5 things: What we learned from Week 7 of high school football

Here’s a look at five things we learned from Week 7 of high school football...

1. Jefferson is on the verge of something special

We already knew the Dragons were talented -- as they showed in a 31-0 demolition of Washington-Wilkes two weeks ago -- and determined -- as they demonstrated in a 27-21 comeback defeat at North Hall on Sept. 14. But as each week passes, we’re starting to see that maybe there’s even more to Jefferson, and that maybe this Dragons team is a bit “special.” Jefferson ran away with what had been a tight showdown in the first half in Rabun County last Friday, taking full control of Region 8-AA in the process. Jefferson has shown it can wrack up huge amounts of points and has also shown dramatic defensive improvement over the past few weeks. That, combined with very strong special teams play, has vaulted Jefferson into the top 10, and, if the Dragons can continue to improve at the rate they have shown so far, they may be in for something very big this postseason. Jefferson has come a long way since a season-opening defeat to Commerce, and the Dragons may have a way to go yet.


2. Region 8-AAAAA is already set for a Red Elephants-Falcons rumble

Both Flowery Branch and Gainesville still have some key games to go -- specifically this weekend when the Flacons play host to Heritage, Conyers and the Red Elephants play host to Clarke Central -- but the region title showdown between the two rivals that we all hoped for looks like it is becoming a reality. Gainesville and Flowery Branch remain the only two undefeated teams in Region 8-AAAAA -- thanks in large part to Heritage’s defeat of Clarke Central this past week -- and if each program can win again this Friday, the de facto 8-AAAAA championship game will be on for Nov. 9 in the Branch. And what a game it is shaping up to be. Both teams feature offenses with firepower -- the Falcons running all over everyone, and the Red Elephants passing with impunity. Both also feature swarming defenses, and their first game since a 2009 state semifinal showdown could well be another classic.


3. Region 7-AAA title down to Wolves and Trojans

Before the Region 7-AAA season got underway, the big question was which program would emerge to challenge Buford for supremacy. As of now, the answer is North Hall, and, luckily enough, the two programs will square off on the final Friday of the regular season at Tom Riden Stadium. Both have run roughshod through 7-AAA so far, North Hall smashing three foes, including Dawson County, by a total of 170-26, and Buford doing likewise, including White County, by a combined 173-14. The two each face tests again this Friday, Dawson County traveling to Buford and White County trekking to North Hall. Win those games, and the 7-AAA championship game will likely be set. An early peek at the contest reveals, as expected, a battle that will be decided at the line of scrimmage by two very strong groups of linemen.


4. A Chestatee win this weekend would likely set up 8-AAAA title game

Just like 8-AAAAA and 7-AAA, there is no real championship game for Region 8-AAAA, but, like those other two leagues, this year there could well be one by name. This one would not take place on the last day of the regular season, rather on Nov. 2 when Monroe Area travels to face Chestatee. Both teams are undefeated in 8-AAAA play and, assuming both take care of business over the next two weeks, the battle in Gainesville should provide one heck of a show between two explosive run-oriented offenses. Now, the War Eagles can’t afford to get ahead of themselves. They face a very tough Lanier program this week in Gainesville. But judging by Chestatee’s victories so far, the War Eagles have put themselves in the driver’s seat in 8-AAAA. And, following Monroe’s comeback defeat of Stephens County this past week, the Purple Hurricanes have done the same. Here’s hoping for what could be three incredible region finales in the next few weeks.


5. Union County closing in on best season in years

While the Panthers have one loss in Region 8-AA play -- to Washington-Wilkes -- Union County is very much in the postseason race and could be staring at its best record in a little over a decade. Currently 5-1, the Panthers already have their most victories since 2009 (6-4), and, of its four remaining opponents, Union will face two -- Social Circle and Greene County -- that are a combined 1-11. The Panthers also will take on Jefferson and arch-rival Rabun County over the stretch run. In 2001, Union County reached the state playoffs with a 9-2 record. The Panthers look very much set to revisit that impressive season in 2012.



AREA FOOTBALL FINALS FOR, Oct. 13-14
Alpharetta 55, North Forsyth 21
Apalachee 35, Loganville 28
Buford 49, White County 14
Chestatee 51, Walnut Grove 0
Heritage Conyers 23, Clarke Central 20
Eastside 20, Lanier 14
Flowery Branch 54, Winder-Barrow 14
Gainesville 49, Salem 6
Habersham Central 31, Meadowcreek 12
Jefferson 55, Rabun County 7
Johnson 31, Clarkston 27
Lakeview Academy 44, Cross Keys 6
Lumpkin County 34, Madison County 20
Monroe Area 21, Stephens County 17
North Gwinnett 47, Mill Creek 28
North Hall 63, Fannin County 0
Prince Avenue Christian 30, Commerce 0
Union County 41, Riverside Military Academy 13


AREA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, Oct. 19
Clarke Central at Gainesville
Heritage, Conyers at Flowery Branch
White County at North Hall
Lanier at Chestatee
Dawson County at Buford
West Hall at East Hall
Oglethorpe County at Jefferson
Druid Hills at Johnson
Eastside at Lumpkin County
Washington-Wilkes at Rabun County
Banks County at Fannin County
Stephens County at Madison County
Morgan County at East Jackson
Jackson County at Hart County
Riverside Military at Social Circle
Union County at Greene County
Commerce at Athens Academy
Lakeview Academy at St. Francis
North Cobb Christian at Towns County
Apalachee at Cedar Shoals
Winder-Barrow at Loganville
Habersham Central at North Gwinnett
Mill Creek at Duluth
West Forsyth at North Forsyth