Another massive week will have half-a-dozen crucial games on tap as the season continues to steamroll to a conclusion.
A pair of games that essentially decided playoff spots in 2024 are once again front-and-center showdowns in their regions. North Forsyth and Denmark will tangle in Alpharetta in Region 6-6A and East Jackson will play host to Franklin County in Region 8-2A.
In 2024, North Forsyth lost to the Danes in what turned out to decide the final playoff spot in 6-6A. East Jackson beat the Lions last year and snagged the final spot in 8-2A as well. Signs point in both regions that these games could be the deciding factors once again.
But those aren’t the only key matchups around the area. East Hall will try to rebound from its loss to Monroe Area heading to Oconee County, who held off Cherokee Bluff last week, in Region 8-3A. Also in 8-3A, the Hurricanes head to No. 2 Jefferson looking to build off their win over the Vikings.
Every region in the AccessWDUN and Friday Game Night coverage area has key showdowns.
Week 8 has 18 games with 20 of the 26 northeast Georgia teams covered by AccessWDUN and Friday Game Night in action, and 19 of the 20 involved in region play. Towns County is playing a non-region schedule in 2025.
Buford, Gainesville, Habersham Central, and East Forsyth all face key road contests in region play as well.
With that, here are the four GAMES2WATCH on Friday that had us asking the most questions among ourselves this week. Two can be heard on Jacobs Media airwaves.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3
Franklin County at East Jackson
Records: Lions (5-1, 0-1 Region 8-2A); Eagles (5-1, 0-1 Region 8-2A)
Last week: Franklin County lost 24-20 to Stephens County; East Jackson lost 55-10 to Hebron Christian
Time: 7:30 p.m., East Jackson Stadium, Commerce
Key players: Franklin County -- Sr. QB Keyes Harbin (10-of-14 164 yards, 1TD passing; 31-152 yards, 5 TD rushing), Sr. RB Nava Ware (35-372 yards, 5 TD), Jr. RB Carson Cheek (28-272 yards, 5 TD), Sr. RB DJ Appleby (30-204 yards, 2 TD; 32 tkl, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 16 QB hurries, 2 FR), Sr. WR (4-171 yards, 3 TD), Sr. WR Mason Davis (8-111 yards, 1 TD), Sr. LB Ramsey Fulbright (43 tkl, 9 TFL, 1 sack), So. LB (71 tkl, 10 TFL, 1 sack, 2 FR), Jr. DT Kennan Burtch (37 tkl, 9 TFL, 3 sacks, 24 QB hurries), Sr. Candler Stone (36 tkl, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 19 QB hurries), Sr. CB Jeremiah Mayfield (27 tkl, 1 TFL, 4 INT, 3 PD, 1 FF); East Jackson -- Sr. QB Drew Richardson (69-of-133-838 yards, 9 TD, 7 INT passing; 107-621 yards, 6 TD rushing), Sr. RB Destin Mitchell (44-252 yards, 4 TD), Sr. WR Branturan Callahan (29-410 yards, 5 TD), Sr. WR Brady Saunders (16-160 yards, 3 TD)
Why watch it: For the sheer urgency of it. Perhaps a must-win for both teams to have any chance to stay in the race for a top two finish in the region, and maybe even a playoff spot in Class 2A with the PSR. The Eagles won 29-21 in 2024 for their only region win and that proved to be the difference as they got into the Class 2A playoffs as an at-large team. The Lions did not. The two teams have played every season since 2012 and East Jackson also has won four straight over the Lions in the series. But this Franklin County team already has more wins in a season since 2020 and it’s just the second time since 2016 the Lions have posted more than four wins. A win for the Eagles would match the 2023 campaign when they won 6 for just the second time since 2009. East Jackson will have the best player on the field in Richardson but the bigger issue will be finding some defense. After yielding just 74 points over their first four games (18.5 ppg) the Eagles have surrendered 93 points (46.5 ppg) in their last two. Can we tell anything from their schedules? Not really. The Lions are averaging 43.3 ppg on the season but their 6 opponents are just 10-22 on the season. The Eagles are averaging 31.5 ppg but their 6 opponents are 10-23 on the season. Look for both teams to bring the kitchen sink in an effort to get the ‘W’ in a game that could very well decide the playoff fates for both teams.
Habersham Central at Clarke Central
Records: Raiders (4-2, 2-0 Region 8-5A); Gladiators (2-4, 1-1, Region 8-5A)
Last week: Habersham Central beat Winder-Barrow, 35-21; Clarke Central beat Apalachee, 38-0
Time: 7:30 p.m., Billy Henderson Stadium, Athens
Key players: Habersham Central -- Jr. QB Paris Wilbanks (61-of-115 961 yards, 8 TD, 4 INT passing; 56-239 yards, 5 TD rushing), Sr. RB Donnie Warren (136-875 yards, 8 TD, 4-100 yard games rushing; 10-116 receiving), Jr. WR Jay Feltus (24-384 yards, 3 TD), Sr. WR Tylon Davis (17-229 yards, 1 TD), Sr. DL Jackson Adams (46 tkl, 8 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 8 QB hurries, 1 FR, 1 block), Jr. LB CJ Davis (44 tkl, 10 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 2 PD, 1 FR, 1 FF, 1 block), Jr. DB Parks York (42 tkl, 8 TFL, 3 INT, 3 PD, 1 FR), Jr. LB Noah Harkins (40 tkl, 6 TFL), Jr. LB Griffin Cunningham (40 tkr, 4 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PD, 3 FF), Jr. DB Sutton Porter (39 tkl, 1 INT, 1 PD, 2 FR, 1 FF), Jr. DB Tay Spencer, (20 tkl, 1 INT, 3 PD, 1 FF); Clarke Central -- Jr. QB Kamron Lawrence (21-of-52 288 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT passing; 29-58 yards rushing), Sr. RB Nuhsi Valenti (71-309 yards, 3 TD rushing; 2-32 yards receiving), Sr. WR Troy Rucker (5-83 yards, 1 TD), Jr. WR Lagracion Little (6-75 yards, 1 TD), Sr. CB Barry Jones (48 tkl, 1 INT, 1 PD), Jr. CB Ijaimi Valenti (38 tal), Jr. DE Bradyn Malcom (20 tkl, 8 TFL, 2.5 sacks), Sr. DE Dream Freeman (21 tkl, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 FR), Sr. DE Anthony Lonon (Georgia commit, out for the season)
Why watch it: IF the Raiders are looking ahead to what’s possible, they can see a clear path to a region title, which would be their first since 2007. And, the Gladiators are vulnerable for the first time in a decade, having already lost to Jackson County. But Hab Central has not beaten Clarke Central since 2007 (0-5 in that span) and has not won in Athens since 2006. But a victory on Friday would give them wins over Winder-Barrow and the Glads with Alcovy and Apalachee (a combined 2-11) up next before closing out the season against Jackson County. The Raiders put together perhaps their most complete game of the season last week, leading 25-0 at one point. Warren put them on his back for season highs in carries (40) and yards (263) as they held the ball for 34:48 to just 13:12 for the Bulldoggs. The defense forced 4 turnovers. The Raiders also have been a solid road team with Wilbanks under center, going 6-7 since 2023. The Gladiators have lost 4 straight at home, including the playoffs last season, for the first time since 2006. But only once, in 1972, have they lost 5 straight home games. And, they are 0-4 in 2025 vs. teams with a winning record and have been outscored 160-24 in those games with two shutouts. But Clarke also can get back in the region title race with a win and then hope that the Raiders can knock off Jackson County in the finale to force a three-way tiebreaker. They could roll out their kitchen sink as well to try and stay in the race. Fr. RB CJ Hays had 3 TDs and 76 yards last week in place of Brown as the lead guy out of the backfield.
Monroe Area at Jefferson
Records: Hurricanes (5-1, 1-0 Region 8-3A); Dragons (5-1, 1-0 Region 8-3A)
Last week: Monroe Area beat East Hall, 38-28; Jefferson beat West Hall 49-6
Radio: WDUN 102.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
Key players: Monroe Area -- Jr. QB Ezra Harrison (45-0f-66 693 yards, 6 TD, 1 INT passing; 63-331 yards, 3 TD, 1-100 yard game rushing), Sr. RB Jitt Carr (105-784, 13 TD, 5 100-yard games rushing; 17-269, 1 TD receiving), So. RB Cooper Shumate (27-289 yards, 2 TD), Jr. WR Bryce Bell (12-228, 4 TD), Sr. DE Dacian Davis (44 tkl, 22 TFL, 4 sacks, 12 QB hurries,2 PD, 1 FF), Sr. DE William Carr (27 tkl, 17 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 FF), Sr. LB Darren Pinkard (25 tkl, 8 TFL, 4 sacks), Jr. LB Cortavious Scott (66 tkl, 12 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 8 QB hurries, 2 FF), Sr. CB Kenzi Battle (18 tkl, 2 TFL, 3 INT, 1 FF), Jr. DB Mason Scarborough (52, TFL, 1 INT), Jr. LB Mandela Manga (47, tkl, 10 TFL, 1 FR, 1 FF); Jefferson -- Sr. QB Colton Grant (29-of-46 432 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT passing; 43-232 yards, 4 TD rushing), Jr. RB/LB Max Brown (Clemson commit, out for the season, 43-420 yards, 4 TD, 2 100-yard games, 36 tkl, 10 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR), Jr. CB Jacob Berardinelli (44 tkl, 2 PD), Jr. LB Dylan Berardinelli (37 tkl, 5 TFL, 1 INT), Sr. WR Logan Edmunds (13 rec., 246 yards, 2 TDs) So. Carter Perrin RB/WR (7-37 yards rushing, 9 rec., 74 yards receiving), Sr. DB Chance Payne (Minnesota commit, 9 tkl, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 3 INT), Jr. RB/LB Eli Primm (38-131 yards, 2 TD, 42 tkl, 1 FR), Sr. PK Taylor McCall (42-yard FG last week), Sr. WR Dalton Dye (4-136, 1 TD), Fr. RB CJ Hays (13-76 yards, 3 TD)
Why watch it: Are the Dragons vulnerable in 2025? They have won three straight region titles and five in the last six years and played for two state titles using a dominant defense and a punishing offense. But against the two best teams they’ve played in 2025, they managed just 10 total points. And this is the start of the round-robin portion of the 8-3A schedule that decided things last year and should do so again. The Hurricanes have Cherokee Bluff and Oconee County to follow while the Dragons face road trips to East Hall and Bluff following the Hurricanes. The Dragons finish the season at home vs. Oconee County. This also is the first battle between unbeaten teams in the region and the first major test for the Dragons since the loss of Max Brown last month. The key matchup will be the Dragons defense vs. the Monroe offense. Monroe is averaging 36.1 ppg and well over 300 yards/game rushing, and is averaging nearly 150 yards through the air with 6 TD passes. Slowing down Carr, who has nearly 900 all-purpose yards, will be the key for the Dragons. Balanced offensive teams have had success against the Jefferson defense, especially in the passing game. Jackson County outgained them and North Oconee had nearly 400 yards of offense. But Jefferson has also forced 13 turnovers so far in 6 games, including 7 INTs. However, the Hurricanes have just one turnover (1 INT) on the season. Something will have to give. The Hurricanes front-7 is as good as any in the area, led by Davis and Carr, who can wreck any gameplan.
North Forsyth at Denmark
Records: Raiders (3-2, 1-1 Region 6-6A); Danes (2-3, 1-1 Region 6-6A)
Last week: North Forsyth was off; Denmark was off
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Key players: North Forsyth -- Fr. Tucker Lamb (33-of-50 394 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT), So. QB Noah Bourque (34-of-63 635 yards, 5 TD, 4 INT), Sr. RB Darron Parry (100-528 yards, 6 TD, 3 100-yard games rushing, 13-102 yards, 1 TD receiving), So. WR Cash Martin (21-422 yards, 4 TD), Sr. WR Matthew Bray (16-256 yards), Jr. WR Ethan Cahill (9-211, 2 TD), Jr. DE Adriel Rojas (23 tkl, 4 TFL, 1 FR), Sr. LB Cole Simpson (33 tkl, 2 TFL, 2 FF), Sr. Patrick Carnes (28 tkl, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 3 PD, 1 block), Sr. FS Jace Cahill (8 tkl, 2 INT, 2 FR), Fr. FS Mason Freeman (15 tkl, 3 PBU, 1 FF); Denmark -- Jr. QB Evan Jones (56-of-108 787 yards, 4 TD, 7 INT passing; 14-54 yards, 3 TD rushing), Jr. RB London Ruckert (38-216 yards, 1 TD), Sr. RB Noah Laban (37-142 yards, 2 TD rushing; 16-120 yards receiving), Sr. WR Michael Palmieri (15-474 yards, 3 TD), Sr. WR Carter Rawlings (12-96 yards, 1 TD)
Why watch it: Huge playoff implications, especially for the Raiders. Is it a must-win for the Raiders? Possibly. They’re in the same position as last year, when they won their region opener only to lose four straight in the region to miss out on the playoffs. The key loss was to the Danes (19-14) and they finished one game behind Denmark for the final playoff spot. Both teams are coming off losses two weeks ago -- NoFo lost to Lambert and Denmark lost to West Forsyth -- and the Raiders will follow with games against North Atlanta and West Forsyth, who are unbeaten in region play so far (5-0 combined). The key to this one may be which offense can hold onto the ball. Denmark has committed 8 turnovers (7 INT) while the Raiders have turned it over 7 times (6 INT). The Raiders, however, have forced 7 turnovers on defense (4 INT) and that could be the ultimate matchup. If the NoFo secondary can pick off a couple of Jones passes, they could give its offense a chance at some short fields. Lamb, Bourque, Parry, and Martin will need to be productive on offense and should provide some matchup issues for the Danes. If the Raiders want to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2023, this could be the key game.
PREP SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER 3
Anderson Christian at Towns County
Apalachee at Jackson County*
Banks County at Athens Academy*
Bethlehem Christian at Lakeview Academy*
Buford at Collins Hill* – AM 550 WDUN
Commerce at Rabun County*
Dawson County at Johnson*
East Forsyth at Cedar Shoals*
East Hall at Oconee County*
Franklin County at East Jackson*
Gainesville at Seckinger* – 94.5 FM The Lake
Habersham Central at Clarke Central*
Monroe Area at Jefferson* – FM 102.9 WDUN
North Forsyth at Denmark*
Ringgold at Union County*
Riverside Prep at Loganville Christian*
Skipstone at Lanier Christian*
West Hall at Cherokee Bluff*
(* -- denotes region contest)
(Chestatee, Flowery Branch, Lumpkin County, North Hall, White County all are off.)
