As we approached Week 7, region races begin to get hot.
Region 8-3A has a huge matchup in Watkinsville this week as Cherokee Bluff travels to Oconee County. This game will leave one or the other at the top of the region standings. Region 6-3A is as wide open as any region in the AccessWDUN coverage area. Lumpkin County travels to White County, which will greatly impact each team's playoff aspirations. Region 8-5A is also as wide open as any region, and Habersham Central would like to take a little control of it with a win at Winder-Barrow on Friday.
Regardless of what happens this week, we'll have a better picture of what to expect the rest of the season after Friday ... or will we?
To follow scores and more this week, follow our Friday Game Night X for scores, stories and highlights.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at WINDER-BARROW
Records: Raiders (3-2, 1-0 Region 8-5A); Bulldoggs (3-2, 1-0 Region 8-5A)
Last week: Habersham Central was off; Winder-Barrow beat Alcovy, 42-7
Where: W. Clair Harris Stadium, Winder
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: HABERSHAM: QB Paris Wilbanks (49-77, 745 yards passing, 7 TDs, 42-273 rushing, 4 TDs); RB Donnie Warren 65-382 rushing, 4 TDs, RB Antonio Cantrell 31-127 rushing, 5 TDs, WR Zeke Whittington (26-374 yards rec., 4 TDs), LB Everett Rudeseal (31 tkls, 5 TFLs), LB Noah Harkins (26 tkls), DB Sawyer Burgess (24 tkls, 1 TFL); WINDER-BARROW: QB Camden Hodge (70-96, 990 yards passing, 9 TDs, 153 yards rushing, 3 TDs), RB MJ Dowdy (106-699 yards rushing, 6 TDs), WR Kenyan Glasper (20-450 yards rec., 3 TDs), London Munoz (21-299 yards rec., 5 TDs), WR Grayson Engel (19-198 yards rec.), LB Cameron Gresham (38 tkls, 4 TFLs), Jamarus Hester (29 tkls, 2 TFLs), LB Xavier Mccoy (23 tkls, 5 TFLs), DE Wesley Binion (3 sacks, 4 TFLs), DE Matthew Greiner (3 sacks, 3 TFLs).
WHY WATCH IT: This game is pivotal in Habersham Central's quest for its first regional title since 2007. Region 8-5A is up for grabs, and it's a three-team race right now between the Raiders, Winder-Barrow, and Clarke Central, and all three still have to play each other. Regardless of what's left, this game is a toss-up. The stats lean toward Winder-Barrow. The Bulldoggs are scoring more per game and giving up less. However, the strength of schedule is on the Raiders' side. They've played top-10 ranked opponents Stephens County and Cherokee Bluff. If the Raiders are to have success on Friday, the defense is going to have to play with their hair on fire. They've given up 21 points in every game this season, and with the Bulldoggs averaging 32 ppg, it'll be a challenge for the Raiders' defensive unit. I expect this one to be a barn burner.
LUMPKIN COUNTY at WHITE COUNTY
Records: Indians (3-2, 1-1 Region 6-3A); Warriors (2-3, 1-1 Region 6-3A)
Last week: Lumpkin County beat Chestatee, 49-25; White County lost 35-21 to North Hall
Where: White County Stadium, Cleveland
Radio: WRWH 93.9 FM; www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: LUMPKIN COUNTY: QB Cal Faulkner (35-56, 332 yards passing, 2 TDs, 57-359 rushing, 6 TDs), RB Nolan Matthews (76-481 yards, 6 TDs), WR/DB Trent Mobley (18-173, 2 TDs, 34 tkls, 1 TFL, 2 INT), WR/SS AJ Scott (21-243 yards rec, 1 TD, 24 tkls), WR Mason Hester (4-102 yards rec., 1 TD), LB Jackson Bell (39 tkls, 3 TFLs), LB Mike Nichols (35 tkls, 3 TFLs), DE Connor Greilich (25 tkls, 1 TFL), DE Weston Veater (24 tkls); WHITE COUNTY: QB Tripp Nix (87-145, 1233 yards passing, 5 TDs, 59-273 yards rushing, 7 TDs), RB Noel Lammers (73-238 yards rushing, 6 TDs), WR Gaines Clark (25-352 yards rec., 1 TD, WR Brayden Roach (16-239 yards rec.), LB Jon Scott (49 tkls, 5 sacks, 4 TFLs, 1 INT), WR/DB Zach Godrey (10-209 yards rec., 3 TDs, 46 tkls), LB Bryce Dockery (26 tkls), DB Cade Dockery (23 tkls, 1 TFL)
WHY WATCH IT: If running back Nolan Matthews is back in the lineup this week, it could be a long night for the Warriors. Last week, White County gave up 368 yards on the ground, and if they allow QB Cal Faulkner and Matthews to run at will, the Indians will roll to their third straight win over the Warriors. However, you have to think White County learned a lesson last week against the Trojans. North Hall's defense shut the Warriors down in the second half last week, holding them to negative rushing yards and no points. Let's take a time machine ride back to last year's battle. The Indians won in the four-overtime fight 61-55, and the previous two meetings have averaged 103.5 ppg. Yeah, crazy stats. Added on top of the past is that these two teams need a win to stay in the playoff hunt, especially if GAC keeps rolling, meaning one public school would be left out of the playoffs if GAC wins the region. See GHSA Playoff Rankings System for more information. Regardless, I'm taking the Trojans' approach if I'm prepping the defense for this game. Hammer down on defense and make the Warriors make plays. Unfortunately, the Warriors didn't make plays last week. This is a rivalry game, so anything could happen.
PREP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, September 27
Alcovy at Jackson County*
Cherokee Bluff at Oconee County* -- moved to Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Chestatee at Johnson* -- Saturday at 10 a.m.
Commerce at Elbert County*
Dawson County at GAC*
Dixie (SC) at Towns County
East Forsyth at Flowery Branch* -- Saturday at noon.
East Hall at Monroe Area* -- Saturday at 11 a.m.
Gainesville at Johns Creek* -- Wednesday, 6 p.m.
Habersham Central at Winder-Barrow* -- Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Hebron Christian at East Jackson*
Lanier Christian at Skipstone Academy*
Lumpkin County at White County*
Pickens at North Hall* -- Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Providence Christian at Rabun County*
Riverside Prep at Lakeview Academy*
Union County at LFO* -- Monday at 6 p.m.
West Hall at Jefferson* -- Saturday, TBD
(Banks County, Buford and North Forsyth are all off)
(* -- denotes region contest)
PREP FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD, September 20
Athens Academy 29, Commerce 28*
Buford 46, Discovery 0*
Butler 26, Towns County 3
Clarke Central 27, Jackson County 11*
East Jackson 45, East Hall 27
Eastside 48, Flowery Branch 12*
Gainesville 50, Lanier 14*
GAC 48, Johnson 0*
Lumpkin County 49, Chestatee 25*
North Hall 35, White County 21*
North Oconee 24, East Forsyth 7*
Pickens 35, Dawson County 23*
Rabun County 31, Banks County 9*
Union County 21, North Murray 0*
West Hall 27, Franklin County 13
