Week 10 features a handful of crucial region games, maybe none more significant than Region 8-A Division's Commerce at Elbert County game.
Elbert County knocked 10-time region champion Rabun County out of the way last week, leaving Commerce as the next opponent to fight for the region crown. The Tigers are looking for their first region title in five seasons, and a win at the Granite Bowl would be a good start. If the Tigers win on the road, it'll set up another massive battle next week at home against Rabun County for the region title. If Elbert wins, crown them the champs.
Region 7-3A features a rivalry matchup in Dahlonega as White County invades the Burial Grounds at Cottrell Stadium, seeking its 41st win in 54 tries over Lumpkin County. If the Warriors handle business in the Gold City, it'll create a 3-way tie for first place in the region.
In Region 7-4A, East Forsyth's bid for its first playoff berth and home playoff game continues in Danielsville. They'll face a Madison County team upset by Cedar Shoals last week. The Broncos blew a 17-0 lead last year at home against the Red Raiders. Can they finish the job this year on the road?
With all the key region matchups this week, we've sorted through the 19 games on the schedule and found three games with big region games that we think could be Games2Watch.
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JACKSON COUNTY at LANIER
Records: Panthers (4-4, 2-2, Region 8-6A); Longhorns (6-2, 3-1, Region 8-6A)
Last week: Jackson County was off; Lanier beat Apalachee, 42-13.
Where: The Ranch, Sugar Hill
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jackson County: So. QB RJ Knapp (51-of-91, 578 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INT passing; 31-151 yards, 1 TD rushing), Sr. RB MJ Spurlin (157-867 yards, 11 TDs rushing, Sr. A McClure (67-345, 4 TDs rushing), Sr. WR Jaydan Hibbert (41-535 yards, 2 TDs); Sr. LB Daniel Stites (53 tackles, 3 tackles for loss), Sr. LB Abbott Plank Miller (44 tkls, 5 TFL), Sr. DL Peyton Scott (33 tkls, 2 TFL). Lanier: Sr. QB Preston Ratliff (104-of-166, 1,591 yards, 14 TDs, 5 INT), Sr. RB Tayo Ashadele (113-686 yards, 9 TDs rushing), Jr. RB Tojuan Peyton Jr (91-548 yards, 5 TDs), Sr. WR Chase Jameson (44-769 yards, 6 TDs); Sr. LB Joshua Gallagher (93 tkls, 1 TFL), Jr. LB Bryce Garner (86 tkls, 3 TFL), Jr. LB Logan Laughlin (64 tkls, 2 TFL), Sr. DB Kameron Moore (45 tkls), Jr. DE Shorrod Wallace (42 tkls), Sr. LB Blaine Garner (41 tkls, 2 TFL)
WHY WATCH IT? Jackson County has to win to keep its playoff hopes intact. If they lose, the road to the playoffs will be like a stroll through the Amazon forest. Lanier is also fighting to keep its No. 2 spot in the region, which would give the Longhorns a first-round home playoff game. On paper, Lanier is slightly better on offense and defense, averaging three points more per game on offense and giving up five points less a game. The Longhorns also boast a balanced offensive attack, with two bruising running backs in Tayo Ashadele and Tojuan Peyton Jr, and a pretty good passing game with QB Preston Ratliff and his top target Chase Jameson. As for the Panthers, QB RJ Knapp, who took over mid-season, has settled into the offense and has been playing well. However, RB MJ Spurlin could be the key to the Panthers' offensive success. Spurlin is a big back that will have several Longhorn eyes on him throughout the night. Does the worry of Spurlin breaking off chunks of yardage open up the passing game for Knapp and his receivers? It's possible. But the Panthers' defense will be just as worried about the Longhorns' explosiveness on offense. This game could come down to a Peyton Scott-led defensive line wreaking havoc on Ratliff and the Longhorns' offense. After that, the Panthers will need to find a way to score just one more than the Longhorns for the win.
NORTH FORSYTH at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
Records: Raiders (3-4, 2-1, Region 8-6A); Raiders (3-4, 1-2, Region 8-6A)
Last week: North Forsyth was off; Hab. Central was off
Where: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: North Forsyth: Jr. QB Eli Seaney (90-of-148, 886 yards, 10 TDs, 5 INT passing; 38-250 yards, 5 TDs rushing), So. RB Darron Parry (117-664 yards, 3 TDs, rushing), Jr. WR Nate Gravitt (18-270 yards, 3 TDs), Jr. WR Brady Holbrook (15-197 yards, 4 TDs), Sr. WR Cole Smith (21-152 yards, 1 TD), Sr. LB Jacob Shirley (62 tkls, 8 TFL), Sr. LB Dylan Parker (55 tkls, 4 TFL), Jr. FS Colton Vela (50 tkls, 2 TFL), Jr. SS CJ Lenyszyn (43 tkls, 2 TFL); Habersham Central: Jr. QB Carson Parker (41-for-77, 427 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 45-165 yards rushing), Jr. RB Antonio Cantrell (105-497 yards, 7 TDs, rushing), Jr. WR Zeke Whittington (39-397 yards, 4 TDs, rec.), Sr. SS Carter Barrett (77 tkls, 5.5 TFL), Sr. LB Braden Henslee (51 tkls, 4.5 TFL), Jarred White (52 tkls, 1.5 TFL).
WHY WATCH IT? Much like the Jackson County-Lanier game, this one has big-time region implications. North Forsyth heads to Mt. Airy, seeking to stay in the top 3, and Habersham Central is looking to jump into the top 4. At the same time, the two programs will be wondering what's happening in Sugar Hill. On paper, NoFo has the advantage, averaging 26 points per game while giving up 23. Hab is giving up 28 ppg and scoring just 19. NoFo's takeaway defense will be key in this one. The Raiders have forced 15 turnovers, 10 of which are interceptions. Habersham Central has coughed the ball up eight times, three of which came in the loss to Lanier, and tossed four INTs. NoFo's CJ Lenyszyn leads a secondary that has been pretty good. He has been a ball hawk for the defense, hauling in three of the picks. When you add in a not-so-productive Hab offense, one mistake through the air or one loose ball could spell disaster for the blue and orange Raiders. As for the black and purple Raiders, they're also struggling to find the end zone. But when both teams are playing for their playoff lives, forget the stats, turnovers, and struggle bus because it'll be an all-out battle in Mt. Airy on Friday.
WHITE COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
Records: Warriors (4-3, 2-1, Region 7-3A); Indians (7-0, 3-0, Region 7-3A), ranked 7th in Class 3A
Last week: White County beat West Hall, 38-7; Lumpkin County was off
Where: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
Radio: WRWH 93.9 FM; www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Lumpkin County: QB Cal Faulkner (72-of-102, 803 yards, 8 TDs passing, 83-490 yards rushing, 8 TDs), RB Mason Sullens (177-1,302, 21 TDs rushing, WR Luke Evans (33-396 yards, 3 TDs rec.), Sr. LB Preston Cox (33 tkls, 4 TFL), LB Gerald Walker Jr ( 32 tks, 2 TFL), LB Will Wood (49 tkls), Nate Gilleland (42 tkls); White County: Jr. QB Tripp Nix (78-for-147, 1,077, 8 TDs, 3 INT, 72-167 yards, 7 TDs rushing), Sr. RB Ryan Fowler (100-691 yards, 6 TDs), Sr. WR Cam Wilson (21-305 yards, 1 TD rec.), Sr. WR Von Dre Nelson (17-294 yards, 2 TDs rec.), Jr. LB Jon Scott (75 tkls, 2 TFL), Jr. FS Cade Dockery (46 tkls, 3 TFL), Jr. DB Bryce Dockery (52 tkls, 3 TFL), Sr. LB Carson Smith (50 tkls), Jr. LB Alex Johnson (55 tkls), Jr. LB Jason Rewis (52 tkls, 6 TFL)
WHY WATCH IT? It's dubbed a rivalry game, but looking at the overall series record, the Warriors have dominated 40-12-1. The Indians broke the Warriors' five-game winning streak with a 56-35 win in Cleveland in 2022. There is no love loss between the two programs, which will make this game with a boatload of meaning fun to watch. The Region 7-3A championship is on the line for both, but more so for the undefeated Indians. If the Warriors win, there will be a three-way tie for the top spot between Wesleyan, Lumpkin and White. If the Indians win, they'll capture their first region championship, barring a loss to West Hall in Week 12, which will probably not happen. On paper, Lumpkin County should handle the Warriors with ease. They lead them in just about every stat category. But this is a rivalry game, meaning anything could happen. White County has a solid rushing attack behind Ryan Fowler, and dual-threat QB Tripp Nix has been playing well this season. But it will come down to the Whtie County defense slowing down the explosive Indians. QB Cal Faulkner is hitting a stride and has become a true dual-threat at the position. RB Mason Sullens has been rushing through the region like a freight train, amassing 1,302 yards and 21 TDs. If the Warriors allow Sullens a big game, it could be a long night in the Gold City. Then again, this one could be a shoot-out.
WEEK 10 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Athens Academy at Banks County*
Buford at Dacula*
Cedar Shoals at Chestatee*
Commerce at Elbert County*
Dawson County at Gilmer*
East Forsyth at Madison County* -- WDUN FM 102.9
East Hall at Cherokee Bluff*
Jackson County at Lanier* -- WDUN AM 550
Jefferson at Loganville*
Johnson at Druid Hills
Lanier Christian at King's Ridge Christian
North Forsyth at Habersham Central*
Rabun County at Athens Christian*
Riverside Prep at Lakeview Academy*
Shiloh at Gainesville* -- 94.5 FM The Lake
Towns County at Warren County*
Union County at East Jackson*
West Hall at Pickens*
White County at Lumpkin County*
