Week 4 finds most every team still getting things worked out during non-region play. Meanwhile, Riverside Prep and Lakeview Academy will region play on Friday night.
The Riverside and Lakeview games may technically be the most important on the night, but several other contests are sure to be offer plenty of intrigue and excitement for northeast Georgia area teams.
Both Riverside and Lakeview play in GIAA District 4-A/3A. The Eagles will play host to Bethlehem Christian while Lakeview hits the long road trip to take on Piedmont Academy in Monticello. The Lions are looking to stay unbeaten on the season while the Eagles are looking to snap a long 28-game losing streak and snag their first win of the season.
But a pair of games -- Buford heading to Roswell and Jefferson playing host to Stephens County -- have ranked teams playing each other highlighting a big night. Buford is ranked third in Class 6A and Roswell eighth in Class 5A. Jefferson is second in Class 3A and Stephens County is second in Class 2A.
Undefeated East Hall heads The Brickyard to take on North Hall trying to end a 23-year drought against the Trojans.
Habersham Central plays host to Cherokee Bluff in a battle of two teams coming off big wins last week. And Commerce, with a healthy Jaiden Daniels back in the lineup, travels to Madison County in a showdown of powerful option offenses in Danielsville.
In all, 17 games are on tap involving northeast Georgia area teams covered by AccessWDUN. Just four teams in our coverage currently are ranked in the AccessWDUN Composite poll this week.
(Gainesville, Jackson County, Lanier Christian, North Forsyth all are off.)
For a look at all of the weekend's contests involving area teams, simply 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: @FridayGameNigh
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR Sept. 6
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
BETHLEHEM CHRISTIAN at RIVERSIDE PREP
Records: Knights (3-0, 0-0 GIAA District 4-A/3A); Eagles (0-3, 0-0 GIAA District 4-A/3A)
Last week: Bethlehem beat Mt. Zion, Carroll, 14-13; Riverside lost 27-0 to Lanier Christian
Where: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Knights lead series 2-0. Bethlehem won 51-0 in 2023. RPA is still in rebuild-mode under new coach Jeff Lee. The Eagles have now lost a program-record 28-straight games going back to 2021. It won;t get any easier as RPA QB JJ Blackwell left last week’s game with an injury and his status is unknown coming into this week. The Knights have won 13 straight regular season games. The Eagles have scored just 6 points so far in 2024.
What to watch for: The RPA defense vs. the Knights offense. With the Eagles struggling on offense and perhaps without Blackwell, keeping the game close is a must.
BUFORD at ROSWELL
Records: Wolves (1-1, Region 8-6A), ranked No. 2 in Class 6A; Hornets (2-0, Region 7-5A), ranked No. 7 in Class 5A
Last week: Buforfd was off; Roswell beat Walton, 42-32
Where: Ray Manus Stadium, Roswell
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Roswell leads the series 12-3. The Hornets won 16-7 in 2016 in the Class 5A state final. Just the second meeting since 1983, which was also the last Wolves’ win in the series, 34-10, in the old Buford stadium. The teams first met in 1958. This will be the third ranked opponent for Buford in its first three games. The Hornets are the 2nd 7-5A team Buford has faced in 2024, falling 13-10 to No. 1 Milton in its opener. Region 7-5A leads Class 5A with a 15-4 record overall. Buford has not started a season 1-2 since opening the 1998 campaign 0-3. The Hornets are trying to start 3-0 for the 6th time in their last 7 seasons. The Roswell defense has 17 TFLs and 9 sacks in its first two games.
What to watch for: The Buford defense vs. the Hornets offense. The Wolves are facing another potent offense. Roswell is averaging 31.5 ppg and the 42 last week was the most scored on a Walton defense since the 2022 playoffs. Roswell is led by Jr. QB Trey Smith has thrown for 277 yards and run for 128 (3 TD passing, 4 TD rushing) with a 100-yard rush game as well, and Jr. RB Synkwan Smith (229 yards, 2 TD).
CHEROKEE BLUFF at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
Records: Bears (3-0, Region 8-3A); Raiders (1-2, Region 8-5A)
Last week: Cherokee Bluff beat North Hall, 38-13; Habersham Central beat White County, 31-28
Where: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. The Bears have looked as balanced as any team in the area in the early going. They are averaging 39.3 ppg behind an invigorated offense, led by QB Brooks Brien and RBs Connor Griffin and Jacksn Pirkle. The Raiders defense is giving up 26.3 ppg. Bluff is 1-0 vs. 8-5A teams this season after knocking off Apalachee in Week 2. The 2nd quarter has been the key for the Bears so far. They have outscored their first three opponents 42-7 in the 2nd quarter.
What to watch for: Bluff defense vs. the Raiders offense. Hab Central broke out of its sluggish start with 31 points last week after scoring just 23 in its first two games, both losses. The Raiders rushed for 186 yards last week. The Bears defense is yielding just 13.3 ppg and they gave up just 66 yards on the ground to North Hall last week.
CHESTATEE at EAST FORSYTH
Records: War Eagles (1-1, Region 6-3A); Broncos (0-0, Region 8-4A)
Last week: Chestatee lost 31-19 to West Hall; East Forsyth beat Winder-Barrow, 34-30
Where: Broncos Stadium, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Series is tied 1-1 with both teams winning at home. The Broncos won 51-20 in 2023. East Forsyth rallied in knocking off the then-undefeated Bulldoggs on the road. DJ Haskell had the play of the game last week for the Broncos with a 95-yard kickoff return for the game-winning score late in the 4th quarter. Bryan Silguero scored all 3 TDs (2 receiving, 1 rushing) for the War Eagles last week. RB Ben Plemmons has 220 yards and 3 TD rushing for Chestatee.
What to watch for: The Chestatee defense vs. the Broncos offense. The War Eagles are much-improved so far in the early going, allowing just 26 ppg after surrendering 43.6 ppg last season. They have forced 3 tournovers in two games. But they will face their toughest challenge to date in 2024. East Forsyth QB Brock Szakacs is completing 73% of his passes, averaging 236 yards/game with 6 TDs so far in 2024.
COMMERCE at MADISON COUNTY
Records: Tigers (1-2, Region 8-A D1); Red Raiders (2-0, Region 8-4A)
Last week: Commerce beat Luella, 17-14; Madison County beat Loganville, 27-7
Where: Red Raider Stadium, Danielsville
Radio: WJJC 95.1 FM/1270 AM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Commerce leads series 35-11. Played each other all but two seasons from 1958 to 2003. But this is just the third meeting since then. The Tigers have won 9 straight in the series. The last Madison County win came in 1994, 21-12, in Commerce. The Red Raiders have not beaten the Tigers in Danielsville since 1993. Jaiden Daniels rushed for over 100 yards in his first start at QB for the Tigers. With FB Tysean Wiggins and RB Jacari Huff also still in the backfield they will be a formidable group to stop.
What to watch for: The defenses. Both offenses employ a power triple-option attack. Both defenses are very familiar so whichever one is able to stay more disciplined and make tackles should win this one.
DALTON at RABUN COUNTY
Records: Catamounts (0-3, Region 7-4A); Wildcats (1-1, Region 8-A D1), ranked 7th in Class A D1
Last week: Dalton lost 12-0 to Northwest Whitfield; Rabun County was off
Where: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. Coming into the season this looked like a tremendous matchup of perennial playoff teams. But the Catamounts are in full rebuild with a roster that consists of over 60% freshmen. They are 0-3 for the first time since 1975 and last week’s loss was their first to Northwest since 2004. The Wildcats are hoping to get back QB Ty Truelove who has been out since the opener. The 7 points scored 2 weeks ago was only the 3rd time since 2016 they have scored less than 10 points in a game. The Rabun defense is allowing 27.5 ppg so far. They gave up just 19 ppg in 2023.
What to watch for: The Dalton offense vs. the Wildcats defense. The Catamounts have been shutout in two straight games and have scored just 9 points in 2023. If Trulove is not available, the Rabun defense will have to keep the Catamounts offense down.
DAWSON COUNTY at BANKS COUNTY
Records: Tigers (0-2, Region 6-3A); Leopards (0-2, Region 8-A D1)
Last week: Dawson County lost 37-10 to East Jackson; Banks County lost 9-6 to Franklin County
Where: Leopards Stadium, Homer
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Banks County leads series 24-11. Dawson County won 45-0 in 2015. The first meeting in nearly a decade and the first as non-region opponents in the long history of the series. Both teams are rebuilding. The Tigers have lost 5 straight games going back to last season, their longest such streak since 2014. The Leopards have dropped 8 straight but are implementing new offensive and defensive systems under new coach Todd Minter. The Leopards defense has played well, giving up just 25 points vs. a pair of offenses (East Hall & Franklin County) that are averaging 34.8 ppg combined. The offense, however, has been slow to come around, scoring just 20 points. The Tigers are yielding 37.5 ppg and have scored just 17 points.
What to watch for: The Dawson County defense vs. the Leopards offense. Dawson County gave up 271 yards on the ground to East Jackson last week. The Leopards are getting close to breaking out in their new triple-option offense and this could be the matchup to see that happen.
DUNWOODY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
Records: Wildcats (1-1, Region 4-5A); Indians (1-1, Region 6-3A)
Last week: Dunwoody was off; Lumpkin County beat Hart County, 28-25
Where: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. The Wildcats are coming off their best season since 2008 but are struggling on the defensive side. They allowed just 17.4 ppg in 2023 but have surrendered 48 points (24 ppg) in their first two games. Pope put up 41 in Week 2 running a similar balanced attack to the Indians. Lumpkin County is still reloading on offense but rallied twice in the 2nd half last week to get the win. The Indians are 12-1 at home during the regular season under Heath Webb.
What to watch for: Cal Faulkner. The Indians need him to pick up the pace and he did that last week. The Sr. QB led three scoring drives in the 2nd half, including a 32-yard game-winning run. After going just 9-of-25 with 2 INTs in the opener, Faulkner was 10-of-12 passing vs. the Bulldogs last week.
EAST HALL at NORTH HALL
Records: Vikings (3-0, Region 8-3A); Trojans (0-2, Region 6-3A)
Last week: East Hall beat Johnson, 55-0; North Hall lost 38-13 to Cherokee Bluff
Where: The Brickyard, Gainesville
Radio: FM 94.5 The Lake
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: East Hall leads series 33-24. North Hall won 49-14 in 2023 at The Brickyard. The Vikings have not won at The Brickyard since 2000 (37-0) and have lost 7 straight there. The Trojans have won 14 straight in the series going back to 2002. They won just 10 games in the series from 1958 to 1998. East Hall’s last win came in 2001 (10-7 in Valhalla). East Hall is 3-0 for the first time since 1990. Special teams has been an early issue for North Hall. Bluff blocked a punt and the Trojans have had two other big miscues with a pair of muffed punts in their first two games.
What to watch for: The North Hall defense vs. the Vikings offense. East Hall has exploded for 101 points over its last 9 quarters and 95 points (47.5 ppg) over its last two games behind QB Jamarcus Harrison, who has thrown for 8 TDs and run for 2 more. Chasen Jones leads a deep Vikings WR group with more than a dozen catches, over 200 yards, and 3 TDs . The Trojans are allowing 31 ppg after surrendering just 25.73 ppg in 2023.
EAST JACKSON at WHITE COUNTY
Records: Eagles (2-1 Region 8-2A); Warriors (0-2, Region 6-3A)
Last week: East Jackson beat Dawson County, 37-10; White County lost 31-28 to Habersham Central
Where: White County Stadium, Cleveland
Radio: WRWH 93.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Series is tied 1-1. East Jackson won 28-27 in 2011 in Cleveland. The road team has won both previous meetings. The White County offense has been in midseason form behind QB Tripp Nix, They scored 27 vs. a good Rabun County defense and ran out of time last week in a comeback that fell short vs. Hab Central.
What to watch for: The East Jackson offense vs. the Warriors defense. The Eagles offense scored late vs. a good Commerce defense 2 weeks ago to get their first win in that series. They exploded last week vs. the Tigers, paced by QB Drew Richardson, who threw for 2 scores and ran for another. The Warriors defense, expected to be a strength, has struggled, allowing 35.5 ppg so far.
FLOWERY BRANCH at HART COUNTY
Records: Falcons (1-2, Region 8-4A); Bulldogs (1-2, Region 8-2A)
Last week: Flowery Branch lost 10-0 to Forsyth Central; Hart County lost 28-25 to Lumpkin County
Where: Pete Herndon Stadium, Hartwell
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. The Falcons have been an interesting team in the early going. Switching offenses to the triple-option while the defense has played even better than expected. The Bulldogs’ two losses have been by 4 total points and both came in the final minutes of the game. The Bulldogs have scored 61 points during a two-game losing streak.
What to watch for: The Flowery Branch offense vs. the Bulldogs defense. The Falcons defense has been able to keep them in the game but the offense will need to get some traction vs. a Hart County defense that is allowing 24 ppg so far.
GREENVILLE HURRICANES (SC) at TOWNS COUNTY
Records: Hurricanes (1-2, Independent); Indians (2-1, Region 8-A D2, non-region)
Last week: Hurricanes lost 48-12 to Draughn (NC); Towns County lost 42-0 to Lakeview Academy
Where: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. The Indians are much-improved over last year’s winless team, mainly due to injuries. They only scored 64 total points in 2023 and already have scored 54 (18.6 ppg). The Hurricanes have lost 6 of their last 7 games going back to last season.
What to watch for: The Towns County defense vs. the Hurricanes offense. Towns County is yielding just 18.6 ppg after surrendering 40.2 ppg last year. Greenville has scored just 37 points (12.1 ppg) in 2024.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at PIEDMONT ACADEMY
Records: Lions (3-0, 0-0 GIAA District 4-A/3A); Cougars (2-0, 0-0 GIAA District 4-A/3A)
Last week: Lakeview beat Towns County, 42-0; Piedmont beat Baconton Charter, 33-0
Where: Cougar Field, Monticello
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. The Lions have been as balanced as any team in the area over the first three weeks. The offense is averaging 38.3 ppg while the defense has yielded just 6 total points. QB Kyari Burch has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Lions in the early going but the Cougars will be the best team they’ve played to this point. Burch has thrown for 558 yards with 8 TDs to six different receivers. He has rushed for 130 yards and 1 TD. Junior Thompson has 9 catches for 163 yards and 3 TDs.
What to watch for: The Lakeview offense vs. the Cougars defense. Something will have to give here. Something will have to give. The Lions have been nearly unstoppable with Burch at the helm. Piedmont has given up just 7 points in its first two games.
LANIER CHRISTIAN at ST. FRANCIS
Records: Lightning (1-2, GAPPS 11-man); Knights (0-3, Region 5-A D1)
Last week: Lanier Christian beat Riverside Prep, 27-0; St. Francis lost 27-3 to Mt. Paran Christian
Where: Peter Carriuolo Field, Alpharetta
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. The Lightning got coach Joel Lulinski his first career win last week with a solid performance over a depleted Eagles team. Drew Kalinauskas had 3 TD passes and Andrew Batusic had a pair of TD catches for LCA last week. The Knights are in the midst of a 10-game losing streak.
What to watch for: The LCA offense vs. the Knights defense. LCA piled up over 200 yards last week and had their best offensive game of the season. The Knights are giving up 32.3 ppg so far in 2024.
MURRAY COUNTY at UNION COUNTY
Records: Indians (1-2, 0-1 Region 7-2A); Panthers (0-2, 0-0 Region 7-2A)
Last week: Murray County beat Southeast Whitfield, 34-14; Union County lost 42-7 to Fannin County
Where: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. Region opener for Union County. Murray County is averaging 18.3 ppg but that is slightly up over the 16.8 ppg it averaged last season. The Panthers are giving up 37.5 ppg, which if it stays at that pace would be their second-worst defensive season since 1994.
What to watch for: The Union County offense vs. the Indians defense. The Panthers have struggled on offense while they break in a new quarterback. They have scored just 7 total points, their worst two-game stretch since back-to-back shutouts to Robbinsville (NC) and Banks County in 2010. This could be the week they get things untracked. The Indians have surrendered 34.6 ppg so far in 2024.
STEPHENS COUNTY at JEFFERSON
Records: Indians (3-0, Region 8-2A), ranked No. 2 in Class 2A; Dragons (2-1, Region 8-3A), ranked No. 2 in Class 3A
Last week: Stephens County beat Cedar Shoals, 52-3; Jefferson beat Clarke Central, 42-14
Where: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
Radio: WDUN FM 102.9
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Jefferson leads series 4-3. The Dragons won 27-24 in 2017 while both were in Region 8-4A. It’s just the third meeting since 1955 and the Dragons have won both this century. The last Stephens County win in the series came in 1955 in Jefferson. This will be a heavyweight match. Both teams look like early title contenders in their classifications. And something will have to give for one of them. Stephens is 9-1 in its last 10 road games going back to 2022 (Hebron Christian). The Indians also have won 13 straight games vs. public school programs going back to a playoff loss to Sandy Creek in 2022. The Dragons are 12-1 at Memorial Stadium under Travis Noland.
What to watch for: Both offenses and both defenses. The matchups no matter who has the ball will be epic. Stephens is averaging 39.3 ppg on offense and giving up just 11.3 ppg on defense. Jefferson has scored 80 points (40.0 ppg) the last 2 games and surrendered just 8.5 ppg on defense the last two games.
WEST HALL at JOHNSON
Records: Spartans (2-1, Region 8-3A); Knights (0-2, Region 6-3A)
Last week: West Hall beat Chestatee, 31-19; Johnson lost 55-0 to East Hall
Where: The Dungeon, Oakwood
Radio: WDUN AM 550
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: West Hall leads series 21-8. The Spartans won 29-9 in 2023 and have won four straight and 9 of the last 10 in the series. They are 9-5-1 all-time at The Dungeon, including winning the last five meetings there. West Hall already has matched its win total for the last two seasons combined. A young, inexperienced Knights team is taking some early lumps. They have scored just 1 TD.
What to watch for: The West Hall offense vs. the Knights defense. The Spartans are averaging 32.0 ppg behind QB Brett Sturm and RB Elijah Hayes. Johnson only gave up 289 points (28.9 ppg) in 2023 but surrendered 123 points (61.5 ppg) over their first two games this season.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2024/9/1259983/week-4-previews-9-5-24