Week 1 did not disappoint.
Buford proved its defense is for real in an 18-0 shutout over nationally ranked St. Frances Academy out of Baltimore, Maryland, at Tom Riden Stadium. North Hall's offense came alive in a shootout win over White County, 49-34, at the Brickyard. Jefferson used a big second half to rally past Alpharetta at Memorial Stadium. Flowery Branch was impressive in a 38-7 win over Decatur, and Gainesville rallied past Marist at City Park on Friday.
Week 2 has some good ones on the schedule, and three of those showdowns are on the Jacobs Media airwaves and streaming live on AccessWDUN.com.
Flowery Branch at St. Pius X – Flowery Branch played a balanced game in the win over Decatur last week, using a combo of Josh Oliver and Tristan Gabreals at quarterback and a 140-yard rushing performance from Malik Dryden. However, the Falcons will hit the road to a hungry, vengeful St. Pius X team looking to go 2-0 for the first time since 2020. The Falcons knocked off the Golden Lions at Falcon Field in 2022, 9-0. Expect this year's edition to be just as close. Branch will face a much better defense than last week as St. Pius X shutout Dacula 19-0. However, if the Falcons' offense is just as effective as last week, they could be 2-0 Friday night. You can listen to the game on WDUN AM 550 (Click to listen live).
Johnson at West Hall – Where to start with this one? It's the annual Battle of Oakwood with the yearly bragging rights on the line. Johnson's last win came in 2019; since then, they've lost 33 straight games. West Hall has won the previous three straight, with a close one at The Dungeon last season. The Knights were within a touchdown until West Hall scored late to put the game away. Both teams come into the game with losses in Week 1. The Knights gave up three interceptions, including a Pick 6 last week in the loss to Banks County. West Hall had a close fight with cross-county rival East Hall on the road last week, losing 35-28. Johnson's defense will be tested again this week against a Spartan offense that can score. But this one is an ultimate rivalry showdown, and picking the ending is never easy. You can hear the game on FM 102.9 WDUN (Click to listen live).
Gainesville at Mountain View – Gainesville fended off Marist last week to open the season 1-0 and began its trek toward the Benz in December. Mountain View will have its hands full with the playmaking ability the Red Elephants have in their arsenal. Big Red beat the Bears 30-7 at City Park last season. Last season, the Gainesville defense made it really hard for the Bears to find the endzone. It'll probably be that way again Friday night. Big Red's defensive line proved it has the potential to be one of the best in the state with size and speed. The Bears will most likely find that out as well on Friday. The game can be heard live on FM 94.5 The Lake (Click to listen live).
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE for AUG. 25
Adairsville at Cherokee Bluff
Athens Christian at Lakeview Academy
Banks County at Oglethorpe County
Buford at Mallard Creek (Charlotte, NC)
Commerce at Murphy (NC)
East Forsyth at Seckinger
Flowery Branch at St. Pius -- WDUN AM 550
Forsyth Central at North Forsyth
Gainesville at Mountain View -- FM 94.5 The Lake
Habersham Central at White County
Jackson County at Duluth
Jefferson at Wren (SC)
Johnson at West Hall -- WDUN FM 102.9
Lambert at Dawson County
Rabun County at Stephens County
Riverside Prep at Walker
Social Circle at East Jackson
Towns County at Lake Oconee Academy
Union County at Lumpkin County
SCORES FOR FRIDAY, Aug. 18
Banks County 53, Johnson 13
Buford 18, St. Frances Academy (Md.) 0
Commerce 21, Southside Christian 19
East Jackson 14, Oglethorpe County 7
East Hall 35, West Hall 28
Flowery Branch 38, Decatur 7
Gainesville 34, Marist 26
Hayesville (NC) 35, Towns County 2
Hebron Christian 70, Chestatee 14
Jackson County 16, Dawson County 0
Jefferson 34, Alpharetta 24
​Kings' Ridge 20, Lakeview Academy 13
Lumpkin County at Riverside Prep (CANCELED)
North Hall 49, White County 34
Rabun County 45, Haralson County 21
Skipstone Academy 62, Lanier Christian 41
Stephens County 31, Habersham Central 29
SCORES FOR THURSDAY, Aug. 17
Archer 35, North Forsyth 14
Union County 50, Fannin County 12
West Forsyth 40, Cherokee Bluff 7
