If you’re looking for drama, look no further than Week 1 of the 2024 GHSA high school football season.
The schedule is filled with massive matchups across the state and in the Northeast Georgia area.
In our coverage area, No. 2 Gainesville travels to Marietta (FM 94.5/AM 1240), Habersham Central is at rival Stephens County, No. 1 Jefferson travels to No. 6 Marist (102.9 WDUN), and No. 7 Lumpkin County will take on Cherokee Bluff (AM 550 WDUN) – all of which are must-see games.
The biggest game in the area is Class 6A No. 1 Buford at Class 5A No. 1 Milton. Other Games2Watch this week are No. 7 Wesleyan at No. 4 Commerce and No. 7 Rabun County at White County.
To follow scores and more this week, follow our Friday Game Night X for scores, stories and highlights.
BUFORD at MILTON
Records: Wolves (0-0, Region 8-6A); Eagles (0-0, Region 7-5A)
Last week: Season openers for both
Where: Eagles Nest, Milton
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: BUFORD: Sr. LB Jaden Perlotte, Sr. LB Kenyon Riviera, Sr. RB Justin Baker, Sr. LB Mantrez Walker, Sr. LB AJ Holloway, Sr. DL Nicco Maggio, Jr. DL Bryce Perry-Wright, Sr. QB TJ Wilcox, Jr. QB Dayton Raiola; MILTON: Sr. QB Luke Nickel, Sr. WR C.J. Wiley Jr., Sr. RB TJ Lester, Sr. RB Amauri Anderson, DB Ty Redmond, DB Dylan Lewis, DB Tristan Lester, DB Ma’khi Jones.
WHY WATCH IT? And I have to answer my question with a question ... why not watch it? The Buford-Milton game is one of the night's biggest games, and if you’re looking for talent, look no further than this showdown at the Eagles' Nest. Milton returns 14 starters, with several Power 4 recruits, including Sr. QB Luke Nickel (3,914 yards, 38 TDs, 4 INT) and Sr. WR C.J. Wiley Jr. (Florida State commit, 68 rec., 1,473 yards, 14 TD) Wiley led the state in receiving yards in 2023. Buford’s list of stars is pretty impressive as well, including ] All-AccessWDUN first-teamers Jaden Perlotte and Kenyon Rivera, along with Bryce Perry-Wright and Nico Maggio on the line to anchor a beastly defense. Buford will count on the defense early as the offense breaks in several new pieces, including at quarterback. Buford coach Bryant Appling said he’s not picked a starting quarterback yet, but it will be TJ Wilcox or Dalton Raiola. It’s one heck of a way to start the season. This game could be a track meet, then again, it could be a good old-fashioned slobber knocker. Whatever the outcome, this one will surely be a Top-5 game of the year.
RABUN COUNTY at WHITE COUNTY
Records: Wildcats (0-0, Region 8-A D1); Warriors (0-0, Region 6-3A)
Last week: Season openers for both
Where: White County Stadium, Cleveland
Radio: WRWH 93.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: WHITE COUNTY: Sr. QB Tripp Nix, Jr. RB Noah Lammers, Sr. LB Jon Scott, Sr. LB Jason Rewis, Sr. LB Alex Johnson, Sr. DE Noah Williams, Sr. DE Dade Anderson; RABUN COUNTY: Jr. QB Ty Truelove, Jr. RB Reid Giles, Sr. OL/DL Alex Yearwood, Sr. OL/DL Michael Johnson, Sr. LB Elvis Hunt, Jr. LB Noah English
WHY WATCH IT? Regardless of the outcome, this game will set the tone for both teams. It’ll also provide a slew of answers for both head coaches. The Warriors are breaking in a new secondary, and Noah Lammers has been elevated to starting RB with the graduation of leading rush Ryan Fowler. They’ll also be replacing four offensive linemen. The good news for the Warriors is that three-year starter Tripp Nix returns at QB to lead the offense. On defense, White County returns all but two starters, including several part-time starters. Leading tackler Jon Scott (158 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks) and fellow returning seniors Jason Rewis and Alex Johnson at linebacker are set to lead the defense. As for the Wildcats, they’ll look to a veteran line of scrimmage, led by Alex Yearwood (6-3, 300 pounds) and Michael Johnson (6-6, 280), QB Ty Truelove, RB Reid Giles, and several returning starters on defense. This one might scream battle in the trenches on paper, but I see it as a battle to slow the other down. It’s the first game of the season. There will be breakdowns, but whoever breaks down the least has the best chance to be 1-0 on Friday. However, it could come down to a field goal.
WESLEYAN at COMMERCE
Records: Wolves (0-0, Region 5-A D1); Tigers (0-0, Region 8-A D1)
Last week: Season openers for both
Where: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
Radio: WJJC 95.1 FM/1270 AM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: COMMERCE: RB Jaiden Daniels, RB Tysean Wiggins, WR Mack Mullis and WR Peyton Evans, DB Jace Lyle, DB Max Mullis, DB Jacari Huff, DB Ty Sorrells; WESLEYAN: QB Ben Brown, RB Maddox Gartland, DL Matthew Wright, DL Connor Roush.
WHY WATCH IT? Expect a brutal rushing attack versus an experienced defense. Commerce coach Mark Hollars doesn’t shy away from running the football, and why should he when he has a two-headed monster in the backfield? All-AccessWDUN first-team running back Jaiden Daniels returns for this season, and senior fullback Tysean Wiggins is poised for another big season. The duo punished their opponents last season while rushing over 3,500 yards. Oh, and most everybody returns from last season’s 11-2 squad. But it won’t be an easy fight against a Wesleyan team that returns the majority of their starters on the defensive side of the ball, including a stout defensive line led by Army-commit Matthew Wright and Georgia Tech-commit Connor Roush, who led the team in sacks last season. Offensively, the Wolves return quarterback Ben Brown, who passed over 3,300 yards and rushed for 615 last season, as well as second-leading rusher Maddox Gartland. But the Wolves lost their top three receivers, which will have them testing the waters Friday night at Commerce. If they test it too much, a nasty secondary led by Jacari Huff will be ready and waiting to take advantage. I see this game as an all-out war in the trenches. Commerce has more experience of returning up front on both sides of the ball, but it’s hard to count Wesleyan out of this one. It’s also hard to pick a winner. However, if I were a betting man, I’d put all my pennies on the Tigers.
WEEK 1 PREP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, August 16
Banks County at East Hall
Buford at Milton
Chestatee at Franklin County
Forsyth Central at East Forsyth
East Jackson at Winder-Barrow
Gainesville at Marietta
Habersham Central at Stephens County
Jackson County at Flowery Branch
Jefferson at Marist
Lakeview Academy at Lanier Christian
Lumpkin County at Cherokee Bluff
North Forsyth at Wheeler
Rabun County at White County
Rock Springs Christian at Riverside Prep
Seckinger at West Hall
Towns County at Murray County
Wesleyan at Commerce
(Dawson County, Johnson, North Hall, Union County are off)
