The 2023 high school football season is officially underway, and the first weekend provided some eye-opening results across the area.
Here are five things we learned from Week 1:
The Buford defense is nasty. The Gainesville defense showed flashes of domination. The Rabun County offense surprisingly, based on summer and fall updates, picked up right where it left off in 2022. North Hall’s offense exploded, but the Trojans’ defense may have stolen the show. And could East Hall be onto something already in 2023?
1. Some nasty Wolves.
The Buford defense has been stout for years. Take out last year’s 42-point anomaly against Walton in the Class 7A playoffs, and the Wolves have been almost impenetrable over the years. But what they did on Friday against national power St. Frances out of Baltimore may have been one of their most impressive showings in program history. It was downright nasty. They held a powerful Panthers offense to less than 200 total yards, had five sacks, and an interception return for a touchdown called back, with Oregon-commit Michael Van Buren passing for just 88 yards for the game. There were some questions coming in with several new pieces and their last effort -- giving up 42 points to Walton -- certainly still on their minds. If they can stay healthy and continue to build on Friday’s effort, they will be prohibitive favorites in Class 7A.
2. Still offensive to others.
The Rabun County offense was expected to maybe, perhaps, go through some growing pains after the loss of several crucial pieces that had helped them average 44.07 points/game over the past four seasons. A new quarterback (sophomore Ty Truelove), a new set of receivers, and a new set of running backs were supposed to start slow and build toward another explosive unit. They showed Friday night that they had other plans. Against what was supposed to be a much-improved Haralson County quad, Truelove threw for 220 yards on 15-of-20 attempts, including 4 TDs. Receivers Willie Goodwin, Paul Picciotti, Cooper Welch, and Reid Giles combined for over 200 yards receiving. Giles also added 86 yards rushing, with 56 coming on an electrifying touchdown scamper. The Wildcats rolled out to a 38-0 halftime lead and never looked back in a 45-21 win where they led 45-7 at one point. If they’re still in a learning mode, look out Region 8-A Division 1, and the rest of the classification.
3. Getting a little defensive.
Did the North Hall defense steal the show despite giving up 34 points last week? The unit took some lumps last year and was coming into the season-opener against arch-rival White County with more questions than answers after a lackluster spring effort and a rough scrimmage against Flowery Branch just over two weeks ago. They gave up long runs, deep passes, and nearly 70 points in a pair of halves. Coach Sean Pender, as recently as after the Branch game, said every player was being evaluated, and they had a “long, long way to go. We’re not very good right now.” Yes, they gave up 34 in a 49-34 win over the Warriors but early on they helped the offense build a 28-14 lead forcing a turnover and making another stop. The early grave projections for the Trojans' defense may have been exaggerated. Overall, they played well against a White County offense that will score in bunches in 2023. In a tough Region 8-4A, making one or two key defensive stops during the season could be the difference in a playoff run, no matter the team. The Trojans' defense proved it may be up to the task quicker than we were led to believe.
4. Ready for Prime Time?
East Hall had a rough 2022 campaign, especially the offense, which scored the fewest points last season (101, 10.1 ppg) since 2009. But many of the same faces were back in 2023, and coach Matt Turner was insisting all summer and fall that his unit had the pieces in place and was ready to get back to the program’s high-flying days of 2015-17 when they averaged 39.6 ppg over a 33-game stretch. He could be right after a 35-28 win over West Hall on Friday. So. QB Jamaracus Harrison had a game, throwing for 218 yards and 3 TDs, with an INT as well, and added 98 yards on the ground. They managed just 19 against the Spartans last year. They could be ready to surprise some teams in a brutal 8-4A, where they scored just 68 total points (8.5 ppg) in 2022.
5. Get in (D)-line.
Depth up front may have been the one kink in the Red Elephants' defensive armor in last year’s state championship loss to Hughes. After what that group did on Friday to Class 6A No. 8 Marist, which boasts a big, talented offensive line, they could now be a key catalyst for whatever fortunes No. 2 Big Red has in 2023. Defensive linemen Julius Columbus, Champ Thompson, BJ Bailey, Kadin Fossung, and Marshall Leonard combined for five sacks, and eight tackles-for-loss, and helped hold the War Eagles' powerful triple-option to just 166 yards rushing in a 34-26 Gainesville win at City Park. They especially dominated in the fourth quarter as Marist had three possessions to try and tie the game. With the game still in doubt, the defense, behind a swarming D-line rush, forced five TFL, including three sacks, gave up no first downs, and Marist had minus-20 total yards over its last three drives. The scary part is they will only get better as that was their first official game all playing together and figuring out rotations. Look out Class 6A.
