City Park showdown highlights big week of games on air

Now that the high school football season is off and running, week 2 brings area fans a game that some have been thinking about for the past 51 weeks.

But that's not the only intriguing contest for northeast Georgia's programs this week, and Jacobs Media will bring three games to you live on Friday night.

The headliner this week is not tough to guess, as Buford travels to Gainesville in a battle of defending state champs that will air live on 1240 AM ESPN Radio.

Both teams claimed victory in week 1, as Buford's stacked defense allowed just seven points in the fourth quarter of a 46-7 blowout of Elbert County at home. Gainesville, meanwhile, burned West Forsyth's defense for 661 yards of offense in a 58-28 victory last week in Cumming.

So come Friday, the top-ranked Red Elephants (1-0) and Wolves (1-0) will pit strength against strength, as Gainesville's spread attack looks to get the better of Buford's stonewall defense. The Red Elephants' defense also faces a tough task against an imposing Wolves offense that features an imposing line of scrimmage, a stable of running backs and a couple of impressive quarterbacks.

Last year's battle featured plenty of defense, though Gainesville and standout quarterback Deshaun Watson made just enough plays to net a 19-15 win in Buford, and the Wolves will definitely remember that outcome. And the players and records of both teams will have much of the state keeping an eye on this contest.

That said, there will be plenty of exciting action elsewhere, including Flowery Branch, where the Falcons will return home with a bounce back on their collective minds.

Flowery Branch hung tough with No. 2-ranked Northside-Warner Robins last week before eventually falling 28-6 on the road.

The Falcons will face off with West Forsyth on Friday at the Branch in a game broadcast live on AM 550.

Flowery Branch (1-0) showed some tough defense last week and will be tested this week by the Wolverines' disciplined attack led by quarterback Hampton McConnell and running back Trevor O'Brian -- who helped the Wolverines rush for 202 yards last week against Gainesville.

West Forsyth edged last year's showdown 21-14 in Cumming, and the Falcons will be itching to return the favor this season.

Meanwhile, in Gainesville, West Hall will look to maintain its bright start to the season against a Chestatee team looking for a rebound in a game broadcast live on 102.9 FM.

The Spartans (1-0) are coming off a bye following a 35-0 defeat of arch-rival Johnson during "week 0" on Aug. 23 and will hope to continue that momentum.

The War Eagles (0-1), meanwhile, will be looking to fire off a victory following last week's hardfought 33-15 loss to North Hall that saw Chestatee pull within five points during the fourth quarter.

Chestatee won last year's contest 42-21, and both teams know that a win would mean a lot for each.

Beyond those three contests, Jacobs Media will have all of the area's games covered on Access North Georgia.com's Friday Game Night page with our live scoreboard and postgame stories -- also posted to our Twitter feed @FridayGameNight.

AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, SEPT. 6
Apalachee at Greater Atlanta Christian
Athens Christian at Banks County
Brookwood at Mill Creek
Buford at Gainesville -- Radio: 1240 AM
Dawson County at North Forsyth
East Jackson at Commerce
Fellowship Christian at Towns County
Hayesville, N.C. at Rabun County
Hebron Christian at Lakeview Academy
Jefferson at Jackson County
Monroe Area at Winder-Barrow
North Hall at Johnson
Riverside Military at Whitefield Academy
Stephens County at Habersham Central
Union County at Fannin County
West Forsyth at Flowery Branch -- Radio: 550 AM
West Hall at Chestatee -- Radio: 102.9 FM
White County at Lumpkin County