5 things: What we learned from Week 7 of high school football

Here's a look at five things we learned from Week 7 of the high school football season...<br /> <br /> <b>1. Derrick Brown may be the area's biggest difference-maker on defense</b><br /> <br /> That may sound like a bold statement to make, and we're not saying the Lanier defensive end is bar-none the best defender in the area -- but he's certainly among them. In every big game the Longhorns have played this season, and they've been in several, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound standout has come up as big as his stature -- if not bigger. Just at look at last week's 26-23 win over Gainesville for example. The signature moment for Brown was a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown, but he also defended a pass and even came up big on special teams with a five-yard run on a fake punt that kept a Longhorns drive going. Brown spent plenty of time pressuring Gainesville quarterback Mikey Gonzalez -- something he has done to opposing QBs a lot this season -- and helped hold the Red Elephants to their season-low in scoring in a Region 8-AAAAA game. The victory could well be the difference in Lanier claiming the 8-AAAAA crown, and Brown -- as he's shown all season -- is a big part of that difference.<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>2. Kwon Williams is West Hall's X-factor </b><br /> <br /> The Spartans have plenty of weapons -- Tyquan Statham, Jay Crawford, Cameron Millsap, etc. -- but perhaps none is as explosive and versatile as Mr. Williams, and his play helped turn a razor-thin region battle into a comfortable victory on Friday. Williams rushed 15 times for 115 yards and a touchdown in a 55-21 win over East Hall, but it was his all-around performance that perhaps made the difference, as he also caught two passes, passed for a touchdown (a 40-yard spiral on an end-around to Hykeem Bennett) and intercepted an East Hall pass. He also came close to scoring on a punt return, scampering into the end zone only to see it overturned by a penalty. Having a player that can turn any touch into a touchdown can mean the difference between a good and great season. The Spartans are already in the midst of a good campaign, but the electric play of Williams could yet make it a great 2014.<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>3. We're set for an epic battle in the mountains</b><br /> <br /> How badly do Rabun County and Union County want to beat each other? Consider that when the Wildcats constructed their impressive practice facilities a few years back they had their tackling dummies covered in purple fabric -- the Panthers' main color. It is a sentiment that Union County returns wholeheartedly. And this season, that intense mountain rivalry, set for its 50th version, could well decide the Region 8-AA title. The undefeated Panthers (7-0, 3-0 Region 8-AA) will play host to the Wildcats (5-2, 3-0) on Friday knowing that the victor will be in line for a title -- something neither program has accomplished in some time (1998 was the last region crown for Rabun County -- 1973 for Union). All the elements are in place for an epic showdown between the two teams separated by 42 miles of U.S. Highway 76. Beyond the implications there are some big-time players set to do battle. Union County quarterback Joseph Mancuso is among the best in the area this season, while running back/linebacker Chase Barnett is a bruising playmaker. Meanwhile, Rabun County features one of the best athletes and all-around talents in the state in running back/receiver/safety Charlie Woerner, while linebacker Tucker Williams is a leader and ballhawk. It is the kind of set-up usually reserved for bigger schools but these two Class AA programs are playing playoff-like football already, and this week could be something special in Blairsville.<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>4. Region 8-AAAA will be decided in last three weeks</b><br /> <br /> There are three teams left undefeated in 8-AAAA play: Buford, North Oconee and Stephens County and all three will face off over the last three weeks of the regular season. Certainly the top-ranked Wolves will be favored to go on and claim the 8-AAAA title, but both the Indians and Titans have shown the kind of quality and skill to push Buford every step of the way. Meanwhile, White County will also have plenty to say in the playoff race, starting with this week's showdown with North Oconee. The Warriors will have to battle to reach the postseason, but they can take a huge step forward if they can knock off the Titans on Friday.<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>5. Region 7-AAAAAA race will be a sprint to the finish</b><br /> <br /> Plenty of outsiders might have thought the 7-AAAAAA title was decided on Oct. 3, when Norcross edged out North Gwinnett 17-10. But Bulldogs coach Bob Sphire and Mill Creek coach Shannon Jarvis would beg to differ. Both programs are very much in the 7-AAAAAA race, despite having one league defeat each. The Hawks have the firepower to knock off Norcross and with games also remaining against Collins Hill and Peachtree Ridge, Mill Creek could still throw the region into chaos and ensure a three-way tie should both the Hawks and Bulldogs win out. The entirety of 7-AAAAAA is on a bye this week, and that's a good thing. There will be a might sprint to the finish, and most teams will need all the energy they can get.<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>PREP FOOTBALL SCORES FOR OCT. 10</b><br /> Buford 56, North Hall 0<br /> Clarke Central 32, Flowery Branch 12<br /> Dawson County 25, Franklin County 7<br /> Elbert County 42, Jackson County 13<br /> George Walton 34, Lakeview Academy 14<br /> Jefferson 51, Morgan County 16<br /> Johnson 13, Osborne 0<br /> Lambert 51, Habersham Central 6<br /> Lanier 26, Gainesville 23<br /> Lumpkin County 34, Fannin County 20<br /> Madison County 49, Chestatee 28<br /> Mill Creek 55, Mountain View 7<br /> North Gwinnett 51, Peachtree Ridge 24<br /> Rabun County 49, Oglethorpe County 7<br /> Stephens County 30, White County 10<br /> Union County 42, Greene County 27<br /> Washington-Wilkes 13, Riverside Military 10<br /> West Forsyth 35, North Forsyth 3<br /> West Hall 51, East Hall 22<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>WEEK 8 PREP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, OCT. 17</b><br /> Athens Academy at Lakeview Academy<br /> Banks County at Lumpkin County<br /> Buford at Monroe Area<br /> Commerce at Providence Christian<br /> Cedar Shoals at Winder-Barrow<br /> Centennial at Habersham Central<br /> Clarke Central at Gainesville<br /> East Jackson at Jefferson<br /> Fannin County at Dawson County<br /> Flowery Branch at Apalachee<br /> Jackson County at Hart County<br /> Johns Creek at North Forsyth<br /> Johnson at East Hall<br /> Lanier at Heritage, Conyers<br /> Madison County at North Hall<br /> North Oconee at White County<br /> Prince Avenue at Towns County<br /> Rabun County at Union County<br /> Stephens County at Chestatee<br /> West Hall at Franklin County

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