Two key contests for area teams set for broadcast on Friday

Both Gainesville and North Hall football pounded out impressive victories last week. This Friday, the Jacobs Media family of radio stations will be along to see if they can continue their winning ways.

North Hall (3-1, 1-0 Region 7-AAA) made an impressive statement in its opening contest of Region 7-AAA play on Friday, rumbling past Dawson County 47-14. The Trojans rushed for 375 yards in the process, while holding the Tigers' normally-potent attack to just 160 yards.

This week, North Hall travels to Rabbittown to take on an East Hall team that is looking to bounce back from a tough Friday outing at White County. The game will be broadcast live on 102.9 FM.

The Vikings (2-3, 0-2) suffered a 41-12 defeat last week but still feature a very dangerous offensive attack that will be itching to rebound against the Trojans -- in the two programs' first meeting since 2007. East Hall leads the lengthy series 33-16-1, though North Hall has won six straight in the series (2002-07).

Meanwhile, in Region 8-AAAAA, Gainesville will look to maintain its imposing start to its new region schedule at Cedar Shoals -- in a game broadcast live on AM 550. (NOTE: Gainesville High games are normally broadcast on 1240 AM, but that station will be used to broadcast the Atlanta Braves' MLB wild card game, which is scheduled for Friday.)

The Red Elephants (4-1, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAA) have stormed to three straight lopsided victories in league play. And, including last week's 42-14 defeat of previously undefeated Heritage (Conyers), Gainesville has now outscored 8-AAAAA foes 173-34.

This week, the Red Elephants face a resurgent Cedar Shoals program that has impressed in the early going under new head coach Chris Davis. Like the Red Elephants, the Jaguars (3-2, 1-2) feature a spread attack on offense -- one which is averaging 28 points per win.

The contests represent just two of a packed Friday night that also includes several other big showdowns. (For a look at current region standings for area teams, simply scroll down.)

In Jefferson, the Dragons (3-1, 1-0 Region 8-AA) will play host to No. 7 Washington-Wilkes (5-0, 2-0) in a showdown atop the 8-AA standings. In Oakwood, Chestatee (3-1, 2-0 Region 8-AAAA) will look to keep its forward momentum rolling, as the War Eagles travel to face Johnson (3-2, playing non-region schedule), and Commerce (4-1, 0-1 Region 8-A) will play host to Athens Christian (1-4, 0-1) looking to bounce back from the Tigers' first loss of the season.

Flowery Branch (3-2, 2-0 Region 8-AAAAA) will also look to keep flying in a trip to Apalachee (1-3, 0-2). The Falcons have won three straight and are setting themselves up for another region title shot after learning some valuable lessons in an 0-2 start.

AREA PREP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, Oct. 5
Gainesville at Cedar Shoals -- Radio: AM 550
Flowery Branch at Apalachee
North Hall at East Hall -- Radio: 102.9 FM
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
Towns County at Copper Basin, Tenn.


STANDINGS FOR AREA REGIONS AFTER SEPT. 28
Region 8-A
TEAM........................Region...................Overall
Prince Avenue............1-0...........................5-0
George Walton............1-0..........................4-1
Pinecrest Academy....1-0...........................3-1
Athens Academy........0-0...........................4-0
Commerce.................0-1...........................4-1
Hebron Christian........0-1..........................1-3
Athens Christian.........0-1..........................1-4
*Lakeview Academy..................................2-2
*Towns County..........................................0-5
(*-playing a non-region schedule)

Region 8-AA
TEAM........................Region...................Overall
Washington-Wilkes......2-0..........................5-0
Jefferson......................1-0..........................3-1
Oglethorpe Co.............1-0..........................3-1
Rabun County..............1-0..........................3-1
Union County...............0-1..........................3-1
Greene County............0-1..........................0-4
Social Circle................0-1..........................0-4
Riverside Military.........0-2..........................0-4

Region 7-AAA
TEAM........................Region...................Overall
White County................2-0..........................4-1
Buford...........................1-0..........................3-1
North Hall......................1-0..........................3-1
Dawson County............1-1..........................3-2
Fannin County..............1-1..........................1-4
West Hall......................1-1..........................2-3
East Hall.......................0-2..........................2-3
Banks County...............0-2..........................1-4

Region 8-AAA
TEAM........................Region...................Overall
Morgan County.............1-0..........................4-0
North Oconee...............1-0..........................3-1
Elbert County................1-0..........................2-2
Hart County..................1-0..........................1-3
Jackson County............1-1..........................3-2
Franklin County.............0-1..........................1-3
Oconee County.............0-1..........................1-3
East Jackson................0-1..........................0-4

Region 8-AAAA
TEAM........................Region...................Overall
Monroe Area................2-0..........................5-0
Chestatee....................2-0..........................3-1
Stephens County.........1-1..........................4-1
Lanier...........................1-1..........................3-2
Eastside......................1-1..........................3-2
Lumpkin County...........1-1..........................1-4
Walnut Grove...............0-2..........................1-4
Madison County...........0-2..........................0-5
*Johnson.....................................................3-2
(*-playing a non-region schedule)

Region 8-AAAAA
TEAM........................Region...................Overall
Gainesville..................3-0..........................4-1
Flowery Branch...........3-0..........................3-2
Clarke Central.............2-0..........................2-2
Heritage, Conyers.......2-1..........................4-1
Salem..........................1-2..........................2-3
Cedar Shoals..............1-2..........................3-2
Apalachee...................0-2..........................1-3
Winder-Barrow............0-2..........................0-4
Loganville....................0-3..........................1-4

Region 6-AAAAAA
TEAM........................Region...................Overall
Johns Creek................2-0..........................5-0
Lambert.......................2-0..........................5-0
West Forsyth..............2-0..........................5-0
Chattahoochee............1-1..........................3-2
Alpharetta....................1-1..........................2-3
North Forsyth..............0-2..........................3-2
South Forsyth..............0-2..........................3-2
Centennial...................0-2..........................0-5

Region 7-AAAAAA
TEAM........................Region...................Overall
Norcross.....................3-0..........................5-0
Collins Hill...................2-0..........................3-1
Mill Creek....................2-1..........................3-2
Peachtree Ridge.........2-1..........................2-3
North Gwinnett............1-1..........................3-1
Duluth.........................1-2..........................2-3
Mountain View............1-2..........................2-3
Meadowcreek.............0-2..........................0-4
Habersham Central....0-3..........................0-5