Week 8 will be the lightest of the 2023 campaign, with just 16 games involving northeast Georgia-area teams.
However, 14 of the 16 games are crucial region matchups as teams continue to jockey for position or just try to stay alive in the playoff races.
One big Region 8-6A showdown took place on Thursday as Lanier held off North Forsyth, 27-21, in Sugar Hill. Tonight, Jackson County plays host to Shiloh. The Panthers are in a must-win scenario after losing another game in overtime last week to Habersham Central.
Region 8-4A has a full slate, highlighted by Cherokee Bluff playing host to East Forsyth and Madison County traveling to North Hall in a pair of huge games that will shake things up at the top regardless of outcomes.
Region 7-3A will also see some movement at the top when Wesleyan heads to White County and Dawson County plays host to Pickens. No. 9 Lumpkin County also plays host to Gilmer.
Union County will finally get under way in Region 8-2A. The Panthers will play host to Banks County in Blairsville.
(Buford, Chestatee, Gainesville, Habersham Central, Jefferson, Johnson, Lakeview Academy, and West Hall all are off this week.)
For a look at all of the weekend's contests involving area teams, scroll down. And be sure to check back with AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night throughout the night 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 Oct. 6
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
AQUINAS at TOWNS COUNTY
Records: Fighting Irish (5-1, 1-0 Region 8-A Division 2), ranked 8th in Class A Division 2; Indians (0-5, 0-1 Region 8-A Division 2)
Last week: Towns County lost 47-0 to No. 6 Greene County
Where: Aquinas beat Lincoln County, 28-21
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Aquinas leads series 3-0. The Irish won 42-13 in 2022. The Indians are still missing several key starters to injury and face their 2nd straight ranked team in the region.
What to watch for: The Towns County offense vs. the Aquinas defense. It will be another big challenge for the Indians, who have scored the 2nd-fewest points in the classification (37, 7.4 ppg). The Irish are yielding 21.5 ppg but have 52 TFL, 24 sacks, and have forced 10 turnovers so far this season.
BANKS COUNTY at UNION COUNTY
Records: Leopards (4-2, 0-1 Region 8-2A); Panthers (4-1, 0-0 Region 8-2A)
Last week: Banks County lost 41-0 to East Jackson; Union County was off
Where: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Union County leads series 26-18. The Panthers won 42-7 in 2022 and have won 7 straight in the series. The last Banks County win came in 2011 in Blairsville. This will be the Panthers first game since Sept. 15. Union County’s Caiden Tanner, who has not played in three weeks, is still near the top in the area in passing with 1,214 yards. He is now 6th in Class 2A but is 3rd in yards/game at 236 ypg and is 2nd in TD passes with 14. Jensen Goble is 3rd in 2A in receiving with 560 yards. The Leopards suffered their first shutout loss last week since Oct. 15, 2021 in a loss to Rabun County.
What to watch for: The Banks County defense vs. the Union County offense. The Panthers are 3rd in Class 2A in scoring average (43.6 ppg). The Leopards are yielding 24.3 ppg on the season but have surrendered 79 points (39.5 ppg) during a 2-game losing streak. However, the Leopards are 4-0 when holding their opponents to 16 points or less.
DAWSON COUNTY at PICKENS
Records: Tigers (1-5, 1-1 Region 7-3A); Dragons (1-4, 0-1 Region 7-3A)
Last week: Dawson County lost 24-14 to White County; Pickens was off
Where: Dragon Stadium, Jasper
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Pickens lead series 7-2. Dawson County won 27-0 in 2022 and has won two straight in the series. The last Pickens win came in 2010. This is a must-win for both teams to stay in the playoff race. The Tigers seem to be making some strides on offense but still have scored 18 or less in 5 of their 6 games and are in the bottom 8 in Class 3A (71, 11.8 ppg). The Dragons are in the bottom 10 in defense (195, 39.0 ppg) and have given up 43.5 ppg during their current 4-game losing streak, their longest since 2011.
What to watch for: The Dawson County defense vs. the Pickens offense. With the two weaker units going against each other (the Dawson offense vs. the Pickens defense) this battle may decide which team is still alive in Region 7-3A. The Tigers are yielding 29.5 ppg but also have played a much tougher schedule than the Dragons. After averaging 34.6 ppg in their first three games, the Dragons have scored just 38 points (19.0 ppg) in their last two.
EAST FORSYTH at CHEROKEE BLUFF
Records: Broncos (5-0, 3-0 Region 8-4A); Bears (2-4, 2-2 Region 8-4A)
Last week: East Forsyth beat East Hall, 42-0; Cherokee Bluff beat Cedar Shoals, 36-23
Where: Yonah Field, Flowery Branch
Radio: WDUN AM 550
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: The series is tied 1-1. East Forsyth won 14-7 in 2022. The home team has won each game so far in the young series. The Broncos have been rolling all year, winning their 5 games by an average of 30.2 ppg. Bluff is just 2 PATs from sitting 3-1 in the region. The Bears offense has enjoyed region play. After scoring just 14 points (7.0 ppg) in non-region, they have averaged 31.75 ppg in region play. Both teams will look to establish the run. The Bears’ Connor Hulsey leads 8-4A in rushing (748 yards, 7 TD) while the Broncos’ Tripp Morris is 2nd (732 yards, 5 TD).
What to watch for: The East Forsyth defense. The Broncos are 2nd in Class 4A in total defense, allowing just 40 points (8.0 ppg). They will be the best unit on the field between the two teams. If the can contain Hulsey and the Bears offense, they should be able to give their offense some opportunities vs. a Bluff defense that is allowing 23.5 ppg on the season.
EAST JACKSON at FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN
Records: Eagles (6-0, 1-0 Region 8-2A); Paladins (3-2, 0-0 Region 8-2A), ranked 9th in Class 2A
Last week: East Jackson beat Banks County, 41-0; Fellowship lost 42-28 to Rabun County
Where: Paladin Field, Roswell
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Fellowship leads series 1-0. The Paladins won 30-14 in 2022. The Eagles are one of just three unbeaten teams left in Class 2A. Last week clinched their first winning season since 2009 and best opening to a season since that team went 9-0. In 2023, they are 6th in offense (234, 39.0 ppg) and 2nd in defense (38, 6.3 ppg) on defense in Class 2A. The Paladins have played a very tough schedule. All six opponents, including East Jackson, were playoff teams from 2022. Fellowship is 3-0 when scoring 30 or more and 0-2 when scoring fewer than 30. The Paladins also are 3-0 when giving up 24 or less and 0-2 when allowing more than 24 points so far in 2023.
What to watch for: The East Jackson defense vs. the Fellowship offense. The Paladins have scored 28 or more in every game and are averaging 36.2 ppg and is the best offense East Jackson will have faced this season. The Eagles have not allowed more than 14 in any game this season. As a unit they have 47 TFL, 13 sacks, and have forced 10 turnovers, including 6 fumbles.
GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY at RIVERSIDE PREP
Records: Bulldogs (3-3, 0-0 GIAA District 4-AAAA-AAA); Eagles (0-5, 0-0 GIAA District 4-AAAA-AAA)
Last week: George walton was off; Riverside was off
Where: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: George Walton leads series 8-4. The Bulldogs won 56-0 in 2022 and have won 5 of the last 6 in the series since 2010. The Eagles continue to struggle with numbers and youth. They have been outscored 264-39 on the season. All three of the Bulldogs wins have come against non-GIAA teams.
What to watch for: The George Walton offense vs. the RPA defense. The Bulldogs are only averaging 14.0 ppg and have scored more than 14 in a game just once. The Eagles, however, have surrendered 501 or more four times this season.
GILMER at LUMPKIN COUNTY
Records: Bobcats (4-2, 1-1 Region 7-3A); Indians (6-0, 2-0 Region 7-3A), ranked 8th in Class 3A
Last week: Gilmer beat West Hall, 35-6; Lumpkin County beat Wesleyan, 30-21
Where: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Gilmer leads series 25-11-3. Lumpkin County won 31-28 in 2022 and has won 4 of the last 5 going back to 2018. The Indians are in the midst of their longest winning streak since 1976. The longest streak in program history is 8, set in 1967. They are dominating on both sides of the ball. The offense is 2nd in Class 3A (234, 39.0 ppg) and is 7th in defense (79, 13.1 ppg). It has typically been a close series. The last two games were decided by 5 total points. Six of the last 7 have been decided by 10 points or less.
What to watch for: The Gilmer offense vs. the Lumpkin County defense. The Bobcats are averaging 30.8 ppg and have scored 28 or more in 5 of their 6 games. They are 4-0 when scoring 31 or more. The Indians have not allowed more than 27 in any game and have given up just 52 points (10.4 ppg) over their last 5 games
KING’S ACADEMY at LANIER CHRISTIAN
Records: Knights (3-2, 0-1 GAPPS Region 1-AA); Lightning (3-2, 1-0 GAPPS Region 1-AA)
Last week: King’s Academy beat Walker, 32-21; LCA was off
Where: Cabbell Field, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: King’s Academy leads series 2-0. The Knights won 21-16 in 2022. This game decided the No. 2 seed in the region last year yet both teams did advance to the GAPPS semifinals. They have one common opponent in that both teams have lost to Skipstone Academy in 2023. The Lightning have the more explosive offense but the defense has struggled at times.
What to watch for: The LCA offense vs. the Knights defense. LCA is averaging 41.0 ppg while King’s Academy is giving up just 19.2 ppg. However, when allowing more than 21 points, the Knights are 0-2 this season.
NORTH HALL at MADISON COUNTY
Records: Trojans (5-1, 3-1 Region 8-4A); Red Raiders (4-1, 2-1 Region 8-4A)
Last week: North Hall lost 52-7 to North Oconee; Madison County was off
Where: Danielsville
Radio: 94.5 FM THE LAKE
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Madison County leads series 11-4. The Red Raiders won 33-24 in 2022. Both teams’ lone loss came against No. 2 North Oconee. The Trojans offense, which is still averaging 33.3 ppg, ran into one of the state’s best defenses, all classifications, last week. The Red Raiders defense is allowing 26.3 ppg in region play. It will be a classic showdown of Madison’s triple-option ground attack vs. the Trojans spread passing attack. It’s a huge game for both teams to stay within striking distance of a home playoff spot.
What to watch for: The North Hall defense. The Trojans showed two weeks ago in their win over Cherokee Bluff that they can slow down a powerful ground game. If they can keep the Red Raiders below their 275 yards/game average and create some turnovers, they could be the difference.
SOCIAL CIRCLE at COMMERCE
Records: Redskins (1-4, Region 5-A Division 1); Tigers (5-1, Region 8-A Division 1), ranked 6th in Class A Division 1
Last week: Social Circle lost 19-7 to Lamar County; Commerce beat First Presbyterian, 28-14
Where: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Commerce leads series 17-3. The Tigers won 24-21 in OT in 2022. The Redskins are 1-9 all-time in Commerce but their last win in the series came in 2021 in Commerce. The Redskins are 30th out of 38 teams in Class A D1 in offense (77, 15.4 ppg) while the Tigers are 10th in offense (181, 30.1 ppg).
What to watch for: Tysean Wiggins and Jaiden Daniels. The Commerce RB duo may be the best 1-2 combo in the classification, if not the entire state. Wiggins is 2nd in Class A D1 with 744 yards and Daniels is 4th in Class A D1 with 713 yards. They are 14th and 21st overall in rushing all classes.
SHILOH at JACKSON COUNTY
Records: Generals (2-4, 1-1 Region 8-6A); Panthers (3-4, 1-2 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Shiloh beat Apalachee, 42-13; Jackson County lost 34-27 in 2OT to Habersham Central
Where: Panther Stadium, Hoschton
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Shiloh leads series 1-0. The Generals won 43-7 in 2022. This is a must-win for the Panthers to stay in the playoff race. Last week was their third OT game and second OT loss of the season. The good news was they got back Class 6A leading rusher MJ Spurlin. They have been averaging 32.6 ppg since RJ Knapp took over at QB but the defense has struggling at times, allowing 30.0 ppg on the season
What to watch for: The Jackson County offense vs. the Shiloh defense. The Generals have given up the 3rd-most points in 6A (243, 40.5 ppg). The Panthers should be able to generate enough explosive plays to put pressure on the Generals.
ST. FRANCIS at RABUN COUNTY
Records: Knights (1-4, Region 5-A Division 1); Wildcats (5-1, Region 8-A Division 1), ranked 3rd in Class A Division 1
Last week: St. Francis lost 55-7 to Bowdon; Rabun County beat Fellowship Christian, 42-28
Where: Tiger
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Rabun County leads series 1-0. The Wildcats won 17-14 in 2022. After their best season in program history last year (10-4, semifinal appearance), the Knights are rebuilding after coach Frank Bearden left to take over Christian Heritage. They are 34th in offense (70, 17.5 ppg) and 30th in defense (174, 34.8 ppg). The Wildcats have won four straight and 16 straight at home.
What to watch for: The Rabun County offense. The young Wildcats continue to get better. After suffering their first shutout in 10 years vs. Stephens County, they have averaged 40.0 ppg during their win streak. So. QB Ty Truelove is 3rd in Class A D1 in passing (1,159 yards, 60.8%, 13 TD, 3 INT) while Sr. Willie Goodwyn is 2nd in receiving yards (606), 1st in yards/catch (24.2 ypc), and 1st in TDs (9) in Class A D1.
WALNUT GROVE at EAST HALL
Records: Warriors (1-4, 0-3 Region 8-4A); Vikings (2-4, 1-3 Region 8-4A)
Last week: East Hall lost 42-0 to East Forsyth; Walnut Grove was off
Where: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Walnut Grove leads series 1-0.The Warriors won 35-8 in 2022. A must-win for both teams if they want to stay in the playoff race. The Warriors have dropped 3 straight, all in region play and have been outscored 63-12 in that span. Both defenses have played well, with the Warriors giving up just 16.6 ppg despite the record. The Vikings have allowed a respectable 26.5 ppg after giving up 47.2 ppg over their first 2 seasons under coach Matt Turner.
What to watch for: The offenses. Walnut Grove has scored just 12 points (4.0 ppg) in region play. The East Hall offense has struggled as well, averaging just 8.75 ppg in region play.
WHITE COUNTY at WESLEYAN
Records: Warriors (3-2, 1-0 Region 7-3A); Wolves (3-3, 1-1 Region 7-3A)
Last week: White County beat Dawson County, 24-14; Wesleyan lost 30-21 to Lumpkin County
Where: Norcross
Radio: WRWH 93.9 FM, www.wrwh.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Wesleyan leads series 1-0. The Wolves won 22-17 in 2022 in Cleveland. This game effectively decided the final playoff spot last season so the Warriors would like to return the favor. White County is 2-1 on the road while the Wolves are a perfect 3-0 at home in 2023. Both offenses like to throw the ball. Wesleyan QB Ben Brown is 2nd in 3A in passing (1,154 yards, 60%, 15 TD, 2 INT) while White County’s Tripp Nix is 9th (885 yards, 54%, 8 TD, 2 INT). The difference may be in the Warriors’ Ryan Fowler (79 car., 586 yards, 7.42 ypc, 5 TD). White County is about as balanced as you can get averaging 184 yards passing and 179 yards rushing/game.
What to watch for: The White County defense and rushing attack. The Wolves are only averaging 73 yards/game on the ground. If the Warriors can contain Brown and the Wesleyan passing attack, they should give their own offense a chance to wear down the Wesleyan defense.
WINDER-BARROW at FLOWERY BRANCH
Records: Bulldoggs (4-2, 1-1 Region 8-5A); Falcons (3-3, 1-1 Region 8-5A)
Last week: Winder-Barrow lost 44-0 to Jefferson; Flowery Branch beat Clarke Central, 41-38
Where: Falcon Field, Flowery Branch
Radio: WDUN FM 102.9
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Flowery Branch leads series 6-3. Winder-Barrow won 20-17 in 2022. A huge game for both teams, who can stay within one game of both Jefferson and Eastside in the standings. The loser drops into the bottom three. Since beginning the season 3-0, the Bulldoggs are just 1-2 since, with two shutout losses. Their schedule was not that strong. The record of the teams of their four wins is just 5-21. The Falcons have played a much tougher schedule with the records of the teams of their 3 losses being 15-2. Branch Sr. QB Josh Oliver had a career game last week with 400 yards passing and 4 TDs. He added a pair of rushing TDs as well.
What to watch for: The Branch offense vs. the Bulldoggs defense. The Falcons offense has turned it up a notch over the past three weeks, scoring 106 points (35.3 ppg) behind Oliver, WRs Seth Larson and Jeremiah Ware, and RB Malik Dryden. The Bulldoggs have given up 105 points (35.0 ppg) in that same span.
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