5 things: What we learned from Week 5 of prep football

Here’s a look at the top five things we learned from week 5 of the prep football season...

1. Chestatee is indeed ready for primetime

After last week’s double overtime, 57-56 defeat of Eastside, we knew that the War Eagles had a capable offense and plenty of heart. This week’s 24-20 defeat of Stephens County showed that Chestatee can also play some strong defense and is ready to challenge for a region title. The Indians entered the contest undefeated and ranked No. 5 in Class AAAA -- while also featuring one of the best running backs in the state in Chaz Thornton. Yet the War Eagles stood strong in one of the toughest road environments in north Georgia (The Reservation) and claimed perhaps the biggest scalp in program history. Now, there is still a long way to go in the season -- six more games total and five more in 8-AAAA -- but the last two victories have put Chestatee at the forefront of the region championship and playoff race, and, after the last two results, does anyone want to bet against the War Eagles’ chances now?


2. North Hall has laid down its marker to challenge for the 7-AAA title

Prior to Friday, you would have been hard pressed to find anyone (outside of the two programs involved, anyway) claiming that the North Hall-Dawson County game would result in a lopsided finish. The Trojans ensured that was indeed the case, however, overwhelming the Tigers early while running out to a 34-0 lead before prevailing 47-14. With the victory, North Hall showed that it was: fully over its 27-21 defeat to Jefferson on Sept. 14 and ready to challenge for the 7-AAA crown. The showdown was the premier showdown in 7-AAA last week, and North Hall’s power ground game more than carried the day, as the Trojans rushed for 375 yards and six touchdowns behind 10 different ball carriers. Area football fans have wondered since the preseason who may challenge Buford for superiority in 7-AAA. And, while it is still VERY early, North Hall showed this weekend that it may be the program to do so.


3. Gainesville made a statement in Region 8-AAAAA

We fully expected Friday’s showdown between last year’s Region 8-AAAA co-champ Heritage, Conyers, and 2011 8-AAA champ Gainesville to feature a tight battle. So much for that. The Red Elephants dominated from almost the start, taking a 14-0 lead and finishing with 42 points -- almost 37 more than the Patriots were allowing per game entering the contest. Gainesville’s defense also looked in control from the start, stunting Heritage’s ground attack and controlling the line of scrimmage. It was a more than impressive showing on both sides of the ball from a program that has grown accustomed to big games -- and winning those big games. How will Gainesville react to playing against good Class AAAAA teams? Just fine thank you. There are plenty of key games left -- including Clarke Central and Flowery Branch -- but the Red Elephants are certainly putting themselves back into position to challenge for a fifth straight region crown.


4. White County has developed some depth

The Warriors had already impressed in their 3-1 start to the season, and Friday’s 41-12 defeat of East Hall added another positive chapter to the campaign -- this one showing that White County not only has talent but also depth. The Warriors played the contest without two of their usual stars in quarterback Will Brock and linebacker/running back Dalton Whitfield (both out through injury) -- and didn’t miss a beat. The Warriors held a potentially explosive East Hall offense to just 145 yards, while back-up quarterback AJ Vandiver rushed for 66 yards and threw a touchdown pass in helping White County’s offense to put up 39 points (the other two in the 41-12 victory came from the defense courtesy a safety. The Warriors have plenty of ability already, that depth could make the difference year-in, year-out. It has certainly already helped in 2012.


5. Lumpkin County has plenty of fight left

It would have been very easy for Lumpkin County’s young football team to have given in on Friday night. The then-0-4 Indians fell behind after leading for much of the contest and faced an 80-yard field between them and victory against Walnut Grove. Instead of panicking or conceding, Lumpkin responded with their biggest drive of the year, capped by a touchdown pass from quarterback Daniel McCrary to Jonathan Gilreath. The Indians then recorded a huge defensive play, Bradley Womack sealing their first victory of the campaign with an interception. The march and turnover presented a much-needed boost for a Lumpkin team looking to grow and improve in 2012.


AREA PREP FOOTBALL SCORES, Sept. 28
Athens Academy 21, Lakeview Academy 6
Buford 63, Banks County 0
Chestatee 24, Stephens County 20
Elbert County 42, East Jackson 2
Fannin County 31, West Hall 8
Flowery Branch 35, Salem 18
Gainesville 42, Heritage 14
George Walton 26, Commerce 14
Jefferson 62, Greene County 26
Lambert 21, North Forsyth 7
Lumpkin County 13, Walnut Grove 12
Norcross 49, Mill Creek 41
North Hall 47, Dawson County 14
North Oconee 35, Jackson County 6
Oglethorpe County 31, Riverside Military Academy 12
Peachtree Ridge 30, Habersham Central 7
Rabun County 49, Social Circle 23
Washington-Wilkes 36, Union County 0
White County 41, East Hall 12


AREA PREP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, Oct. 5
Gainesville at Cedar Shoals
Flowery Branch at Apalachee
North Hall at East Hall
West Hall at Buford
Chestatee at Johnson
Dawson County at Banks County
Washington-Wilkes at Jefferson
Rabun County at Riverside Military
Union County at Oglethorpe County
Athens Christian at Commerce
Jackson County at Franklin County
Hart County at East Jackson
Winder-Barrow at Heritage, Conyers
Habersham Central at Norcross
Mill Creek at Meadowcreek
Duluth at North Gwinnett