Titles, playoffs, rivalries all on the line Friday in Jacobs Media coverage

Region championships, playoff showdowns and intense rivalries -- you couldn't ask for a better way to finish out a regular season, and that's exactly what the outlets of Jacobs Media will offer up on Friday, as the 2014 campaign comes to a close.<br /> <br /> Three huge games will be broadcast live on our trio of stations, while Friday Game Night will also staff the top 10 showdown for the Region 8-AAA crown.<br /> <br /> Jefferson -- undefeated and ranked fourth in Class AAA -- will travel to Hart County -- undefeated and ranked eighth in AAA -- in what has the makings of an instant classic. The two foes have dominated 8-AAA so far this campaign, sweeping through five region games each by an average of 32.6 points.<br /> <br /> Each squad has plenty of talent, the Dragons featuring a host of offensive weapons -- including running back Sammy Williams (181 yards rushing and two TDs in last week's win), quarterback Evan Shirreffs and receivers Dalton Hill (6 receptions for 219 yards and 2 TDs last week) and TJ Skelton. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are led by quarterback Cameron Fouch and have put up four straight games of 40-plus points.<br /> <br /> It has been 13 years since Hart County has claimed a region crown and just two for the Dragons -- and you can expect an explosive battle for the latest title at Hartwell's Pete Herndon Stadium on Friday.<br /> <br /> Speaking of classic, there could well be another on Friday in Oakwood -- as West Hall and Lumpkin County face off for the Region 7-AAA crown in a game broadcast live on <b>WDUN AM 550</b>.<br /> <br /> The match-up harbors plenty of intrigue, as the Spartans (8-1, 5-0 Region 7-AAA) bring their big-play athletes to bear against the Indians' (5-4, 4-1) grinding run game. <br /> <br /> Not that West Hall can't grind or Lumpkin explode as well -- but the two offenses have been characterized by their rushing attacks, and neither have been stopped much this campaign. Even in its one region loss, Lumpkin racked up 46 points.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the Spartans defense -- which is allowing just 8 points per game -- will face perhaps their toughest test of the 7-AAA campaign. <br /> <br /> Neither program has ever claimed a region title, so history beckons for the squad able to harness its best on Friday. <br /> <br /> Elsewhere in 7-AAA, playoff seeding and positional battles will take place, including a battle in Valhalla between Banks County and East Hall in a game broadcast live on <b>WDUN 102.9 FM</b>. The Vikings (5-4, 3-2) are currently soaring and can sew up the No. 3 seed from 7-AAA if they claim their fourth straight win on Friday. An East Hall victory would also clinch the program's first winning record since the last time the Vikings played in the postseason (2005).<br /> <br /> The Leopards (5-4, 2-3), meanwhile, have already shown they are a program on the rebound after banishing memories of a winless 2013 by pushing for a postseason berth in coach Biff Parson's second campaign.<br /> <br /> Both teams feature playmakers, including East Hall quarterback Devin Watson and Banks County receiver Malcolm Mitchell -- and both teams will be aware of just how much a win would mean.<br /> <br /> There's no denying how much victory means in the Gainesville-Flowery Branch series, and the two old rivals will renew their battle for dominance on Friday in a game broadcast live on <b>1240 AM ESPN Radio</b>.<br /> <br /> The Red Elephants (7-2, 7-1 Region 8-AAAAA) have already secured the No. 2 seed from 8-AAAAA, while the Falcons (5-4, 4-4) still have a shot at a postseason berth. To clinch it, Flowery Branch must win and hope for Salem to lose to Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central to fall to Loganville. Regardless, you can expect the Falcons to be focused on derailing the Red Elephants.<br /> <br /> Flowery Branch has found its feet after a tough start to the season, reeling off three straight wins -- including last week's thrilling 7-6 defeat of Salem -- and a fourth would be extra sweet.<br /> <br /> Gainesville, meanwhile, has dropped just one league game this season, falling only to new 8-AAAA champ Lanier 26-23, and will look to head into the postseason on a high note. The Red Elephants lead the series 8-3 all time but the last three contests have been decided by a <i>total</i> of 19 points.<br /> <br /> Of course there are plenty of other important games coming up Friday, including a Region 8-AA-defining contest, as Rabun County plays host to Greene County. The Wildcats can secure their first region crown since 1998 with a win, while a loss could create a three-way tie between Rabun, Greene and Union Counties (assuming the Panthers defeat Washington-Wilkes on Friday).<br /> <br /> Buford will also look to avoid a three-way tie when it heads to Stephens County in Region 8-AAAA. A win for the Wolves would secure the 8-AAAA crown, while a loss could create a three-way tie with North Oconee (assuming the Titans defeat Madison County on Friday).<br /> <br /> And, in 7-AAAAAA, North Gwinnett can secure a championship by knocking off Mountain View -- though plenty of eyes will also be on the Mill Creek at Peachtree Ridge battle, as the winner will put itself in position for the No. 2 seed, the loser finishing as the No. 3 seed (both previously lost to the Bulldogs but defeated the other two teams in playoff contention: Norcross and Collins Hill).<br /> <br /> Not a bad way to wrap a regular season, eh?<br /> <br /> <b>WEEK 11 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, NOV. 7</b><br /> Banks County at East Hall -- Radio: 102.9 FM<br /> Buford at Stephens County<br /> Chattahoochee at Habersham Central<br /> Chestatee at Monroe Area<br /> Fannin County at Franklin County<br /> Gainesville at Flowery Branch -- Radio: 1240 AM<br /> Greene County at Rabun County<br /> Heritage, Conyers at Winder-Barrow<br /> Jefferson at Hart County<br /> Johnson at Dawson County<br /> Lakeview Academy at Commerce <br /> Lanier at Apalachee<br /> Lumpkin County at West Hall -- Radio: AM 550<br /> Mill Creek at Peachtree Ridge<br /> Morgan County at Jackson County<br /> Mountain View at North Gwinnett<br /> North Forsyth at Alpharetta<br /> Riverside Military at Social Circle<br /> Washington-Wilkes at Union County<br /> White County at North Hall -- Radio: wrwh.com

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