Week 2 proved to be an offensive night across Northeast Georgia.
Several area teams put up 30 or more points against their opponents; three of those contests were last week's Games2Watch.
Stephens County shocked Rabun County in a 35-0 rout, the first time the Wildcats had been shutout since the 2013 season. Flowery Branch rolled into St. Pius X and walked out with its third straight win over the Golden Lions. This week, the Falcons and Indians will battle it out at Falcon Field in Flowery Branch.
Lumpkin County's offense proved too much for Union County in a 44-27 win in Dahlonega last week.
This week, a handful of games could be considered Games2Watch. We've narrowed it down to three, and the big question is, will we see another offensive night?
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STEPHENS COUNTY AT FLOWERY BRANCH
Records: Indians (2-0, Region 8-3A), ranked 7th in Class 3A; Falcons (2-0, Region 8-5A)
Last week: Stephens County beat Rabun County, 35-0; Flowery Branch beat St. Pius, 31-13
Where: Falcons Field, Flowery Branch
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Stephens County: QB Tripp Underwood (21-for-44, 256 yards, 4 TDs), RB Javin Gordon (54-318 rushing, 3 TD); RB Omari Feaster (9-147 rushing, 2 TD); Jasec Smith (6-128 yards rec., 2 TDs), DB Jonah Swinton (23 tkls), DT Dawson Childs (17 tkls); Flowery Branch: QB Josh Oliver (18-for-33, 289 yards passing, 3 TD, 6-27 rushing, 3 TD), RB Malik Dryden (39-276 rush, 2 TDs), WR Jeremiah Ware (7-127 rec, 2 TD), WR Camo Campbell (5-99 rec., 2 TD)
WHY WATCH IT? The 2022 meeting in Toccoa didn't go so well for Flowery Branch. The Stephens County defense held the Falcons to less than 200 total yards of offense. Meanwhile, the Indians had themselves a night on the ground, rushing for 242 yards en route to the 27-11 win. But Forget 2022. Both teams are different in 2023, and even though the Falcons were 2-0 heading into last season's contest, they have shown they are far ahead of last season as far as production. Branch quarterback Josh Oliver is handling the offense well, and Malik Dryden is proving he's one of the top running backs in the area. As for the Indians, they have righted the train after a dismal Week 1 performance against Habersham Central by dismantling Rabun County 35-0 last week. Both teams have the ability to make explosive plays on offense, meaning this game could come down to one stop.
COMMERCE AT HEBRON CHRISTIAN
Records: Tigers (2-0, Region 8-A Division 1); Lions (0-0, Region 8-3A)
Last week: Commerce beat Murphy (NC), 56-13; Hebron beat Class 5A Villa Rica, 13-6, on the road
Where: Hebron Stadium, Dacula
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Commerce: Jaiden Daniels (10-201 rushing, 2 TD), Tysean Wiggins (8-173 rushing, 3TD), Jakari Huff (5-44 rushing, 1 TD); Hebron Christian: Thomas Stallworth (9-for-12, 119 yards, 2 TD), Jarvis Mathurin (7-121 rushing, 1 TD), Devon Caldwell (10-104 rushing, 3 TD)
WHY WATCH IT? If you're looking for a nasty rushing attack, look no further than Commerce. Behind a trio of solid rushers, Jaiden Daniels, JaKhari Huff and Tysean Wiggins, the Tigers racked up over 500 rushing yards in the blowout 56-13 over Murphy, NC. Hebron Christian, who beat the Tigers last season 21-7, will also try to employ a brutal rushing attack with a side of the passing game. This one will be fun to watch and could be a showcase of a potent Tiger running game versus an experienced Hebron defense that held Villa Rica to just 48 yards rushing last week.
NORTH HALL AT DAWSON COUNTY
Records: Trojans (1-0, Region 8-4A); Tigers (0-2, Region 7-3A)
Last week: North Hall was off; Dawson County lost 48-18 to Lambert
Where: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: North Hall: QB Tanner Marsh (17-for-23, 196 yards passing, 3 TD, 16-137 yards rushing, 3 TD), RB Tate Ruth (11-60 yards rushing, 1 TD) WR Ryals Puryear (7-107 rec, 1 TD), LB Trey Patterson (11 tkls), DB Conner Free (8 tkls), DB Walker Davis (7tkls); Dawson County: QB Davis Glass, WR Dom Leblanc, WR Sawyer Bearden, DB Preston Bannister (9 tkls), LB Colton Schuette (6 tks)
WHY WATCH IT? Over the seven years, this game has become a small rivalry, mainly because the two foes were housed in the same region for five of those years. Since the last reclassification two years ago, the two kept the game on the schedule. Dawson County has won the last five out of seven contests, including last year, 30-13, at the Brickyard. The Tigers have struggled on both sides of the ball in losses to Jackson County and Lambert. North Hall proved it could score in the opening season win against White County, 49-34, in Week 1. But the Trojans' defense has a ways to go. This one is interesting to watch because both have problems on defense, and Dawson County's offense hasn't been much to write about. It could be a long night if Dawson County can't slow down the Trojans. On the other hand, it is North Hall-Dawson County, so it could be fun to watch.
WEEK 3 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Buford at North Cobb, 8 p.m.
Cedar Shoals at East Forsyth* -- WDUN FM 102.9
Central Gwinnett at Jackson County
Coconut Creek (Fla.) at Gainesville -- 94.5 FM The Lake
Commerce at Hebron Christian
East Hall at Johnson
Hickory Hawks at Lanier Christian
Jefferson at St. Pius
Lumpkin County at Franklin County
North Forsyth at West Forsyth
North Hall at Dawson County
Rabun County at Adairsville
St. Anne-Pacelli at Lakeview Academy
Stephens County at Flowery Branch -- WDUN AM 550
Stratford Academy at Riverside Prep
Towns County at Union County
West Hall at East Jackson
White County at Chestatee
