As we descend upon Week 3, the most important game of the week in the Northeast Georgia area will be East Forsyth's showdown at Broncos Stadium against Cedar Shoals.
It's the most important because it marks the beginning of region play in what was supposed to be a rugged Region 8-4A. But several 8-4A teams, including a pair of playoff teams from 2022, are in flux, and virtually every team will be in the thick of the playoff race based on early returns. A strong start is imperative.
East Forsyth (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-4A) stunned the Jaguars (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-4A) last year but probably comes into this year's tilt as the favorite.
While that may be the most important as the only region matchup among the 26 area teams we cover at AccessWDUN, a trio of games, among the other 17 on the docket, are certainly intriguing.
Flowery Branch (2-0) plays host to Stephens County (2-0), with both teams coming off impressive wins last week. The Indians dealt powerhouse Rabun County its first shutout loss in 10 years last week while the Falcons took down St. Pius for the third consecutive season. Both offenses have been potent, and both defenses have been stingy. It should make for a tremendous showdown at Falcon Field. You can hear that game on WDUN AM 550 (LISTEN LIVE).
Commerce (2-0) heads to Hebron Christian (2-0) on the heels of a 528-yard rushing performance last week. The Lions, however, held Class 5A Villa Rica to less than 50 yards rushing last week. The triple-option is a different animal, and Commerce scored 34 last season, albeit in a loss. This one should be interesting.
North Hall heads (1-0) to Dawson County (0-2), with the Trojans looking to build some momentum before opening their 8-4A schedule next week. The Tigers have won two straight and five of the last seven meetings. But Dawson County is struggling on defense in the early going, while the Trojans offense looked in midseason form against White County two weeks ago. However, the North Hall defense is still a work-in-progress as well.
Class 7A No. 1 Buford (2-0) plays its first Georgia team after dispatching two out-of-state powers. The Wolves travel to North Cobb (0-1) in what has become a budding rivalry. Buford has won two straight in the series.
(Banks County, Cherokee Bluff, Habersham Central all are off this week.)
For a look at all of the weekend's contests involving area teams, scroll down. And be sure to check back with AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night throughout the night for score updates, game stories and video highlights. You can also check for scores and highlights on our Twitter feed: @FridayGameNigh
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR Sept. 1
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
BUFORD at NORTH COBB
Records: Wolves (2-0, Region 8-7A), ranked No. 1 in Class 7A; Warriors (0-1, Region 5-7A)
Last week: Buford beat Mallard Creek (NC), 10-7 on the road; North Cobb was off last week
Where: Emory Sewell Stadium, Acworth
Time: 8 p.m.
The Statisticals: North Cobb leads series 3-2, and this is the fourth straight season the two teams have met. Buford has won the last two, including a 35-27 win at North Cobb in 2021. Mario Ventura's 41-yard FG in the 4th quarter was the difference last week. QB Dylan Raiola has thrown for 351 yards and 3 TDs so far. The Wolves defense has allowed just 1 TD, an 80-yard TD pass, over the first two games with five takeaways. Warriors' QB Nick Grimstead passed for 183 yards and 1 TD and ran for another 60 yards.
What to watch for: The Buford offense vs. the Warriors defense. Buford has struggled on offense thus far, but the Wolves have played two tough defensive teams, and Raiola and the rest of the offense are still in a learning curve as they find the right combos. The Warriors gave up 406 yards of offense vs. Westlake in their opener two weeks ago, including 4 TDs of more than 15 yards and two of 60 yards or more.
CEDAR SHOALS at EAST FORSYTH
Records: Jaguars (0-2, 0-0 Region 8-4A); Broncos (1-0, 0-0 Region 8-4A)
Last week: Cedar Shoals lost 41-0 to Monroe Area; East Forsyth beat Seckinger, 44-20
Where: Broncos Stadium, Gainesville
Radio: WDUN FM 102.9 (LISTEN LIVE)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: East Forsyth leads series, 1-0. The Broncos won 22-14 in 2022 in Athens. This is the only region-opener this week in 8-4A, as the rest of the region will get started next week. The Broncos got off to an excellent start last week as Gus Martin scored three times, and the defense forced five turnovers. It's the fourth consecutive season the Jaguars have started 0-2, but they made the playoffs each of the past three seasons.
What to watch for: The East Forsyth defense vs. the Jaguars offense. Cedar Shoals has scored just 1 TD all season and is averaging less than 100 yards a game on the ground so far. The Broncos defense gave up 20 points but already are showing they are ballhawks with five takeaways, including 3 INTs last week.
CENTRAL GWINNETT at JACKSON COUNTY
Records: Black Knights (2-0, Region 8-7A); Panthers (1-1, Region 8-6A)
Last week: Central Gwinnett beat Apalachee, 50-7; Jackson County lost 35-34 to Duluth
Where: Panther Stadium, Hoschton
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Central Gwinnett leads series, 3-0. The Black Knights won 17-13 in 2022 in Lawrenceville. This is just the 2nd time since 1999 that the two teams have met. The Panthers will by far be the biggest challenge so far for the Black Knights, whose two wins have come against winless teams. Jackson County played 7A Duluth down to the wire. Sr. RB M.J. Spurlin had a huge game last week, rushing for 126 yards and 2 TDs, four catches for 34 yards and 2 TDs, and threw a 66-yard TD pass as well.
What to watch for: The Central offense vs. the Panthers defense. The Black Knights are averaging 46 ppg but have not faced a defense as good as the Panthers. The D-line and front-7 for Jackson County, led by Peyton Scott and Spurlin, should be able to win that matchup and give the improving Panthers offense plenty of opportunities.
COCONUT CREEK (Fla.) at GAINESVILLE
Records: Cougars (1-0); Red Elephants (2-0, Region 8-6A), ranked No. 2 in Class 6A.
Last week: Coconut Creek beat Boyd Anderson (Fla.), 6-0; Gainesville beat Mountain View, 34-21
Where: City Park, Gainesville
Radio: FM 94.5/AM 1240 The Lake (LISTEN LIVE)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. Gainesville has been nothing if not consistent, scoring exactly 34 points in each of its first two games. They've gotten balance in the passing game with QB Baxter Wright, and new RB Gavin Hall has given them consistency in the ground game. They will run into a pretty good Cougars defense that allowed just 13.8 ppg in 2022 and returns most of that group. The Red Elephants' defense has played better than the 23.5 ppg allowed so far, including a pick-6 last week. The Cougars graduated both QBs, 3 of their top receivers, and 2 of their top 5 RBs from an offense that averaged 33 ppg in 2022.
What to watch for: The Gainesville defense vs. the Cougars offense. The two best units on the field may be the Gainesville offense vs. the Cougars defense. Each will have some success against the other. Which means, if the Big Red defense can shut down a rebuilding Cougars offense, they should be able to control the game until the offense can break through.
COMMERCE at HEBRON CHRISTIAN
Records: Tigers (2-0, Region 8-A Division 1); Lions (2-0, 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.
The Statisticals: Commerce leads series, 7-2. Hebron won 48-34 in 2022, and both of its wins have been since 2019. Under coach Mark Hollars, Commerce has been an outstanding road team. The Tigers are 6-1 in their last seven regular season road games, with the only loss coming to No. 3-ranked Rabun County. Hebron is just 2-2 in its previous four home games, including playoffs. Commerce is looking for its first 3-0 start since 2018.
What to watch for: Commerce triple-option vs. Hebron defense. The Tigers pounded Murphy last week, piling up 538 rushing yards on just 41 carries, a whopping 13.1 yards/carry average. Jaiden Daniels had 208 yards, and Tysean Wiggins had 193 for Commerce. According to their MaxPreps page, the Lions' defense limited Villa Rica to just 48 yards rushing on 25 carries last week and just 104 total yards. Something will have to give here. Hebron has allowed just 20 points (10 ppg) so far in 2023. The Tigers are averaging 38.5 ppg.
EAST HALL at JOHNSON
Records: Vikings (1-0, Region 8-4A); Knights (0-2, Region 8-4A, non-region)
Last week: East Hall was off last week; Johnson lost 29-9 to West Hall
Where: The Dungeon, Oakwood
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Johnson leads series, 22-20-1. East Hall won 14-13 at home in 2022. The Vikings have won 8 straight and are 10-1 vs. the Knights going back to 2010. Johnson's last win came in 2009 at The Dungeon. East Hall had the week off after beating West Hall, 35-28, two weeks ago. The Knights played the Spartans tough last week, but the offense has scored just 22 points in two games.
What to watch for: East Hall QB Jamarcus Harrison vs. the Johnson defense. The Knights have given up 82 points (41.0 ppg) so far. The Vikings offense put up some solid numbers vs. West Hall. Harrison, just a sophomore, threw for 218 yards and 3 TDs and ran for another 98. He is only going to get better each week. Slowing him down will be the key for the Knights.
HICKORY (NC) at LANIER CHRISTIAN
Records: Hawks (0-0, North Carolina Independent League); Lightning (0-1, GAPPS 11-man)
Last week: Hickory lost 43-13 to Cabarrus (NC); Lanier Christian was off
Where: Cabell Field, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. This was a pick-up game for LCA after the North Georgia Falcons folded their program for the season. Defense was the issue for the Lightning in their two weeks ago, but coach Bruce Miller said before the season that unit would be a work in progress. The Hawks, however, have managed just 20 total points in their first two games.
What to watch for: The LCA offense vs. the Hawks defense. LCA still scored 41 in their opener behind QB CJ Britt & Co. Hickory has given up 83 points (41.5 ppg) in their first two games.
JEFFERSON at ST. PIUS
Records: Dragons (2-0, Region 8-5A), ranked 6th in Class 5A; Golden Lions (1-1, Region 4-6A)
Last week: Jefferson beat Wren (SC), 30-14; St. Pius lost 31-13 to Flowery Branch
Where: George B. Maloof Stadium, Atlanta
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Jefferson leads series, 2-1. The Dragons won 23-0 in 2022 in Jefferson. The home team has won all three meetings, and all have come since 2016. Their last win over Jefferson was in 2017 at home. Jefferson RB/LB Sammy Brown, the state's top LB prospect and a Clemson-commit, had his 2nd straight 100-yard game (127 yards, 2 TD) and added 17 tackles, 2 TFL, and a sack last week. St. Pius has dropped four straight to current 8-5A teams, all coming against Jefferson or Flowery Branch.
What to watch for: The Jefferson offense vs. the Golden Lions defense. St. Pius is yielding just 15.5 ppg, but the Falcons used a balanced attack last week. The Dragons bring in a big O-line and Brown & Co. in the backfield that powered to 280 yards rushing last week. Dallas Russell also rushed for over 100 yards for Jefferson.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at FRANKLIN COUNTY
Records: Indians (1-0, Region 7-3A); Lions (1-1, Region 8-3A)
Last week: Lumpkin County beat Union County, 44-27; Franklin County beat Pickens, 28-11
Where: Ed Bryant Stadium, Carnesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Franklin County leads series, 4-3. Lumpkin County won 48-0 in 2022. That snapped a five-game losing streak for the Indians vs. Region 8-3A teams. Region 8-3A dominated 7-3A in last year's playoffs, sweeping them out of the first road. The Lions' win last week snapped a 17-game losing streak, the longest in program-history.
What to watch for: The Lumpkin offense vs. the Lions defense. Despite the win, Franklin is still allowing 26 ppg so far, and the Indians are sure to have worked out some of the bugs from their opener last week. The Lions will have to find a way to slow down Mason Sullens, who had 262 yards and scored four times last week, or it could be a long night.
NORTH FORSYTH at WEST FORSYTH
Records: Raiders (1-1, Region 8-6A); Wolverines (0-0, Region 6-7A)
Last week: North Forsyth beat Forsyth Central, 27-17; West Forsyth lost 20-19 to Marietta
Where: Wolverine Stadium, Cumming
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: West Forsyth leads series, 10-5. North Forsyth won 28-24 in 2022 and has won 3 straight in the series. The last Wolverines win came in 2019, the last of 9 straight wins for the Wolverines in the series. The Raiders are going to have to get their passing attack going. They have thrown for just 211 total yards with 2 TDs and 2 INTs so far. Darron Parry picked up the slack in the run game with 139 yards on 20 carries last week, with Karson McBrayer unable to play. West Forsyth is averaging just 64 yards passing.
What to watch for: The Raiders offense vs. the Wolverines defense. North Forsyth will have to find some balance against a pretty good Wolverines defense that has 8 TFL, three sacks, and forced three turnovers in the first two games.
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.
The Statisticals: Dawson County leads series, 5-4. All 10 meetings have been since 2012. The Tigers have won two straight over the Trojans but are just 2-2 in their last four meetings at Tiger Stadium. Two weeks ago, the North Hall offense looked as good as advertised in its opener against White County, a 49-34 victory. QB Tanner Marsh threw for 201 yards and 3 TDs and added 137 yards and 1 TD rushing. But the defense, which is still a work in progress, gave up 396 yards, including 228 on the ground. The Tigers offense has struggled, scoring just 18 points, but showed signs of improvement against the 7A Longhorns. Dom LeBlanc was their biggest weapon, booting three field goals of 45, 41 and 22 yards.
What to watch for: The Dawson County O-line vs. the Trojans defense. White County had two TDs called back two weeks ago in the loss to North Hall, or both teams could have hit the 50-mark and possibly overtime. The Tigers average 280 across the front and will have a huge size advantage. If they can get some early success running the ball, they could shorten the game and take the ball out of the hands of Marsh and the North Hall offense.
RABUN COUNTY at ADAIRSVILLE
Records: Wildcats (1-1, Region 8-A Division 1), ranked 7th in Class A Division 1; Tigers (1-0, Region 6-3A)
Last week: Rabun County lost 35-0 to Class 3A No. 7 Stephens County; Adairsville beat Cherokee Bluff, 21-7
Where: Tiger Stadium, Adairsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Rabun County leads series, 1-0. The Wildcats won 72-36 in 2022 at home. The Wildcats suffered their first shutout loss since 2013. They will need to find their offense quickly against a Tigers team that averaged nearly 40 ppg last year. They averaged 4.8 yards/carry last week against a pretty good Bluff front-7. Adairsville is 8-1 in its previous nine home games. Rabun County had won 9 straight regular-season road games until last week.
What to watch for: The Rabun County offense. The Wildcats struggled mightily against the Indians last week. Adairsville may have a more explosive offense than Stephens County, so if the Wildcats can't get their usually- high-flying attack to take off, they could be in for a major dogfight.
ST. ANNE-PACELLI at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
Records: Vikings (1-1, GISA 5-AAAA-AAA); Lions (1-1, GISA 4-AAAA-AAA)
Last week: St. Anne-Pacelli beat Tattnall Square, 50-35; Lakeview routed Athens Christian, 57-14.
Where: Lakeview Stadium, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: St. Anne-Pacelli won the only meeting in 2022, 51-14, in Columbus. Both teams lost their openers on the road and then got home wins in Week 2. For the Lions, it was the first win for head coach Lee Coleman. The 57 points were the 3rd-most in a game since the program began playing region schedules in 2014.
What to watch for: The Lakeview defense vs. the Vikings offense. St. Anne-Pacelli averaged 35.7 ppg in 2022 and put up 50 for the fourth time and 40 or more for the seventh time in the last 13 games. The Lions' defense so far has played better than expected, giving up just 34 points (17 ppg) while working through a new scheme and depth concerns. The offense appears to be coming around, and if they can make a few stops, they could be poised for an upset.
STEPHENS COUNTY at FLOWERY BRANCH
Records: Indians (2-0, Region 8-3A), ranked 4th 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
Radio: WDUN AM 550 (LISTEN LIVE)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Series is tied 3-3. Stephens County won 27-11 in 2022 in Toccoa. The Falcons are 2-0 all-time vs. the Indians at home. The Falcons are at exactly the same spot as last year when they started 2-0, but injuries began to take their toll, and the Indians started them on a 7-game losing streak. Things appear to be in a much better place for the Falcons coming into this one. The offense has been beyond efficient, averaging 34.5 ppg behind a balanced attack. RB Malik Dryden finished with 137 yards and QB Josh Oliver threw for 158 yards and a pair of scores. The Indians shocked the area, handing Rabun County its first shutout loss in 10 years. The Indians offense, which looked to be in a slight rebuild mode coming into 2023, is averaging 33 ppg so far, which is ahead of the 31 ppg they averaged last season.
What to watch for: Big plays. Both offenses have shown explosiveness in the early going with big scoring plays. Both defenses have shown the ability to limit the opposing offense. Whichever offense can generate the most chunk plays vs. whichever defense can limit the chunk plays may decide this one.
STRATFORD ACADEMY at RIVERSIDE PREP
Records: Eagles (1-0, GISA 6-AAAA-AAA); Eagles (0-1, GISA 4-AAAA-AAA)
Last week: Stratford beat Westfield School, 35-13; Riverside lost 57-0 to Walker
Where: Maginnis Field, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Series is tied 3-3. Stratford won 42-20 in 2022 and has won two straight in the series. The last Riverside win came in 2006 at home. Riverside's losing streak has now reached 17, the 3rd-longest in program history. They have won just one game since the program was shuttered during 2020 due to COVID. Stratford finished as the GISA 4A-3A state runner-up in 2022 and was 4-1 on the road last season.
What to watch for: The Riverside offense vs. the Stratford defense. Stratford yielded just 20.9 ppg last season, while Riverside has scored just 116 points (6.8 ppg) during its losing streak. They will have to find a way to score some points to keep up with a Stratford team that has 34 ppg since the beginning of the 2022 season.
TOWNS COUNTY at UNION COUNTY
Records: Indians (0-2, Region 8-A Division 2); Panthers (1-1, Region 8-2A)
Last week: Towns County lost 27-0 to Lake Oconee Academy; Union County lost 44-27 to Lumpkin County
Where: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium, Blairsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Union County leads series, 32-1. The Panthers have won 21 straight over the Indians. Towns County's only victory came in 1993 in Blairsville. It has been a rough start vs. a tough schedule for Towns County, which has yet to score an offensive touchdown in 2023. The Panthers ran into a very good Lumpkin team last week that is expected to challenge for a region title. The defense played well at times despite allowing 44 points, forcing almost a half-dozen punts, and getting two turnovers.
What to watch for: The Panthers offense vs. the Indians defense. Union County is averaging 38.5 ppg and nearly 430 yards of offense (230 passing, 200 rushing), while Towns County has yielded 62 points (31.0 ppg) so far in 2023. The Indians will have to find a way to slow down the Panthers to have any chance in snapping their long losing streak in the series.
WEST HALL at EAST JACKSON
Records: Spartans (1-1, Region 7-3A); Eagles (2-0, Region 8-2A)
Last week: West Hall beat Johnson, 29-9; East Jackson beat Social Circle, 42-14
Where: East Jackson Stadium, Commerce
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Series is tied 2-2. Neither team has won more than one in a row. East Jackson won 26-0 in 2022. The Eagles already have turned around two games they lost last season and now are looking for their first 3-0 start since 2019. However, that year, they lost their last seven games. The West Hall offense, which averaged just 8.2 ppg in 2022, is looking much-improved in the early going. RB Elijah Hayes is emerging as a breakout player with 366 yards and 4 TDs so far. The Eagles are part of 8-2A, which leads the classification in win percentage (8-3, .727) after the first two weeks. Only two other regions in all classifications (1-7A and 8-5A) have been better over the first two weeks in non-region play.
What to watch for: The East Jackson defense vs. the West Hall offense. The Eagles have allowed just 21 points (10.5 ppg) but will have a challenge against a big Spartans O-line in front of Hayes, who has two 100-yard games already. Whichever unit wins that battle will probably be the difference in what could be one of the better matchups of the night.
WHITE COUNTY at CHESTATEE
Records: Warriors (1-1, Region 7-3A); War Eagles (0-1, Region 8-4A)
Last week: White County beat Habersham Central, 34-6; Chestatee was off
Where: Lynn Cottrell Complex, Gainesville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: White County leads series, 14-3. The Warriors won 34-7 in 2022. White County has won three straight and is 10-1 over the last 11 meetings going back to 2006. White County is 8-0 all-time at Lynn Cottrell Complex. The Warriors' defense showed vast improvement last week, giving up their fewest points since shutting out West Hall on Oct. 8, 2021, a span of 16 games. Chestatee struggled in a 70-14 loss to Hebron Christian two weeks ago as the hybrid spread/wing-T offense is still in a learning curve. The defense gave up nearly 500 yards of offense, including 345 on the ground.
What to watch for: The Chestatee offense. The War Eagles had a week off to work out the kinks in the new offense and to make some defensive adjustments. Chestatee will need to dial up some offense to keep up with the Warriors, who are averaging 34 ppg and more than 400 yards of offense so far.
