It's the standard Week 6 rundown, and as usual, there were some games of interest and some with interesting finishes.
At the top of the list of close calls was the Jefferson-Clarke Central battle in Region 8-5A. We knew this one could be a close game, and on the scoreboard, it was close, a 22-14 win for the Dragons. However, Jefferson was in control on the field, taking a quick 14-0 lead against the bigger Gladiators. The Dragons proved they have the endurance to pull through the tough ones. Now, they'll be in good shape if they can stay healthy down the stretch.
The Cherokee Bluff-North Hall was somewhat of a shocking finish. The Trojans, who entered the season with what seemed like a million questions about the defense, turned in their best defensive performance against the Bears. Give credit to the Bears as well. They held an offense averaging over 40 points a game to less than 30. Bluff is not out of the region fight by any means. However, the loss to the Trojans did take a little breathing room out of the schedule. As for the Trojans, they are on track to secure a home playoff game.
And we'll learn more this week as Region 8-2A and Region 8-A Division 1 and Division 2 begin regional play. With that, we've sorted through the 18 games on the schedule and found three games with big region standings implications that we think could be Games2Watch.
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LANIER at GAINESVILLE
Records: Longhorns (4-1, 1-0 Region 8-6A); Red Elephants (5-0, 1-0 Region 8-6A), ranked No. 1 in Class 6A
Last week: Lanier beat Habersham Central, 35-14; Gainesville was off
Where: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
Radio: 94.5 FM The Lake
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Gainesville: Sr. QB Baxter Wright (62-for-96, 884 yards, 8 TDs, 3 INT passing, 30-128, 2 TDs rushing), Sr. RB Gavin Hall (89-695 yards, 10 TDs rushing), Sr. TE Sky Niblett (13-196 yards, 4 TDs rec.), Sr. WR Travien Watson (14-225 yards rec), Sr. WR Eric Wright (11-158 yards rec., 2 TDs) LB Carmelo Byrd (27 tkls, 5 TFL, 2.5 sacks), Julius Columbus (17 tkls, 7 TFL, 5.5 sacks), C Thompson (16 tkls), N Taylor (27 tkls), Zion Ferguson (16 tkls); Lanier: Sr. QB Preston Ratliff (70-for-108, 1,043 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INT passing), Sr. RB Tayo Ashadele (74-506 yards, 7 TDs rushing), Jr. RB Tojuan Peyton Jr. (62-366 yards, 3 TDs rushing, 9-146 yards rec., 1 TD), Sr. WR Chase Jameson (34-568 yards, 5 TDs rec., 15-60 yards, 6 TDs rushing), Sr. WR Choice Bradley (12-147 yards, 1 TD rec.), Jr LB Bryce Garner (76 tkls, 3 TFL), Sr. LB Joshua Gallagher (69 tkls).
WHY WATCH IT? Do the Longhorns really have a shot to knock off Gainesville? Yeah, we're not so sure about that, but we ARE sure the Longhorns are much improved. Lanier is off to its best start since the 2020 campaign and is scoring 25.2 points more than last season. Defensively, the Longhorns have improved by almost seven points per game. So, yes, the Longhorns are way ahead of where they were this time last season. While it's true that Big Red has had its fair share of ups and downs and bumps in the road through the first five games of the season, the talent on the roster has been able to overcome. The Red Elephants' numbers are slightly less than they were this time last season, but their schedule also tips the scale. This game has region title implications all over it. Gainesville blew past the Longhorns the previous season in Sugar Hill. This year, the Longhorns have to travel to City Park and play in front of a rowdy crowd at Bobby Gruhn Field. So, do the Longhorns have a shot? Sure they do. Will they win the game? We're not so sure about that.
JACKSON COUNTY at HABERSHAM CENTRAL
Records: Panthers (3-3, 1-1 Region 8-6A); Raiders (2-3, 0-1 Region 8-6A)
Last week: Jackson County beat Apalachee, 35-17; Habersham Central lost 35-14 to Lanier
Where: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jackson County: So. QB RJ Knapp (27-for-50, 318 yards (2 starts), 2 TDs, 2 INT), MJ Spurlin (117-706 yards, 9 TDs rushing), Sr. RB Acoreon McClure (44-239 yards, 2 TDs rushing), Sr. WR Jaydan Hibbert (31-413 yards, 2 TD rec.), Sr. WR Elijah Ling (7-157 yards, 2 TDs rec.), Sr. LB Daniel Stites (53 tkls, 3 TFL), Sr. LB Abbott Plank Miller (44 tkls, 5 TFL), Sr. DL Peyton Scott (33 tkls, 5 TFL, Jr. DE Josh Mendoza (22 tkls, 7 TFL); Habersham Central: Jr. QB Carson Parker (41-for-77, 427 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 45-165 yards rushing), Jr. WR Antonio Cantrell (75-357 yards, 5 TDs, rushing), Jr. WR Zeke Whittington (33-361 yards, 4 TDs, rec.), Sr. SS Carter Barrett (56 tkls, 4 TFL), Sr. LB Braden Henslee (47 tkls, 4.5 TFL), Jarred White (32 tkls, 1.5 TFL).
WHY WATCH IT? If either team wants to stay in the playoff picture, a win is crucial for those goals. The Raiders already are behind the eight ball, losing to Lanier last week in a game that was close early on. Jackson County sits at 1-1 right now, and a win over the Raiders would only make a potential playoff berth stronger. It feels more like a heavy must-win for the Raiders, though. They have North Forsyth and Gainesville to follow, making this game and next week's off date all the more important. Yeah, every win matters just the same, right? However, a win at this point in the season for either team means more at the time. Regardless, the team that gets out of this game with the dub is in the driver's seat for a playoff berth. As far as what seed, check back later.
EAST JACKSON at BANKS COUNTY
Records: Eagles (5-0, 0-0 Region 8-2A); Leopards (4-1, 0-0 Region 8-2A)
Last week: East Jackson beat Johnson, 42-0; Banks County lost 38-21 to Commerce
Where: Leopard Stadium, Homer
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Banks County: Jr. QB Kolby Watson (29-for-64, 491 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INT passing), Jr. RB Aucy Jacobs (60-442, 9 TDs rushing), Aaron Scott (19-255 yards, 4 TD rushing, 9-182 yards, 1 TD rec.), Sr. WR Collin Caudell (1-145 yards, 1 TD rec.), Sr. DL Robert Walker (47 tkls, 6 TFL), Jr. LB Camden Cooper (45 tkls, 2 TFL), Sr. LB Webb Samples (37 tkls); East Jackson: So. QB Drew Richardson (51-for-43, 691 yards, 6 TDs passing, 35-184 yards, 3 TDs rushing), Jr. RB Quay Hill (80-374 yards, 7 TDs), So. WR Braxton Goolsby (19-297 yards rec.), Sr. WR Talan Jackson (14-195 yards, 3 TDs rec.), Sr. LB Corvin Gillespie (31 tkls, 2 TFL), Jr. LB Aaronn Blackmon (29 tkls, 7 TFL), Sr. DL Tyquese Gresham (28 tkls, 6 TFL).
WHY WATCH IT? Where to start with this one, and what to think? Banks County is in precisely the same position in 2023 as in 2022, 4-1, staring down the Region 8-2A opener against East Jackson. There are some differences for the Leopards -- they are scoring a few more points and giving up less than last season. However, the question remains for the Leopards ... can they get an early region win? As for East Jackson, the Eagles are two wins better than last season and are averaging almost 40 points per game while giving up 7.6 ppg. The Eagles poured it on the Leopards the previous season, 55-24, and with the improvement of the offense and defense, they could do the exact same thing this season. The Eagles have beaten the Leopards four straight. The Leopards' last win in the series came at home, a 50-10 win in 2018. This game is in Homer, and you know what they say about Homer ... 'there's no place like Homer." Watch this game close because the loser is most likely out of the playoffs.
WEEK 7 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Bethlehem Chrisitan at Lakeview Academy*
Buford at Collins Hill, 7 p.m.*
Cherokee Bluff at Cedar Shoals*
East Hall at East Forsyth* -- WDUN AM 550
East Jackson at Banks County*
Fellowship Christian at Rabun County
First Presbyterian at Commerce
Flowery Branch at Clarke Central*
Jackson County at Habersham Central*
Jefferson at Winder-Barrow*
Lakeside-DeKalb at Johnson
Lanier at Gainesville* -- 94.5 FM The Lake
Madison County at Chestatee*
North Oconee at North Hall* -- WDUN FM 102.9
Towns County at Greene County*
Wesleyan at Lumpkin County*
West Hall at Gilmer*
White County at Dawson County*
