5 things: What we learned from Week 6 of prep football

Here's a look at five things we learned from Week 6 of the high school football season...

1. Region 8-AA may be decided this weekend

There will still be a few weeks to play after this Friday, but this weekend’s showdown between Jefferson and Rabun County in Tiger could well decide the Region 8-AA title. Both teams are undefeated in league play, with the Dragons taking an impressive 31-0 victory over then-No. 7 Washington-Wilkes this past week. Jefferson has rebounded impressively since a season-opening defeat to Commerce, including wins over Jackson County and North Hall, and its latest victory has put the Dragons at the forefront of the region race. Jefferson held the Tigers to 136 total yards, just 47 on the ground while piling up 411 yards of offense, 193 rushing. Rabun County, meanwhile, has already posted its most wins in six years and is looking for its first winning campaign since 2000. Both teams feature strong quarterback play, with Bryant Shirreffs pacing the Dragons and Wes Holcombe turning in a great performance in his first season under new head coach Lee Shaw. It should be an exciting showdown, and we’ll certainly have one eye on what happens this weekend in the northeast corner of the state.


2. Buford set to face 7-AAA tests

Not that we were ever really concerned about Buford after its 19-15 loss to Gainesville on Sept. 7, but just in case anyone was starting to doubt the Wolves’ ability they have answered the setback in emphatic fashion, crushing their next three opponents by a combined score of 167-0. Now at the midway point of the season, Buford is set to test itself against three teams that hope to challenge the Wolves for Region 7-AAA supremacy. Starting with this weekend’s trip to White County, Buford will face three teams (over its next five games) with a combined record of 12-4. That slate includes Dawson County (Oct. 19) and North Hall (Nov. 9), both at Tom Riden Stadium. Those three games should decide the pecking order at the top of 7-AAA.


3. Jackson County looking to make history

Six games into the season, Jackson County has already equaled its most wins in a campaign since 1992. And the 4-2 Panthers are in prime position to outpace that mark in 2012. In its four remaining contests, Jackson County faces teams with a combined record of 10-10, including 1-4 Oconee County. If the Panthers can get the better of any of their remaining opponents, they will do better than any Jackson County team bar the 1992 squad -- which went 8-2-1 under the late Don Golden. This year’s team -- under brand new head coach Benji Harrison -- has plenty of talent, including quarterback Kyle Daniel -- who threw four touchdown passes last week -- and running back Dustin Scott -- who rushed for 136 yards and a score last week. The Panthers also showed plenty of heart last week, fending off Hart County in a 32-29 shootout on the road. It was the kind of performance that can define seasons and, perhaps, a program turnaround.


4. Deshaun Watson has spoiled us

Listening to Gainesville’s 42-23 defeat of Cedar Shoals last week, it sounded as if the Red Elephants’ quarterback was off his game over the opening few minutes. Then we looked at the numbers and realized just how spoiled we have become in watching/listening to Watson’s exploits. The junior finished the contest 20-of-28 through the air for 234 yards and three scores while also running for three touchdowns and 118 yards. So much for “off.” The signal caller generated all of the Red Elephants scores in a game that was close for three quarters and flat out dominated in the second half. Gainesville is far from a one-man team -- go watch the Red Elephants play and you’ll see that pretty quickly thanks to an outstanding defense and an offense brimming with weapons. But certainly Watson is plenty special to behold.


5. Justin Curry running way to big role

Considering his family name and lineage, no one should be surprised that Justin Curry is making a splash this season for Flowery Branch. Justin’s older brothers -- C.J. (now at Oklahoma State) and Darius (a defensive back/receiver for the Branch) -- have both taken turns starring for the Falcons. But the sophomore, Justin, has shown that he may be ready to take on a star turn of his own. After opening the campaign as the No. 3 running back on the Branch’s depth chart, Justin Curry has played a huge role, rushing for 604 yards -- including 203 in last week’s comeback win at Apalachee. Thanks to a bruising offensive line, Flowery Branch already had plenty of reason to rely on its ground attack. That power in the trenches allied with Curry’s running ability is making the Falcons downright scary on the ground.


AREA PREP FOOTBALL SCORES, OCT. 5
Athens Christian 19, Commerce 14
Buford 61, West Hall 0
Chestatee 36, Johnson 26
Copper Basin, Tenn. 52, Towns County 34
Dawson County 45, Banks County 9
Flowery Branch 30, Apalachee 20
Gainesville 42, Cedar Shoals 23
Hart County 44, East Jackson 0
Heritage, Conyers 37, Winder-Barrow 12
Jackson County 32, Franklin County 29
Jefferson 31, Washington-Wilkes 0
Mill Creek 55, Meadowcreek 6
Norcross 55, Habersham Central 0
North Gwinnett 42, Duluth 28
North Hall 60, East Hall 12
Rabun County 42, Riverside Military 20
Union County 21, Oglethorpe County 14

AREA PREP FOOTBALL GAMES, Oct. 12
Gainesville at Salem
Winder-Barrow at Flowery Branch
Apalachee at Loganville
Walnut Grove at Chestatee
Madison County at Lumpkin County
Stephens County at Monroe Area
Buford at White County
Fannin County at North Hall
Jefferson at Rabun County
Riverside Military at Union County
Commerce at Prince Avenue Christian
Lakeview at Cross Keys (North DeKalb stadium)
North Gwinnett at Mill Creek
Meadowcreek at Habersham Central
North Forsyth at Alpharetta

AREA PREP FOOTBALL GAMES, Oct. 13
Johnson at Clarkston (Halliford Stadium)