Week 2 previews: Teams trying to develop, avoid patterns

We're just one full week into the high school football season, and already teams are trying to develop or avoid certain patterns.

Those teams that suffered season-opening losses last week are desperate to avoid dropping two in a row, while those that won know that developing a successful rhythm is key to building a strong season. Of course there are also a handful of teams that haven't even played a down yet and will kick off their season tonight.

With that in mind, Access North Georgia presents season previews for week 2. Look below for all the key info on your teams as they head into battle tonight in north Georgia...

Friday’s Games

CARVER, COLUMBUS at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- TV: CSS
-- BUFORD (2-0): Defeated Gainesville 49-0 last week. The Wolves are ranked No. 1 in Class AA
-- CARVER (1-0): Defeated Spencer 52-0 last week. The Tigers are ranked No. 2 in Class AA
-- LAST MEETING: Carver won 14-0 on Sept. 3, 2010. The Tigers lead the series 1-0.
-- NOTABLE: After two impressive wins to start the campaign, Buford faces its toughest challenge of the young season when Carver travels north. The Tigers are the only team to defeat Buford last season, and although Carver graduated a number of stars -- including standout running back Isaiah Crowell -- the Tigers still have plenty of talent. Running backs Marquez Holloway (5-foot-6, 160 pounds) and Cequanti Ford (5-9, 190) will try to fill the void left by Crowell. Carver is also breaking in a new starting quarterback in sophomore Torrance McGee. McGee completed 6-of-6 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown (along with a TD run) in Carver’s season-opening win. He has several talented targets, including Sr. tight end/receiver Artimas Samuel (6-2, 230) and Marqui Hawkins. Defensively, the Tigers feature senior defensive lineman Derious Bennett (6-1, 260). ... Buford has allowed 195 total yards in two games so far this season -- 97.5 yards per game. ... The Wolves are plus-7 so far in turnover margin through two games. ... Buford’s only statistical negative so far is in penalties, where the Wolves have committed 19 infractions for 152 yards. ... As expected, Buford is dominating on the ground, averaging 334 yards rushing while allowing just 35 yards per game from opponents.


WHITE COUNTY at GAINESVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: City Park, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 1240 AM
-- WHITE COUNTY (0-1): Lost 28-27 to East Jackson last week.
-- GAINESVILLE (0-1): Lost 49-0 to Buford last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Gainesville won 21-7 on Nov. 5, 2010. The Red Elephants lead the series 13-1.
-- NOTABLE: Neither team got off to the start it wanted last week, though each saw some encouraging things in their opening night losses. Gainesville quarterback Deshaun Watson was not rattled by a swarming Wolves defense last week, completing 15 of 30 passes for 100 yards and rushing for 46 yards, all while taking some vicious hits. Justin Cantrell also appeared ready to step up as a member of the receiving corps, catching six passes for 50 yards. Yet Gainesville is also keen to establish a better run game than what they saw last week, when they managed just 69 yards on 16 carries. A key to that could be the status of sophomore running back Rayshon Thomas, who was banged up last week and could be a game-time decision. ... White County also had plenty of players stepping up last week, including running backs Ryan Kennedy (who rushed for over 100 yards last week) and Dalton Whitfield and Andrew London, who each scored touchdowns. New quarterback Will Brock also completed 5-of-6 attempts for 56 yards and a score. ... White County’s triple option offense will present a challenge to a young Gainesville defense, forcing the Red Elephants to play assignment football. ... Each team will be looking to get a win and gain some momentum in this contest.


NORTH HALL at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- NORTH HALL (0-0): The Trojans finished 5-5 last season.
-- JEFFERSON (1-0): Defeated Commerce 41-14 last week.
-- LAST MEETING: North Hall won 24-21 on Sept. 3, 2010. Jefferson leads the series 7-2.
-- NOTABLE: North Hall had to sit and watch through a week one bye on Friday -- and the Trojans coaching staff did watch as Jefferson opened up with a lopsided victory over arch-rival Commerce. North Hall coach Bob Christmas came away impressed by the Dragons, especially quarterback Bryant Shirreffs, who totaled 282 yards and four touchdowns in the win. The junior was 11-of-14 through the air for 244 yards, hitting five different receivers, as Jefferson rattled off several big plays -- the Dragons scored 41 points while running just 27 total plays. Jefferson coach T McFerrin knows those won’t be as forthcoming against North Hall’s defense, which features defensive end Eric Gonter and linebackers Taylor Ryder and Imani Cross. Cross is also a big concern for the Dragons defense, as the 6-foot-1, 226-pound Tennessee commit enters the season fully healthy and ready to pound the football from his running back position. McFerrin’s defense features a number of inexperienced linebackers who will have to grow up quickly on Friday. ... North Hall could play both junior Bradley Brown and sophomore Andrew Smith at quarterback tonight. ... Expect the Trojans to try and control the clock and the ball with its wing-T attack, versus Jefferson’s spread offense. ... North Hall is looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs for the second time in nine seasons in 2010. ... The Trojans will look to replace Eric Carroll at defensive tackle after he tore his ACL in a preseason scrimmage.


CHESTATEE at WEST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Spartan Stadium, Oakwood
-- CHESTATEE (0-0): The War Eagles finished 3-7 last season.
-- WEST HALL (0-1): Lost 47-14 to East Hall last week.
-- LAST MEETING: West Hall won 24-13 on Sept. 3, 2010. The Spartans lead the series 4-3.
-- NOTABLE: Just like rival North Hall, Chestatee sat through a week one bye. And War Eagles coach Stan Luttrell says he expects a tough fight tonight against a West Hall team that shot itself it the foot occasionally in its opener. Chestatee’s biggest challenge against the Spartans may come on the line of scrimmage, where West Hall features one of the larger units in north Georgia. West Hall quarterback Chandler Newton is also a playmaker. The War Eagles will start a new quarterback in junior Jordan DeGraff but will look to several experienced running backs -- including Quan Clark and Montrai Tate -- to help take the stress off DeGraff. Certainly West Hall will be focusing on special teams after watching two blocked punts lead to touchdowns in last week’s loss. ... Both teams will be anxious to take the field tonight, as the Spartans will want to rebound in front of their home fans. Chestatee meanwhile is just ready to play in a game and find out what kind of team it has in 2011.


EAST HALL at JOHNSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood
-- EAST HALL (1-0): Defeated West Hall 47-14 last week.
-- JOHNSON (0-1): Lost 20-12 to Jackson County last week.
-- LAST MEETING: East Hall won 28-21 on Sept. 3, 2010. Johnson leads the series 21-11-1.
-- NOTABLE: East Hall is wary of Johnson after the Knights dropped a tough opener against Jackson County. Johnson will look to control the line of scrimmage and rely on its run game in this contest. The good news for Knights fans is that standout running back Cedric Harris will be ready to go in this contest despite receiving a blow to the head in last week’s loss that required 10 stitches. Special teams also played a key role for Johnson last week, as the Knights gave up a 92-yard kickoff return to swing the game in Jackson County’s favor. East Hall was on the other side of big special teams plays, blocking two punts for TDs in their opener. The Vikings picked up their most lopsided victory in four seasons last week but are guarding against a letdown. East Hall will look to make big plays on the ground through running backs Jamond Witt (119 yards, 2 TDs last week) and Austen Mahaffey.


UNION COUNTY at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: J.P. King Memorial Stadium, Dahlonega
-- UNION (1-0): Defeated Towns County 20-0 last week.
-- LUMPKIN (1-0): Defeated Riverside Military 50-0 last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Lumpkin County won 37-14 on Sept. 3, 2010. Union County leads the series 20-14-1.
-- NOTABLE: Lumpkin County entered the season with a number of questions after replacing several seniors off last year’s 6-4 team. The Indians answered those queries with a lot of positives in game one, scoring three times on defense in a big victory. Yet Lumpkin coach Tommy Jones knows things will get harder this week against a Union County team that also opened with a victory last week. ... The contest will feature Lumpkin’s ground-heavy attack, while Union counters with its spread offense. Last week, the Indians defense showed its big-play abilities, scoring three times (two interception returns and a fumble return), while also allowing just 11 total yards. ... Indians quarterback Logan Moye played well in his first game as the squad’s full-time starter, leading the team with 64 rushing yards. He also attempted and completed one pass -- for a 74-yard TD. ... Union County is led by quarterback T Bentley and running backs Jonathan Hughes and Ian Petkevich -- who both scored touchdowns in the opener. ... Union feels it must correct some sloppy play from last week, including penalties and turnovers. Last year’s battle between the Indians and Panthers included a number of Union turnovers.


HART COUNTY at STEPHENS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: The Reservation, Toccoa
-- HART (1-0): Defeated Franklin County 31-0 last week.
-- STEPHENS (0-1): Lost 29-28 to Elbert County last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Stephens County won 21-20 on Sept. 3, 2010. The Indians lead the series 32-17-1.
-- NOTABLE: Stephens County will be looking to avenge a tough loss last week after Elbert County completed a two-point conversion to seal a late win over the Indians. ... Hart County certainly impressed in its opener, blanking Franklin County. The Bulldogs feature three impressive running backs in senior Stephon Eades, senior Michael Curry and sophomore K.J. Moore. Stephens County counters with junior standout Chaz Thornton (two TDs last week). Quarterback Hunter Blackmon also scored for Stephens County last week.


FRANKLIN COUNTY at COMMERCE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Commerce
-- FRANKLIN (0-1): Lost 31-0 to Hart County last week.
-- COMMERCE (0-1): Lost 41-14 to Jefferson last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Franklin County won 31-28 on Sept. 3, 2010. Commerce lead the series 16-9.
-- NOTABLE: Both teams will be looking to bounce back after tough opening weeks. ... Commerce’s option offense put up 236 yards rushing last week against arch-rival Jefferson, but the Tigers had a hard time slowing the Dragons’ big plays on defense. Commerce quarterback Cody Streetman will also be looking for a more dominant performance -- not that last week’s 89 yards rushing and a touchdown while also passing for a score are anything to be disappointed by. ... The Lions will look to senior quarterback Kevin Harris and veteran running back Andrew Heaton. ... Both teams are playing a number of inexperienced offensive linemen.


RIVERSIDE MILITARY at BANKS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Leopard Stadium, Homer
-- RIVERSIDE (0-2): Lost 50-0 to Lumpkin County last week.
-- BANKS (1-0): Defeated Social Circle 13-7 last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Banks County won 18-3 on Sept. 3, 2010. The Leopards lead the series 12-5.
-- NOTABLE: Banks County bounced back from a slow start last week, posting 270 of its 220 yards in the second half. The Leopards will hope that started a trend that rolls into this week, as they play host to a Riverside team struggling to find some consistency. ... Banks County’s mulitple I attack was led by Dean Ewing (120 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 14 carries) last week, and the running back figures to be a key figure again tonight. QB Tyler Hubbard also had a solid starting debut, going 6 of 11 for 66 yards. ... Riverside’s spread offense is led by quarterback Collin Pettell, but the signal caller should be wary of the Leopards defense, which picked off three passes last week. ... The Eagles’ offense is averaging 7 points per game through two contests.


DAWSON COUNTY at GILMER
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Huff-Mosley Stadium, Ellijay
-- DAWSON (1-0): Defeated Pickens 56-35 last week.
-- GILMER (1-0): Defeated Fannin County 29-21 last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Gilmer won 35-0 on Sept. 3, 2010. The Bobcats lead the series 5-0.
-- NOTABLE: Dawson County is hoping for another first this week. The Tigers defeated Pickens for the first time in program history last week and will hope to get their first win over Gilmer this week. Dawson’s mulitple offense certainly impressed in its opener. Tigers receiver Bruce Clark caught nine passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Tyler Dominy was 14-of-19 for 256 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Zach Martin also had 175 yards rushing and three touchdowns. ... Gilmer pulled out a hard fought win last week at Fannin County, relying on the run game and some key Fannin turnovers.


FANNIN COUNTY at PICKENS

-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Dragon Stadium, Jasper
-- FANNIN (1-1): Lost 29-21 to Gilmer last week.
-- PICKENS (0-1): Lost 56-35 to Dawson County last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Pickens won 14-10 on Sept. 3, 2010. The Dragons lead the series 17-9.
-- NOTABLE: Fannin County will look to bounce back from a tough loss to Gilmer last week -- which ended an eight-year win streak in the series. ... Fannin will lean on running backs Blake Henry and Peyton Satterfield, along with quarterback Trevor Stone -- who all scored in last week’s loss. ... Pickens will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing season opener in which the Dragons allowed over 420 yards of offense from Dawson County. ... Fannin’s defense will attempt to tighten down this week after allowing just over 28 points per game in two contests this season.


RABUN COUNTY at ROBBINSVILLE, N.C.

-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Robbinsville, N.C.
-- RABUN (1-0): Defeated Hayesville, N.C., 17-14 last week.
-- ROBBINSVILLE (2-0): Defeated Rabun Gap, 42-3 last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Robbinsville won 27-12 on Sept. 3, 2010. Robbinsville leads the series 4-1.
-- NOTABLE: For only the second time in nine seasons, Rabun County won its season opener when it defeated Hayesville last week. After four straight 1-9 seasons, Rabun County coach Danny Durham is switching to a new multiple-I formation offense and a new 4-3 defense. Senior running back Dyllon Crabtree will be the key man on the Wildcats’ offense, which will be breaking in a new starting quarterback in Wes Holcombe. The Wildcats will face a tough test in Robbinsville. The Black Knights are 2-0 for the third time in four years and feature Austin Hill and Kelby Sherrill, who scored two touchdowns apiece in last week’s win for the Black Knights.


JACKSON COUNTY at WALNUT GROVE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Walnut Grove Stadium, Walnut Grove
-- JACKSON (1-0): Defeated Johnson 20-12 last week.
-- WALNUT GROVE (0-1): Lost 20-0 to Morgan County last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Jackson County won 21-3 on Sept. 3, 2010. The Panthers lead the series 1-0.
-- NOTABLE: Jackson County is looking to build on the momentum created in last week’s season-opening win. ... Quarterback Kyle Daniel should play a key role again tonight after throwing two touchdown passes in the victory over Johnson. Xavier Harper also showed he is a dangerous athlete with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown -- a score that swung the game for the Panthers. ... Jackson County faces a Walnut Grove squad looking to find its form in its second-ever varsity campaign and under a second head coach in as many seasons.


OCONEE COUNTY at EAST JACKSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Eagle Stadium, Commerce
-- OCONEE (0-0): The Warriors went 3-7 last season.
-- EAST JACKSON (1-0): Defeated White County 28-27 last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Oconee County won 17-14 on Sept. 3, 2010. The Warriors lead the series 1-0.
-- NOTABLE: East Jackson showed that it is ready to fight this season after fending off White County last week. The Eagles also showed they will be able to run the ball with success after running back CJ Allen and quarterback Tyler Collins each rumbled for over 100 yards in the victory. The Eagles also attempted zero passes in the win. ... Oconee County is looking to bounce back from six straight losing seasons -- though the Warriors reached the state playoffs in three of those campaigns (2005, ’07 and ’08)


FLOWERY BRANCH at WINDER-BARROW
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: W. Clair Harris Stadium, Winder
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (1-0): Defeated Madison County 56-7 last week. The Falcons are ranked No. 5 in Class AAAA by the Associated Press, No. 4 by the coaches.
-- WINDER (0-1): Lost 17-13 to Rockdale County last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Flowery Branch won 28-0 on Sept. 3, 2010. The Falcons lead the series 1-0.
-- NOTABLE: Flowery Branch looked about as prepared as a team in its first game of the season could hope last week, rolling up 510 yards of total offense -- 273 passing and 237 rushing -- in a business-like victory. The Falcons will look to keep things rolling this week against a Winder-Barrow squad looking to halt a 15-game losing skid. The Bulldoggs allowed 10 points off turnovers in last week’s loss and will look to improve behind the play of quarterback Christian Hodge and receiver Dante Jones and running back Jamonte Riden. ... Flowery Branch got a strong performance from quarterback Kanler Coker last week, especially considering the senior missed the Falcons’ scrimmage against Lassiter with mononucleosis. Coker looked both healthy and in tune last week, amassing 204 yards passing and two touchdowns and rushing for 56 more with one TD. Senior running back Jeremy Haley also had 104 yards rushing and two scores. Falcons coach Lee Shaw was also impressed by the start, though he says his team must not let down against a determined and capable Winder squad. ... The Falcons did lose junior outside linebacker Gabe Takacs (hip) in last week’s win. But Shaw says he has several capable players ready to rotate at the position.


HABERSHAM CENTRAL at CEDAR SHOALS
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Waters-Wilkins Stadium, Athens
-- HABERSHAM (1-0): Defeated Apalachee 38-35 last week.
-- CEDAR SHOALS (0-1): Lost 49-13 to Clarke Central last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Cedar Shoals won 18-3 on Sept. 3, 2010. The Jaguars lead the series 12-3.
-- NOTABLE: Last week’s season-opening win for Habersham Central was both exciting and impressive in that the Raiders overcame an early deficit and closed out a late victory -- both facets that haunted Habersham last season. Raiders quarterback Kevin Ellison had a huge game rushing for 217 yards and scoring four times. The senior moved to within roughly 300 yards of the school rushing record in the win. Habersham will depend again on Ellison tonight, facing a Cedar Shoals team that was plagued by mistakes in its season opener. The Jaguars will run out of a wing-T on offense and will force Habersham to contain a number of speedy athletes on the perimeter. The Raiders defense will do its best to clog the line and keep Cedar Shoals pinned in the backfield. ... Habersham’s kicking situation certainly seems settled now after Ian Wheeler kicked a 21-yard field goal with 1:20 left to seal the Raiders win. Wheeler had been battling with two other players for the spot coming into the contest but nailed all five extra points and the field goal to lay claim to the starting position.


MILL CREEK at ALPHARETTA
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Alpharetta Stadium, Alpharetta
-- MILL CREEK (1-0): Defeated Dacula 35-27 last week.
-- ALPHARETTA (1-0): Defeated North Cobb 29-26 last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Mill Creek won 31-12 on Sept. 3, 2010. The Hawks lead the series 2-1.
-- NOTABLE: Mill Creek’s offense is ready for the challenge this season, rolling up 408 yards in last week’s victory. The Hawks were paced by quarterback John Russ, who completed 16 of 26 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns, along with two interceptions. Jacorey Lewis, meanwhile, paced the Hawks rushing game, rolling up 49 yards and two scores on the ground. Carter Governale also had one touchdown rushing and one receiving, while Alonzo Collins caught four passes for 71 yards and a TD. ... Mill Creek will want to avoid the four turnovers and 19 penalties committed last week.


LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at KING’S RIDGE CHRISTIAN
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Alpharetta
-- LAKEVIEW (0-1): Lost 6-0 to Fellowship Christian last week.
-- KING’S RIDGE (1-0): Defeated St. Francis 34-0 last week.
-- LAST MEETING: King’s Ridge won 13-0 on Sept. 3, 2010. King’s Ridge leads the series 1-0.
-- NOTABLE: Despite its youth, Lakeview gave a good account of itself in last week’s loss, holding Fellowship Christian out of the end zone and showing plenty of fight in the process. The Lions also had a last-minute touchdown run from Matt Askounis called back for a penalty. ... Lakeview’s triple-option offense will look to keep control of the ball to help slow a high-powered King’s Ridge attack. ... The Lions will look to junior fullback Trevor Pryce and quarterback Askounis for leadership in the contest.


TOWNS COUNTY at CHEROKEE, N.C.
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
-- WHERE: Cherokee, N.C.
-- TOWNS (0-2): Lost 20-0 to Union County last week.
-- CHEROKEE (0-2): Lost 38-2 to Mitchell, N.C., last week.
-- LAST MEETING: Cherokee won 39-20 on Sept. 3, 2010. Cherokee leads the series 1-0.
-- NOTABLE: Towns County is looking to bounce back from two tough losses to start the season and will face a Cherokee team also reeling from back-to-back defeats. Towns County has scored just six points this season. It’s offense is paced by sophomore quarterback Jackson Noblet (1,000 yards passing, 800 yards rushing in 2010). Senior running backs Noah Calhoun and Cody Smedley will also play key roles. ... Cherokee, meanwhile, is hoping for the return of standout running back Dorian Walkingstick (2,139 rushing yards in 2010). The junior missed the first two games with a hamstring injury.


Saturday's Games

NORTH GWINNETT vs. ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.
-- WHEN: 6 p.m.
-- WHERE: Grisham Stadium, Carrollton
-- NORTH GWINNETT (1-1): Defeated East St. Louis 41-0 last week. The Bulldogs are ranked 10th in Class AAAAA
-- ST. AUGUSTINE (0-0): The Yellow Jackets reached Florida’s Class AAAAAA semifinals in 2010.
-- LAST MEETING: This is the two teams’ first meeting.
-- NOTABLE: North Gwinnett will wrap its early-season slate of Saturday contests with a third straight weekend battle, this time facing St. Augustine in the 2011 Florida vs. Georgia Gridiron Challenge. St. Augustine presents a mammoth challenge, as the Yellow Jackets reached the Florida Class AAAAAA semifinals last season and are currently ranked No. 3. ... North Gwinnett’s offense got back on track last week after an uneven start, led by quarterback Scott Hosch, who was 12-of-17 passing for 303 yards and four touchdowns (Hosch has 499 yards passing and 6 TDs to 2 interceptions so far this season). Chad Scott also had three receptions for 102 yards and returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown. ... The Bulldogs defense, which is its strength at the start of the campaign, will be tested this week after pulling the shutout last week.