5 things: What we learned from Week 11 of high school football

Here's a look at five things we learned from Week 11 of the high school football season...<br /> <br /> <b>1. Jefferson is ready for a big playoff run -- Dragons will be tested</b><br /> <br /> Having seen Jefferson play a number of times this season, we knew the Dragons had the mix of talent, experience, offensive balance, defensive grit and overall hunger to make for a big postseason -- and Friday's performance only rammed that belief home further. Jefferson proved just as athletic as an explosive Hart County squad and also overcame some mistakes -- with big plays in critical moments -- to turn the game in the Dragons' favor. We're not going to say that the Dragons are Dome-bound -- there are too many variables at play to make those kinds of predictions -- but we're confident they have the ability to make it to Atlanta. And if they do, they will have earned it. The Dragons drew a very tough bracket in the Class AAA playoffs, one that includes No. 3 Blessed Trinity (currently ranked one spot above Jefferson) and No. 9 Westside-Macon within Jefferson's quarter of the draw. Adairsville has also received votes in the poll and is also in that group. Yet to be the best, you've got to beat the best. And you can bet the Dragons will be excited at the prospects ahead.<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>2. Mill Creek may be the hottest team in the state -- and could face an instant classic in the first round</b><br /> <br /> There aren't many poor teams in Class AAAAAA period, and in Class AAAAAA playoffs there aren't even any average teams. For example look no further than the first round match-up between Mill Creek and Grayson in Hoschton. The Rams are 9-1 and ranked No. 2 in the state. The Hawks are 7-3 and should be ranked. Mill Creek's only losses this season came to No. 1 Colquitt County, No. 5 North Gwinnett and No. 7 Dacula -- and only by an average deficit of 11 points. And all of those losses came within the first five games of the season. Since then the Hawks have been red hot, blistering five straight opponents by an average margin of 47-6 -- including two playoff teams. Grayson has a dominating rushing attack and some of the best lines of scrimmage in the state -- and you can bet the Rams are concerned about facing a Hawks squad that has run all over everyone they have faced this campaign. The combination of quarterback Daniel David (a true dual-threat) and running backs Johnathan Hawkins and Brian Efianayi -- combined with as physical an offensive line as any team in the state -- has been downright nasty. And now they will face the No. 2 -- in the first round. Hide the wife and kids for this one, but make sure you keep at least one eye on this game.<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>3. Rabun County may have the biggest home-field advantage in playoffs</b><br /> <br /> There are probably times that the Wildcats get tired of long bus trips to play region opponents -- Rabun County is about two hours away from 8-AA competitors Greene County, Washington-Wilkes and Social Circle -- but now that the Wildcats have earned a region championship, and the home-field advantage that comes with it, you can bet foes will be swallowing hard when thinking about the long ride to Tiger. Remember what it was like riding buses for long periods on the way to a game? Pretty obnoxious. And the teams set to play at Rabun County in the playoffs face a daunting task. First-round foe Chattooga is looking at about a three hour trip this Friday. And if the Wildcats prevail their second-round foe could be road weary indeed. Benedictine of Savannah and Thomasville will play in the first round. The winner will face a bus ride of at least five hours for a second round match-up with the Wildcats. The last time Rabun County won a region title, 1998, it reached the state quarterfinal round, winning two games at home along the way. Combine those factors with a team that has plenty of talent, a coaching staff with tons of postseason experience (Lee Shaw and a number of his assistants led Flowery Branch to the 2008 Class AAA title game) and a desire to show that mountain schools can play a bit too -- and you have one heck of a home-field advantage.<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>4. White County is re-writing its history</b><br /> <br /> Before the season, Warriors coach Bill Ballard said his team was determined to become the first in school history to record three straight playoff berths -- well, mission accomplished. And White County did it in style, winning three straight contests -- knowing that defeat in any would likely end their dreams -- to seal the state berth. Most impressive, however, was a victory that came back on Oct. 3, a 34-27 shootout win over Madison County that, ultimately, made the biggest difference. That game encapsulated White County's guts and determination in one 48-minute experience, forcing the game-deciding turnover with just 50 seconds to play -- a fumble that the Warriors gladly pounced on and turned into the game-winning touchdown run on the ensuing possession. Ballard and his charges have worked hard to turn White County into a perennial power, and that work is paying off quite nicely.<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>5. Gainesville is hitting its stride at the right time</b><br /> <br /> The Red Elephants showed on Friday that they are still a force to be reckoned with, and now that the playoffs are on the way, they may, in fact, be a darkhorse in Class AAAAA. Gainesville has found its rhythm on offense, and quarterback Mikey Gonzalez has grown into a leader and standout -- not just a facilitator. He has a crop of outstanding receivers to throw to, with Rodney Lackey, Chris Williamson and Messiah Dorsey leading the way. Perhaps, most importantly, running back Michael Byrd is finding his rhythm after battling injury early in the season. He has now posted back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances. His younger brother, Chris Byrd, is also now back from injury and can be a go-to performer and both sides of the ball. The defense has been stingy all season, allowing more than 13 points just three times this season -- one of those times was against Class AAAAAA No. 2 Grayson, while another was against Class AAAAA No. 6 (and Region 8-AAAAA champ) Lanier. Special teams is also truly special behind placekicker Chandler Staton and a host of speedy kick/punt returners. Gainesville has also blocked a number of kicks and punts. Combine that with the fact that most of these players have experienced state championship- and semifinal-level football and you have the recipe for another postseason run.<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>WEEK 11 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES, NOV. 7</b><br /> Alpharetta 34, North Forsyth 14 <br /> Buford 56, Stephens County 0 <br /> Chattahoochee 35, Habersham Central 27 <br /> Commerce 55, Lakeview 28<br /> Dawson County 28, Johnson 0 <br /> East Hall 35, Banks County 21<br /> Franklin County 21, Fannin County 14 <br /> Gainesville 49 Flowery Branch 7 <br /> Jefferson 21, Hart County 14 <br /> Lanier 55, Apalachee 17 <br /> Mill Creek 34, Peachtree Ridge 7<br /> Monroe Area 41, Chestatee 28<br /> Morgan County 45, Jackson County 42<br /> North Gwinnett 35, Mountain View 14<br /> Rabun County 30, Greene County 7 <br /> Riverside 34, Social Circle 13 <br /> Union County 35, Washington-Wilkes 34<br /> West Hall 35, Lumpkin County 0<br /> White County 40, North Hall 14 <br /> Winder-Barrow 43, Heritage 26

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