Now that everyone is in full swing in their respective regions, the final month-long sprint to the high school football playoffs begins in earnest Friday night around northeast Georgia and the state.
Three big showdowns will highlight the night's action on the airwaves of the Jacobs Media family of stations.
The most crucial of the night will take place in Mt. Airy as Gainesville heads to Raider Stadium to take on Habersham Central in Region 8-6A action that will be broadcast on 94.5 FM The Lake. Both teams are coming off losses last week to open region play and starting 0-2 is a hole that is almost impossible to climb out of with just three games left after Friday.
The Red Elephants (0-6, 0-1 Regio 8-6A) are in the midst of their worst start in the 89-year history of the program. However, two of their losses are by just four points in arguably the toughest non-region schedule in all of Class 6A. The Raiders (3-3, 0-1 Region 8-6A) are riding a two-game losing streak but still possess one of the top offenses in the classification. The winner will remain in playoff contention. The loser will face a certain must-win scenario the rest of the season.
Over on WDUN AM 550, Flowery Branch will play host to Chestatee in a Region 7-4A battle. The Falcons (5-0, 1-0 Region 7-4A) are in the top three in defense in the classification while the War Eagles (1-5, 0-2 Region 7-4A) have a high-flying offense led by dynamic sophomore quarterback Christian Charles, who is the No. 2 rusher in Class 4A and has accounted for over 2,000 yards so far on the season.
Flowery Branch cannot afford a slip up with Blessed Trinity and Marist to follow and a chance to take control in the region standings. Chestatee is trying to stay alive for a playoff spot.
On WDUN FM 102.9, a resurgent Johnson squad travels to Walnut Grove in Region 8-5A looking to begin a playoff run for the first time since 2004. The Knights (4-2, 0-1 Region 8-5A) already have more wins than the last four campaigns combined. The Warriors (1-5, 0-1 Region 8-5A) have lost four straight. The winner puts itself in the middle of the playoff race. The loser may need to win out.
You can keep up with all the scores and summaries on our Friday Game Night page or by following us on twitter: @FridayGameNight.
AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR OCT. 5
Buford at Cedar Shoals*
Chestatee at Flowery Branch* -- Radio: WDUN AM 550
Dawson County at Greater Atlanta Christian*
East Hall at Fannin County*
Gainesville at Habersham Central* -- Radio: 94.5 The Lake
Hart County at Jefferson*
Hebron Christian at Towns County*
Jackson County at Monroe Area*
Johnson at Walnut Grove* -- Radio: 102.9 FM
Lakeview Academy at Commerce*
Lumpkin County at Cherokee Bluff*
Riverside Military at Providence Christian*
West Hall at Marist*
*-Denotes region game
http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/10/718876/crucial-region-contests-to-play-out-on-jacobs-media-airwaves