Most coaches and players say all they want is to be in the playoff conversation at the end of the season.
Cherokee Bluff on Thursday insured just that with a 17-10 win over Oconee County in a huge Region 8-3A battle. The win clinched a playoff spot for the Bears.
In what should once again be a noisy weekend, more than a half-dozen teams, including the Bears, are still alive for region titles, and well more than a dozen are still in the playoff hunt as the 2024 campaign enters its final month of the season.
Buford, Gainesville, Jackson County, Jefferson, North Hall, Lumpkin County, Commerce, and Rabun County are all still alive as they try to capture region crowns. All of those teams except Jefferson and Rabun County will be in action on Friday.
The marquee matchup tonight will see North Hall travel to Lumpkin County as the two teams duke it out in Region 6-3A. With a win, the Trojans can almost wrap up their first title since 2012, and the Indians can force a three-way tie. It should be a dandy at The Burial Grounds.
Jackson County can force its way back into the Region 8-5A title picture with a win over Winder-Barrow at home. If the Panthers can beat the Bulldoggs and then have the Bulldoggs knock off Clarke Central in two weeks, that could send things to tiebreakers.
On Friday, 17 games will kick off around northeast Georgia, all of which involve regional action. It will be interesting to see what the playoff landscape will look like when the smoke clears.
(East Hall, Habersham Central, Jefferson, Rabun County, Towns County and West Hall are all off.)
To look at 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. 18
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
ATHENS CHRISTIAN at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
Records: Eagles (3-5, 2-3 GIAA District 4-4A/3A); Lions (7-1, 4-1 GIAA District 4-4A/3A)
Last week: Athens Christian was off; Lakeview beat King’s Academy, 35-13
Where: Lakeview Stadium, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Athens Christian leads series 8-1. Lakeview won 57-14 in 2023. The Lions currently sit 2nd in the district and still have a shot at the district title. But they can’t look past an Eagles team that is much-improved over last year’s winless squad. However, the Eagles have dropped 3 straight, including the last two by shutout. They have scored just 15 points in that span. The Lions are giving up just 10.88 ppg.
What to watch for: The Lakeview offense vs. the Eagles defense. The Lions are averaging 29.2 ppg in region play. Athens Christian is giving up 23.13 ppg but has surrendered 33.3 ppg during the losing streak.
CENTRAL GWINNETT at BUFORD
Records: Black Knights (3-4, 0-3 Region 8-6A); Wolves (6-1, 3-0 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Buford beat Dacula, 51-14; Central Gwinnett lost 28-20 to Mountain View
Where: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Buford leads series 8-6-1. The Wolves won 67-0 in 2023 at Tom Riden. They have won five straight going back to 2005. This is the fifth straight year they have played, and the Wolves have outscored the Black Knights 208-7 with 3 shutouts in that span. The last Central win in the series came in 2004. It also ended the Wolves’ 47-game win streak at that time. A Buford win and a Dacula loss to Mountain View would clinch a playoff spot for the Wolves.
What to watch for: The Buford defense vs. the Black Knights offense. Central Gwinnett has scored just 34 points in region play (11.3 ppg), while Buford has allowed just 21 points (7.0 ppg) in region play.
CHEROKEE CHRISTIAN at LANIER CHRISTIAN
Records: Warriors (1-4, 0-0 GAPPS 11-man); Lightning (4-3, 1-0 GAPPS 11-man)
Last week: Cherokee Christian was off; LCA beat Cross Keys, 50-8
Where: Cabbel Field, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Lanier Christian leads series 1-0. The Lightning won 38-10 in 2022 in the GAPPS playoffs. LCA has found its offense, scoring 107 points during a 2-game win streak. The Warriors allowed 170 points in their 4 losses (42.5 ppg).
What to watch for: LCA is looking for its first 3-game win streak since opening the 2022 campaign 3-0.
COMMERCE at OGLETHORPE COUNTY
Records: Tigers (4-3, 2-1 Region 8-A D1); Patriots (0-7, 0-3 Region 8-A D1)
Last week: Commerce was off; Oglethorpe County lost 48-14 to Rabun County
Where: Patriot Stadium, Lexington
Radio: WJJC 95.1 FM/1270 AM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Commerce leads series 11-5. This is the first meeting between the two teams since 1997. The Tigers have 5 straight in the series. The last Patriots win came in 1992. It’s a streaky series in that the two teams played every year from 1952-57, didn’t play again until 1989, and then played every year from 1989-1997. The Tigers are still fighting for a region title. The Patriots need a win to stay alive in the playoff race.
What to watch for: The Commerce offense vs. the Patriots defense. The Tigers have averaged 34.6 ppg since Jaiden Daniels took over as QB. The Patriots have allowed the most points in the region (283, 40.43 ppg).
DAWSON COUNTY at CHESTATEE
Records: Tigers (3-4, 2-2 Region 6-3A); War Eagles (3-4, 2-2 Region 6-3A)
Last week: Dawson County beat White County, 14-0; Chestatee beat Pickens, 37-14
Where: Lynn Cottrell Complex, Gainesville
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Series is tied 4-4. This is the first meeting between the two teams since 2019, a 45-42 Dawson County win in Gainesville. The Tigers have won two straight in the series. This is the first time they have met as region foes, and it has huge playoff implications. They are tied for fourth, but neither team will be eliminated with a loss. However, a Chestatee win would give the War Eagles a full-game lead and the tiebreaker edge over both Pickens and the Tigers with two games left. They have not made the playoffs since 2016. Dawson County has won two straight and needs a win to stay alive. It has the toughest finish in the region, with Lumpkin County and North Hall left to close out the season.
What to watch for: The Chestatee offense vs. the Tigers defense. Dawson County has surrendered just 21 points (7.0 ppg) over its last three games, including last week’s impressive shutout of a Warriors team that had been averaging 29.7 ppg and had not been shutout in 21 games, the last time ironically by the Tigers in 2022. Chestatee’s wing-T is starting to come into form. They have scored 118 points (39.3 ppg) over their last three games and have averaged over 300 yards rushing behind Ben Plemons (880 yards, 10 TD, 6 100-yard games) and Hector Espinoza (241 yards, 4 TD, 2 100-yard games).
EAST FORSYTH at EASTSIDE
Records: Broncos (7-1, 3-1 Region 8-4A); Eagles (7-1, 3-1 Region 8-4A)
Last week: East Forsyth beat Walnut Grove, 34-15; Eastside lost 40-35 to North Oconee
Where: Sharp Stadium, Covington
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. This is a true battle for 2nd place in the region and a home playoff game in the playoffs. The loser will drop into 3rd. Eastside is the highest-scoring team in the region (323, 40.38 ppg), while the Broncos are 2nd in defense, yielding just 15.5 ppg. DB Titus D’Arcangelo had a big game last week with 5 tackles, 5 assists, a fumble recovery and an INT return for a TD. The Broncos gave up just 24 to North Oconee, while the Eagles surrendered 40 last week, including the game-winning score with 19 seconds left. East Forsyth has produced 55 TFLs, including 17 sacks, with 9 turnovers, including 6 fumble recoveries, on the season. Eastside’s Jayden Barr had 134 yards rushing and scored all 5 Eastside touchdowns last week.
What to watch for: The Eastside defense vs. the Broncos offense. This is where the game will probably be won or lost. East Forsyth will need to find balance. Broncos’ QB Brock Szakacs has thrown for 1,280 yards and 14 TDs and has four receivers with 15 or more catches on the season with 8 combined TD catches. RB DJ Haskell has 515 yards and 9 TDs rushing. The Eagles' pass defense has 13 sacks, 10 QB hurries and has picked off 7 passes on the season and has forced 7 fumbles as well.
GAINESVILLE at CHATTAHOOCHEE
Records: Red Elephants (6-2, 3-1 Region 7-5A); Cougars (4-3, 0-3 Region 7-5A)
Last week: Gainesville lost 42-24 to Milton; Chattahoochee lost 63-7 to Roswell
Where: The Arena, Alpharetta
Radio: 94.5 FM The Lake
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Gainesville leads series 1-0. The Red Elephants won 44-0 in 2021 in Alpharetta. Despite last week’s loss, Big Red is still in the region title hunt. But they have to beat the Cougars and then Roswell next week while hoping the Hornets knock off Milton in two weeks. They could set up no worse than a battle for 2nd place and a home playoff game next week against Roswell. They can’t get caught looking past a Cougars team that is on a 3-game losing streak and has been outscored 170-33 in region play so far. The Red Elephants' defense took a couple of big hits last when LB Xavier Griffin and DE Kadin Fossung both left last week’s game with injuries and did not return. Their status is unknown coming into Friday.
What to watch for: The Gainesville offense vs. the Cougars defense. Big Red has feasted on most defenses all season, even scoring 24 last week against one of the best units in the state. Chattahoochee is yielding 34.43 ppg and 56.7 ppg in the region.
GEORGE WALTON ACADEMY at RIVERSIDE PREP
Records: Bulldogs (5-3, 4-1 GIAA District 4-4A/3A); Eagles (0-8, 0-5 GIAA District 4-4A/3A)
Last week: George Walton was off; Riverside lost 34-6 to Piedmont Academy
Where: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: George Walton leads series 9-4. The Bulldogs won 72-7 in 2023 and have won 6 of the last 7 going back to 2010. The rebuilding Eagles have shown signs of improvement despite the winless campaign to this point. After scoring just 6 points in their first 4 games, they have averaged 11.25 ppg over their past 4 games.
What to watch for: The Bulldogs are fighting for a region title. Can the Eagles play spoiler and snap their 33-game losing streak? George Walton is averaging 40.4 ppg in region play.
HART COUNTY at EAST JACKSON
Records: Bulldogs (3-4, 0-2 Region 8-2A); Eagles (4-3, 1-1 Region 8-2A)
Last week: Hart County was off; East Jackson was off
Where: Eagles Stadium, Commerce
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Hart County leads series 11-1. The Bulldogs won 52-18 in 2021 in Hartwell. Hart County has won 5 straight in the series. The Eagles’ only win came in 2016, 28-19, at home. A return to the playoffs for the Eagles may rest on this game, with Prince Avenue and Stephens County to follow. East Jackson is tied with Stephens County for third place with Stephens, and with the PRS in place, the highest-finishing public school in the region should make the playoffs. A win over the Bulldogs would give them the tiebreaker edge and a 2-game lead with just two games remaining after Friday.
What to watch for: It is a battle of the bottom two offenses vs. the bottom two defenses in the region. Defense has really been the issue for both squads. Hart is giving up 27.86 ppg but in their 4 losses, the Bulldogs have allowed 153 points (38.25 ppg). In the Eagles’ 3 losses, they have given up 54.6 ppg. In their 4 wins, they have surrendered just 71 points (17.75 ppg).
JOHNSON at PICKENS
Records: Knights (0-7, 0-4 Region 6-3A); Dragons (3-4, 1-3 Region 6-3A)
Last week: Johnson lost 64-14 to Lumpkin County; Pickens lost 37-14 to Chestatee
Where: Dragons Stadium, Jasper
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Pickens leads series 8-6. First meeting since 2015, a 24-14 Dragons win in Jasper. They have won 4 straight in the series. The last Johnson win came in 2009 in Jasper. The Knights would be eliminated from the playoff race with a loss. The Dragons dropped into a tie for 6th, one game behind both Chestatee and Dawson County. It’s a must-win for Pickens with GAC and Lumpkin still left. They may have to win out to get into the playoffs.
What to watch for: Johnson has scored just 21 points on the season. But Pickens has given up 80 points during its 2-game losing streak.
NORTH FORSYTH at WEST FORSYTH
Records: Raiders (3-4, 1-3 Region 6-6A); Wolverines (5-2, 3-1 Region 6-6A)
Last week: North Forsyth lost 27-17 to North Atlanta; West Forsyth beat South Forsyth, 38-0
Where: Wolverine Stadium, Cumming
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: West Forsyth leads series 11-5. The Wolverines won 17-14 in 2023 at home, snapping a 3-game Raiders win streak in the series. NoFo has its back against the wall with a 3-game losing streak against Lambert, Denmark, and North Atlanta coming into this one. The Raiders face a must-win scenario to stay alive for the playoffs.
What to watch for: The North Forsyth offense vs. the Wolverines defense. The Raiders have scored just 31 points the past two weeks, while West Forsyth leads the region in defense, allowing just 15.86 ppg. The Wolverines have forced 11 turnovers. The Raiders are averaging over 300 yards/game and have just 5 turnovers (2 INT, 3 fumbles) on the season.
NORTH HALL at LUMPKIN COUNTY
Records: Trojans (5-2, 4-0 Region 6-3A); Indians (5-2, 3-1 Region 6-3A)
Last week: North Hall beat GAC, 27-23; Lumpkin County beat Johnson, 64-14
Where: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
Radio: WDUN 102.9 FM; www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: North Hall leads series 23-7. The Trojans won 37-7 in 2021 and have won seven straight and 14 of the last 15 meetings going back to 1982. The last Indians’ win came in 2010 at The Brickyard. The last Lumpkin win in the series at home was in 1976. This might be the biggest game ever in the series, with the fate of Region 6-3A hanging in the balance. Both teams have plenty to gain and plenty to lose. With a win, the Trojans can clinch a playoff spot and set their magic number to one for their first region title since 2012. But the Indians can create a three-way tie atop the standings with a win. However, a Lumpkin loss could drop them to third place in the standings.
What to watch for: The Lumpkin County offense vs. the Trojans defense. The Indians lead the region in scoring (252, 36.0 ppg) behind QB Cal Faulkner and RB Nolan Matthews. North Hall is yielding just 20.2 ppg over its last 5 games but has been susceptible to the run. If the Indians' O-line can find some seams for Matthews and Faulker, that could be the key to the game.
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN at BANKS COUNTY
Records: Storm (1-6, 0-3 Region 8-A D1); Leopards (0-7, 0-3 Region 8-A D1)
Last week: Providence Christian lost 52-7 to Athens Academy; Banks County lost 33-0 to Elbert County
Where: Leopards Stadium, Homer
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: The series is tied 1-1. The Storm won 55-14 in 2023. The home team has won both games in the series. The loser of this one is eliminated from the playoff race. This one features the bottom two offenses in the region. The Leopards are mired in a 13-game losing streak that is one off the program record.
What to watch for: Banks County offense vs. the Storm defense. The Leopards have scored just 42 points as they are still trying to implement a new triple-option attack. Meanwhile, the Storm have allowed the 2nd-most points (256, 36.57 ppg) in the region.
UNION COUNTY at COAHULLA CREEK
Records: Panthers (3-4, 3-2 Region 7-2A); Colts (1-6, 1-4 Region 7-2A)
Last week: Union County was off; Coahulla Creek beat Murray County, 36-0
Where: Colts Stadium, Dalton
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. The Panthers have had two weeks to get the bad taste out of its mouth following their disappointing loss to Ringgold (31-0). The offense had been averaging 41.0 ppg over a 4-game stretch behind Fr. QB Kamden Kendrick (1,154 yards, 61%, 11 TD, 8 INT) until running into Ringgold. The Colts had scored just 27 points on the season until last week.
What to watch for: The Panthers are in a must-win mode. They cannot afford to look past the Colts. Union County sits 4th in the standings, just one-half game ahead of Ringgold. The Colts are giving up 29.71 ppg on defense.
WALNUT GROVE at FLOWERY BRANCH
Records: Warriors (4-3, 1-2 Region 8-4A); Falcons (2-5, 1-2 Region 8-4A)
Last week: Walnut Grove lost 34-15 to East Forsyth; Flowery Branch beat Madison County, 32-23
Where: Falcon Field, Flowery Branch
Radio: WDUN AM 550
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Series is tied 1-1. The Falcons won 49-13 in 2017. The home team is 2-0 in the series. The Falcons played themselves back into the playoff picture last week. Now, they face another must-win scenario in a true battle for fourth place and the final playoff spot. Both teams still have No. 4 and unbeaten North Oconee left to play, and the Falcons finish against winless Cedar Shoals in two weeks. Walnut Grove beat Cedar Shoals earlier in the season. The winner will hold the key head-to-head tiebreaker and a one-game lead. The loser is not eliminated but would probably have to win out and hope the other team loses out to get in. Walnut Grove’s 4 wins have come against Discovery, Loganville, Apalachee, and Cedar Shoals, who are a combined 0-26 on the season. Branch is 2-2 at home in 2024.
What to watch for: The Branch offense vs. the Warriors defense. In their 2 wins, the Falcons have averaged 27.5 ppg. In their 5 losses, they have scored just 38 points (7.6 ppg). The Warriors are giving up 20.0 ppg but have surrendered 94 points (31.3 ppg) in region play.
WHITE COUNTY at GAC
Records: Warriors (2-5, 1-3 Region 6-3A); Spartans (3-4, 3-1 Region 6-3A)
Last week: White County lost 14-0 to Dawson County; GAC lost 27-23 to North Hall
Where: Spartans Sports Complex, Lilburn
Radio: WRWH 93.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: GAC leads series 2-0. This is the first meeting between the teams since 2001, a 36-3 win for the Spartans in Lilburn. It’s pretty simple for the Warriors, who are in a tie for 6th with Pickens and one game back of fourth place: win and stay alive for a playoff spot. Lose, and they could face elimination depending on the Chestatee-Dawson County outcome.
What to watch for: The White County offense vs. the GAC defense. After averaging 36.7 ppg the first three weeks of the season, the Warriors are averaging just 17.0 ppg since. Warriors’ QB Tripp Nix, who leads Class 3A in passing, threw for over 250 yards last week, but White County was stopped three times inside the red zone by the Tigers.
WINDER-BARROW at JACKSON COUNTY
Records: Bulldoggs (5-2, 3-0 Region 8-5A); Panthers (5-2, 2-1 Region 8-5A)
Last week: Winder-Barrow was off; Jackson County was off
Where: Panther Stadium, Hoschton
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Winder-Barrow leads series 8-2. This is the first meeting since 2013, a 26-21 Bulldoggs win on the road. There is a lot riding on this one for both teams. Both are still alive for a region title and a home playoff game. The Panthers can win the region if they can win out, including a win over the Bulldoggs on Friday and a Winder-Barrow win over Clarke Central in two weeks. That would send it to tiebreakers if all three finish with just one loss. At worst, this is for 2nd place in the region at the moment. The Bulldoggs can win the region if they can beat the Panthers and the Gladiators to close out the season. It is also a big game for the Panthers, who can clinch their first winning regular season since 2012.
What to watch for: The Jackson County defense vs. MJ Dowdy and the Bulldoggs offense. The Panthers are the No. 1 defense in the region, yielding just 16.86 ppg. They have allowed just 43 points (14.3 ppg) in the region. Winder-Barrow has scored 133 points (44.3 ppg) in its first three region games. The Panthers have racked up 48 TFl, including 12 sacks, and have forced 9 turnovers, including 7 INTs. The Bulldoggs are averaging 450 yards/game, including 250 on the ground, led by Dowdy (1,170 yards, 16 TD). The Jr. RB led Class 5A and was 4th in the state overall in rushing heading into last week.
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