with the Bulldogs will mark the first time in program history they have played two out-of-state teams in the same season.
What to watch for: Jr. QB John Paul Allen, at just 5-foot-5, showed poise and the ability to run the Commerce offense, including popping off two big runs on the night. So. RB Jaden Daniels had over 100 yards and scored all three of the Tigers' TDs to pick up where he left off last season.
NORTH FORSYTH at FORSYTH CENTRAL
Records: Raiders (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-6A); Bulldogs (1-0, 0-0 Region 6-7A)
Last week: North Forsyth lost 31-27 to North Atlanta; Forsyth Central lost 44-21 to Chattahoochee.
Where: Forsyth County Stadium, Cumming
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: North Forsyth leads the series 12-8. The Raiders won 23-0 in 2021 and have won 6 of the last 8 overall and 3 of the last 4 at Forsyth Central. But the teams have split the last 4 meetings. Sr. RB/LB Collin Miller had 3 TDs on 12 carries to go with his 8 tackles and a fumble recovery for the Raiders.
What to watch for: Which Raiders offense will show up? They had 330 yards for the game but also had 6 turnovers (2 INT, 2 fumbles, 2 on downs) and just 41 yards in the 4th quarter while North Atlanta battled back from 14 points down.
NORTH GEORGIA at LANIER CHRISTIAN
Records: Falcons (0-0, 0-0 Freelance); Lightning (1-0, 0-0 Region 1-2A GAPPS)
Last week: North Georgia season-opener; Lanier Christian beat Harvester Christian, 47-6
Where: Cabbell Field, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. So. RB/LB Zeke Clanton had 93 yards and 3 TDs rushing. He also added an INT return for a TD on defense. Jr. WR Sheppard Acton ran for 22 yards and 2 TDs on 2 carries and caught 2 passes for 70 yards and another TD. The Lightning are 10-3 since Bruce Miller took over the program.
What to watch for: The entire Lightning offense is one to watch. Fr. QB CJ Britt was 7-for-12 for 145 yards and 1 TD in his first-ever varsity action and start.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY at KING’S RIDGE ACADEMY
Records: Eagles (0-1, 0-0 Region 4-3A GIAA); Tigers (0-1, 0-0 Region 4-3A GIAA)
Last week: Riverside lost 61-7 to Lumpkin County; King’s Ridge lost 35-28 to Lakeview Academy.
Where: King’s Ridge Stadium, Alpharetta
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: RMA leads the series 2-0. The Eagles won the last meeting in 2019, 41-13. The Eagles' only score last week came on a 79-yard TD pass from Jeremiah Shaw to Idan Azani. However, they also gave up more than 320 yards rushing on defense. The Tigers were outscored 35-14 after taking a 14-0 lead just a minute into the game last week vs. Lakeview.
What to watch for: The Eagles are still trying to put the program back on solid footing, and Shaw and Azani are a duo that could help as the season progresses.
SECKINGER at EAST FORSYTH
Records: Jaguars (0-1, 0-0 non-region); Broncos (0-0, 0-0 Region 8-4A)
Last week: Seckinger lost 60-0 to Peachtree Ridge in its first-ever game; East Forsyth season-opener.
Where: Broncos Stadium, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. The Broncos are playing their first region schedule in 2022 and will only have one week before taking on Cedar Shoals next week. They averaged 12.4 ppg on offense and allowed 33.8 ppg on defense while winning a pair of games.
What to watch for: Look for the Broncos to use this almost as a second scrimmage game as they prepare to open region play next week. Jr. RB Tripp Morris is expected to be the featured guy on offense out of the backfield and could be used in a variety of options in the passing game. So. Brock Szakacs will take over the QB duties to give Jr. Will Moffit some rest to play defense, where he is expected to be an impact player.
ST. PIUS X at FLOWERY BRANCH
Records: Golden Lions (1-0, 0-0 Region 4-6A); Falcons (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-5A)
Last week: St. Pius beat Dacula, 10-7; Branch beat Decatur, 39-38.
Where: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Radio: WDUN AM 550
The Statisticals: The two teams have split their only two meetings, with Branch winning 21-14 in 2021. The road team has won both previous meetings. The Falcons expected to be a little run-heavy in the early going, and boy were they in Week 1 with 473 yards on the ground, including a 218-yard night for Miles Ivey and 195 yards for Malik Dryden. The defense, however, was expected to be the strength, and they let a 23-7 slip away before Ivey scored in the final minute to rally for the win.
What to watch for: The Falcons may need a little more from the passing game and QB Brody Jordan to knock off the always-tough Golden Lions. Branch is looking for its second straight 2-0 start. St. Pius will be trying to avoid its first 0-2 start since 2017.
STEPHENS COUNTY at RABUN COUNTY
Records: Indians (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-3A); Wildcats (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-A, Division 1)
Last week: Stephens County beat Habersham Central, 14-3; Rabun County beat Haralson County, 49-3.
Where: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Rabun County leads the series 6-4. The Wildcats have won 4 straight, including a 44-7 rout in 2019 in Toccoa. The last Stephens County win in the series came in 1959 in Tiger. The obvious matchup here will be the Wildcats' offense vs. the Indians' defense. Stephens County held the Raiders to just 128 total yards. The Indians also sacked Hab Central QB Carson Parker 3 times. However, the Indians’ offense had 6 fumbles but lost only two. If the Rabun defense can force some turnovers, they could run their win streak over the Indians to 5.
What to watch for: The Rabun offense picked right up where it left off last year but with a new QB in Keegan Stover, who was 15-of-22 for 368 yards and 5 TDs passing in his Wildcats debut. Jaden Gibson had 8 catches for 273 yards and 4 TDs on catches of 89, 88, 18 and 22 yards. RB Lang Windham had 134 yards from scrimmage on 28 touches. The Stephens Co. duo of QB Ben Stowe and WR Cam Lacy is one of the best in the area. Stowe was 9-of-17 for 117 yards with Lacy his main target, with 7 catches for 103 yards and 1 TD. Lacy also had 30 yards rushing and 63 return yards for 196 all-purpose yards.
WEST HALL at JOHNSON
Records: Spartans (0-1, Region 7-3A); Knights (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-4A)
Last week: West Hall lost 19-14 to East Hall ; Johnson lost 41-20 to Banks County.
Where: The Dungeon, Oakwood
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Radio: 102.9 FM WDUN
The Statisticals: West Hall leads the series 19-8-1. The Spartans won 35-7 in 2021. This is the third straight meeting where the arch-rivals both have come in with losing records. The Spartans had 4 turnovers, including a pick-6 that was the eventual game-winner for East Hall last week. However, the Spartans' defense allowed just 281 yards to the Vikings. The 20 points for the Knights was an encouraging sign after they scored just 10 total points over their final 8 games in 2021.
What to watch for: The Johnson defense will have to do better than the 547 yards rushing they gave up to Banks County. A relatively new Spartans offense will have to find a way to cut down on the turnovers.
WHITE COUNTY at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
Records: Warriors (1-0, 0-0 Region 7-3A); Raiders (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-6A)
Last week: White County beat North Hall, 35-14; Habersham Central lost 14-3 to Stephens County.
Where: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Radio: WRWH 93.9 FM; WCON 99.3 FM
The Statisticals: Habersham Central leads the series 8-4. The Raiders won 21-12 in 2021 and have won 3 of the last 4 overall. The Warriors' defense scored twice last week, which helped offset a sluggish performance by the offense. Weather had a lot to do with just 172 total yards. The Raiders' offense struggled against a good Stephens County defense, managing just 128 total yards. The Raiders defense, however, forced 6 Stephens County fumbles but recovered just 2.
What to watch for: Which offense is able to get untracked first may decide this one. The Raiders are hoping to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2019, while the Warriors are looking for their first 2-0 start since 2019.
WREN (S.C.) at JEFFERSON
Records: Hurricanes (0-0, 0-0 Region 2-3A); Dragons (0-1, 0-0 Region 8-5A)
Last week: Wren season-opener; Jefferson lost 47-46 to Alpharetta.
Where: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting between the two programs. Jefferson is 2-0 all-time vs. out-of-state opponents. Anyone wondering about the Dragons’ new-look offense needn’t worry, as they put up 46 points. The problem is they gave up the most points in a regular-season game since a 45-21 loss to Landmark Christian in 2002.
What to watch for: The Dragons have not started a season 0-2 since 2005, and the Hurricanes return their QB, 2 of their top 3 receivers, and 3 of their top 4 RBs from a team that went 6-6 last season and averaged 30.9 ppg with a freshman QB.
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