With Regions 8-3A and 8-2A FINALLY getting their region schedules underway this week, we are officially full speed ahead for all of our area teams as the race for the playoffs pushes forward.
Week 7 offers 18 games with 23 of the 26 northeast Georgia teams covered by AccessWDUN and Friday Game Night in action, and 22 of the 23 involved in region play. Towns County is playing a non-region schedule in 2025.
In Week 6, Branch stunned Eastside in Region 8-4A; Jackson County got its first-ever win over Clarke Central in Region 8-5A; and North Hall and Pickens continued their collision course in Region 6-3A with big wins. Those two teams meet this week in Jasper. Ooooo, wee!
Who can pull the upset win in Week 7? East Hall? Dawson County? East Jackson? Who will take early control in their region races? That’s what we can’t wait to find out.
With that, here are the five GAMES2WATCH on Thursday and Friday that had us asking the most questions among ourselves this week. Two can be heard on Jacobs Media airwaves.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Flowery Branch at East Forsyth
Records: Falcons (4-1, 1-0, Region 8-4A); Broncos (3-2, 0-1 Region 8-4A)
Last week: Flowery Branch beat Eastside, 32-28; East Forsyth lost 41-6 to North Oconee
Radio: WDUN AM 550/102.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m., Broncos Stadium, Gainesville
Key players: Flowery Branch -- Sr. QB Brett Sturm (78-of-105 988 yards, 9 TD, 2 INT passing; 51-255 yards, 1 TD, 1 100-yard game rushing), Sr. RB/LB Griffin Harper (79-484 yards, 6 TD, 3 100-yd games rushing; 11 rec., 108 yards, 2 TD receiving), Sr. WR Tre Shields (18-422 yards, 4 TD), Sr. TE Brooks Recinella (7-102 yards receiving;, 5-of-6 FG, long 35 yards), Jr. TE Jake Bursinger (10-78 yards, 1 TD), Jr. WR/S Tyler Robinson (17-223 yards, 1 TD receiving; 2 INT defense), So. LB Ryland Garrison So. LB Ryland Garrison (64 tkl, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 FR, 1 FF), Jr. DE Dre Sadler (31 tkl, 4.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks), So. LB Nick Hall (46 tkl, 2 TFL, 2 sacks), Jr. DE Eli Poole (37 tkl, 5 TFL, 3.5 sacks), Sr. DB Parker Bourrie (39 til, 1 INT, 1 FR, 1 FF), Sr. CB Riley Bourrie (14 tcl, 1 INT); East Forsyth -- Sr. QB Chase Rhoads (69-of-129 898 yards, 5 TD, 4 INT passing), Jr. RB Brooks Smallwood (54-222 yards, 4 TD rushing; 7 rec., 109 yards, 1 TD receiving), Sr. WR Jace Forrest (18-292 yards), Sr. WR Jackson Norman (11-98 yards, 1 TD rushing; 16-180 yards receiving), Sr. WR Trent Polk (5-109 yards, 2 TD), Sr. WR Tate Lamb (14-165 yards, 1 TD), Sr. LB Kellen Moran (69 tkls, 6 TFL, 1 sack, 3 FF, 4 PBU), Sr. LB Knox Allen (59 tkls, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FR), Sr. LB Jake Hudson (44 tkls, 3 TFL, 1 FF), Sr. DB Dominic Primato (42 tkls, 2 TFL, 2 INT)
Why watch it: Can the Falcons avoid the letdown after their upset win last week, and can the Broncos rebound and stay in the playoff race? First appearances show two teams going in opposite directions. Branch has won four straight, including wins over Class 5A Habersham Central and Class 6A Forsyth Central. The Broncos have lost two straight. East Forsyth, however, has always been tough at home. They have won 7 of their last 8 games, dating back to 2023, with the only loss coming to eventual state champion North Oconee last year. The Falcons lost their only road game this year to Jackson County and are 1-5 in their last 6 road games. The Broncos won this matchup 14-10 last season, but both teams are vastly different in 2025. The key for both teams may be Sturm. The Broncos are yielding just 22.6 ppg, but have given up 67 (33.5 ppg) in their last two games to wing-T Chestatee and a balanced North Oconee. The Falcons are similar to the Titans in their balance. Sturm threw for 328 yards last week, and Shields and Robinson are as speedy as any duo in north Georgia. Harper has averaged nearly 100 yards/game rushing in 2025. It’s about as close to a must-win as you can get for the Broncos, who cannot afford an 0-2 start to the region with games still left against Eastside, Walnut Grove, and Madison County. No team got into the playoffs in 8-4A last year with more than three region losses.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
GAC at Dawson County
Records: Spartans (4-1, 2-0 Region 6-3A); Tigers (1-3, 0-1 Region 6-3A)
Last week: GAC beat Johnson, 63-7; Dawson County lost 34-23 to Pickens
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m., Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
Key players: GAC -- So. QB Michael Miller (71-of-112 798 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT passing; 40-354 yards, 3 TD rushing), So. RB Pierce Wilson (53-233 yards, 5 TD rushing; 18-244 yards, 2 TD receiving), Jr. QB/WR/FS Adrian Hughes (22-287, 3 TD receiving), Sr. WR/S Jack Griggs (11-71 yards), Jr. LB CJ Ohuabunwa (29 tkl), Jr. LB Conner Carothers (22 tkl, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT), Sr. CB Denzell Watkins (20 tkl, 1 INT, 5 PBU); Dawson County -- Sr. QB Gunner Weaver (76-of-122 872 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT passing; 34-109 yards, 4 TD rushing), Jr. RB Cody McBrayer (63-346 yards, 3 TD rushing; 5-24 yards receiving), Jr. RB Aden Bannister (19-72 yards), Sr. WR Dylan Edwards (35-400 yards, 2 TD), Sr. Paxton Phillips (20 rec., 268 yards), Sr. LB Jadyn Mattie (36 tkl, 1 TFL), Jr. LB Josiah Holtzclaw (31 tkl), Sr. LB Owen Wooten (19 tkl, 2 TFL)
Why watch it: Are the Tigers a contender in Region 6-3A, AND can they snap a 10-game losing streak to GAC? The Tigers missed out on the playoffs each of the last two seasons. They brought in Jaybo Shaw to try and get the program back on track. It has been slow going, but they are getting closer to getting back to what fans had come to expect for a decade. They trailed Pickens by just 4 points late last week on the road. They are back at home, and the offense is scoring nearly a touchdown more this season than last year. A 0-2 start in the region does not put you out of the race in 6-3A, but with North Hall and Lumpkin County still looming down the road for the Tigers, there won’t be much margin for error. However, the Tigers have lost 10 straight to the Spartans, dating back to their only win in the series, which occurred in 2000. GAC is a young but talented team that has won a pair of close games by a total of 6 points. They are averaging nearly 2 TDs more in 2025 (33.6 ppg) than last year. Weaver will have to have a good game, and the Tigers’ OL will need to open some holes for McBrayer and Bannister to keep the GAC defense off balance and give Weaver time to throw. But the Tigers' defense, which is yielding 28 ppg, will need to find a way to slow down Miller and the Spartans' offense, which is averaging 36 ppg during their current 4-game win streak. But GAC is just 2-8 in its last 10 road games going back to last season.
Monroe Area at East Hall
Records: Hurricanes (4-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A); Vikings (2-3, 0-0 Region 8-3A)
Last week: Monroe Area beat Hart County, 25-13; East Hall lost 52-38 to East Jackson
Radio: WDUN AM 550/102.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m., East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
Key players: Monroe Area -- Jr. QB Ezra Harrison (36-of-51 547 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT passing; 33-137 yards, 2 TD rushing), Sr. RB Jitt Carr (75-564, 10 TD rushing; 16-248, 1 TD receiving), So. RB Cooper Shumate (19-206 yards, 2 TD), Jr. WR Bryce Bell (10-192, 3 TD), Sr. DE Dacian Davis (33 tkl, 15 TFL, 3 sacks, 6 QB hurries, 1 FF), Sr. DE William Carr (26 tkl, 17 TFL, 5 sacks), Jr. LB Cortavious Scott (35 tkl, 7 TFL, 5 QB hurries, 1 FF), Sr. CB Kenzi Battle (10 tkl, 2 TFL, 2 INT, 1 FF); East Hall -- Sr. QB Jamarcus Harrison (57-97, 1,049 yards, 15 TD, 2 INT passing; 67-569 yards, 7 TD, 3 100-yard games rushing), Sr. WR Chasen Jones (13 rec., 337 yards, 2 TD), Sr. RB Lukas Pruitt (87-491 yards, 5 TD rushing; 7-95 yards, 2 TD receiving), Sr. WR Kahlil Goss (15-223 yards, 2 TD), Sr. WR Kani Williams (9-173 yards, 5 TD), Jr. LB Elijah Buffington(48 tkl, 1 TFL, 2 FF), Sr. LB Walt Jarrett (39, tkl, 2 TFL), Sr. DL Jamyus Demory (23 tkl, 4 TFL), Jr. DT Darius Ellison (20 tkl, 4 TFL)
Why watch it: It might be the region opener for both teams, but it already feels like the Vikings are in a must-win scenario with games against Oconee County and Jefferson to follow. They come into this one having scored 87 points in their last two games, but walked away with two losses. That’s because the defense gave up 103 points in losses to North Hall and the Eagles last week. And it won’t get any easier for the Vikings' defense. The Hurricanes are averaging 35.8 ppg and have scored 41 or more three times. The defense will need to find its swagger and make a stop and/or force some turnovers. And, it will have to find a way to slow down Carr, who is the Hurricanes' leading rusher and receiver and has 831 all-purpose yards. As for the Vikings offense, only turnovers and penalties have been able to slow them down. They will score some points. But the key will rest on the Vikings' OL. The Hurricanes have amassed 88 TFL and 11 sacks on the season and have forced 7 turnovers, including 4 INTs. The OL will have to find a way to slow down the Monroe pass rush and give Harrison time to throw and open lanes to run. The Vikings have won their region opener just twice since 2016 and have made the playoffs just once in that span. The region now seems in play for everyone, with Jefferson struggling with injuries, and the region being very balanced from top to bottom. Both teams are expected to be not just in the playoff hunt but possibly in the region title chase as well. A win would put the winner right in the mix for both. A loss, however, could put the loser behind the 8-ball quickly. Look for both teams to pull out all the stops, which could make for an instant classic in Valhalla.
North Hall at Pickens
Records: Trojans (5-0, 2-0 Region 6-3A); Dragons (5-0, 2-0 Region 6-3A)
Last week: North Hall beat White County, 56-14; Pickens beat Dawson County, 34-23
Time: 7:30 p.m., Dragon Stadium, Jasper
Key players: North Hall -- Jr. OL Mason McGill (Charlotte commit), Sr. QB Alex Schlieman (91-of-127 1,588 yards, 13 TD, 3 INT passing), Sr. QB Smith McGarvey (6-of-7 100 yards, 1 TD passing; 25-205 yards, 5 TD rushing; 14 rec., 188 yards receiving), Sr. RB Justin Allen (29-171 yards, 7 TD 7), Sr. RB Wyatt Tumlin (12-236 yards, 1 TD), Sr. RB/LB Parker Carlton (22-151 yards, 3 TD rushing; 5 rec., 78 yards 2 TD receiving; 13 tkl, 1 TFL, 4 QB hurries), Sr. DB Walker Davis (30 tkl, 1 TFL, 1 FF), Sr. DE Jacob Wright (9 tkl, 3.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 FF), Sr. WR Ty Kemp (35- 641 yards, 8 TD), Jr. WR Cole Cable (28 rec., 505 yards, 2 TD), Sr. LB Buddy Clark (50 tkl, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 FR), Jr. TE Dawson Gray (10 rec., 229 yards, 2 TD); Pickens -- Sr. QB Hayden Jones (53-of-86 679 yards, 6 TD, 0 INT passing; 21-154 yards, 3 TD rushing), Jr. RB Ike Wyngaard (34-421 yards, 6 TD), Sr. RB Ezra Faber (32-230, 2 TD rushing; 8-147 yards receiving), Sr. WR McCord Purdy (27-437, 4 TD), Sr. LB Landon Poole (60 tkl, 1 TFL, 1 INT), Sr. LB Peyton Vincent (46 tkl, 2.5 TFL, 1 FF), Fr. NG Cal Morrison (25 tkl, 5 TFL), Sr. DE Jacob Watkins (34 tkl, 5.5 TFL, 1 INT), Jr. LB Jacob Stroud (39 tkl, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FR, 3 FF)
Why watch it: First place is on the line in Region 6-3A. The Trojans were expected to be the team to beat. The Dragons, who were picked to finish 6th in the region, are the surprise team so far and are making a bid for their first region title since 2018 (also their only one). It’s the first 5-0 start for the Dragons since that 2018 season, when they went 11-1. The Trojans are 5-0 for the second time in three seasons. The key will be whether the Pickens defense, which is allowing just 17.6 ppg, can slow down the Trojans' offense, which leads Class 3A with 242 points (48.4 ppg) behind Schlieman, who leads Class 3A with 1,587 yards passing to go with 13 TD passes. But the Pickens offense has weapons, is balanced, and can score, averaging 33.6 ppg. The two best offenses North Hall has faced -- Cherokee Bluff and East Hall -- were balanced as well, and the Trojans gave up 80 points. It may come down to which defense can make that one key stop or get a timely turnover. Or, it could come down to the final play in another shootout for the Trojans. Either way, this could be the best game of the night in north Georgia.
Oconee County at Cherokee Bluff
Records: Warriors (3-2, 0-0 Region 8-3A); Bears (4-1, 0-0 Region 8-3A)
Last week: Oconee County was off; Cherokee Bluff was off
Time: 7:30 p.m., Yonah Field, Flowery Branch
Key players: Oconee County -- Fr. QB Brady Fountain (11-of-20 171 yards, 1 TD), Jr. RB Josh Woelfl (55-366, 3 TD rushing; 5-81 yards receiving), Sr. RB Caiden Wood (39-270 yards, 4 TD), Jr. TE Mason Hall (14-174, 2 TD), Jr. LB Darius Darden (40 tkl, 2 TFL, 1 INT), Sr. LB Hudson Stephens (35 tkl, 3 TFL, 2 sacks), Sr. LB Conner Jackson (22 tkl, 5 TFL, 1 sack), Jr. S Wyatt Elsner (28 tkl, 2 INT); Cherokee Bluff -- OL/DL Cohen Carter, Sr. QB Cooper Dean (59-of-82 755 yards, 8 TD, 4 INT passing; 29-117, 5 TD rushing), Jr. RB/CB Jackson Pirkle (90-544, 4 TD rushing; 5-75 1 TD receiving), Sr. WR/CB Malcolm Milsap (17 rec., 304 yards, 3 TD receiving; 10-108 rushing), Jr. WR Dylan Haley (22-213 yards, 2 TD), Jr. DL Tony Rushin (22-121 yards, 2 TD rushing; 13 tkl, 4.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 FR), Jr. LB LB Conner Cook (41 tkl, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, 4 QB hurries, 1 FF), Jr. DL Hudson Davis (34 tkl, 8 TFL, 4 QB hurries, 1 FF), LB Mattax Sutulovich (21 tkl, 5.5 TFL, 1 sack), Sr. LB Brett Pierce (26 tkl, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 7 QB hurries, 1 FF), So. DT Joel Woodson (25 tkl, 4 TFL, 2 sacks)
Why watch it: Massive region opener for a pair of playoff teams from last year, with personal bragging rights on the line as well. Coaches Tommy Jones (Bluff) and Ben Hall (Oconee) are best friends and played together at Furman. Plus, the region looks wide-open with Jefferson battling injuries and having offensive troubles. The Warriors have been battling their own injury issues, but have rallied for two straight wins behind the freshman Fountain, who appears to have taken over for Sr. QB Brady Hannah, who is battling an injury. Wood has been unstoppable with nearly 300 yards in just two games since his return. After scoring just 28 points in their first three games, the Warriors are averaging 28 over their last two. But they are far more one-dimensional of late, with a nearly 3:1 ratio on the ground (728 rushing to 247 passing) over their past three games. The Bears' defense may hold the key to this one. Bluff is giving up just 20.2 ppg, and is 4-0 when yielding 21 or less. The Bears' front-7 will be the best the Warriors have seen since their opener vs. North Oconee, and Bluff’s secondary may be the best in the region. The Bears won 17-10 last year in Watkinsville, the Warriors’ only region loss in 2024. They would like nothing more than to avenge that with a road win of their own.
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PREP SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER 25
Flowery Branch at East Forsyth* – WDUN AM 550/102.9 FM
Jackson County at Alcovy*
PREP SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER 26
Commerce at Elbert County*
East Jackson at Hebron Christian*
GAC at Dawson County*
Jefferson at West Hall*
Johns Creek at Gainesville* – 94.5 FM The Lake
Johnson at Chestatee*
Lakeview Academy at Riverside Prep*
Monroe Area at East Hall* – WDUN AM 550/102.9 FM
North Hall at Pickens*
Oconee County at Cherokee Bluff*
Rabun County at Providence Christian*
Rock Springs at Lanier Christian*
Towns County at Dixie (SC)
Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe at Union County*
White County at Lumpkin County*
Winder-Barrow at Habersham Central*
(* -- denotes region contest)
(Banks County, Buford and North Forsyth are all off.)
