Week 8: Not too late -- area teams vying to stay in postseason conversation

Posted 7:56PM on Friday, October 17, 2014

There may only be four Friday nights left in the 2014 high school football regular season, but we are going to squeeze a lot of action into those four nights. It starts tonight with some key contests throughout northeast Georgia. A look at Region 8-AA shows that the biggest game of the season so far will take place in Blairsville, as the Panthers play host to Rabun County in a rumble the likes of which the mountains have not seen in some time. Meanwhile, there is plenty of jockeying going on in Region 8-AAAA, where three teams -- Buford, Stephens County and North Oconee -- are tied with unbeaten league marks. Region 7-AAA also sees West Hall and Lumpkin County looking top stay tied at the front, while everyone else is still contention for a postseason spot. Region 8-AAAAA may have a clear front-runner (Lanier), but there are plenty more teams looking to stay in the playoff race and can put down their marker to do so tonight. And in 8-AAA, Jefferson and Hart County hope to continue their collision course for an end-of-season championship battle. Region 8-A is also full of parity at the moment, with three teams tied with one region loss. It may all be a bit cloudy at the moment, but -- like the weather this week -- it has to clear up sometime. There's a good chance that clarity starts tonight. To read a short preview of 21 northeast Georgia contests, simply scroll down... WEEK 8 AREA FOOTBALL GAMES, OCT. 17: Games are listed alphabetically by the visiting team ATHENS ACADEMY at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Jock Horner Field, Gainesville -- ATHENS ACADEMY (2-3, 1-3 Region 8-A): Lost to Prince Avenue Christian 29-7 last week. -- LAKEVIEW (2-4, 2-2 Region 8-A): Lost to George Walton Academy 34-14 last week. -- NOTABLE: Lakeview is already off to a strong start to its region campaign but could go down in history if it can knock off the Spartans tonight; the Lions are 0-4 against Athens Academy so far, including a 35-7 loss last season. ... The Lions are led by running back Tae Turner in a spread option offense averaging 17.8 points per game (ppg). ... Athens Academy has been Jekyll and Hyde on offense so far this season, scoring a season-high 41 in a shutout of Towns County but scoring just 7 last week in the defeat to Prince Avenue. For the season, the Spartans are averaging 22 ppg. ... Defensively, Athens Academy has posted two shutouts hut has allowed 29 ppg in three losses. ... A win would be huge for Lakeview as it prepares to face a three-game slate against Athens Christian, Prince Avenue and Commerce -- all three teams are currently tied atop 8-A with 1 loss apiece (all to each other; George Walton is also 3-1 in 8-A with a loss to Prince Avenue). BANKS COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega -- BANKS (3-3, 0-2 Region 7-AAA): Bye last week. Lost to Fannin County 30-23 on Oct. 3. -- LUMPKIN (4-3, 3-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Fannin County 34-20 last week. -- NOTABLE: No team is out of the Region 7-AAA race, so both the Leopards and Indians will need a win tonight. A victory would ensure Lumpkin stays at least tied for first in 7-AAA, while Banks could get right back in the playoff hunt with an upset. ... The Leopards have to feel they've had some tough luck, dropping all three losses by a combined 15 points. ... The Indians have gotten a little stronger each week, led by a rushing attack averaging just under 400-yards a game. Quarterback Zach Matthews (1,077 yards rushing on the season) and running backs Gunner Wood and Bradley Womack have done most of the damage. ... Banks County has used a balanced attack that combines the run and pass, using Malcolm Mitchell as its big-play threat in a team averaging a steady 26.6 ppg. Banks County has not scored fewer than points in any one game, with a season-high 43 in a shutout of East Jackson. ... Lumpkin County's defense will be wary in the contest, as the unit is allowing 27.3 ppg, not holding a foe under 20 points since Sept. 12. ... The Indians have already eclipsed their best win total since 2011. ... Banks County has already tied its win total from 2012 (the Leopards didn't win a game in 2013). ... The two teams haven't played since 2005 -- and Lumpkin owns a 10-2 record in the series, including a 23-20 win in '05. BUFORD at MONROE AREA -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Legion Field, Monroe -- BUFORD (6-0, 3-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated North Hall 56-0 last week. The Wolves are ranked No. 1 in Class AAAA. -- MONROE (0-6, 0-3 Region 8-AAAA): Lost to North Oconee 35-17 last week. -- NOTABLE: Buford has allowed just 37 points all season -- 17 in region play. Monroe Area has some playmakers on offense but has struggled with consistency, averaging 16.5 ppg. ... The Wolves are following their tried and true method of grinding opposing teams to dust, rushing for 244.7 yards per game while allowing just 57.8 on the ground. Joshua Thomas is leading the way for Buford with 339 yards rushing and 9 TDs, but five runners have at least 100 yards so far for the Wolves, and 26 different Buford players have carried the ball so far this season. ... Somewhat surprisingly Buford is not dominating the turnover category and is even with its opponents at five takeaways and five giveaways. ... Perhaps most telling, the Wolves have attempted just 11 punts in six games -- that's just under two a contest. ... The Purple Hurricanes are led by quarterback Jacob Olson with 1,109 yards passing... Monroe Area is within two more defeats of equalling its loss total from the last four seasons combined. ... The two teams have not played since 1951 but are tied at 3-3 in the series. COMMERCE ay PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Lilburn -- COMMERCE (4-2, 3-1 Region 8-A): Bye last week. Lost to Prince Avenue 48-27 on Oct. 3. -- PROVIDENCE (0-6, 0-4 Region 8-A): Lost to Hebron Christian 61-27 last week. -- NOTABLE: Commerce will look to get back on track after a tough loss two weeks ago that knocked the Tigers from sole possession of first place in Region 8-A. There are currently four teams in 8-A with just one region loss ... Providence Christian has not posed much of a threat since joining 8-A this season. Last week's 34-point deficit to Hebron Christian represents the Stars' closest margin of the campaign. ... Commerce currently sits sixth in the GHSA Class A Public power ratings, which helps determine the postseason seedings for the 16 teams in each division of Class A (region champs get automatic playoff bids, the remaining teams are determined by the Power Ratings). ... The Tigers will look to make hay over the next four contests, as they face just one team with a winning record in that span (George Walton Academy is currently 4-2). ... This is the two teams' first meeting. ... Providence is in its first full season of varsity play. CEDAR SHOALS at WINDER-BARROW -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: W. Clair Harris Stadium, Winder -- CEDAR SHOALS (0-6, 0-5 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost to Loganville 35-24 last week. -- WINDER (3-3, 3-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Bye last week. Defeated Flowery Branch 24-7 on Oct. 3. -- NOTABLE: Winder's resurgence requires the Bulldoggs to get a victory tonight to stay in control of their own playoff destiny in a Region 8-AAAAA -- three teams are currently tied for the fourth and final postseason slot from the region with 3-2 region records. ... The Bulldoggs are led by running back Cece Green, whose 903 yards rushing is amongst the 20 best marks in the state across all classifications. ... First-year coach Heath Webb has already led Winder to its highest win total since 2007. The Bulldoggs have not made the state playoffs since 2003. ... The Winder offense is averaging 22.1 ppg and will face a Jaguars defense allowing 29.5 ppg. ... Cedar Shoals is under its fourth head coach in five seasons in Scott Wilkins. ... The Jaguars are one defeat away from equalling their 2013 loss total. ... Cedar Shoals leads the series 6-2, including a 27-6 win last season. CENTENNIAL at HABERSHAM CENTRAL -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy -- CENTENNIAL (3-3, 3-2 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost to Alpharetta 39-0 last week. -- HABERSHAM (0-6, 0-5 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost to Lambert 51-6 last week. -- NOTABLE: Habersham Central is looking for its first win since 2012 and will hope to break through on homecoming night against a Centennial squad coming off its worst defeat of the season. ... The Raiders have struggled to score this campaign, averaging 10.8 ppg, while the Knights defense has been porous, allowing 35 ppg. ... The Raiders have a chance to bounce back down the stretch this season with games remaining against four teams with a combined five wins -- including winless North Forsyth and Johns Creek. ... This is the first meeting between the two teams. CLARKE CENTRAL at GAINESVILLE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Bobby Gruhn Field, Gainesville -- RADIO: 1240 AM -- CLARKE CENTRAL (3-3, 3-2 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Flowery Branch 32-12 last week. -- GAINESVILLE (4-2, 4-1 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost to Lanier 26-23 last week. -- NOTABLE: Gainesville suffered a gut-wrenching loss to Lanier last week in a game that see-sawed throughout, the Longhorns hitting the game-winning field goal with less than a minute to play. But there is no time to dwell on the setback, as Salem is now tied with the Red Elephants for second place in 8-AAAAA with one loss (though the Red Elephants own the tie-breaker after a head-to-head win over the Seminoles). Meanwhile, three other teams are tied for fourth in 8-AAAAA -- including the Gladiators, who desperately need a win to stay in the playoff mix. ... Gainesville's defense has been a strength all season and will need to play well again tonight against a Gladiators rushing attack led by JaQua Daniels. The Football Bowl Subdivision recruit was injured early in the season but has returned to help lead the Clarke Central offense -- which has averaged 33.5 points in its last two games after averaging just 23.75 through its first four contests (during which the Gladiators went 1-3). ... The Red Elephants have won both match-ups against Clarke Central since joining 8-AAAAA in 2012, including a 56-28 victory in 2013. Gainesville leads the series 6-2. EAST JACKSON at JEFFERSON -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson -- EAST JACKSON (1-6, 0-3 Region 8-AAA): Lost to Hart County 48-7 last week. -- JEFFERSON (7-0, 3-0 Region 8-AAA): Defeated Morgan County 51-16 last week. The Dragons are ranked No. 4 in Class AAA. -- NOTABLE: Jefferson is soaring but must be wary of a letdown against a team hungry for a victory. ... East Jackson is struggling to score, averaging 7.8 ppg. The Eagles defense has not given up fewer than 42 points since a 13-6 win over Lakeview Academy on Aug. 29. ... The Dragons are touching up opposing defenses for an average of 43 ppg, while allowing just 7.2. Jefferson's offense is putting up 447 yards per game split almost right down the middle -- of the Dragons' 3,129 yards, 1,577 have come on the ground, 1,546 have come via the pass. ... Jefferson quarterback Evan Shirreffs has 1,504 yards of Jefferson's passing yards, along with 14 TDs. TJ Skelton and Dalton Hill have split the catches -- Skelton with 28 for 598 yards and 5 TDs, Hill with 22 for 572 and 6 TDs. Sammy Williams' 110 rushes for 676 yards and 10 TDs leads the ground game. Colby Wood is right behind at 614 yards and 12 TDs. ... All-State safety Tradd Porter leads the Jefferson defense with 47 tackles. ... Jefferson is in the midst of its best regular season run since 2009, when the Dragons 11 straight before falling to Buford in the Class AA second round. ... East Jackson has posted just one winning season in its seven-plus seasons -- a 10-2 record in 2009. ... Jefferson leads the series 4-0, including a 35-7 win in 2011. FANNIN COUNTY at DAWSON COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville -- FANNIN (3-3, 1-1 Region 7-AAA): Lost to Lumpkin County 34-20 last week. -- DAWSON (1-5, 1-2 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Franklin County 25-7 last week. -- NOTABLE: Both teams are still in the playoff race in Region 7-AAA, but the Tigers need a win to ensure that they stay in that race, while a win for the Rebels would keep them near the front of the playoff push. ... The Tigers are coming off their first win of the season and will want to ride that momentum forward. Dawson County has put up its two best scoring totals of the season in its last two games (29 and 25), after managing just 16 points in its first four contests. ... Fannin County's new spread offense has been up and down in its first season, averaging 25.3 points. Quarterback Brad Davis is thriving in the attack, putting up 1,668 yards passing so far (the eighth highest total in the state across all classifications). New head man Jim Pavao -- who is a defensive-minded coach -- has already led the Rebels to their highest win total since 2011. ... Fannin County's defense has yielded 92 points in its last three games -- all against strong offensive teams (Union County, Banks County and Lumpkin County). ... Dawson County's defense is coming off its low point total of the season and is allowing 21.5 ppg. .... Dawson County has won the last four meetings in the series, including 45-14 in 2013. Yet Fannin still leads the overall series 6-4. FLOWERY BRANCH at APALACHEE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: R. Harold Harrison Stadium, Bethlehem -- FLOWERY BRANCH (2-4, 1-4 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost to Clarke Central 32-12 last week. -- APALACHEE (0-6, 0-5 Region 8-AAAAA): Bye last week. Lost to Loganville 29-22 on Oct. 3. -- NOTABLE: Both teams are hungry for a win coming into this one. The Falcons have already equalled their loss total from 2013 and are looking to regain their feet. The Wildcats, meanwhile, have not claimed victory since 2012 and are looking to buck a 16-game losing skid. ... Flowery Branch has faced a difficult time in scoring points this season, averaging 15.5 ppg. The Wildcats are just in front of the Falcons, averaging 17 ppg. ... Jeremiah Goss has been a reliable source of offense for the Branch, rushing for 547 yards and 3 TDs (including a 5.3 rush per carry average) and catching a team-high 10 passes for 154 yards and a score. Quarterback play has been erratic for the Falcons, however, as they are completing just under 36 percent of their passes and have thrown 12 interceptions to 6 touchdowns. ... The Falcons defense has fought hard. Flowery Branch is giving up 20.8 ppg. ... Apalachee's defense is yielding 36.3 ppg. ... The Wildcats are 0-4 against the Falcons all-time. Flowery Branch won the last meeting 42-20 in 2013. JACKSON COUNTY at HART COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Pete Herndon Stadium, Hartwell -- JACKSON COUNTY (1-6, 0-3 Region 8-AAA): Lost to Elbert County 42-13 last week. -- HART (6-0, 2-0 Region 8-AAA): Defeated East Jackson 48-7 last week. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 9 in Class AAA. -- NOTABLE: Jackson County faces a tough prospect, knowing that it is still alive in the 8-AAA postseason race but facing an undefeated Hart County squad on the road. ... Injuries have taken a toll on the Panthers, who lost some key players early in the campaign. ... Jackson County's defense has had a tough time this season, allowing 31.2 ppg. The Panthers offense, led by quarterback Jacob Lewis and running back Malik Tuck, has continued to put up points, averaging 20 ppg. ... The Hart County offense, led by quarterback Cameron Fouch -- who has thrown for over 1,000 yards -- comes in averaging 38.3 ppg. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs defense has been stout, not allowing more than 14 points in any one game this season -- they are yielding 10.1 ppg. ... Hart County is 11-0 all-time against Jackson County, including 54-14 victory in 2013. JOHNS CREEK at NORTH FORSYTH -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain -- JOHNS CREEK (0-6, 0-5 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost to Chattahoochee 28-19 last week. -- NORTH FORSYTH (0-6, 0-5 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost to West Forsyth 35-3 last week. -- NOTABLE: North Forsyth is looking to halt a seven-game losing skid and bounce back to claim its first win of the campaign -- against a Johns Creek squad that has lost 18 straight. The Raiders have not gone 0-6 to start a season since 2007 (North finished 1-9 that year). ... Offense has been hard to come by for the Raiders, who are averaging 7.1 ppg. ... Johns Creek's attack is scoring 11.8 ppg. ... Both teams have come achingly close to breaking through. The Gladiators dropped a 31-28 decision to Centennial on Sept. 26, while North Forsyth fell 20-17 to Chattahoochee on Sept. 5. ... The series is tied 1-1, with the Raiders winning 38-21 last season. JOHNSON at EAST HALL -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Valhalla, Rabbittown -- RADIO: AM 550 -- JOHNSON (2-5, playing non-region schedule): Defeated Osborne 13-0 last week. -- EAST HALL (2-4, 1-2 Region 7-AAA): Lost to West Hall 51-22 last week. -- NOTABLE: A non-region game that should still have plenty of spice due to it being between two local teams, East Hall is coming off a tough region defeat to West Hall, while the Knights are looking to claim their third straight victory. ... East Hall is still very much alive in the 7-AAA playoff race and will want to bounce back after last week's defeat. The Vikings have put up points on almost every team faced this season, averaging 21.5 ppg. East Hall's spread attack features quarterback Devin Watson and athletes such as Jiel Vargas and Rex Purgason. They will face a Johnson defense allowing 26.1 ppg. ... The Knights offense is averaging 10.8 ppg but is coming off back-to-back double digit scoring performances for the first time this season. They will face a Vikings defense that is yielding 33.3 ppg. ... Johnson leads the series 22-13-1, but East Hall claimed the last meeting, 54-14 in 2013. LANIER at HERITAGE, CONYERS -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Evans Memorial Stadium, Conyers -- LANIER (6-0, 5-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Gainesville 26-23 last week. The Longhorns are ranked No. 7 in Class AAAAA. -- HERITAGE (2-4, 2-3 Region 8-AAAAA): Bye last week. Defeated Cedar Shoals 18-13 on Oct. 3. -- NOTABLE: Lanier has moved into sole possession of first place in Region 8-AAAAA courtesy last week's nip-and-tuck defeat of Gainesville, and the Longhorns will be wary of a letdown against a Heritage team that has won two of its last three games -- the loss coming to Gainesville. The Patriots have also had a week off to prep for the contest. ... Lanier's offense attempts to balance the run and pass behind a trio of backs (Tario Fuller, Ashton Barnes and Marcella Baity) and quarterback Tahj Tolbert. The unit is averaging 27.3 ppg and has not deviated from that average by more than eight points (35 in a win over Clarke Central). Their season low was 21 in a win over Cedar Shoals. ... The Lanier defense has also been steady, allowing 15 ppg. The group is led by 6-foot-4, 285-pound junior defensive end Derrick Brown -- who was named Friday Game Night's Player of the Week for his performance in the defeat of Gainesville. ... The Longhorns reached the second round of the Class AAAA postseason last year and are gunning for a region title this season in their fifth year of existence. ... Heritage's offense has struggled to score at times this season, averaging 18.6 ppg. The Patriots have the ability to hit for big plays but are just as capable of turning the ball over as they get used to a new system under first-year head coach Wendell Early -- Heritage's third coach in three seasons. ... The Patriots defense is allowing 22.6 ppg, but that number is skewed by the Gainesville loss (47-13) and is yielding 17.8 ppg otherwise. ... This is the two teams' first meeting. MADISON COUNTY at NORTH HALL -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville -- MADISON (4-2, 2-1 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Chestatee 49-28 last week. -- NORTH HALL (0-6. 0-3 Region 8-AAAA): Lost to Buford 56-0 last week. -- NOTABLE: The Red Devils need a win to stay in the playoff race, while a young Trojans squad is looking to get its first win for new head coach David Bishop. ... North Hall's normally rush-heavy offense comes in averaging 152.5 yards per game, led by Kyle Bacus (253 yards). The Trojans are scoring 7.1 ppg after facing just one team with a losing record so far (Carrollton). North Hall is also allowing 46.3 ppg. ... After this week North Hall gets a chance to take on Monroe Area and Chestatee -- which are a combined 1-11 -- in successive weeks. ... Madison County is averaging 29 ppg and is allowing 20 ppg. ... The Red Devils face a gauntlet down the stretch. After facing North Hall, they face Stephens County, Buford and North Oconee -- all currently undefeated in Region 8-AAAA play. ... Madison County leads the series 9-3, but North Hall won the last match-up 35-12 in 2001. That victory for the Trojans represented their first under Bob Christmas, who went on to lead the Trojans to 104 more wins, four region titles and two state semifinal appearances. North Hall will hope to start another trend this Friday. NORTH OCONEE at WHITE COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: White County Stadium, Cleveland -- RADIO: www.wrwh.com -- NORTH OCONEE (4-2, 3-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Monroe Area 35-17 last week. -- WHITE (3-2, 1-2 Region 8-AAAA): Lost to Stephens County 30-10 last week. -- NOTABLE: Despite a tough loss last week and a tough game ahead this week, White County is still very much in control of its postseason destiny thanks to a comeback win over Madison County on Oct. 3. ... North Oconee is currently tied for first in 8-AAAA and needs a win to stay in step with Buford and Stephens County. ... The Warriors' triple option offense has rolled up rushing yards on just about every team faced so far this season but will want to bounce back from a 59-yard outing last week at Stephens County. Injuries have hit White County hard, but running back/defensive back Maurice Sutton and defensive end Tucker Cook returned in last week's contest against the Indians. ... White County enters averaging 25.5 ppg on offense but allowing 30.6 ppg. ... North Oconee is led by All-State running back Kawon Bryant. His 906 yards rushing (12 TDs) is amongst the leaders in the state. ... The Titans have won four straight games and are averaging 30 ppg (39 ppg during the win streak). North Oconee is also allowing 15.8 ppg (10 ppg in four wins). ... This is the two teams' first meeting. PRINCE AVENUE CHRISTIAN at TOWNS COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee -- PAC (5-2, 4-1 Region 8-A): Defeated Athens Academy 29-7 last week. -- TOWNS (1-6, 1-4 Region 8-A): Lost to Athens Christian 46-0 last week. -- NOTABLE: Prince Avenue knows a win will keep them, at worst, tied for first place in Region 8-A, while Towns County is just looking to notch its first victory since knocking off Lakeview Academy 14-6 on Sept. 12. ... The Indians have been held scoreless in two straight games and are averaging 10.8 ppg. Towns County's defense is yielding 39.4 ppg. ... Prince Avenue enters the contest averaging 31.2 ppg on offense while giving up 19.4 ppg. ... The Wolverines lead the series 2-0, the last win coming in 2007. Towns County has not scored a point in two contests against Prince Avenue. RABUN COUNTY at UNION COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville -- RABUN (5-2, 3-0 Region 8-AA): Defeated Oglethorpe County 49-7 last week. -- UNION (7-0, 3-0 Region 8-AA): Defeated Greene County 42-27 last week. -- NOTABLE: To read an in-depth preview or watch a video preview of this contest, simply <a href="http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=280797">click here.</a> RIVERSIDE MILITARY at OGLETHORPE COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Patriot Stadium, Lexington -- RIVERSIDE (1-5, 0-2 Region 8-AA): Lost to Washington-Wilkes 13-10 last week. -- OGLETHORPE (0-6, 0-3 Region 8-AA): Lost to Rabun County 49-7 last week. -- NOTABLE: Both teams are looking for their first region victory, while the Patriots are looking to snap a 10-game losing skid that reaches back into 2013. ... Riverside came achingly close to upsetting defending 8-AA champ Washington-Wilkes last week. ... The Eagles enter the contest averaging 10.1 ppg on offense, but the Riverside defense has been strong all season, allowing 14.6 ppg (24 in a loss to Rabun County is its season-high). ... The Patriots have been shut out three times this season and are scoring just 4.1 ppg, while allowing 46 ppg. ... Oglethorpe is in its first season under new head coach Jimbo Hale. ... The Patriots lead the series against Riverside 6-2, though the Eagles claimed the last meeting, 28-20 in 2013. STEPHENS COUNTY at CHESTATEE -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville -- STEPHENS (5-1, 3-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated White County 30-10 last week. -- CHESTATEE (1-5, 0-3 Region 8-AAAA): Lost to Madison County 49-28 last week. -- NOTABLE: Stephens County plows into this contest looking to stay at the front of the Region 8-AAAA race, while a young Chestatee team is looking to find its feet and notch its first region win. ... The Indians are anchored by an overpowering offensive line that features 6-foot-6, 320-pound junior Ben Cleveland (a University of Georgia commit) that has been lining up at tight end since returning from an injury early in the season. The unit has paved the way for a rushing attack averaging 310 yards per game -- led by Desmond Wheeler (707 yards, 11 TDs). Quarterback Mason Long is also a dual threat, passing for 132 yards per game and rushing for 66 yards. He has 15 total touchdowns. The group is scoring 31 ppg. ... Stephens County is also allowing 17.5 ppg. ... Chestatee's rushing attack has been up and down this season and is helping its offense to average 11 ppg. ... The War Eagles defense is allowing 38.3 ppg. ... Stephens County leads the series 3-2, though Chestatee won the last meeting 17-0 in 2013. WEST HALL at FRANKLIN COUNTY -- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. -- WHERE: Ed Bryant Stadium, Carnesville -- RADIO: 102.9 FM -- WEST HALL (5-1, 2-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated East Hall 55-21 last week. -- FRANKLIN (2-4, 1-2 Region 7-AAA): Lost to Dawson County 25-7 last week. -- NOTABLE: West Hall knows a victory will, at least, keep it tied at the front of Region 7-AAA. Franklin County, despite the two region setbacks can catapult right into the thick of the postseason race with a win. ... The Spartans have been working on building depth in its offense and have developed a number of playmakers, including Kwon Williams, Tyquan Statham and Jay Crawford. The group is helping the Spartans to score 30.6 ppg. ... Perhaps most impressive, however, has been the West Hall defense, which owns three shutouts and is yielding 8.8 ppg. ...The Lions offense has ridden a roller coaster this season, putting up 7 points on two occasions and 47 on another. Franklin is averaging 23.1 ppg on offense and is allowing 25.8 ppg. ... Franklin County leads the series 4-1, including a victory in the last meeting, 55-21 in 2010.