Playing a meaningful Week 11 game is at the top of the list for Loganville coach Gene Cathcart and Flowery Branch coach Jason Tester.
It's a sign that both teams are in the hunt for the same thing: a Class 5A state playoff spot.
Loganville will bring its high-flying offense to Falcon Field to battle Flowery Branch, both needing a win to strengthen their playoff hopes, Friday. You can hear the game live on FM 102.9 WDUN and streaming at accesswdun.com.
For Tester, he said they've been honest and upfront with the team about what's on the line Friday night.
"They know what's at stake," Tester said. "Our playoffs essentially started this week, so that's been the mindset. Our guys have been focused with our emphasis on body language, attention to detail, and preparing for our opponent this week."
Cathcart, in his first year with the Red Devils, has been through several ups and downs this season but has remained near or in the top four in the region down the stretch. They are sitting in a great position to improve that seeding with a win over the Falcons on Friday.
"Our philosophy always is that you want to play in games that matter when it's late in the year," Cathcart said. "This is a game that matters, and it's late in the year. Even though we're still a work in progress, our players have a chance not just to play out the string but try to compete for seeding. It'll be a great challenge for us this week."
TESTER TALKS LOGANVILLE
"They're well-coached. Coach Cathcart does a great job with them," Tester said. "Obviously, they have some talent there. The receiver, who's leading the region and state in yardage and touchdowns, is phenomenal as a junior. Their quarterback is a sophomore, and he's tall and can spin it. They've also got a great supporting cast. They're a good football team. They were down 26-7 to Clarke Central and came back to win the game, making some big-time plays. Obviously, losing to Winder for them early in the region was tough, but they are sitting exactly where we're sitting in the region, and that's why this game is so important."
CATHCART TALKS FLOWERY BRANCH
"The most impressive thing about Flowery Branch is the playmakers on the field," he said. "They have a quarterback that is having an unbelievable year. Coach Tester and those guys have done a great job with him. He has great poise and makes all kinds of throws. He's not just a system, this or that guy. He makes the throws you need him to make. Then they've got (Malik) Dryden and some other guys that can run the ball well enough, and they're good up front. The offensive line can be physical and pass-protect physically. But, man, the receivers, they're just electricity in a bottle waiting for something to happen. They also play hard without the football, which is a credit to those kids because a lot of high school kids don't play hard without the ball, and those guys do. Then you throw in (Camo) Campbell and some other guys with catches for them that are also threats, and they're extremely tough to defend."
CATHCART'S KEYS TO THE GAME
"Both offenses are probably going to have an opportunity to make plays and make plays," Cathcart said. "So, it's a matter of which defense steps up. I think special teams will play a huge role because, with all our injuries, we haven't been as solid as we'd like to be across the board on special teams. So, I think special teams can make a huge impact in this game. And, usually, games like this tend to have some other phase step up than the one everybody expects, So I hope it's an exciting game. I certainly hope our guys relish the opportunity to play in games against good people this time of the year. We're excited about the chance."
TESTER'S KEYS TO THE GAME
"As always, win the battle up front defensively and establish the line of scrimmage," Tester said. "We need to pressure their quarterback because he does get the ball out quick, where. The majority of the time, when they hit long passes, it's out of a back set, which is traditionally a run formation. But their play-action is deadly just because of the length of No. 1 (Ahmed Souare). He has the ability to high-point the ball and doesn't really have to jump, which gives him the ability to catch the ball in stride and make plays downfield. So, winning the battle up front will be very key for us. We also want to make sure that we're winning the special teams battle on the field and work to create turnovers."
As we head to the season's final two weeks, we're changing up our Games2Watch feature this week by highlighting four games individually. Coming up later today, we'll look at the Rabun County at Commerce game. It's a game that has the Region 8-A Division 1 title on the line.
To follow scores and more this week, follow Friday Game Night on X (formerly Twitter) for scores, stories and highlights.
LOGANVILLE at FLOWERY BRANCH
Records: Red Devils (4-5, 2-3 Region 8-5A); Falcons (4-4, 2-2 Region 8-5A)
Last week: Loganville lost 56-20 to Jefferson, Flowery Branch was off
Where: Falcon Field, Flowery Branch
Radio: WDUN FM 102.9
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Flowery Branch: Sr. QB Josh Oliver (131-of-232, 1,844 yards, 18 TDs, 7 INT pass; 33-139 yards, 7 TDs rushing), Sr. RB Malik Dryden (71-463 yards rushing, 4, Sr. RB J Elder (22-139 yards, 1 TD rushing) Sr. WR Seth Larson (50-582 yards rec., 6 TDs), Jr. WR Jeremiah Ware (41-915 yards rec., 12 TDs), Sr. WR Camo Campbell (19-205 yards rec., 2 TDs) Sr. LB Cam Haynes, Sr. LB Frank Perez; Loganville: So. QB Brody Hannah (179-of-306, 2,543 yards, 23 TDs, 9 INT passing), Jr. WR Ahmed Souare (62-1,247 yards, 15 TDs rec.), Sr. WR Joseph Barnes (33-360 yards, 4 TDs rec.) Sr. WR/CB Charles Barkley-Smith (32-259 yards rec., 54 tkls, 7 TFL), Jr. FS Bryce Genske (49 tkls, 2 TFL), Sr. LB Boulder Barrett (46 tkls).
WHY WATCH IT? Not only is region seeding on the line in this one, but this will be an offense lovers paradise. Yeah, I said offense lovers. Look, I'm not against a high-flying shootout, but I do like to watch the defense battle in the trenches, and the team that can pressure the quarterback the most will most likely win this one. The Falcons have proven they can control a game and come from behind to win a shootout this season ... see the Clarke Central game for the comeback and see Winder-Barrow for the blowout. Loganville also has shown they can battle from behind and win ... see the Clarke Central game for the comeback. Wait, hit rewind. Both have rallied to beat Clarke Central this year. Of course, we can make that comparison, but all it means is both teams have the ability to dig in and keep chopping. It's not going to be as easy as looking at the wins and losses on the schedule to get a good grasp on what will happen in this Region 8-5A battle for third place. You'll need to take a look a little deeper. Loganville might be young, but don't let that fool you. So. QB Brody Hannah leads the state in passing, and his top receiver, Ahmed Souare, leads the state in receiving. Loganville's most significant issue, however, has been the run game and defense. They lost their top running back early in the season and, because of that, average under 100 yards per game rushing. Defensively, they are giving up 44.2 points per game. This is good news for Flowery Branch quarterback Josh Oliver. Oliver can pick a defense apart. He also has solid targets in Jeremiah Ware, Seth Larson and Camo Campbell. However, the run game for the Falcons could be the biggest key. Tester likes a balanced attack, and if Malik Dryden is in the backfield and healthy on Friday, they have a better shot at balance. That balance will give the Falcons the advantage and Oliver a shot to rack up a pile of passing yards. This one has Falcons win all over it. However, if Loganville's offense is allowed to get going, call in the cavalry because this one will turn into a shootout at The Darkside.
WEEK 11 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Athens Academy at Union County*
Chestatee at East Forsyth*
Clarkston at Johnson
Fellowship Christian at Banks County*
Gainesville at North Forsyth* -- 94.5 FM The Lake
Habersham Central at Apalachee*
Heritage-Conyers at Jefferson*
Lakeview Academy at George Walton Academy*
Lanier Christian at The Walker School*
Loganville at Flowery Branch* -- WDUN FM 102.9
Lumpkin County at Dawson County*
Mountain View at Buford* -- WDUN AM 550
North Hall at Cedar Shoals* (Thursday)
North Oconee at East Hall*
Pickens at White County*
Providence Christian at East Jackson*
Rabun County at Commerce*
Riverside Prep at Loganville Christian*
Towns County at Washington-Wilkes*
Wesleyan at West Hall*
