There's no doubt that Northeast Georgia teams have proven they can score, and we'll get a chance to see those high-flying offenses do work again this week.
In Week 3, White County's offense came alive with a 52-7 win over Chestatee. Lumpkin County continues ravaging its opponents with a 46-7 win over Franklin County. Jefferson blitzed St. Pius X 42-0. North Hall ripped Dawson County 40-7. Rabun County got back on track with a 35-20 win over Adairsville. Union County blasted Towns County 49-7. East Forsyth dominated Cedar Shoals in the Region 8-4A opener, 35-13, and Buford finally found its grove in a 45-28 win over North Cobb.
A handful of games could be considered Games2Watch this week, but as usual, we've narrowed it down to three.
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MADISON COUNTY AT CHEROKEE BLUFF
Records: Bears (0-2, Region 8-4A); Red Devils (2-0, Region 8-4A)
Last week: Both teams were off
Where: Yonah Field, Flowery Branch
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Cherokee Bluff: QB Asher Wilson (11-of-24, 96 yards), RB Conner Hulsey (28-104 yds rushing, 1 TD), RB/WR/DB Kaden Thompson (12-51 rushing, 1 TD, 3-34 rec., 11 tkls) TE Ryan Graves (3-64 rec.), LB Landon Kemp (10 tkls), DL Jack Hamilton (7 tkls); Madison County: QB Camden Smith, RB/LB Casen Duggins, RB/LB Bryson Drake,
WHY WATCH IT? Cherokee Bluff walked out of Danielsville in 2022 with a slim 20-19 win. Most everyone thought it was the start of the Bears' roll through the Region 8-4A slate. However, after beating Chestatee the next week, the Bears lost four straight to drop out of playoff contention. As for Madison County, the Red Devils went on to win the last five out of six games to make the playoffs. Well, spin the clock forward one year, and it's the same storyline, except the Red Devils are scoring points, and the Bears are not. Bluff is averaging just seven points per game and will be tasked with slowing down the triple-option threat of Madison County. Led by QB Camden Smith, the Bears' defense will have its hands full, trying to slow them down. The Bears have the firepower to match the Red Devils, and it will take all of it to beat Madison County this season. The Bears have still not shown the public they can score, and if they don't find some offense, no matter how good the Bears' defense plays, it'll be a long night at Yonah Field.
NORTH HALL AT WALNUT GROVE
Records: Trojans (2-0, Region 8-4A); Warriors (1-1, Region 8-4A)
Last week: North Hall beat Dawson County 40-7 on the road; Walnut Grove beat Chattahoochee County 40-0 at home.
Where: The Grove, Loganville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: North Hall: QB Tanner Marsh (39-for-52, 428 yards passing, 6 TDs, 24-139 yards rushing, 3 TDs), RB Tate Ruth (26-167 rushing, 3 TDs), RB Parker Carlton (15-75 yards rushing), WR Ryals Puryear (16-187 rec., 2 TDs) TE Breckan Kirby (6-70 rec., 1 TD), LB Trey Patterson (16 tkls, 2 TFL), DB Conner Free (15 tkls), DB Walker Davis (13 tkls), LB Zeke Harris (13 tkls), LB Dalton Hulsey (12 tkls); Walnut Grove: RB Emadd Howard, QB Reid Fagan, LB D'lante Overstreet, LB Devan Dipolito, LB/TE Jake Moss, CB/WR Javion Parker, DE Jack Moss, WR Jayden Brooks.
WHY WATCH IT? North Hall dropped the region opener to Walnut Grove last season, 38-20, in only the third game in the new spread offense of head coach Sean Pender. The Trojans have figured out the offense and are averaging 40 ppg this season. Walnut Grove returns 1,000-yard rusher Emadd Howard to the backfield but lost three other running backs who were big-time contributors last season and have a new quarterback. The Warriors also lost six of their top seven defenders to graduation. So, this one will most definitely be North Hall's offense vs. the Warriors' defense. With the losses on that side of the ball and the Trojans' ability to score when it wants to could make for a long night at The Grove for the Warriors.
GAINESVILLE AT CLARKE CENTRAL
Records: Red Elephants (3-0, Region 8-6A); Gladiators (2-0, Region 8-5A)
Last week: Gainesville beat Coconut Creek, Fla. 30-22 at home; Clarke Central was off last week
Where: Billy Henderson Stadium, Athens, Ga.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Clarke Central: QB Riley Berrong (13-of-24, 167 yards passing, 2 TDs), RB Kendrick Curry (17-144 yards rushing, 2 TDs), RB Corey Watkins Jr. (42-356 yards rushing, 4 TDs), TE Jamarion Davis (7-86 rec., 1 TD); Gainesville: QB Baxter Wright (42-of-64, 529 yards passing, 4 TDs), RB Gavin Hall (64-553 yards rushing, 6 TDs, 8-144 rec., 1 TD). WR Travien Watson (11-114 rec.), WR Eric Hart (7-90 rec. 2 TDs), TE Sky Niblett (5-58 rec., 1 TD), Zarion Harvey (10.5 tkls), DB Nick Taylor (11 tkls), DL Julius Columbus (8 tkls), Champ Thompson (9 tkls)
WHY WATCH IT? Because it could be an old-fashioned slobber knocker in Athens. Gainesville handled the Gladiators last season, racking up over 500 yards of offense. They have the firepower to do the same thing Friday night, but they'll need to eliminate the mistakes. Clarke Central also has some power out of the backfield and up front, and the defense has a bend-but-don't-break mentality. This game could come down to who makes the least mistakes. Gainesville coughed up the ball late last week, and Coconut Creek cashed it in for a touchdown to cut the lead to just one score late in the fourth quarter. Will it come down to that this week? It could. But pinpointing what will happen in this game is like finding a needle in a haystack.
WEEK 4 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Armuchee at Union County
Madison County at Cherokee Bluff*
Chestatee at East Hall* -- AM 550 WDUN
Creekview at North Forsyth
Dawson County at Stephens County
Franklin County at Banks County
Gainesville at Clarke Central -- 94.5 FM The Lake
Habersham Central at Central Gwinnett
Jackson County at Mountain View
Lakeview Academy at Creekside Christian
Lanier Christian at Rock Springs Christian
Lumpkin County at Temple
North Hall at Walnut Grove*
Oconee County at Jefferson -- FM 102.9 WDUN
Riverside Prep at Providence Christian
http://accesswdun.com/article/2023/9/1202494/games2watch