Selecting Games2Watch for Week 1 was pretty easy. Our criteria included big games, games that have interest because of graduation losses, and games that just look interesting on paper.
There is a mixture of contests across Northeast Georgia that could be labeled as Games2Watch, so don’t get too upset if we didn’t pick your favorite team or a game that you felt was a Game2Watch.
To follow scores and more this week, follow our Friday Game Night X (formerly Twitter) for scores, stories and highlights.
ALPHARETTA at JEFFERSON
Records: Raiders (0-0, Region 7-6A); Dragons (0-0, Region 8-5A)
Where: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
Time: 7:30 p.m.
QUESTIONS: Jefferson: QB, WR, DL, secondary; Alpharetta: QB, WR
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jefferson: Clemson-commit Sammy Brown, RB/LB; 3-star LB Kelan Butler; Alpharetta: 4-star TE Ethan Barbour (Alpharetta); 3-star WR/DB Tyjai Hopper (Alpharetta)
WHY WATCH IT? Last year’s battle came down to the final minutes as Alpharetta pulled off the 47-46 shootout win at home. Will it come down to the same kind of finish on Friday? Not so sure about that. Nevertheless, these two teams have some quality athletes on both sides of the ball. Jefferson has bruising running back/linebacker and Clemson-commit Sammy Brown (1,449 rushing yards and 21 TDs; 113 tackles and 3-star linebacker Kelan Buter. The Raiders are led by four-star tight end Ethan Barbour and 3-star receiver and defensive back Tyjai Hopper. How both lines of scrimmage perform in front of new quarterbacks, Gavin Markey (Jefferson) and DJ Bordeaux, could be the X factor.
HARALSON COUNTY at RABUN COUNTY
Records: Rebels (0-0, Region 7-2A); Wildcats (0-0, Region 8-A Division 1)
Where: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
Time: 7:30 p.m.
QUESTIONS: Rabun County: QB, RB; Haralson
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Rabun County: QB Ty Truelove, WR/DB Willie Goodwyn, WR/DB Paul Picciotti; Haralson County: LB Jakob Starling, QB Haldyn Williams, RB Holden Davis
WHY WATCH IT? The Wildcats torched Haralson County last season 49-3 in Tallapoosa. The Wildcats are set to hand the reins of the offense to sophomore quarterback Ty Truelove, who has the skills to add his name to the list of Wildcat QB royalty. Jaden Gibson may be gone, but Willie Goodwyn has stepped in to fill that void at wide receiver, and the offensive line has size and experience returning. Haralson County has six of its top 11 tacklers back this season and is led by Jakob Starling (60 tkls). Offensively, they return dual-threat quarterback Haldyn Williams. While Haralson County may be a bit more experience returning, the Wildcats have a solid group of young talent. Expect this one to start off not-so-pretty but end with a bang.
MARIST at GAINESVILLE
Records: War Eagles (0-0, Region 4-6A); Red Elephants (0-0, Region 8-6A)
Where: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
QUESTIONS: Gainesville: Secondary; Marist: OL
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Gainesville: QB Baxter Wright, RB Gavin Hall, WR Travien Watson, TE Sky Niblett, CB Zion Ferguson and DL Champ Thompson; Marist: QB Jack Euart; DL/TE Luke Harpring (Georgia Tech commit)
WHY WATCH IT? Gainesville jumped out to a 27-7 halftime lead at Marist last season but allowed them to rally back within a touchdown in the second half. Big Red pulled out the win 34-23. The Red Elephants already had a talented roster returning but got a boost in the offseason with Power 5 transfers Zion Ferguson (North Carolina commit) and Champ Thompson (Clemson commit) and Furman-commit RB Gavin Hall. The War Eagles are led by QB Jack Euart and DL/TE Luke Harpring. This one is a top-10 battle that will feature Gainesville’s high-flying offense and gritty defense against the War Eagles’ brutal triple-option attack and hard-nosed defense.
ST. FRANCES ACADEMY (MD) at BUFORD
Records: Panthers (9-1 in 2022, Independent); Wolves (0-0, Region 8-7A)
Where: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Buford: QB Dylan Raiola (UGA), DB/WR KJ Boden (FSU), LB Jadon Perlotte (UGA), DE Eddrick Houston (Power 5); RB Justin Baker (Power 5); Jordan Allen (Power 5); St. Frances Academy: QB Michael Van Buren (Oregon) RB Dejuan Williams (Maryland), CB Ify Obidegwu (Oregon), S Edrees Farooq (Tennessee) and LB Simeon Coleman (Cincinnati)
WHY WATCH IT? That’s an easy answer: the field will be littered with Power 5 talent. St. Frances is ranked No. 6 nationally, while the Wolves are 10th. The Wolves are led by Georgia-commit QB Dylan Raiola, FSU-commit KJ Bolden and RB Justin Baker on offense, and Bolden, DE Eddrick Houston and LB Jadon Perlotte on defense. The Panthers are led by QB Michael Van Buren, RB Dejuan Williams on offense, and LB Simeon Coleman, S Edress Farooq and CB Ify Obidegwu on defense. This one could be a brutal defensive battle or an all-out offensive explosion. Either way, you’ll want to see this one.
WEEK 1 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Thursday, August 17
Cherokee Bluff at West Forsyth, 7:30 p.m. (Corky Kell Classic)
North Forsyth vs. Archer at West Forsyth, 4:30 p.m. (Corky Kell Classic)
Union County at Fannin County
Friday, August 18
Alpharetta at Jefferson
Banks County at Johnson
Chestatee at Hebron Christian
Dawson County at Jackson County
Decatur at Flowery Branch
Haralson County at Rabun County
Hayesville (NC) at Towns County
Lakeview Academy at Kings’ Ridge
Lumpkin County at Riverside Prep (CANCELED)
Marist at Gainesville
Oglethorpe County at East Jackson
St. Frances Academy (Md.) at Buford
Skipstone Academy at Lanier Christian
Southside Christian at Commerce
Stephens County at Habersham Central
West Hall at East Hall
White County at North Hall
http://accesswdun.com/article/2023/8/1199472/games2watch-week-1-has-the-makings-of-a-fun-night