The official end of the regular season for many teams in the GHSA and GISA is not until Nov. 8 with the movement of dozens of game because of Hurricane Helene. But for the 26 teams in the AccessWDUN Sports coverage area, the end for a lot of teams will come on Friday night.
However, for more than a dozen area teams, region titles and playoff positioning will be on the line with 19 games scheduled around the area.
Buford in Region 8-6A and Jefferson in Region 8-3A can claim region titles with wins. Others like Jackson County and Habersham Central in Region 8-5A and Lumpkin County in Region 6-3A, runner-up finishes and a home playoff spot are still within their grasp.
And even more, like Flowery Branch, East Hall, West Hall, Chestatee, Dawson County, and Union County are fighting for their playoff lives and will need wins to stay alive.
It should be a no-holds-barred weekend.
(Gainesville, Lakeview Academy, Towns County all have completed their regular seasons.)
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 Nov. 1
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
BANKS COUNTY at OGLETHORPE COUNTY
Records: Leopards (1-8, 1-4 Region 8-A D1); Patriots (0-9, 0-5 Region 8-A D1)
Last week: Banks County lost 27-10 to Commerce; Oglethorpe County lost 38-35 to Providence Christian
Where: Patriot Stadium, Lexington
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Banks County leads series 13-10. The Leopards won 19-14 in 2023 in Lexington. Banks County has won 6 straight. The last Patriots win came in 2099, 28-12, in Homer. Both teams have been eliminated from the playoffs.
What to watch for: Can Banks County close out Todd Winter’s first season with a win and carry momentum into 2025?
BUFORD at MILL CREEK
Records: Wolves (8-1, 5-0 Region 8-6A); Hawks (7-2, 4-1 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Buford beat Mountain View, 49-7; Mill Creek was off
Where: Markham Field, Hoschton
Radio: WDUN AM 550
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Series is tied 1-1. The Hawks won 31-24 in 2023 in Hoschton. Both teams have won at home. This is the 6th ranked team Buford has played this season. The Wolves are 4-1 so far this season vs. ranked teams with their only loss to Class 5A No. 1-ranked Milton. It is a battle for the region title. The Wolves will win the title outright with a win. The Hawks, however, can force a 3-way tiebreaker with a victory. A win by 7 or more would give Mill Creek a 2nd straight region title with the Wolves taking 2nd place. A Mill Creek win by 6 or less would give the Wolves the title and drop the Hawks to 3rd behind Collins Hill by virtue of their 13-12 loss to the Eagles earlier in the season.
What to watch for: Both defenses but something will have to give for both teams. The Wolves are allowing just 5.6 ppg while the Hawks have given up just 8.8 ppg on defense in region play. Buford is averaging 39.11 ppg while Mill Creek is scoring at a 41.56 ppg clip in 2024.
COMMERCE at PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN
Records: Storm (2-7, 1-4 Region 8-A D1); Tigers (6-3, 4-1 Region 8-A D1)
Last week: Providence Christian beat Oglethorpe County, 38-35; Commerce beat Banks County, 27-10
Where: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
Radio: WJJC 95.1 FM/1270 AM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Commerce leads series 6-0. It’s the first meeting since 2019. It has not been a good matchup for the STorm, who have scored just 19 total points vs. the Tigers in the previous 6 games while surrendering 314 points (52.3 ppg). The Tigers are averaging nearly 300 yards rushing/game and the Storm are giving up 36.11 ppg on the season.
What to watch for: Both teams should make the playoffs based on the PRS but seeding will be impacted for both regardless of outcome.
CREEKSIDE CHRISTIAN at LANIER CHRISTIAN
Records: Cougars (5-3, 2-0, GAPPS 11-man); Lightning (6-3, 0-0, GAPPS 11-man)
Last week: Cherokee Christian beat Central Fellowship Christian, x-x; Lanier Christian beat Dominion Christian, 49-14
Where: Cabbel Field, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Lanier Christian leads series 1-0. The Lightning won 38-10 in the 2022 GAPPS playoffs. It’s pretty simple for LCA: win and the Lightning win the region title and will get the No. 1 seed in the upcoming GAPPS playoffs. They have two common opponents. LCA beat Cross Keys 50-8 and Creekside beat Cross keys 33-6. They both lost to Lakeview Academy. LCA lost to the Lions 21-0 while Creekside lost 52-6 to the Lions.
What to watch for: The Creekside offense vs. the Lightning defense. The Cougars have scored 145 points (36.25 ppg) during a 4-game win streak. LCA, which also has won 4 straight, is allowing just 14.3 ppg on the season.
DAWSON COUNTY at NORTH HALL
Records: Tigers (4-5, 3-4 Region 6-3A); Trojans (7-2, 6-0 Region 6-3A)
Last week: Dawson County lost 38-14 to Lumpkin County; North Hall beat Johnson, 56-7
Where: The Brickyard, Gainesville
Radio: 94.5 FM The Lake; www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Series is tied 5-5. North Hall won 40-7 in 2023 in Dawsonville. All 11 meetings have been since 2012. The Trojans are 3-2 all-time vs. the Tigers at The Brickyard. Despite the Trojans already wrapping up the 6-3A title, seedings will be based on the PRS rankings so they still have plenty to play for. North Hall, which is riding a 7-game win streak, is the 11th highest-ranked team in 3A but is assured of a top 8 seeding based on winning the region title. The Tigers are locked in a 3-way tie for fourth place and face a must-win to stay in the race. They sit 42nd overall and are the 39th rated public school in the PRS heading into the final week. A win over the Trojans would dramatically boost their chances.
What to watch for: The Dawson County defense vs. the Trojans offense. In their 5 losses, the Tigers have yielded 33.8 ppg. In their 4 wins, they have surrendered just 27 points (6.75 ppg) with a pair of shutouts. North Hall Hall is averaging 35.0 during its win streak.
EAST HALL at CHEROKEE BLUFF
Records: Vikings (4-5, 1-3 Region 8-3A); Bears (8-1, 3-1 Region 8-3A)
Last week: East Hall beat West Hall, 42-35; Cherokee Bluff lost 35-7 to Jefferson
Where: Yonah Field, Flowery Branch
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Cherokee Bluff leads series 3-1. The Bears won 49-0 in 2023 at home. They have won 3 straight in the series. Bluff already has clinched a playoff berth but could finish anywhere from region champ to 3rd depending on Friday’s region outcomes. The Vikings, meanwhile, can get in with a win or a loss, also depending on other outcomes. East Hall needs Monroe Area to lose to West Hall regardless, but can clinch a spot with a loss to the Bears if Monroe Area loses to West Hall by 6-8 points. A East Hall win and a Monroe Area win would eliminate the Vikings.
What to watch for: Jarmarcus Harrison. The junior QB piled up 389 total yards last week. If the Bears cannot contain him they could make things very interesting. Bluff if allowing just 16.3 ppg on the season.
ELBERT COUNTY at RABUN COUNTY
Records: Blue Devils (4-5, 3-2 Region 8-A D1); Wildcats (6-3, 3-2 Region 8-A D1)
Last week: Elbert County was off; Rabun County lost 34-28 to Athens Academy
Where: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Rabun County leads series 7-1. Elbert County won 21-9 in 2023 in Tiger. The winner will be the No. 3 seed with the loser dropping to fourth. But with the PRS system being used to seed the playoff brackets, among public schools, Rabun is 18th and Elbert is 23rd in the latest PRS rankings in Class A D1. The Wildcats ran for 290 yards last week but was just 1-for-5 for 6 yards passing. The Blue Devils are 0-3 vs. ranked teams in 2024 and allowed 111 points (37.0 ppg) in those games.
What to watch for: Both teams should be a lock to make the Class A D1 playoff field regardless of the outcome but playoff seeding will be affected.
FLOWERY BRANCH at CEDAR SHOALS
Records: Falcons (3-6, 2-3 Region 8-4A); Jaguars (0-9, 0-5 Region 8-4A)
Last week: Flowery Branch lost 63-7 to North Oconee; Cedar Shoals lost 62-10 to Eastside
Where: Waters-Wilkins Stadium, Athens
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Flowery Branch leads series 10-0. The Falcons won 34-14 in 2021 at Falcon Field and all 10 meetings have been since 2010. The Falcons can clinch a playoff spot with a win. They also can finish as high as 3rd if they win and can get a Madison County win by 7 or more points over East Forsyth.
What to watch for: The Jaguars defense. Cedar has lost 10 straight games and is allowing 44.1 ppg on the season. They have allowed 29 or more in every game this season. The Falcons are averaging just 13.3 ppg in 2024.
FORSYTH CENTRAL at NORTH FORSYTH
Records: Bulldogs (3-6, 2-4 Region 6-6A); Raiders (4-5, 2-4 Region 6-6A)
Last week: Forsyth Central beat South Forsyth, 34-21; North Forsyth beat Alpharetta, 24-14
Where: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: North Forsyth leads series 14-8. The Raiders won 27-17 in 2023 in Col Mountain and have won 3 straight over the Bulldogs. Both teams have been eliminated from the playoffs. NoFo, however, can still finish at .500 for the season with a victory giving the Raiders 6 consecutive non-losing regular seasons, the longest such streak in program history.
What to watch for: The North Forsyth offense. The Raiders are 3-1 win scoring 24 or more points. They are 0-4 when scoring less than 24.
GAC at CHESTATEE
Records: Spartans (4-5, 4-2 Region 6-3A); War Eagles (4-5, 3-3 Region 6-3A)
Last week: GAC lost 28-25 to Pickens; Chestatee beat White County, 24-21
Where: Lynn Cottrell Complex, Gainesville
Radio: WDUN 102.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. The War Eagles are right in the middle of the playoff race. They are in a 3-way tie for fourth and face a must-win to stay alive. Chestatee is 36th in 3A in the PRS rankings among public schools and a win could boost them into the top 32. GAC is also fighting for playoff positioning in the private bracket. The Spartans are just 18th among private schools in the Class A-3A. The top 16 get a first round playoff game at home.
What to watch for: The Chestatee defense vs. the Spartans offense. The War Eagles have won 3 of 4 and have given up just 57 points (14.25 ppg) in that span. GAC is averaging 27.3ppg in region play.
JACKSON COUNTY at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
Records: Panthers (7-2, 4-1 Region 8-5A); Raiders (4-5, 3-2 Region 8-5A)
Last week: Jackson County beat Loganville, 31-0; Habersham Central beat Apalachee, 49-14
Where: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Habersham Central leads series 9-1. The Raiders won 34-27 in OT in 2023. The Panthers only win in the series came in 2022, 38-13 in Hoschton. Both teams have clinched playoff spots and both could finish 2nd for sure. Jackson County is still alive for a region title but they must win and get a Winder-Barrow win by 12 or more. It would then go to a series of tiebreakers. They also could finish as low as 4th depending on other outcomes. A Panthers win and a Clarke Central win gives them 2nd outright. The Raiders also could finish 2nd. They need to beat the Panthers by 12 or more and get a Clarke win over Winder-Barrow. Both teams are hot. The Panthers have won 4 straight, their longest streak since winning 6 straight in 1992. The Raiders have won 2 straight.
What to watch for: The Jackson County defense vs. the Raiders offense. Hab Central has scored 101 points the last two games and is averaging 34.0 ppg on the season. The Panthers have yielded just 26 points (6.5 ppg) during their win streak.
JEFFERSON at OCONEE COUNTY
Records: Dragons (7-2, 4-0 Region 8-3A); Warriors (5-4, 3-1 Region 8-3A)
Last week: Jefferson beat Cherokee Bluff, 35-7; Oconee County beat Monroe Area, 20-0
Where: Warriors Stadium, Watkinsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Jefferson leads series 13-11.The Dragons won 44-7 in 2023 at Memorial Stadium but this is the 9th meeting since 2014 and the two teams have split the 8 meetings in that span. The Warriors are 3-1 at home vs. Jefferson in that span. The Dragons can win the region title outright with a win. Oconee County can force a 3-way tie for first place with a win but will need to win by 10 or more points to claim the title.
What to watch for: Both defenses. Two of Class 3As best defenses will be on display. Oconee is giving up just 13.6 ppg behind guys like LB Zach Weeks, who had 7 tackles, including a pair of sacks, last week. Jefferson is surrendering 15.3 ppg LBs Rett Hemphill and Jayden Yang. DB Chance Payne picked off 2 passes and blocked a punt last week.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at PICKENS
Records: Indians (6-3, 4-2 Region 6-3A); Dragons (5-4, 3-3 Region 6-3A)
Last week: Lumpkin County beat Dawson County, 38-14; Pickens beat GAC, 28-25
Where: Dragon Stadium, Jasper
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Lumpkin County leads series 20-19-1. The Indians won 49-14 in 2023 in Jasper and have won 5 straight over the Dragons. The Last Pickens win came in 2006, 28-0 in Dahlonega. Lumpkin can wrap up the No. 2 seed in the region with a win. The Dragons currently are in a 3-way tie for fourth and need a win to stay in the playoff race. They need a win and a Chestatee loss to have any chance at the postseason without having to rely on the PRS rankings for one of the at-large bids. They sit 35th in the latest rankings. RB Nolan Matthews rushed for 232 yards and 2 TDs last week.
What to watch for: The Pickens offense vs. the Indians defense. The Dragons are averaging 28.8 ppg in region play while Lumpkin is giving up 26.6 ppg in region play.
MADISON COUNTY at EAST FORSYTH
Records: Red Raiders (4-5, 2-3 Region 8-4A); Broncos (7-2, 3-2 Region 8-4A)
Last week: Madison County beat Walnut Grove, 21-6; East Forsyth was off
Where: Bronco Stadium, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Madison County leads series 2-0. The Red Raiders won 50-34 in 2023. The two teams are battling for their playoff lives. East Forsyth currently sts third and a win would seal a playoff spot. But if Madison wins by 7 and Flowery Branch wins, the Falcons would be 3rd, Madison 4th, and the Broncos would be eliminated. If Madison wins by less than 7, Branch would take 3rd, the Broncos 4th and Madison would be eliminated.
What to watch for: The East Forsyth defense vs. the Red Raiders offense. In their previous two meetings, both in the last two seasons, it has been a tough matchup for the Broncos. They have given up 92 points (46.0ppg) to the Madison County triple-option. A playoff spot hangs in the balance if they can’t slow down the Red Raiders this time around.
NORTH COBB CHRISTIAN at UNION COUNTY
Records: Eagles (8-1, 6-1 Region 7-2A); Panthers (4-5, 4-3 Region 7-2A)
Last week: North Cobb Christian beat Lakeview Ft. Oglethorpe, 47-21; Union County lost 36-30 to Sonoraville
Where: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. Last week’s loss puts the Panthers in a must-win situation vs. an Eagles squad that is 6th in PRS in 2A and No. 11 overall in the Private PRS rankings. Union County sits 23rd among the public schools in the PRS so the Panthers could be in line for one of the 6 at-large bids in 2A even with a loss. But a Ringgold loss to Coahulla Creek (1-8) and a win over the Eagles would give them the No. 3 seed.
What to watch for: The Union County defense vs. the Eagles offense. North Cobb Christian leads 7-2A in offense (292, 32.56 ppg) while the Panthers have surrendered 30.0 ppg over their last 4 games.
STEPHENS COUNTY at EAST JACKSON
Records: Indians (5-4, 2-2 Region 8-2A); Eagles (4-5, 1-3 Region 8-2A)
Last week: Stephens County beat Hart County, 37-34; East Jackson lost 62-14 to Prince Avenue Christian
Where: East Jackson Stadium, Commerce
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Stephens County leads series 2-0. The Indians won 24-0 in 2021 in Commerce. The Eagles are tied for 4th with Hart County in the region but the Bulldogs own the head-to-head tiebreaker. However, the Eagles sit 23rd overall in the PRS rankings so they also could still be in line for one of the 6 at-large bids in 2A even with a loss.
What to watch for: The Stephens County offense vs. the Eagles defense. East Jackson is 0-5 when allowing more than 21 points. The Indians are averaging 26.1 ppg and have scored 190 points (38.0 ppg) in their 5 wins.
WEST HALL at MONROE AREA
Records: Spartans (4-5, 1-3 Region 8-3A); Hurricanes (4-4, 1-3 Region 8-3A)
Last week: West Hall lost 42-35 to East Hall;
Where: The Purple Pit, Monroe
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Monroe Area leads series 4-0. It’s the first meeting between the teams since 2011, a 34-0 Monroe Area win. Both teams are still alive for a playoff berth. The Hurricanes get in as the 4th seed wit a win. The Spartans, however, need a a East Hall loss to Cherokee Bluff and also would have to win by 9 or more points to win the tiebreaker over the Hurricanes and the Vikings.
What to watch for: The West Hall defense. The Spartans gave up just 80 points (16.0 ppg) in their first 5 games but have been torched for 182 points (45.5 ppg) in region play. The Hurricanes are averaging 26.0 ppg on offense.
WHITE COUNTY at JOHNSON
Records: Warriors (2-7, 1-5 Region 6-3A); Knights (0-9, 0-6 Region 6-3A)
Last week: White County lost 24-21 to Chestatee; Johnson lost 56-7 to North Hall
Where: The Dungeon, Oakwood
Radio: WRWH 93.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Johnson leads series 8-2. First meeting since 2007, a 13-12 Warriors win in Oakwood. Both teams have been eliminated from any postseason play.
What to watch for: Which team will end its losing streak to end the season. The Warriors have lost 5 straight while the Knights are trying to avoid a winless campaign.
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