Three area teams get underway on Thursday, two in the annual Corky Kell Classic, as the 2023 high school football season kicked off around the state and the area.
Cherokee Bluff lost 40-7 to West Forsyth while North Forsyth fell 35-16 to Archer in the Corky Kell Classic.
Union County, meanwhile, routed Fannin County on the road, 50-12, for an impresive start to the 2023 campaign.
Sixteen more games are scheduled for Friday involving Northeast Georgia teams. And there are just as many questions surrounding area teams heading into Week 1.
Perhaps top of the list, Buford, ranked No. 10 in the first MaxPreps national poll, plays host to Independent power St. Frances Academy out of Baltimore, Md., ranked sixth. Both teams are loaded with Division I talent on both sides of the ball. It might be the biggest matchup of nationally-ranked teams in the country this week.
Next up has to be, can Gainesville, a Class 6A state runner-up in 2022, navigate its way back to the championship game? That’s more than three months down the road but the Red Elephants, ranked second in 6A, open a much-anticipated season-opener at City Park against Class 6A No. 8 Marist in a possible playoff precursor for both teams.
The fun matchup will be the contrast in styles as the War Eagles bring their always-difficult-to-defend triple-option while Big Red will counter with a high-flying spread attack.
There may be no team with more questions than Jefferson, who graduated the bulk of its Region 8-5A championship team but still has Sammy Brown. The Dragons have questions, and holes, on both sides of the ball but also have a lot of young talent that could be ready to take a step forward. The Dragons open at Memorial Stadium against an Alpharetta team that scored 47 on them last season.
And White County travels to The Brickyard to take on rival North Hall in their annual battle. The series once again is tied (25 wins apiece) and both teams are hoping to put frustrating 2022 campaigns behind them with a solid start to the season.
For a look at all of the weekend's contests involving area teams, simply scroll down. And be sure to check back with AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night throughout the night for score updates and game stories and video highlights. You can also check for scores and highlights on our Twitter feed: @FridayGameNight
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR AUG. 18
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
ALPHARETTA at JEFFERSON
Records: Raiders (0-0, Region 7-6A); Dragons (0-0, Region 8-5A), ranked 8th in Class 5A
Where: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: The Raiders won a wild 47-46 affair last year in the only meeting ever between the two programs. The Dragons won’t have the same firepower on offense but still have RB Sammy Brown (1,449 yards, 21 TD rushing; 246 yards, 3 TD receiving). However, the bigger retooling for the Dragons will be on defense. They are replacing their entire defensive line and three of four starters in the secondary. The Raiders, however, will be breaking in a new QB and lost 3 of their top 5 receivers from a year ago.
What to watch for: Both offenses. After a wild shootout last year, both offenses are reloading. Whichever unit is able to get something established will have the advantage. Look for Jefferson to go with a heavy dose on the ground behind a big, experienced O-line -- and of course, Brown.
BANKS COUNTY at JOHNSON
Records: Leopards (0-0, Region 8-2A); Knights (0-0, Region 8-4A, non-region)
Where: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Banks County leads the series 5-2. The Leopards won 41-20 in 2022. Johnson has not beaten Banks County since 1959. The Knights are mired in a 32-game losing streak. Their last win came on Oct. 11, 2019, in a 24-22 win over Walnut Grove. However, they were just four points from posting three wins, losing a pair of games by one point and another by two points.
What to watch for: The Johnson offense. The Knights will have experience up front and in the backfield as they return Sr. QB Greyson Higgins and Sr. RB Demetri Moore (790 yards, 8 TD) and 5 along the O-line. The Banks' defense was gouged by a big Lumpkin County O-line in its scrimmage last week and will need to improve to slow down the Knights.
CHESTATEE at HEBRON CHRISTIAN
Records: War Eagles (0-0, Region 8-4A); Lions (0-0, Region 8-3A)
Where: Dacula
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Hebron won the only meeting between the programs, 63-13, in 2022. The War Eagles are under new head coach Stuart Cunnigham and looked sharp in their scrimmage vs. Union County, a projected playoff team in 2A, last week. QB Josh Kermode and the offense are still learning a hybrid attack of the spread and wing-T and will face a stern test against the Lions, who allowed just 22.6 ppg to teams not named Cedar Grove. Defense has been the issue for the War Eagles the last few years but held down a solid Union County attack.
What to watch for: The Hebron offense. Gone is QB Gavin Hall, who transferred to Gainesville. Hall combined for over 4,300 yards in 2022 (1,790 passing, 2,547 rushing, and 50 TDs; 32 passing, 18 rushing). That’s a ton of production from one player and who the Lions get to replace that will be a key.
DAWSON COUNTY at JACKSON COUNTY
Records: Tigers (0-0, Region 7-3A); Panthers (0-0, Region 8-6A)
Where: Panther Stadium, Hoschton
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Jackson County leads the series 4-3. Dawson County won 28-21 in 2022, the first meeting between the two teams since 1987. Both teams will look different in 2023. The Tigers are rebuilding their defense while the Panthers have a new coach in Korey Mobbs, formerly of Lanier.
What to watch for: The key and probably best matchup of the night will be the Tigers' big O-line, which averages 280 pounds, vs. the Panthers front-7, led by DE Peyton Scott and LB MJ Spurlin. Also, can the Tigers' inexperienced defense hold up vs. what should be a balanced Panthers offense.
DECATUR at FLOWERY BRANCH
Records: Bulldogs (4-5, Region 4-5A); Falcons (0-0, Region 8-5A)
Where: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: The Falcons won the only meeting ever last year, 39-38, in a wild shootout. Branch returns the bulk of their offense, including QB Josh Oliver, receivers Seth Larson and Jeremiah Ware, and RB Malik Dryden. The Bulldogs won Region 4-5A in 2022 but graduated just under 6,000 yards of offense and will be rebuilding a unit that averaged 31 ppg.
What to watch for: The Falcons defense. They are under another defensive coordinator but have the talent to improve on a unit that allowed 199 points (27 ppg) in their 7 losses. They have a solid LB group led by Cam Haynes and Frankie Perez along with Jordan Elder, Griffin Harper, and Dryden.
HARALSON COUNTY at RABUN COUNTY
Records: Rebels (0-0, Region 7-2A); Wildcats (0-0, Region 8-A Division 1), ranked 5th in Class A Division 1
Where: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Rabun County leads the series 2-0. The Wildcats won 49-3 in 2022 in Tallapoosa. The other meeting came in the 2020 Class 2A playoffs. It has not been a good matchup for the Rebels, who have been outscored 84-10 in the two games. This one may be a little more interesting. The Wildcats lost their QB, top receiver, top rusher, and top two tacklers among 8 on defense to graduation and will be young in several key spots. The Rebels were young last year and bring back most of their key personnel in 2023.
What to watch for: The Rabun County defense. The Rebels had their worst offensive season since 2017 but have been known for explosive offenses, much like the Wildcats. They return their QB and several top playmakers while the Wildcats are rebuilding their defense. Rabun should still be dangerous on offense but with a new QB and several new faces in key spots, if they start slow their 18-game home win streak could be in jeopardy.
HAYESVILLE (NC) at TOWNS COUNTY
Records: Yellowjackets (0-0, Region 1-A West NC); Indians (0-0, Region 8-A Division 2)
Where: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Hayesville leads series 22-4. The Yellowjackets won 13-12 at home in 2022. Hayesville has won two straight after the Indians had won three straight from 2016-18. This is one the Indians probably have had penciled in for the last 365 days. A controversial call to negate a game-winning Towns County TD in the final minute thwarted a comeback win. The Indians could have the advantage this time around as they return a solid core on both sides of the ball.
What to watch for: The Towns County defense vs. the Yellowjackets offense. The Indians return 8 on a unit that showed significant improvement in 2022. The Yellowjackets graduated their QB, 2 of their top 3 rushers, and their top 2 receivers from a group that averaged just over 20 ppg last year.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at KING’S RIDGE
Records: Lions (0-0, GISA Region 4-AAAA-AAA); Tigers (0-0, Region 6-A Division 1)
Where: Alpharetta
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: King’s Ridge leads series 3-2. Lakeview won 35-28 in 2022. The Lions are coming off their most wins in a season playing a varsity, region schedule. But gone is coach Lee Shaw (Metter) and a whirlwind of transfers in and out of the program over the summer has left the Lions in flux under new coach Lee Coleman. The Tigers were extremely young in 2022 with the majority of the roster freshmen and sophomores. They return the bulk of their starters on both sides of the ball.
What to watch for: Depth. Lakeview has just under 20 players currently on the roster, which will be an issue at certain spots, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines. Can the Lakeview offense generate enough points to keep up with the Tigers? That may be the difference in this one.
MARIST at GAINESVILLE
Records: War Eagles (0-0, Region 4-6A), ranked 8th in Class 6A; Red Elephants (0-0, Region 8-6A), ranked 2nd in Class 6A
Where: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Marist leads series 10-6. Gainesville won 34-23 in 2022. Both teams come in ranked in the top 10 in Class 6A to begin the year, and both made deep runs in 2022. The War Eagles lost in the Elite 8 while the Red Elephants lost in the championship game. The 34 points the Gainesville offense put on the Marist defense turned out to be a season-high vs. the War Eagles in 2022. Big Red may already be better than they were last year as Baxter Wright has a full grasp of the offense and more than enough weapons to put up some big numbers. And this may not be the last time the two meet in 2023.
What to watch for: The Gainesville defense. The Red Elephants have several new pieces to a unit that allowed just 16.7 ppg in 2022 and facing the always-tough Marist wing-T in the opener will be a tough challenge. The War Eagles are led by returning QB Jack Euart. However, the Marist defense, led by DL Luke Harpring, also will have its hands full vs. a Gainesville offense that could be more explosive than last year’s group that averaged 39.0 ppg. Wright is a year-plus into the system and expect offensive coordinator Tad Niblett to add a few more wrinkles this year.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY at EAST JACKSON
Records: Patriots (0-0, Region 5-A Division 1); Eagles (0-0, Region 8-2A)
Where: East Jackson Stadium, Commerce
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: East Jackson leads the series 7-2. The Patriots won 16-7 in 2022, but the Eagles had won four straight until last year. The Patriots also are coming off their best season since 2009. But they graduated their quarterback and 4 of their top 5 receivers from a unit that scored its most points since 1994.
What to watch for: The East Jackson offense. So. QB Drew Richardson (755 yards, 5 TD) and Sr. Talan Jackson, who led the team in every receiving category (14 rec., 301 yards, 21.5 ypc, 3 TD), both return and have added a pair of talented sophomores in Brady Saunders and Branturen Callahan. They are coming off their best offensive season since 2009 and should be even better in 2023.
ST. FRANCES ACADEMY (MD) at BUFORD
Records: Panthers (9-1 in 2022, Independent), ranked 6th in MaxPreps national rankings; Wolves (0-0, Region 8-7A), ranked 10th in MaxPreps national rankings; No. 1 in Class 7A
Where: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. This may be the biggest matchup in the nation this week. The Panthers are ranked sixth nationally by MaxPreps while Buford is ranked 10th, the highest among Georgia teams, coming into the opener. Both are loaded with Division I talent. Stats from 2022 may not be relevant as both offenses will be potent, and both defenses should be nasty. It could come down to a turnover or a key defensive stop to decide this one.
What to watch for: Buford 5-star QB Dylan Raiola. It will be the state’s first look at the recent No. 1 prospect who transferred from Arizona. The Panthers' defense is led by Sr. 4-star CB Ify Obidegwu. The Panthers' offense is led by 4-star QB Michael Van Buren.
SKIPSTONE ACADEMY at LANIER CHRISTIAN
Records: Warriors (0-0, Region GAPPS 2-AA); Lightning (0-0, Region GAPPS 1-AA)
Where: Cabbell Field, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Skipstone leads series 1-0. The Warriors, out of Griffin, beat LCA 12-6 in the 2019 GAPPS semifinals. Skipstone lost in the GAPPS finals in 2022 to Cherokee Christian, a team that beat LCA twice last year. This will be a challenging opener for the Lightning as the Warriors return their QB, leading rusher, and 3 of their top 4 leading receivers from an offensive unit that averaged 36.5 ppg. LCA returns So. QB CJ Britt (1,800 yards with 25 TD, 5 INT) and plenty of targets in Ben Hargis, Andrew Batusic, Drew Kalnaukas, and Isaiah Hrenic.
What to watch for: It could be an offensive showcase for both teams. But the key matchup will be the LCA defense vs. the Warriors' offense. LCA allowed just 15.7 ppg in 2022 but graduated several key players and will be young, with nearly a half dozen freshmen or sophomores set to main key spots.
SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN (SC) at COMMERCE
Records: Sabres (0-0, Region 1-A); Tigers (0-0, Region 8-A Division 2)
Where: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Commerce won the only meeting between the two programs in 2022, 21-17 in Simpsonville, S.C. The Sabres made the 2nd round of the Class A playoffs last season. That was the first out-of-state opponent for the Tigers since traveling to Walhalla (SC) in 2001 and the first win over an out-of-state opponent since then as well. The Tigers are expected to be even more potent in their patented triple-option with Jaiden Daniels, who rushed for over 1,400 yards and has 33 TDs in two seasons, Tysean Wiggins, who broke the 1,000-yard rushing mark last season, and Jakari Huff all back and a year older and bigger.
What to watch for: Commerce toughness. Coach Mark Hollars said being and playing more physical in 2023 is a high priority. He said he saw improvement over the summer. With their depth on offense, a tougher Tigers team should give every opponent something to think about.
STEPHENS COUNTY at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
Records: Indians (0-0, Region 8-3A), ranked 9th in Class 3A; Raiders (0-0, Region 8-6A)
Where: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Stephens County leads the series 33-12-1. The Indians have won three straight and 14 of the last 15 going back to 1997. Habersham’s only win in the span came in 2019 in Mt. Airy. Offense was the issue for the Raiders in 2022, but they return eight, including three-year starters Carson Parker at quarterback and Zeke Whittington at receiver. If they can cut down on turnovers, they should be back to their explosive ways. Stephens does return its top rusher in Jr. Javin Gordon (1,017 yards, 13 TD)
What to watch for: The Indians' defense vs. the Raiders' offense. Stephens allowed just 14.08 ppg in 2022 and return several key players, including preseason all-state selections DE Aidan Butts and DB Jasec Smith. The Raiders should be more explosive, so if they can keep Butts out of the backfield and give Parker time, they could make things interesting at Raider Stadium.
WEST HALL at EAST HALL
Records: Spartans (0-0, Region 7-3A); Vikings (0-0, Region 8-4A)
Where: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: East Hall leads the series 13-11. The Vikings won 19-14 in 2022 in Oakwood. The teams have split the last six meetings going back to 2013 with the road team winning each of the last three. However, the Spartans are just 3-8 all-time in Valhalla. West Hall is just 1-6 in its last 7 season openers while East Hall is just 2-5 to open the season over that same span.
What to watch for: East Hall QB rotation vs. West Hall front-7. The Vikings were excited about their QB duo of Jamarcus Harrison and Peyton Llewallyn last season, but injuries derailed that for most of 2022. The pair is healthy, a year older, and a year more in the system. The Spartans return 7 on defense and may have one of the best DL tandems in the area with Sr. Jay Nero (6-4, 325) and Jr. Chase Armour (6-2, 340).
WHITE COUNTY at NORTH HALL
Records: Warriors (0-0, Region 7-3A); Trojans (0-0, Region 8-4A)
Where: The Brickyard, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: The series is tied once again at 25-25. White County won 35-14 in 2022 in Cleveland. The teams have split the last 12 meetings. But the Warriors have won 3 of the last 4 at The Brickyard since 20014.
What to watch for: Points, lots of points. Both defenses are rebuilding, and it has been a work in progress over the summer for both teams. The Warriors were torched in a spring game by Flowery Branch while the Trojans also got blitzed by the Falcons in their spring game two weeks ago. Both offenses have playmakers aplenty and should be explosive, so whichever defensive unit can make a key stop could be the difference.
