Last week's Games2Watch was a mixture of great defense, high-flying offenses and come-from-behind wins.
The nationally ranked contest at Tom Riden Stadium in Buford did not disappoint the thousands of fans that showed up for the game. Buford's defense proved it's pretty dang good in the 18-0 shutout win over St. Frances Academy of Maryland.
Over at The Brickyard, North Hall pulled away late in the first half and never looked back in a 49-34 win over rival White County.
Marist's triple-option offense proved tough to figure out early on as Gainesville trailed in the first half. However, the defense took over, and the Big Red offense followed in the 34-26 win over the War Eagles.
The No. 4 Dragons trailed early in Jefferson, but a 24-point second half and a Sammy Brown takeover rallied Jefferson past Alpharetta, 34-17.
The Rabun County-Haralson County game was exciting to watch and it was interesting to find out how new quarterback Ty Truelove would perform. He passed the test, leading the Wildcats to a 45-21 win.
Week 2 has a mixture of contests across Northeast Georgia that could be labeled Games2Watch. We've chosen three this week that we believe are the biggest Games2Watch.
To follow scores and more this week, follow our Friday Game Night X (formerly Twitter) for scores, stories and highlights.
RABUN COUNTY AT STEPHENS COUNTY
Records: Wildcats (1-0, Region 8-A Division 1), ranked 3rd in Class A Division 1; Indians (1-0, Region 8-3A), ranked 7th in Class 3A.
Last week: Rabun County beat Haralson County 45-21; Stephens County beat Habersham Central 31-29
Where: The Reservation, Toccoa
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Rabun County: QB Ty Truelove (15-for-20, 220 yards, 4 TDs), RB Reid Giles (3-86 rush, 2-31 rec. 2 TD), WR/DB Willie Goodwyn (5-81 rec., 2 TD), WR/DB Paul Picciotti (3-65 rec., 1 TD); Stephens County: QB Tripp Underwood (12-for-25, 161 yards, 2 TDs), RB Javin Gordon (24-122 rushing, 2 TD); Jasec Smith (4-102 yards rec., 2 TDs), DB Jonah Swinton (17 tkls), DT Dawson Childs (9 tkls)
WHY WATCH IT? If you're a Stephens or Rabun County fan, you remember last year's 14-7 defensive battle in Tiger, Ga. Rabun County tied the game and took the lead in the third quarter of the 2022 battle, leaving the defense to hold on the rest of the way. The Indians had to rally past Habersham Central last week on a game-winning field goal from Luke Waters, struggling offensively early on. This could be a problem for the Indians this week. Rabun County's offense came alive early and often against Haralson County. If the Wildcats open fast and strong again this week, the Indians could find themselves in a hole early at home.
FLOWERY BRANCH AT ST. PIUS X
Records: Falcons (1-0, Region 8-5A); Golden Lions (1-0, Region 4-6A)
Last week: Flowery Branch beat Decatur 38-7; St. Pius beat Dacula 19-0
Where: George B. Maloof Stadium, Atlanta
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Flowery Branch: QB Josh Oliver (8-for-18, 134 yards passing, 1 TD, 2-19 rushing, 2 TD), RB Malik Dryden (19-140 rush, 2 TDs), WR Jeremiah Ware (4-67 rec, 1 TD), WR Camo Campbell (3-66 rec., 1 TD); St. Pius X: FB Patrick Muir 13-70 rushing, 2 TDs), RB Patrick Lynch 6-30 rush), QB Collin Crosby (4-25 rush)
WHY WATCH IT? Flowery Branch's offense looked pretty good in the win over Decatur last week. Josh Oliver and Tristan Gabreals tossed a touchdown each, and Oliver rushed for two more. That was only part of the offensive production for the Falcons, though. Senior running back Malik Dryden rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown in the win. On the other hand, St. Pius X struggled offensively against Dacula and slowly built its lead en route to the shutout win over Dacula. In last season's bout, both squads struggled offensively. Flowery Branch proved it can score in Week 1, but St. Pius X has a stronger defense than Decatur. How the Falcons play on offense against a much better Week 2 defense is the question.
UNION COUNTY AT LUMPKIN COUNTY
Records: Panthers (1-0, Region 8-2A); Indians (0-0, Region 7-3A)
Last week: Union County beat Fannin County, 50-12, on the road; Season-opener for Lumpkin County
Where: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Union County: QB Caiden Tanner (10-of-18, 167 yards, 1 TD passing; 10-77 rush, 1 TD), Braylen Rader (25-135 rush, 4TDs), Conner Schuknecht (9-92 rush, 1 TD), LB Ethan Lester (13 tkls), DL David Heredia (12 tkls), LB Seth Rutan (12 tkls); Lumpkin County: QB Cal Faulkner, RB Mason Sullens, WR/DB Harper Davenport, LB Will Wood, DE Dakota Bennett
WHY WATCH IT? Union County's nearly 500 yards of total offense wasn't a surprise in Week 1 against rival Fannin County in Blue Ridge. The Panthers, however, racked up 320 yards on the ground, behind Brayden Raider's 135 yards and four touchdowns, to blow past the Rebels 50-12. The Panthers were expected to be a dual-threat team, with a potent passing game and a brutal rushing attack. They proved that in Week 1. Lumpkin County had their Week 1 game canceled last week. This one will be a showdown of two similar styles. Lumpkin County has Cal Faulkner at quarterback this season, a big offensive line, and the rushing skills of Mason Sullens, who put on 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason. This game last year got away from the Panthers in Blairsville and only adds fuel to the fire for the 2023 edition. Expect to see a lot of offense in this game from both sides. It could come down to just one stop.
WEEK 2 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
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 -- 94.5 FM The Lake
Habersham Central at White County
Jackson County at Duluth
Jefferson at Wren (SC)
Johnson at West Hall, 8 p.m. -- 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
