Week 5 didn't provide the type of fireworks we had been accustomed to the previous four weeks. However, we did learn a bit more about our area teams.
The North Forsyth-Jackson County battle is at the top of the list. Despite being without running back MJ Spurlin for most of the game, Jackson County proved they have the fight and may have solved its quarterback problems. Also, in Region 8-6A, Gainesville rolled as we expected, but we also learned Lanier might be more of a player in the region than we had expected. Keep an eye on this region.
In Region 8-4A, the region that has four legitimate contenders for the three playoff spots -- obviously, we're crowning North Oconee as region champs -- Cherokee Bluff, North Hall, East Forsyth and Madison County, and, perhaps, East Hall or Cedar Shoals could step into the picture Friday night. Regardless, this region is still a hot one to watch.
Region 7-3A play gets underway on Friday. Question marks remain, but the clear frontrunner is Lumpkin County. Although White County and Wesleyan will have a say, it's Lumpkin County's to lose. They host Pickens this week.
And we'll find out more this week. With that, we've sorted through the 18 games on the schedule, and along with North Hall-Cherokee Bluff and Clarke Central-Jefferson, we found three more games that we think could be Games2Watch.
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CEDAR SHOALS at EAST HALL
Records: Jaguars (1-3, 1-1 Region 8-4A); Vikings (2-2, 1-1 Region 8-4A)
Last week: Cedar Shoals beat Walnut Grove, 14-6; East Hall lost 49-14 to North Hall
Where: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
Radio: 94.5 FM The Lake
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Cedar Shoals: Sr. QB A Hubbard (26-for-63, 350 yards passing, 3 TDs, 4 INT), Jr. RB T. Green (35-131 yards rushing), Sr. WR Devin Hester (14-209 yards rec. 2 TDs); East Hall: So. QB Jamarcus Harrison (49-for-94, 735 yards passing, 7 TDs, 5 INT, 56-347 yards rushing, 2 TDs), So. RB Lukas Pruitt (54-233 yards rushing, 2 TDs), So. Camden Jones (20-336 yards rec., 2 TDs), Jr. WR Caden Daniels (14-237 yards rec., 2 TDs), Jr. WR Jevon Harrison (12-151 yards rec, 3 TDs), Jr. LB Sergio Soto (25 tkls), Jr. DE Aarpm Brock (14 tkls), Sr. LB Demariun Tatum (13 tkls).
WHY WATCH IT? Because East Hall can win this one. The Vikings are moving in the right direction on both sides of the ball, and we are sold on quarterback Jamarcus Harrison's ability to run the offense effectively. Not to forget the weapons he has surrounding him. Camden Jones, his top target, gives the Vikings a chance every down to make a big play, and Caden Daniels and Jevon Harrison also have big-play ability. The question mark is youth. Those guys are young and still are learning to make plays at key moments in the game. The Vikings have improved on offense and defense from a year ago -- scoring more points per game and giving up 16 points less than this time last season. Cedar Shoals has struggled offensively, averaging less than nine points per game. The Jaguars defense is giving up almost 35 ppg. If there's a time for the Vikings to put their hat in the ring for a playoff spot, it's Friday night. A win will have folks wondering just how far along this Vikings team really is at the halfway point in the season.
EASTSIDE at FLOWERY BRANCH
Records: Eagles (2-2, 0-0 Region 8-5A); Falcons (2-2, 0-0 Region 8-5A)
Last week: Eastside lost 42-14 to Ola; Flowery Branch lost 49-33 to Lambert
Where: Falcon Field, Flowery Branch
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Flowery Branch: Sr. QB Josh Oliver (47-for-89, 722 yards passing, 6 TDs, 4 INT, 19-88 yards rushing, 4 TDs), Malik Dryden (66-437 yards rushing, 3 TDs, Sr. WR Seth Larson (15-229 yards rec., 2 TDs), Jr. WR Jeremiah Ware (18-245 yards rec., 3 TDs), Sr. LB Cam Haynes, Sr. LB Frank Perez; Eastside: So. QB P Shaw (28-for-45, 301 yards passing, 1 TD, 14-84 yards rushing), Jr. RB J Barr (37-197 yards rushing, 5 TDs, 8-80 rec. yards, 1 TD), Sr. J Cobb (34 tkls), Jr. K Stapp (30 tkls, 1 TFL), Sr. J Jackson (28 tkls, 5 TFL), Jr. Ben Benson (25 tkls, 3 TFL).
WHY WATCH IT? The winner is in the playoff conversation. Yes, putting this much on a Region 8-5A opener sounds ridiculous. However, look at Region 8-5A. Jefferson is the clear frontrunner. Clarke Central will challenge Jefferson for the top spot on Friday. Winder-Barrow is playing well, and Loganville could have a say. Now, insert Flowery Branch and Eastside. That makes five teams vying for four spots. The Falcons are in the same spot they were last season heading into this game, sitting at 2-2 and on a two-game losing streak. The time is now for the Falcons to get back on track, as they have Clarke Central, Winder-Barrow and Jefferson to follow. A win over Eastside on Friday will have the Falcons in much better shape, regardless of what happens over the next three weeks. However, Eastside is in the same boat. If they want a shot at a state playoff spot, the time is also now for them to set themselves apart from the Falcons.
DAWSON COUNTY at WEST HALL
Records: Tigers (0-4, 0-0 Region 7-3A); Spartans (1-3, 0-0 Region 7-3A)
Last week: Dawson County was off; West Hall lost 42-7 to Union County
Where: Spartans Field, Oakwood
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Dawson County: Jr. QB Davis Glass, Jr. RB L Smith, Sr. WR Dom Leblanc, Sr. WR Sawyer Bearden, Jr. DB Preston Bannister, Sr. LB Alex Stewart, Sr. DB Brayden Crane; West Hall: So. QB Brett Sturm (27-for-62, 465 yards, 3 TDs passing, 15-84, 1 TD rushing), Jr. RB Elijah Hayes (40-493 3 TDs rushing), Jr. WR D Altamirano (9-122 yards rec.), Jr WR M Pugh (7-106 yards rec.)
WHY WATCH IT? This game is crucial for both teams and if we're speaking honestly here, it could be the only Region 7-3A win for whoever wins the game. The Tigers bid for a second straight region title is in real jeopardy. They are 0-4 for the first time in nine years, and the production on both sides of the ball is the least it has been in head coach Sid Maxwell's nine seasons at the helm. However, the Tigers are battle-tested, having played one of the toughest schedules in the area -- with a 15-3 combined record of all four opponents. As for West Hall, the Spartans are averaging 18 ppg and giving up 32 ppg. In the two straight losses to Union County and East Jackson, the Spartans averaged seven ppg and gave up 42. On paper, the Spartans have been more productive on offense but only slightly better on defense. So, we can see the Spartans jumping out to a comfortable lead if the Tigers' offense is in sputter mode. If Dawson County finds some offense and keeps its defense rested, the Tigers could very well be in the game at the end.
WEEK 6 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Apalachee at Jackson County*
Banks County at Commerce
Cedar Shoals at East Hall* -- 94.5 FM The Lake
Chestatee at North Oconee*
Clarke Central at Jefferson* -- WDUN FM 102.9
Dawson County at West Hall*
East Forsyth at Walnut Grove*
East Jackson at Johnson
Eastside at Flowery Branch*
Habersham Central at Lanier*
Lakeview Academy at Strong Rock Christian
Lanier Christian at Pinecrest Academy*
Lumpkin County at Pickens*
Marietta at Buford
North Forsyth at Shiloh*
North Hall at Cherokee Bluff* -- WDUN AM 550
Rabun County at Whitefield Academy
Riverside Prep at Oglethorpe County
http://accesswdun.com/article/2023/9/1205007/games2watch