Three big games on tap again, and a huge showdown in the mountains set

It's another week and another huge slate of prep football games -- including another showdown with region title implications -- this Friday in Week 8 of the 2014 campaign.<br /> <br /> And the Jacobs Media family of networks and media outlets will be on hand to keep you up to date on all the night's big action.<br /> <br /> Friday will see three games broadcast live on airwaves, while our staffers will also be on hand to take in the intense mountain rivalry that could decide the Region 8-AA crown.<br /> <br /> Rabun County and Union County have played 49 times, making for one of the more consistent and intense rivalries in northeast Georgia -- let alone the Appalachian mountains that dominate the landscape between Blairsville and Tiger.<br /> <br /> Yet perhaps none of the previous 49 have carried the meaning that No. 50 brings with it.<br /> <br /> The Wildcats (5-2, 3-0 Region 8-AA) and Panthers (7-0, 3-0) are currently tied for first place in Region 8-AA, and Friday's winner in Blairsville will have an inside track at the region crown -- Rabun's last title came in 1998; Union's in 1973. Both are coming off state playoff appearances and both have bona fide stars on par with any player in the area, and Access North Georgia's Friday Game Night will be on hand to watch every snap and bring you game and video highlights.<br /> <br /> Speaking of region titles, West Hall is eyeing a 7-AAA crown this season and is currently tied for first in the league with Lumpkin County. The Spartans head to Franklin County on Friday looking to move to 3-0 in 7-AAA in a game broadcast live on <b>WDUN 102.9 FM</b>.<br /> <br /> West Hall has shown stellar defense throughout the season but also flashed electric big-play ability in last week's 51-22 defeat of East Hall. Franklin County, meanwhile, is coming off a tough 25-7 loss to Dawson County but is by no means out of the postseason race in 7-AAA and would love to get back in it at the expense of the Spartans.<br /> <br /> In Region 8-AAAAA, Gainesville is coming off a razor-thin 26-23 loss to Lanier that knocked the Red Elephants from first place in the region standings. But Gainesville can't afford to feel sorry for itself, as an athletic Clarke Central team pays a visit to City Park on Friday in a game broadcast live on <b>1240 AM</b>.<br /> <br /> The Gladiators struggled early in the season, opening 0-2 but have bounced back to win three of their last four as standout running back JaQua Daniels returned from injury. And Clarke Central (3-3, 3-2 Region 8-AAAAA) needs a win to stay in the postseason mix.<br /> <br /> The Red Elephants (4-2, 4-1) have been led by a stout defense this season and an offense that still has enough firepower to light up opposing defenses. Both units will need to be up for the task on Friday.<br /> <br /> Both East Hall and Johnson will enter Friday looking to shore up their seasons with victories in a game broadcast live on <b>WDUN AM 550</b>.<br /> <br /> The Vikings (2-4, 1-2 Region 7-AAA) are coming off a tough loss at West Hall, while Johnson (2-5) claimed its second straight win last week, knocking off Osborne 13-0. The Knights defense has been stellar in the last two weeks, allowing seven points over two games. Yet Johnson has not faced weapons like East Hall's in some time, as the Vikings bring standouts like Devin Watson, Jiel Vargas and Rex Purgason to bear.<br /> <br /> That's just a few of the big contests on display this weekend and, like always, Friday Game Night will be on hand to take it all in.<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 -- Radio: 1240 AM<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 -- Radio: AM 550<br /> Lanier at Heritage, Conyers<br /> Madison County at North Hall<br /> North Oconee at White County -- Radio: www.wrwh.com<br /> Prince Avenue at Towns County<br /> Rabun County at Union County<br /> Stephens County at Chestatee<br /> West Hall at Franklin County -- Radio: 102.9 FM

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