Lakeview Academy got the 2024 postseason underway last week for northeast Georgia area teams, falling to Deerfield-Windsor in the opening round of the GIAA playoffs.
On Friday, 16 more area teams will open their 2024 postseason around the state in the GHSA and GAPPS 11-man leagues.
Many of the area’s usual playoff suspects -- Buford, Gainesville, Jefferson, Commerce, Rabun County -- all advanced to the playoffs and are hoping for repeat postseason success. Several newcomers also moved into the postseason, like Jackson County, which is making just its sixth-ever playoff appearance, and first since 2021, in Class 5A.
Cherokee Bluff is making its first postseason since 2021 as well in Class 3A. Chestatee is also crashing the Class 3A playoff party, with the War Eagles making their first postseason since 2016.
And there are more than a few intriguing matchups for area teams. Jackson County is playing host to defending Class 5A state champion Coffee in Class 5A. North Hall is playing a home playoff game at The Brickyard for the first time since 2020 while Cherokee Bluff and Lanier Christian both have rematches against teams they beat during the regular season. The Bears play host to Monroe Area in Class 3A and the Lightning play Skipstone Academy in the GAPPS playoffs.
To look at the weekend's contests involving area teams, scroll down. And be sure to check back with AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night throughout the night for score updates, game stories, and video highlights. You can also check for scores and highlights on our Twitter feed: @FridayGameNight
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR Nov. 15
(Games listed in alphabetical order of visiting team)
CLASS 6A
EAST COWETA at BUFORD
Records: Indians (4-6, Region 2, Seed 4); Wolves (9-1, R8, S1)
Last week: East Coweta was off; Buford was off
Where: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Buford leads series 1-0. The Wolves won 35-7 in 2006 at home in a regular season game. The Indians have lost 3 straight first round games. Buford has won 25 straight 1st round games going back to a 1997 loss to Manchester that year in Class A. They have won 8 straight over unranked teams in the playoffs (Bainbridge, 2018 5A playoffs). The Wolves are the 6th ranked team East Coweta has played this season. They are 1-4 (beat Perry, 31-15) in those games. They have one common opponent in Douglas County. The Wolves beat Douglas, 31-14, while the Indians lost 42-17.
What to watch for: The Buford defense vs. the Indians offense. The Wolves are giving up a paltry 10.7 ppg, 2nd-best in Class 6A. They have surrendered more than 17 points just once (Benedictine, 28) this season. East Coweta is 4-1 when scoring 30 or more points. The Indians are 0-5 when scoring less than 30 points in a game in 2024. They are averaging 134 yards/game passing and 157 yards/game rushing.
CLASS 5A
COFFEE at JACKSON COUNTY
Records: Trojans (8-2, R2, S3); Panthers (8-2, R8, S2)
Last week: Coffee was off; Jackson County was off
Where: Panther Stadium, Hoschton
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. Much like Habersham Central, this will be as big a challenge as you can get for the Panthers. The Trojans are the defending Class 5A state champions. But they graduated several key players from that group. Their two losses were to Lee County and Thomas County Central, who won the Class 6A state title last year. The Trojans are making their 11th straight postseason appearance and have seven Elite 8 showings, 3 semifinal appearances, and the 1 title in that span. They have won 38 straight games vs. unranked teams as a ranked team going back to a 17-10 loss to Houston County in 2020. This is the first-ever home playoff game for the Panthers, who are making just their 6th-ever playoff appearance. They are 0-5 all-time in the playoffs. The 8 wins ties a program record with the 1992 squad. Expect a defensive battle in this one. The two teams are tied for 8th in 5A in scoring defense (14.9 ppg). Coffee is averaging 27.3 ppg on offense.
What to watch for: The Jackson County offense vs. the Trojans defense. The Panthers have struggled against elite defenses, scoring just 14 total points in their two losses to Clarke Central and Jefferson. Can QB RJ Knapp (1,659 yards, 15 TD, 7 INT; 43 car., 323 yards rushing) avoid turnovers in the passing game and get the ball to his WR playmakers Caden Daniels, Jacob Combs, and Robert Spry, who have 1,287 yards and 13 TDs combined receiving? RB Daylan Maxwell has rushed for 1,065 yards, and 10 TD and has 18 catches for 220 yards and 2 TD receiving as well for the Panthers.
GAINESVILLE at SEQUOYAH
Records: Red Elephants (7-3, R7, S3); Chiefs (9-1, R6, S2)
Last week: Gainesville was off; Sequoyah was off
Where: Skip Pope Stadium, Canton
Radio: 94.5 FM The Lake
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. Gainesville is 5-2 on the road this year, with the 2 losses coming to No. 1 Carrollton (6A) and No. 7 Roswell (5A). Big Red is 1-1 in road playoff games under Josh Niblett. The Chiefs’ 9 wins are the most since 2018 when they advanced to the 6A quarterfinals. They have had just three 10-win seasons in program history, two of those under current Dawson County coach Sid Maxwell. However, they are just 4-3 all-time in home playoff games. The Red Elephants are just 2-8 in their last 10 road playoff games going back to 2014, 1-1 under Niblett.
What to watch for: The Gainesville offense vs. the Chiefs defense. No one has truly been able to stop Big Red’s attack (39.2 ppg, 9th in 5A) behind QB Kharim Hughley, who finished in the top 10 in the state in passing (2,543 yards). Sr. Jeremiah Ware has 862 yards receiving. The Chiefs are giving up 21.4 ppg but only one team (River Ridge) is in the top 10 in offense in 5A. They surrendered 25.6 ppg over their final 3 games.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at LEE COUNTY
Records: Raiders (4-6, R8, S4); Trojans (10-0, R6, S1)
Last week: Habersham Central was off; Lee County was off
Where: Trojan Field, Leesburg
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. This will be as challenging a playoff game as the Raiders have ever encountered. The Trojans have six Elite 8 appearances or better in the last 7 seasons, winning 2 state titles (2017 & 2018) with another finals appearance (2020). They have been ranked in the top 5 the entire season. The 2024 Lee County offense is among the greatest in Georgia history. They scored 543 points, the 5th most in a 10-game regular season in state history. They lead the state in scoring this year and have scored 35 or more in every game. The Raiders are giving up 29.5 ppg on defense. Habersham also has lost 13 straight games to ranked teams going back to a 35-0 win over Douglas County in the 1st round of the 2018 Class 6A playoffs, which is also the last time they won a playoff game (0-2 since then). Lee County has not lost a 1st round game since 2012 (10-0 in that span).
What to watch for: The Habersham offense vs. the Trojans defense. The Raiders averaged 38.0 ppg over the final 8 games and will have to find a way to keep up with the Trojans. Lee County is allowing 19.5 ppg and has surrendered 23 or more four times. Raiders’ QB Paris Wilbanks is 24th in the state in passing (2,54 yards, 22 TD, 7 INT) and Zeke Whittington is now 23rd in the state in receiving (66 rec., 901 yards, 13 TD) and the duo will need a huge game if they are to pull the upset.
CLASS 4A
EAST FORSYTH at JONES COUNTY
Records: Broncos (8-2, R8, S3); Greyhounds (9-1, R2, S2)
Last week: East Forsyth was off; Jones County was off
Where: Greyhound Field, Gray
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. The Greyhounds are no strangers to the postseason. This is their 11th straight playoff run. The Broncos are into the playoffs for the second straight year. Expect a defensive battle in this one as well. Both units have been stingy in 2024. East Forsyth has scored 34 or more 7 times this season. But the Broncos are 1-2 when scoring fewer than 34 this season. The Greyhounds are allowing just 15.0 ppg on the season and have not given up more than 28 in any game this season.
What to watch for: The Jones County offense vs. the Broncos defense. The Greyhounds have been rolling down the stretch, scoring 179 points (44.75 ppg) over their last four games. QB Devin Edmonds (2,519 yards, 29 TD) and WR Jaivon Solomon (1,191 yards, 13 TD) are one of the state's best passing combos. The Broncos front-7 has been stellar most of the year. They have 69 TFLs, including 17 sacks, and have forced 13 turnovers (5 INT, 8 FR).
FLOWERY BRANCH at OLA
Records: Falcons (4-6, R8, S4); Mustangs (10-0, R2, S1)
Last week: Flowery Branch was off; Ola was off
Where: Mustang Stadium, McDonough
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. Branch got hot down the stretch, winning 3 of its last 4 to get into the playoffs. The Mustangs set a program record for wins in a season. However, neither team has had much playoff success recently. This is the 6th straight year Ola has made the postseason, and seventh overall since opening in 2006. The Mustangs are 0-6 in 1st round games. The Falcons have made the playoffs 7 of the last 8 years but are just 2-5 in that span in the 1st round coming into this year’s playoffs.
The Ola offense has been cooking over the last month. The Mustangs have 163 points (40.75 ppg) over their last 4 games. Branch is giving up 26.1 ppg but take out 63 that North Oconee put on them, they allowed just 61 points (15.25 ppg) over the last half of the season.
What to watch for: Flowery Branch offense vs. the Mustangs defense. Ola is allowing just 8.0 ppg, which is 2nd-best in Class 4A. As good as the Falcons defense has been most of the season, the key for the Falcons is the offense. When they score 20 or more, they are 4-0. They are 0-6 when scoring less than 20. If they can grind out some first downs and shorten the game, they defense should be able to keep them in the game late.
CLASS 3A
CHESTATEE at PEACH COUNTY
Records: War Eagles (5-5, No. 30); Trojans (9-1, No. 3)
Last week: Chestatee was off; Peach County was off
Where: Anderson Stadium, Fort Valley
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. The War Eagles finished 3rd in Region 6-3A while the Trojans won Region 1-3A. It will be a huge challenge for the War Eagles. The Trojans will definitely have the playoff experience in this one. The War Eagles are making their first postseason appearance since 2016 and are just 1-5 all-time in the playoffs. Their only postseason win came in 2013 in a win over Grady under Stan Luttrell. Peach County is making its 34th consecutive trip to the state playoffs. The last time they did not make the playoffs was in 1990. The key will be if the Chestatee wing-T can gain some traction and shorten the game. They are averaging nearly 300 yards/game on the ground behind Ben Plemons (172 car., 1,354 yards, 13 TD, 9 100-yard games). The Trojans are giving up 17.9 ppg on defense.
What to watch for: The Chestatee defense vs. the Trojans offense. Peach has been ranked in the top 5 all year and leads 3A and is 7th in the state, all classes, in scoring at 44.7 ppg. Chestatee has played well on defense all year, yielding 24.0 ppg on the season and just 19.5 ppg over its last 4 games.
GILMER at NORTH HALL
Records: Bobcats (5-5, No. 28); Trojans (8-2, No. 5)
Last week: Gilmer was off; North Hall was off
Where: The Brickyard, Gainesville
Radio: WDUN 102.9 FM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: North Hall leads series 11-5. The Trojans won Region 6-3A and have won 8 straight, their longest win streak since 2009. The Bobcats finished tied for 4th in Region 7-3A. This is the 11th meeting since 2002 and the first between them as non-region foes since 1977. The Trojans have won all 10 meetings this century, the last one coming in 2021, 47-6, at The Brickyard. The Trojans have shown outstanding balance on offense, averaging 167 yards/game passing and 198 yards/game rushing behind QB Smith McGarvey (995 yards, 14 TD, 3 INT passing; 471 yards, 8 TD rushing), RBs Luke Jenkins (691 yards, 3 TD) and Parker Carlton (610 yards, 11 TD) who have a combined 6 100-yard games on the season. Cole Cable (42 rec., 625 yards, 11 TD) and Ty Kemp (48 rec., 571 yards, 5 TD) lead the receiving corps.
What to watch for: The Gilmer offense vs. the Trojans defense. The Bobcats are averaging 23.7 ppg in their flexbone/wing-T offense. However, in their 5 losses they scored just 59 points (11.8 ppg). The North Hall defense has been tough all season, producing 41 TFL, 18 sacks, 76 QB hurries, and 16 turnovers (7 INT, 9 FR). The special teams unit has blocked 4 kicks (2 punts, 2 FGs). But Chestatee, another wing-T offense, was able to stay close with the Trojans earlier in the season in a 28-14 Trojans’ win that was a one-score game in the second half.
LaGRANGE at LUMPKIN COUNTY
Records: Grangers (7-3, No. 20); Indians (7-3, No. 13)
Last week: LaGrange was off; Lumpkin County was off
Where: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
Radio: www.northgeorgiasportslink.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. The Grangers finished 3rd in Region 2-3A. The Indians finished 2nd in Region 6-3A.
LaGrange is scoring 33.4 ppg while the Lumpkin defense is surrendering 23.3 ppg. After having just one home playoff game in their first 60 seasons, this will be the 5th home playoff game for the Indians since 2022. They are 2-2 in that span. And, after going 12-2 in the first 14 home games under Heath Webb, they are just 3-2 at The Burial Grounds in 2024. LaGrange has lost 4 of its last 6 road games.
What to watch for: The Lumpkin County offense vs. the Grangers defense. The Indians are as explosive as any team in the state. They are 7th in 3A in scoring (33.5 ppg) with QB Cal Faulkner and RB Nolan Matthews leading the way. The magic number for Lumpkin County is 22. Since 2022, when the Indians have scored 22 or more, they are 27-0. When they have been held to 21 or less, they are 0-7. LaGrange is allowing just 15.8 ppg and has only given up more than 21 points 3 times and no one has scored more than 28 on them this season.
MONROE at JEFFERSON
Records: Tornadoes (3-7, No. 32); Dragons (7-3, No. 1)
Last week: Monroe was off; Jefferson was off
Where: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. The Tornadoes finished 4th in Region 1-3A. The Dragons won Region 8-3A in a 3-way tiebreaker. On paper this looks like a huge mismatch. Monroe has dropped six straight 1st round games. The Dragons are scoring 33.3 ppg behind Sr. QB Gavin Markey (1,163 yards, 12 TD, 6 INT passing; 939 yards, 12 TD rushing) and RBs Dallas Russell (564 yards, 10 TD), Mickell Pitman (327 yards, 3 TD), and Rett Hemphill (296 yards, 5 TD). Talan Childress is the leading receiver with 452 yards and 4 TD. The Tornadoes are giving up 36 ppg and have surrendered at least 20 in every game this season.
What to watch for: The Monroe offense vs. the Dragons defense. Jefferson will be the 6th ranked team the Tornadoes have played this season. They are 0-5 in games vs. ranked teams this season and they have dropped 21 straight games to ranked teams going back to a win over Cairo in 2014. They averaged just 8.4 ppg in those games. The Dragons are giving up just 9.0 ppg vs. unranked teams in 2024. They have 45 TFL, including 14 sacks, and have produced 15 takeaways this season.
MONROE AREA at CHEROKEE BLUFF
Records: Hurricanes (5-4, No. 25); Bears (9-1, No. 8)
Last week: Monroe Area was off; Cherokee Bluff was off
Where: Yonah Field, Flowery Branch
Radio: WDUN AM 550
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Cherokee Bluff leads series 1-0. The Bears won 52-24 on Oct. 11 in a Region 8-3A showdown. It’s always hard to beat a team twice in one season but the Bears also have plenty of film to watch. Bluff matched a season-high in points vs. the Hurricanes in that game. Brooks Brien threw for more than 200 yards and WR KT Thompson had 146 yards of total offense and 2 TDs. Monroe Area is allowing 34.6 ppg to teams in 8-3A.
What to watch for: The Cherokee Bluff defense vs. the Hurricanes offense.
Monroe Area Sr. QB Forrest Ross (1,271 yards, 13 TD, 4 INT; 629 yards, 6 TD rushing) and RB Jitt Car (1,080 yards, 9 TD, 5 100-yard games; 34 rec., 375 yards, 3 TD) have been a stout duo all year. Kenzi Battle is a big-play receiver with 16 catches for 317 yards (19.8 ypc) and 7 TDs. The Bears struggled down the stretch vs. dual-threat QBs, allowing 61 points (30.5 ppg) to Jefferson’s Gavin Markey and East Hall’s Jamarcus Harrison. They gave up just 14.0 ppg over their first 8 games.
CLASS 2A
EAST JACKSON at MORGAN COUNTY
Records: Eagles (4-6, No. 25); Bulldogs (9-1, No. 8)
Last week: East Jackson was off; Morgan County was off
Where: Bill Corey Stadium - Legion Field, Madison
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Morgan County leads series 8-0. The Bulldogs won 45-31 in 2019. The two teams played every year from 2012 to 2019 as part of Region 8-3A. The Bulldogs finished 2nd in Region 2-2A and is one of 5 2-2A teams in the field. The Eagles finished 5th in Region 8-2A. Neither team has much of a recent playoff history. This is the 9th straight year Morgan County has made the playoffs but they are 1-7 in that span and have just 2 playoff wins since 2005. The program won 5 state titles between 1955-62. East Jackson has just 1 playoff win in its history, a 27-14 win over Manchester in 2009.
What to watch for: The Morgan County offense vs. the Eagles defense. For the Eagles, it starts with the defense. In their 4 wins, they allowed just 17.75 ppg. However, in their 6 losses, they surrendered 53.5 ppg. The Bulldogs are averaging 38.3 ppg and have scored 40 or more 5 times this season.
UNION COUNTY at SUMTER COUNTY
Records: Panthers (4-6, No. 24); Panthers (9-1, No. 9)
Last week: Union County was off; Sumter was off
Where: Finklea-Robinson Stadium, Americus
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: First-ever meeting. Union County may have the experience in this one. Union is into its 7th straight postseason and 11th in the last 12 years. Sumter is making its first playoff appearance since 2019.
Union County finished 5th in Region 7-2A. Sumter finished 2nd in Region 1-2A. Union County has played a much tougher schedule, with its 10 opponents going 51-39 overall. Sumter’s 10 opponents were just 38-62.
What to watch for: The Union County offense vs. the Sumter County defense. Sumter is 4th in Class 2A, allowing just 10.8 ppg. They have allowed more than 20 just once, a 31-0 loss to Carver-Columbus, the No. 2 overall seed. Union County, which lost its starting QB just days before the season opener, scored just 7 points in its first two games. Union has averaged 26.3 ppg since, scoring 30 or more 4 times over its last 8 games.
CLASS A DIVISION 1
BREMEN at COMMERCE
Records: Blue Devils (6-4, No. 22); Tigers (7-3, No. 11)
Last week: Bremen was off; Commerce was off
Where: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
Radio: WJJC 95.1 FM/1270 AM
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Commerce leads series 2-1. The two teams have not played since 2010, a 34-24 Bremen win in Bremen. All four meetings have been in the playoffs. The road team is 2-1 in the series.
The Blue Devils finished 3rd in Region 6-A D1. The Tigers finished 2nd in Region 8-A D1. Bremen is 1-3 on the road in 2024. Bremen scored 155 points (38.75 ppg) over its last 4 games. Commerce is giving 22.3 ppg on defense.
What to watch for: The Commerce offense vs. Blue Devils defense. After a 2-3 start in 2024, the Tigers won their final 5 games as their triple-option got rolling behind Jaiden Daniels, Tysean Wiggins, and Jacari Huff. They averaged 44.2 ppg and more than 300 yards rushing/game over that span. Bremen is yielding just 19.1 ppg overall but is 0-4 when giving up more than 14 points.
RABUN COUNTY at FITZGERALD
Records: Wildcats (6-4, No. 21); Hurricanes (7-3, No. 12)
Last week: Rabun County was off
Where: Jaycee Stadium, Fitzgerald
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Fitzgerald leads series 2-0. All three meetings have come in the playoffs. The Hurricanes won 28-17 in 2018 in Tiger and 35-16 in Fitzgerald. The Wildcats finished 4th in Region 8-A D1. The Hurricanes finished 3rd in Region 1-1A D1. Rabun County is 1-1 vs. other Class A D1 teams outside of Region 8 in 2024, beating Bremen but losing to No. 1 overall seed Fannin County on the road. The Wildcats offense may be better suited this time around with a rushing attack that is averaging nearly 300 yards/game behind Reid Giles 1,257 yards, 16 TD, 5 100-yard games), who is in the top 5 in Class A D1 in rushing. They will need to try and control the ball and clock against a Hurricanes team that played 7 playoff teams during the regular season. However, the Hurricanes defense is giving up just 233 yards of toal offense per game. Something will have to give.
What to watch for: The Rabun County defense vs. the Hurricanes offense. In the previous two matchups, the Wildcats inability to slow down the Hurricanes run game and get off the field was the difference. Fitzgerald is averaging over 240 yards/game rushing. Rabun is yielding 23.0 ppg but allowed 132 points (33.0 ppg) in their 4 losses. They will need to limit the big play and find a way to get off the field on 3rd down.
GAPPS 11-MAN SEMIFINALS
SKIPSTONE ACADEMY at LANIER CHRISTIAN
Records: Warriors (2-6); Lightning (7-3)
Where: The Dungeon, Johnson High School
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Statisticals: Skipstone leads series 2-1. LCA won 57-12 back on Oct. 4 during the regular season. The Lightning have won 5 straight and have done it with their defense. They have given up just 47 points (9.4 ppg) during the streak. Skipstone has scored just 86 points (12.29 ppg) on offense.
What to watch for: The LCA offense vs. the Warriors defense. The Warriors are giving up 37.71 ppg on defense. The Lightning have scored 200 points (40.0 ppg) during their win streak.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2024/11/1271921/1st-round-previews-11-14-24