Week 10: Showdowns galore in area gridiron action

It's down to the nittiest of the gritty -- or is that grittiest of the nitty? However you term it, this weekend looms large for the postseason ahead.

There are some absolute make-or-break games taking place tonight, including a couple of huge showdowns in area Class AA games: Westminster at Buford and Jefferson at North Oconee. Meanwhile, Riverside travels to Union County with both teams needing a win to get to the playoffs.

In Class AAA, North Hall can grab homefield advantage with a win and Gainesville can seal a playoff spot in a game against its oldest rival, Johnson.

While Apalachee has clinched the Region 8-AAAA title, the

North Forsyth is also in must-win situations from here out in Region 7-AAAAA, while North Gwinnett won't want to get caught looking ahead to its showdown at Peachtree Ridge on Nov. 6.

Commerce is also battling for homefield advantage tonight in Class A against Social Circle.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about tonight's big contests...


-- JOHNSON at GAINESVILLE

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Gainesville, City Park
RADIO: 1240 AM ESPN
JOHNSON: (3-6, 2-2 Region 7B-AAA) Defeated East Hall 42-6 last week.
GAINESVILLE: (8-0, 3-0 Region 7B-AAA) Defeated Gilmer 36-7 last week. The Red Elephants are ranked No. 1 in Class AAA in both the Associated Press and Ga.Prepcountry.com coaches polls.
LAST MEETING: Gainesville won 68-28 on Oct. 31, 2008. The Red Elephants lead the series 34-8-1. Johnson has won just one time in the last nine years (2006).
NOTABLE: This is the oldest football rivalry in Hall County and therefore one of the oldest in all of northeast Georgia, and this year’s game has more than just pride on the line. Gainesville is still one win removed from clinching a playoff spot, and Johnson would love to make the Red Elephants go into their final game of the season with a little added pressure on their backs. “The kids around here know what this game means, and they get up for it,” Knights coach Paul Friel said. And with this being the final game of the regular season for Johnson, the Knights will be able to put everything on the line. Gainesville coach Bruce Miller is also mindful of the contest’s implications and hopes his team understands just how much a win would mean for Johnson. “It is an old rivalry, and I think sometimes our young folks don’t realize that,” Miller said. That being said, Miller is confident his team will not be overlooking the Knights and peeking ahead to next week’s game at Flowery Branch -- which will decide both the subregion and region championship. “This is one of the most business-like teams I’ve been around in a long time,” Miller said. “They don’t get caught up in the hype; they know they have to win one game at a time.” The contest should provide a clash of styles, as Gainesville brings its wide-open offense to face off against the ground-based option attack of Johnson. The Red Elephants offense is averaging an impressive 46.4 points per game, while the Knights average 16.2. The key for Gainesville has been a multi-faceted attack that has rolled up consistent gains on the ground and then come up with big plays through the air. Quarterback Blake Sims (an Alabama commit) with 1,232 passing yards/438 rushing yards/26 total TDs, receiver Tai-ler Jones (Notre Dame commit) with 708 yards and 11 TDs, and running back Teryan Rucker with 693 yards and 7 TDs form an electrifying triumvirate for the Red Elephants. “We can’t give up big plays,” Friel said. The Knights defense is strong up front in the trenches in the form of players like 6-foot-4, 310 pound tackle E.J. Wright and will provide a tough test for a veteran Gainesville offensive line. Meanwhile, Johnson’s offense has been playing well of late behind quarterback Anthony Prophet, running back Mantevius Rucker and receiver Seth Spivey, who each had big plays in last week’s defeat of East Hall. They will take on a Gainesville defense that is allowing just 6.4 points per game. The Red Elephants strength is at linebacker with four standouts in A.J. Johnson (Tennessee commit), Thomas Sprague, Alberto Sanabria and Graham Simmons. “You have to be patient against them, because they’re going to stuff you a lot of time,” Friel said. “You have to wait and let the running lanes open.” While the game seems a mismatch, Johnson has played Gainesville tough several times recently, winning in 2006 (33-31) and playing within 27-21 early last season before the Red Elephants pulled away. “We feel like we’ve got a good game plan, and if we go out and execute it, hey, we got a shot,” Friel said.


-- CHESTATEE at WEST FORSYTH

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Cumming, Wolverine Stadium
RADIO: Majic 102.9 FM
CHESTATEE: (4-4, 302 Region 7A-AAA) Lost to North Hall 49-7 last week.
WEST FORSYTH: (4-4, 2-2 Region 7B-AAA) Lost to Flowery Branch 54-51 last week.
LAST MEETING: West Forsyth won 42-41 in overtime on Oct. 31, 2008. The Wolverines lead the series 1-0.
NOTABLE: This contest has practically no postseason implications, but it does feature two teams desperate to get back on the winning track after recent losses. Chestatee is looking to halt a two-game losing streak as it goes into its final subregion game next week at Creekview -- a game that is all about postseason implications. “It would definitely help our mental state to get a victory,” Chestatee coach Stan Luttrell said. “We had a close one against West Forsyth last year that we felt we let slip away.” Meanwhile, West Forsyth will want to erase the memories of a gut-wrenching 54-51 loss to Flowery Branch last week that for all intents and purposes ended the Wolverines’ own postseason hopes. The game also features two of the best running backs in Region 7-AAA, as the War Eagles boast Ben Souther (983 yards rushing) and West Forsyth counters with Ben Emert (1,175 yards rushing, 21 touchdowns). With that in mind, this game will probably be decided in the trenches, as each team looks to flood their opponent’s backfield, stopping each runner before he can get going. “We’re going to gang tackle and try to stop him before he can gain any momentum,” Luttrell said of Emert. Few teams have been able to do that recently, as the senior has rushed for 621 yards and 11 scores in the Wolverines last two games (during which they are 1-1). Chestatee will also be looking for big things from stand-in quarterback Lamar Brooks again. The senior back-up and starting defensive back was solid last week in his first start for the injured Scott Chewning, rushing for a 38-yard touchdown in the early going of the War Eagles’ loss to North Hall. The biggest problem for Chestatee over its recent skid has been turnovers. The War Eagles have fumbled the ball 10 times in two losses to White County and North Hall. Going by the averages, fans should expect another close game this season, as both defenses are giving up an average of around 25 points per game – Chestatee 25.3; West Forsyth 22.5. The biggest difference could be West Forsyth’s big-play ability. The Wolverines, especially Emert, have ripped off several long touchdown runs of late, including three scores of over 60 yards last week, and are averaging almost 10 points per game more on offense than the War Eagles.


-- GILMER at NORTH HALL

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Gainesville, Brickyard
GILMER: (4-4, 2-2 Region 7A-AAA) Lost to Gainesville 36-7 last week.
NORTH HALL: (6-2, 4-0 Region 7A-AAA) Defeated Chestatee 49-7 last week. The Trojans are ranked 10th in Class AAA in the AP poll.
LAST MEETING: North Hall won 53-7 on Oct. 31, 2008. The Trojans lead the series 8-5, including seven straight wins.
NOTABLE: North Hall enters knowing a win would secure no worse than second place in Region 7-AAA and homefield advantage for the first round of the playoffs on Nov. 13. Gilmer, meanwhile, is looking to halt a three-game losing skid. The Trojans enter the contest having won five straight since back-to-back losses to Buford and Gainesville early in the season and are dominating most opponents these days. Other than a 37-34 win over Flowery Branch on Oct. 9, North Hall’s average scorelines over the span are 43-7. The Trojans have a number of standouts, and it seems that someone new has stepped up to star in each of the last five games. Five different players were responsible for touchdowns in last week’s win. Quarterback Nathan Jones has been a constant all season and continues his stellar play, doing most of his damage on the ground -- though his two passes last week went for two completions for 75 yards and a toucdown. Tight end Trevor Ross is a threat defenses must also account for, as the rangy Ross has caught scoring passes in each of the past two games. On defense, the Trojans have been nearly impregnable, allowing just 12.4 points per contest over the last five wins. Yet coach Bob Christmas would like to see improvement from his squad over its next two games, as it prepares for the playoffs. “We just need to be more consistent,” Christmas said. “We’ve been playing well, but if we really want to make a playoff run, I’d just like to see us get a little bit more consistent across the board.” Gilmer opened the season getting consistent play from its defense, which allowed just 12.8 points per contest as the Bobcats opened 4-1 -- against teams with a combined record of 8-31. But since then, Gilmer has been burned against Chestatee, Creekview and Gainesville, allowing 111 points in three losses (those three teams are a combined 19-5). This game will feature a battle in the trenches, as each team attempts to impose its ground game on the other. The Bobcats are led on offense by fullback Jacob Teague (over 700 yards rushing) and OL Wesley Nestor, averaging 19.4 points per game -- the Trojans are up to 30.9 per game. “They’re a good team,” Christmas said of Gilmer. “And we need to keep playing better in each of our last two games against two good programs.” North Hall closes the regular season against Lumpkin County on Nov. 6.


-- WEST HALL at EAST HALL

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Rabbittown, East Hall Stadium
WEST HALL: (0-8, 0-3 Region 7B-AAA) Bye last week. Lost to Lumpkin County 41-13 on Oct. 16.
EAST HALL: (0-8, 0-4 Region 7B-AAA) Lost to Johnson 42-6 last week.
LAST MEETING: West Hall won 30-24 on Oct. 31, 2008. The series is even at 7-7.
NOTABLE: Each program is looking for its first win of the season, and while each coach in this contest contends they’ve seen plenty of improvement from their respective programs, they also say each is hungry to break their winless streak. “It’s always important; that’s the main objective each time you play is to win,” West Hall coach Mike Newton said. “It would be big for us or East Hall.” In order to break through, each team is going to have to overcome big obstacles on Friday, and each team’s strength will face off against the other: West Hall’s offense vs. East Hall’s defense. The Spartans are led by junior quarterback Shunquez Stephens, who has almost 2,000 yards passing this season, as well as 352 yards rushing. The Vikings defense is led by defensive end Sterling Bailey, safety Desmon Gardner and linebacker Carlos Negron. “They will probably give us fits up front because of their speed on defense,” Newton said. Yet Gray is equally worried about the formidable 6-foot-4 Stephens, who can hurt defenses by either pulling the ball down and running or by simply scrambling around until he finds an open receiver. “He has a great knack, of whenever things look like they’re falling apart, just finding a kid 30 yards down the field, and you’re scratching your head going, ‘how did he even see that kid,’ ” East Hall coach Bryan Gray said of Stephens. “I’ve seen him extend plays by seven and eight seconds just by eluding defenders and scrambling around till he can pass.” Stephens has often been on the run this year as a young Spartans offensive line took its lumps, though Newton says the group, led by sophomores Ryan Casey and David English and freshman Michael Meadows, has shown significant improvement. “They’ve worked hard every day, and they’ve really come a long way,” Newton said. Gray has seen similar strides by his young program, which has not only been hurt by youth but also lost four major contributors -- Corey Richardson and Erion Lindsey (both seniors) and Jonathan Turk and James Raper -- to season-ending injuries. “Our biggest problem has just been experience and size,” Gray said. “You can get away with putting an underclassman out there at a skill position, but on the line, you just can’t play young kids and expect to win a lot of battles. There’s a big difference between a 14 and an 18-year-old.” On the other side of the ball in this contest, East Hall will look to fins big plays from running back Austin Mahaffey, receiver T.D. Teasley and a quarterback rotation of Gardner and Zach Groover. West Hall’s defense is led by linebacker Ishmail Nuckles.


-- CREEKVIEW at LUMPKIN COUNTY

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Dahlonega, J.P. King Memorial Stadium
CREEKVIEW: (7-1, 3-1 Region 7A-AAA) Defeated Pickens 48-0 last week. The Grizzlies are ranked 10th in Class AAA by the Associated Press.
LUMPKIN COUNTY: (4-4, 1-3 Region 7A-AAA) Lost to White County 17-7 last week.
LAST MEETING: Creekview won 49-7 on Oct. 31, 2008. The Grizzlies lead the series 1-0.
NOTABLE: Creekview is storming down the stretch, having won four straight since its only loss of the season so far to North Hall (45-21 on Sept. 25). Lumpkin County will be looking to bounce back from another close loss this season, last week at White County. The Indians have only lost one game by a large margin (35-7 against Flowery Branch on Sept. 4). Every other defeat has been by 12 points or less. Yet this could be Lumpkin’s biggest test since that loss to Flowery Branch, as Creekview’s last four wins have come by an average margin of 46-9. The Grizzlies are led by running backs Hunter Livingston and Michael Ay in their wing-T offense. Eric Smith is also an electrifying playmaker in the backfield, though the sophomore has been out since a win over Flowery Branch on Sept. 11 with a broken arm. Quarterback Cody Allen is also a threat with his arm. Lumpkin County has moved the ball well this season, rolling up 2,236 total yards (1,618 of that on the ground), but has had problems in the red zone, averaging just 17.5 points per game. Quarterback Taylor Guthrie leads the Indians attack, totaling 982 total yards and 7 touchdowns (599 passing). Jake McClure, Lance Chuvala and Michael Flanagan also form a potent backfield, combining for 954 yards rushing and 10 TDs. The Indians have also outgained opponents by 664 yards so far this season, and outside linebacker Lee Cagle leads the way with a team-high 67 tackles. Chuvala is second with 56 stops; defensive lineman B.J. Dorsey is third with 53 tackles and a team-high 5.5 sacks.


-- PICKENS at WHITE COUNTY

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Cleveland, White County Stadium
RADIO: Ga. 105.1 FM
PICKENS: (1-7, 0-5 Region 7A-AAA) Lost to Creekview 48-0 last week.
WHITE COUNTY: (5-3, 2-2 Region 7A-AAA) Defeated Lumpkin County 17-7 last week.
LAST MEETING: White County won 26-10 on Oct. 31, 2008. The Warriors lead the series 20-17-2.
NOTABLE: White County enters this game on a high after playing well in two straight wins, while Pickens is still looking for its first region win after losing seven straight. The Warriors have shown game-winning ability on both sides of the ball in their last two victories. White County’s offense came up big in a 31-17 win over Chestatee two weeks ago, as they got big scoring plays from running back Ashely Lowery and quarterback Cole Segraves. Meanwhile, the Warriors defense came up big over Lumpkin County last week, holding off the Indians on two goal-line stands to preserve the victory. Pickens’ offense has struggled throughout this season, scoring just seven points all year against 7-AAA teams and is averaging 4.4 points per game. The Dragons continue to battle but are also giving up 29.6 points per game on defense. Lowery showed no ill-effects from a concussion received two weeks ago in the win over Lumpkin, rushing for 101 yards. The junior has 610 yards on the ground this year, including seven touchdowns.


-- WESTMINSTER at BUFORD

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Buford, Tom Riden Stadium
RADIO: WDUN AM 550
WESTMINSTER: (6-2, 5-0 Region 6-AA) Defeated Cross Keys 47-0 last week. The Wildcats are ranked ninth in Class AA in both polls.
BUFORD: (7-1, 4-1 Region 6-AA) Defeated Blessed Trinity 21-0 last week. The Wolves are ranked third in Class AA in both polls.
LAST MEETING: Buford won 29-7 on Oct. 31, 2008. The Wolves lead the series 1-0.
NOTABLE: Buford enters the contest knowing a win would keep them in the hunt for the Region 6-AA title and a first round home game in the playoffs. Westminster knows that a win will secure the Wildcats the 6-AA crown and the No. 1 seed for the postseason. And while the Wolves think more in terms of state than region titles, Buford knows that this is a game it must win if it wants to gain some momentum heading into the postseason. “This is a huge game,” Wolves coach Jess Simpson said. “For us it’s senior night, and we’re playing Westminster with a region title or a share of the region title on the line.” Expect a slugfest. The contest features two of the best defenses in the entire state, with the Wolves allowing a Class AA best 5.3 points per game. Buford has shut out five opponents so far this year, and only Lovett has scored more than seven against the Wolves. Yet Westminster’s defense isn’t that far off Buford’s pace, allowing just 8.9 points per game (ninth best in Class AA), and have given up just 12 points in the Wildcats past four contests. “[Coach] Gerry Romberg’s teams are always known for good defense, and this may be his best,” Simpson said. Yet the Wildcats also field a pretty strong offense, paced by one of Class AA’s most explosive players in Ralph David Abernathy IV. The 5-foot-7 running back has ripped through opposing defenses throughout the season, including 234 rushing yards against Lovett -- the only team to knock off Buford this campaign (28-21 on Sept. 11 in Atlanta). Yet Abernathy will be taking on a Wolves defense that has allowed just 436 rushing yards all season. The Wolves feature an experienced and strong front line on defense, led by Kolton Houston, a University of Georgia signee, Mitchell Dewalt, A.J. Cunningham and Jerome Davis. “They set the tone,” Simpson said. Behind them linebackers Jessel Curry and Andrew Swope clean up in tackles. Meanwhile, Curry also doubles as one of the Wolves’ leaders on offense, rushing for a team-high 393 yards and eight touchdowns. Buford has been conducting running back by committee this season, as 24 different Wolves have carried the ball, and seven different players have at least 100 yards in rushing (Darrian Smith is second on the team with 360). “We have a lot of guys who have ability who have been unselfish and shared the load,” Simpson said. “I don’t know that anyone has really distinguished themselves either. But we’ve ground out, and we know we’ll have to get some big gains from the passing game too.” Quarterback Alex Ross has been steady all season, throwing for 916 yards and 10 TDs while completing 55 percent of his passes (against 4 interceptions). “I hope it’s going to be a defensive game,” Simpson said. “We just can’t let them get big plays on us. Abernathy has touchdown runs of 80 yards, 90 yards and 50 yards this season... He’s an extremely explosive player. He touches the ball 50 percent of the time in their offense, whether it’s running it or them throwing it to him.”


-- JEFFERSON at NORTH OCONEE

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Bogart
JEFFERSON: (8-0, 7-0 Region 8-AA) Defeated Rabun County 36-6 last week. The Dragons are ranked fourth in Class AA in the coaches poll, seventh in the AP.
NORTH OCONEE: (7-1, 6-1 Region 8-AA) Lost to East Jackson 18-10 last week.
LAST MEETING: Jefferson won 17-16 on Oct. 31, 2008. The Dragons lead the series 3-0.
NOTABLE: This one could be called Judgment Day Part II, with Part III coming next week. Jefferson is still undefeated and in charge of its own destiny, while North Oconee could still fight its way into the Region 8-AA championship if it can knock off the Dragons and get some help from East Jackson next week -- then it would come down to a series of tiebreakers, including point differential, which the Titans could win out on. Yet that’s all speculative, and North Oconee coach Terry Tuley knows it won’t mean anything if his team doesn’t play better pass defense that it did in last week’s loss to East Jackson. “We’ve got to do better than that, especially against Jefferson,” Tuley said. “Their quarterback [Darius Minor] can throw it 50 yards with a flick of his wrist.” Yet Dragons coach T. McFerrin says he’s concerned with how much time Minor could have to throw the ball against a defense that is allowing just 10 points per game. “They move around and stunt so much on their defensive line that our offensive front will really have its hands full,” McFerrin said. Jefferson’s offense has been tops in Region 8-AA (and near the top in Class AA all season), averaging 42.9 points per game. Jefferson has also rolled up 3,026 total yards. The Dragons multiple attack is led by Minor, with 1,186 total yards (702 through the air) and 12 touchdowns. Lucas Redd leads Jefferson’s rushing attack with 544 yards and 11 scores, while J.J. Damons has 269 yards receiving and four TDs. Redd also leads the Jefferson defense with 58 tackles. Kyle Mosley is second with 50 stops. They will be tested by North Oconee running back Brandon Whitlock, who has close to 1,000 yards on the season.


-- RIVERSIDE MILITARY at UNION COUNTY

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Blairsville, Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium
RIVERSIDE MILITARY: (3-5, 3-4 Region 8-AA) Lost to Oglethorpe County 23-14 last week.
UNION COUNTY: (5-3, 4-3 Region 8-AA) Defeated Dawson County 44-14 last week.
LAST MEETING: Riverside won 37-20 on Oct. 31, 2008. Union County leads the series 2-1.
NOTABLE: Both teams have a very clear objective tonight: just win baby. A victory for Union County would clinch a spot in the postseason, while a win for Riverside would keep the Eagles at the front of the race for Region 8-AA’s fourth and final playoff spot. Both teams have already defeated Fannin County -- the only other team in the postseason mix in 8-AA, and a win tonight would give either the first tie-breaker (head-to-head competition). Riverside, due to being a game behind in the region standings, would have to defeat Dawson County in its finale to reach the playoffs. The Panthers, meanwhile, know they are just 48 minutes removed from their first playoff berth since 2001. That said, Union County coach Brian Allison says his team is in for a big fight tonight. “Riverside is going to line up with their physical line and try to run it down our throats,” he noted. “We’re going to have to be active and try to move around to negate their advantage. It’s not a good match-up for us.” Eagles coach Scot Sloan might say the same of the Panthers’ spread offense. “They’re going to make plays and get some yards,” Sloan said. “The key is just limiting their big plays.” The Panthers attack, which averages 32.5 points per game, is led by quarterback Kolt Owenby and receiver Blake Gowder. Owenby has been on fire of late, scoring five touchdowns two weeks ago in a win over Oglethorpe County and six touchdowns (a school record) against Dawson County. So far, Owenby has thrown for 2,160 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 586 yards and 6 TDs. Yet this week he faces a Riverside defense, which has made life tough on every opponent it has faced this season. Led by leading tackler Aaron Gambrah – who Sloan says is healthy this week and should play despite an ankle sprain in last week’s loss – the Eagles have allowed just 11.6 points per game in their three wins. Offense hasn’t always been easy to come by for Riverside this season, however, averaging just 12.9 points per game. The Eagles have made some adjustments of late to try and cure that problem, including switching Lucas Bersin back to quarterback (he started there last season) and using Gambrah in a limited role at running back. Gambrah’s athleticism has made a difference, as he has ripped off several long runs, and Bersin has also begun to find 6-foot-5 tight end Brandon McKinney more regularly. It should be a nail-biter in the mountains.


-- EAST JACKSON at DAWSON COUNTY

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Dawsonville, Tiger Stadium
EAST JACKSON: (8-0, 7-0 Region 8-AA) Defeated North Oconee 18-10 last week.
DAWSON COUNTY: (1-7, 1-6 Region 8-AA) Lost to Union County 44-14 last week.
LAST MEETING: East Jackson won 28-21 on Oct. 31, 2008. The Eagles lead the series 1-0.
NOTABLE: Already qualified for the playoffs for the first time, East Jackson enters this game knowing that a win will put the program in a position to play for the Region 8-AA crown next week at Jefferson -- in just its second year of full existence. Dawson County, meanwhile, is looking for its second win of the season. The Eagles put together their biggest win in the program’s history last week, holding off North Oconee in Commerce, so East Jackson coach Frank Caputo will be wary of an emotional letdown. The Eagles’ wing-T offense showed last week that it is dangerous on more than just the ground, getting a key touchdown pass from quarterback Evan Williamson to Cody Gibbs to seal the game. Running back Deon Sewell is the team’s leading scorer with 14 touchdowns. Yet East Jackson has far more than just one threat in their wing-T attack, also getting big plays from C.J. Allen. East Jackson is averaging 36.6 points per game, amongst the top 10 in Class AA. Dawson County, meanwhile, has had a serious problem scoring points this season. Led by quarterback Ethan Brown, the Tigers are averaging 9.1 points per game and have scored more than 14 points once all season – a 32-21 loss to Banks County on Sept. 11. East Jackson’s defense has been pretty stout all season, allowing just 16.3 points per game, including just 22 points in their last three wins.


-- OGLETHORPE COUNTY at BANKS COUNTY

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Homer, Leopard Stadium
OGLETHORPE COUNTY: (3-5, 2-5 Region 8-AA) Defeated Riverside 23-14 last week.
BANKS COUNTY: (2-6, 2-5 Region 8-AA) Lost to Fannin County 31-14 last week.
LAST MEETING: Banks County won 42-20 on Oct. 31, 2008. Fannin County leads the series 3-1.
NOTABLE: Oglethorpe County comes in flying high after last week’s upset win over Riverside, while Banks County is looking for a bounce back after a painful loss to Fannin County that ended the Panthers postseason hopes. Banks County enters the game on a four-game losing streak, having scored 26 points in losses to (in order) North Oconee, East Jackson, Jefferson and Fannin County. The Leopards wing-T offense has struggled at times this season, averaging 13.6 points per game. Running backs Dylan Lackey and Clay Frick lead the Leopards attack. Banks County’s defense, meanwhile, has also been hurt at times, giving up an average of 28.3 points per game. Oglethorpe County, meanwhile, has bounced back and forth throughout the campaign. Funny enough, the Patriots went through the exact same four-game losing streak as Banks has currently experiencing, losing to North Oconee, East Jackson, Jefferson and Fannin County in a row to start their Region 8-AA schedule. Yet Oglethorpe’s offense has always managed to find a way to score, averaging 22.6 points per game. The biggest problem is the Patriots defense, which is allowing 27.1 points per game. Yet Oglethorpe came up with enough big plays last week, including a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown to seal a big win over a still-playoff hopeful Riverside.


-- FANNIN COUNTY at RABUN COUNTY

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Tiger, Frank Snyder Stadium
FANNIN COUNTY: (4-4, 3-4 Region 8-AA) Defeated Banks County 31-14 last week.
RABUN COUNTY: (1-7, 0-7 Region 8-AA) Lost to Jefferson 36-6 last week.
LAST MEETING: Fannin County won 24-12 on Oct. 31, 2008. The Rebels lead the series 7-6.
NOTABLE: Fannin County, which has won four straight in the series, is still mathematically alive for a playoff spot but will need some help. The Rebels will have to win out against Rabun County tonight and once-beaten North Oconee next week and hope that Union County and Riverside, which both own tiebreakers over the Rebels, lose at least one game. In fact the Panthers have to lose twice. The Rebels have been nothing short of consistent, scoring 17 or more points in every game but no more than 31 in one game. Defensively, Fannin County has been average, allowing 23 points per game on the season. Rabun County is just 3-3 at home against Fannin all-time and is really struggling coming into this week’s game. The Wildcats have scored just 45 total points during their current seven-game losing streak and have yielded 40 per game over their last three losses.


-- COMMERCE at SOCIAL CIRCLE

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Social Circle, Redskin Stadium
COMMERCE: (4-4, 3-1 Region 8-A) Defeated Lakeview 41-0 last week.
SOCIAL CIRCLE: (4-4, 3-1 Region 8-A) Defeated Prince Avenue Christian 36-28 last week.
LAST MEETING: Commerce won 21-7 on Oct. 31, 2008. The Tigers lead the series 12-2
NOTABLE: A lot is riding on this game. The winner is assured second place and a home game in the first round of the playoffs because of the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Tigers have owned this series but both losses have come in Social Circle, the last time in 2005. Two of the last three meetings, however, have been decided by four points or less. Still, the Tigers have played well through this season, especially in tough non-region games and actually held a halftime lead over No. 1 ranked and defending Class A champs Wesleyan. Commerce has been led by running back Deon Brock and quarterback Cody Streetman and both will need to have key games again tonight.


-- ATHENS ACADEMY at LAKEVIEW ACADEMY

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Gainesville, Jock Horner Field
ATHENS ACADEMY: (5-3, 2-2 Region 8-A) Lost to Wesleyan 31-0 last week.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY: (1-6, 0-4 Region 8-A) Lost to Commerce 41-0 last week.
LAST MEETING: Athens Academy won 42-7 on Oct. 31, 2008. The Spartans lead the series 1-0.
NOTABLE: The playoff teams are set in Region 8-A with the seedings the only thing left to determine. Athens Academy is fighting for second place and a home game in the first round of the playoffs but will need a win this week and to get some help from Social Circle, which takes on Commerce tonight. The Spartans close out the season next week against Social Circle. Lakeview Academy could be in a position to play the spoiler this week. A win over the Spartans would assure Athens Academy of a fourth place finish. However, the Lions will need to find some offense and a way to slow the Spartans attack. Athens Academy has averaged 30 points in its five wins but just 7.1 points in its three losses. Lakeview has scored just 28 total points in its last five games and allowed nearly 42 points a game in that span. The Lions are still building their program and are just in their second year of varsity play, dressing just 24 players. Fullback Tom Drury leads the Lakeview triple option offense with over 400 yards rushing. Quarterback Jordan Chastain also has starred and is a threat to run and pass. Offensive lineman James Bagwell has played well, as has defensive back Jackson Beck and linebacker Lex Little.


-- HABERSHAM CENTRAL at SALEM

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Mount Airy, Raider Stadium
RADIO: WCON 99.3 FM
HABERSHAM CENTRAL: (4-5, 4-5 Region 8-AAAA) Lost to Rockdale County 34-14 last week.
SALEM: (5-3, 5-3 Region 8-AAAA) Defeated Winder-Barrow 41-7 last week.
LAST MEETING: Habersham won 24-10 on Oct. 31, 2008. Salem leads the series 3-2.
NOTABLE: The Raiders could deal a serious blow to Salem’s playoff chances with a win on the road. Habersham has had a rollercoaster season winning three of four at one point for a 3-2 record but it has now lost three of four and was officially eliminated from the playoffs last week. Habersham snapped a three-game losing streak in a win over the Seminoles last year but will need to find a way to slow down Salem’s dynamic offense. The Seminoles have scored 83 points in their last two games, both wins, and are tied with three other teams for the final two playoff spots. This may be a must-win for Salem with a season-ending meeting with undefeated Apalachee looming next week. Habersham has the ability to burn defenses with the both the run and pass. Quarterback Austin Brown has a deep threat in receiver Dee Ellison, as well as two capable running backs in David Griffin and Kevin Ellison.


-- APALACHEE at MADISON COUNTY

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Danielsville, Red Raider Stadium
APALACHEE: (8-0, 8-0 Region 8-AAAA) Defeated Heritage 24-23 last week. The Wildcats are rankled seventh in Class AAAA by the AP poll, eighth in the coaches poll.
MADISON COUNTY: (5-3, 5-3 Region 8-AAAA) Bye last week. Lost to Heritage 21-20 on Oct. 16.
LAST MEETING: Apalachee won 55-35 on Oct. 31, 2008. Madison County leads the series 2-1.
NOTABLE: While Apalachee already clinched the region title last week, coach Shane Davis they will be treating this game like business as usual. In fact, Davis says the Wildcats were already finished with their celebrating before last week's title-clinching win. "There was such an emotional outpouring after the overtime win two weeks against Loganville, that last week, we just sort of treated it like any other win," Davis said. "It didn't really sink in what we had done until the weekend." Meanwhile, Madison County is locked in a four-way tie for the final two playoff spots with Salem, Rockdale County, and Loganville. Apalachee has shown of late that it can win close games with both of its last two games decided by just one point each. Madison County is in a must-win situation the rest of the way. The Raiders cannot afford a loss this week with second-place Clarke Central on deck. Madison County is riding a two-game losing streak after winning five straight and defense has been the problem. The Red Raiders allowed 58 points the last two weeks. They will face another challenge from the Wildcats' wing-T attack that features running backs Jon Lee, John Ansley, Christian Hoard and Reggie Battle. The four backs have run through opposing defenses all season.


-- CLARKE CENTRAL at WINDER-BARROW

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Winder, W. Clair Harris Stadium
CLARKE CENTRAL: (6-2, 6-2 Region 8-AAAA) Defeated Cedar Shoals 14-7 last week.
WINDER-BARROW: (2-6, 2-6 Region 8-AAAA) Lost to Salem 41-7 last week.
LAST MEETING: Clarke Central won 52-13 on Oct. 31, 2008. The Gladiators lead the series 7-0.
NOTABLE: The Gladiators have rebounded with two straight wins after an overtime loss to Rockdale County earlier this month. Winder-Barrow will have to find some defense after allowing over 44 points per game over its past five contests. Yet the Bulldoggs certainly have offense, especially in quarterback Christian Davila. Davila has been a star this season, throwing five touchdown passes while going 23 of 34 for a career-high 401 yards in a 48-41 win over Monroe Area two weeks ago. He also had four touchdown passes earlier this campaign in a 42-35 loss to Habersham Central. Clarke Central can clinch second place and a home game in the first round of the playoffs with a win tonight.


-- NORTH GWINNETT at DULUTH

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Duluth
NORTH GWINNETT: (8-0, 6-0 Region 7-AAAAA) Defeated North Forsyth 24-6 last week. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 3 in Class AAAAA in both polls.
DULUTH: (1-7, 0-6 Region 7-AAAAA) Lost to Norcross 29-7 last week.
LAST MEETING: North Gwinnett won 53-0 on Oct. 31, 2008. Duluth leads the series 23-16-1 but hasn't won a game in the series since 1995.
NOTABLE: It appears to be a mismatch on paper, but North Gwinnett won't want to overlook the Wildcats with a trip to Peachtree Ridge on tap next week to decide the Region 7-AAAAA title. The Bulldogs have won 11 straight over Duluth. This week the Bulldogs come into the game with its defense playing as well as anytime all year. They have allowed just 13 total points the past two weeks. Duluth, meanwhile, has struggled to score points all season. The Wildcats have not scored more than seven points in any of their last six games. Duluth will certainly have its hands full against North Gwinnett QB C.J. Uzomah.


-- MILL CREEK at NORTHVIEW

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Duluth, Northview Stadium
MILL CREEK: (3-5, 2-4 Region 7-AAAAA) Lost to Collins Hill 35-0 last week.
NORTHVIEW: (2-5, 1-6 Region 7-AAAAA) Lost to Chattahoochee 44-36 last week.
LAST MEETING: Mill Creek won 56-14 on Oct. 31, 2008. Northview leads the series 2-1.
NOTABLE: After sitting at 2-2 early on, the Hawks just finished their gauntlet run of North Gwinnett, Peachtree Ridge, and Collins Hill -- a combined 22-2 on the year -– in a stretch of four games and now look to finish the year strong with winnable games against Northview this week and South Forsyth (1-7) next week. It has been feast or famine for Mill Creek on offense this year. In the Hawks’ three wins they have scored 111 points (37 points per game) but just 33 points (6.3 points per game) with two shutouts in their five losses. It has been similar year for Northview, which has allowed 235 points (39 points per game) in its six losses. The Titans have scored just 97 points (12.0 points per game) the entire season.


-- NORTH FORSYTH at CHATTAHOOCHEE

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Alpharetta, The Arena
NORTH FORSYTH: (5-3, 3-3 Region 7-AAAAA) Lost to North Gwinnett 24-6 last week.
CHATTAHOOCHEE: (3-5, 2-4 Region 7-AAAAA) Defeated Northview 44-36 last week.
LAST MEETING: North Forsyth won 31-27 on Oct. 31, 2008. The Raiders lead the series 1-0.
NOTABLE: North Forsyth, despite sitting fifth in standings, is in prime position to make the playoffs. The Raiders own the tiebreaker over Norcross, who is 4-2 in 7-AAAAA but finishes against Peachtree Ridge and No. 3 North Gwinnett the next two weeks. The Raiders should find a favorable matchup in Chattahoochee this week. North Forsyth held a potent North Gwinnett team to just 24 points last week and the defense has played well, allowing just under 12 points per game on the season. The Raiders have scored just 16 total points against the top three teams in the region but scored 29 points per game against everyone else. The Cougars defense has yielded 36 points per game over their last six games and a whopping 45 points per game over their last three games. The Raiders potent running attack of Joey Vicary, Tyler Slaton and Steven Hester should keep North Forsyth in prime position for a playoff spot this weekend.


-- ROBBINSVILLE, N.C. at TOWNS COUNTY

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Hiawassee, Frank McClure Stadium
ROBBINSVILLE: (6-2) Defeated Hayesville 40-6 last week.
TOWNS COUNTY: (2-6, playing a non-region schedule) Bye last week. Lost to Georgia Military 16-0 on Oct. 16.
LAST MEETING: Robbinsville won 53-28 on Oct. 31, 2008. Robbinsville leads the series 1-0.
NOTABLE: The Indians will try to finish the year perfect against teams from North Carolina this week. They knocked off Hayesville (NC) last month (48-12) for their first win of the season. The Indians’ offense has struggled since that win scoring just 15 points with one shutout.


-- JACKSON COUNTY at OCONEE COUNTY

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Watkinsville, Warrior Stadium
JACKSON COUNTY: (3-5, 0-5 Region 8-AAA) Lost to Elbert County 28-27 last week.
OCONEE COUNTY: (1-7, 1-4 Region 8-AAA) Lost to Eastside 44-0 last week.
LAST MEETING: Oconee County won 45-17 on Oct. 31, 2008. The Warriors lead thse seiries 7-0.
NOTABLE: Both teams are out of playoff contention but this is battle to stay out of the cellar in 8-AAA. Jackson County has lost five straight since opening with three straight wins. Oconee has lost two straight. A win for the Panthers would be their first region win since 2006 and match the most wins in a season since 1997. They finish against Stephens County next week and two wins to finish the year would give the Panthers their first non-losing season 1992.

-- Compiled by Morgan Lee and Jeff Hart