Just like that, we are halfway through the regular season of high school football once again.
Here are five things we learned in Week 6:
1. Flowery Branch might be the front runner for the No. 2 seed in 8-4A.
The Falcons had a VERY impressive win against Eastside on Friday night. Brett Sturm was fantastic, throwing for 328 yards on the night. There is an argument that he is the MVP of any team in the area given how quickly he has helped Michael Perry to get the Branch back in the playoff mix. North Oconee is far and away the best team in this region, but Flowery Branch now has the inside track to the No. 2 seed, which would mean a home playoff game.
2. East Jackson...region contender?
Last year, I think I said the same thing, just one week earlier. This year, they put up 52 against East Hall with Drew Richardson playing nearly perfect on the night. Region 8-2A is difficult with Franklin County playing extremely well, Hebron Christian being the defending Private School champions and Prince Avenue Christian, Hart County and Stephens County always tough outs. But...if this offense keeps churning and the defense can get a stop here and a stop there, watch out for the Eagles.
3. Region 6-3A is about to have a LOT of answers
This coming week, North Hall goes to Pickens. That will tell us what's really up in Jasper after the Dragons squeaked by Dawson County Friday night. Speaking of the Tigers, they host GAC this week, another team that squeaked by a region opponent at home recently in Lumpkin County. The Trojans and Spartans meet in three weeks. Is it North Hall's region again this year? Will GAC, Pickens or Lumpkin be able to pull the upset of North Hall? Answers to come in the next few weeks, but it's certainly intriguing.
4. Ok Jackson County. You have our full and undivided attention.
The Panthers absolutely dominated Clarke Central Friday night. To the point where we were wondering how bad it would end up after the first quarter of the game. The Gladiators are in rough shape this year, but the rest of Region 8-5A hasn't been the most consistent either. Jackson County has been far beyond everyone else in the region. There are still hurdles to jump over, including the regular season finale against Habersham Central, but right now, it seems like the title is headed to Hoschton.
5. Gainesville's offense explodes
I think some frustration was taken out in the second half by Big Red. The Carrollton game got out of hand late and the first half against Lanier wasn't anything to write home about. The second half though, boy did it seem like Gainesville got some frustration out. Big Red scored 34 points with Nigel Newkirk rushing for 169 yards and Kharim Hughley throwing for 224 and accounting for four touchdowns. Milton looms in the distance. Can the offense keep it going?
