Week 8: Judgement night set for a number of area teams

Through the course of a high school football season there is plenty of hyperbole available about key games and big Friday nights. There is absolutely no hyperbole, however, when we say that Week 8 is one of the defining weekend's of 2012.

First off, we have more games taking place than we've had in weeks. Secondly, a number of those contests carry huge playoff and region title implications. And even those that don't feature intriguing storylines.

Look no further than Region 8-AAAAA for proof. Two huge games between the four teams jockeying for a championship and playoff placing all face each other tonight. Gainesville will play host to Clarke Central, while Flowery Branch will play host to Heritage Conyers (to see a video feature with the Falcons, click here). Both games will be featured on the Jacobs Media family of radio stations tonight (1240 AM and 550 AM respectively).

Meanwhile, North Hall will look to solidify its spot as the top challenger to Buford in Region 7-AAA, when the Trojans plays host to a White County team looking to bounce back from its own loss to the Wolves and take its own steps toward the postseason. That game will also be featured on 102.9 FM. Meanwhile in Buford, the Wolves will look to fend off a determined Dawson County team.

Also in 7-AAA, East Hall will play host to West Hall in a game where the Vikings will honor legendary former coach Jim Lofton.

The other storylines for Friday are myriad. Can Commerce halt its three-game losing skid against No. 2 in Class A? Will Jefferson keep rolling back at home in a Region 8-AA showdown? Can Rabun County knock off Washington-Wilkes in a huge playoff-laced showdown in 8-AA? Can Riverside Military get its first win of the season? Can Jackson County post its most wins in a season since 1992? Can Chestatee win its sixth straight game for the first time in program history (and stay in the front of the Region 8-AAAA race in the process)?

And that's just scratching the surface. Scroll down for a look at all of tonight's games for area teams (games are arranged by region, smallest to largest).


AREA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, Oct. 19

REGION 8-A
COMMERCE at ATHENS ACADEMY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Slaughter Field, Athens
-- COMMERCE (4-3, 0-3 Region 8-A): Lost to Prince Avenue 30-0 last week.
-- ATHENS ACADEMY (6-0, 2-0 Region 8-A): Defeated Pinecrest Academy 27-7 last week. The Spartans are ranked No. 2 in Class A.
-- HISTORY: Athens Academy won the last meeting, 21-10 in 2011. Commerce leads the series 11-9.

LAKEVIEW ACADEMY at ST. FRANCIS
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Alpharetta
-- LAKEVIEW (3-2, playing non-region schedule): Defeated Cross Keys 44-6 last week.
-- ST. FRANCIS (3-4, playing non-region schedule): Defeated Baconton Charter 22-21 last week.
-- HISTORY: This is the two teams’ first meeting.

NORTH COBB CHRISTIAN at TOWNS COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Frank McClure Stadium, Hiawassee
-- NORTH COBB (3-3, playing non-region schedule): Defeated Providence Christian 49-21 last week.
-- TOWNS (0-6, playing non-region schedule): Bye last week after losing to Copper Basin, Tenn., 52-34 on Oct. 5
-- HISTORY: Towns County won the last meeting, 33-6 in 2011. The Indians lead the series 2-0.


REGION 8-AA
OGLETHORPE COUNTY at JEFFERSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
-- OGLETHORPE (4-2, 2-1 Region 8-AA): Defeated Social Circle 49-21 last week.
-- JEFFERSON (5-1, 3-0 Region 8-AA): Defeated Rabun County 55-7 last week. The Dragons are ranked No. 8 in Class AA.
-- HISTORY: Jefferson won the last meeting, 48-13 in 2011. The Dragons lead the series 30-8, including 10 straight wins.

WASHINGTON-WILKES at RABUN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger
-- WASHINGTON-WILKES (6-1, 3-1 Region 8-AA): Defeated Greene County 48-0 last week.
-- RABUN (4-2, 2-1 Region 8-AA): Lost to Jefferson 55-7 last week.
-- HISTORY: Washington-Wilkes won the last meeting, 28-6 in 1993. The Tigers lead the series 1-3-1.

RIVERSIDE MILITARY at SOCIAL CIRCLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Redskin Stadium, Social Circle
-- RIVERSIDE (0-6, 0-4 Region 8-AA): Lost to Union County 41-13 last week.
-- SOCIAL CIRCLE (0-6, 0-3 Region 8-AA): Lost to Oglethorpe County 49-21 last week.
-- HISTORY: Riverside won the last meeting, 21-0 in 2011. Social Circle leads the series 7-5.

UNION COUNTY at GREENE COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Greensboro
-- UNION (5-1, 2-1 Region 8-AA): Defeated Riverside 41-13 last week.
-- GREENE (1-5, 1-2 Region 8-AA): Lost to Washington-Wilkes 48-0 last week.
-- HISTORY: This is the two teams’ first meeting.


REGION 7-AAA
WHITE COUNTY at NORTH HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: The Brickyard, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- WHITE (4-2, 2-1 Region 7-AAA): Lost to Buford 49-14 last week.
-- NORTH HALL (5-1, 3-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated Fannin County 63-0 last week.
-- HISTORY: North Hall won the last meeting, 28-14 in 2011. The series is tied 20-20, though the Trojans have won 17 of the last 18 meetings.

DAWSON COUNTY at BUFORD
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
-- DAWSON (4-2, 2-1 Region 7-AAA): Bye last week after defeating Banks County 45-9 on Oct. 5.
-- BUFORD (5-1, 3-0 Region 7-AAA): Defeated White County 49-14 last week. The Wolves are ranked No. 4 in Class AAA.
-- HISTORY: Buford won the last meeting, 37-14 in 2005. The Wolves lead the series 15-1-1.

WEST HALL at EAST HALL
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: East Hall Stadium, Rabbittown
-- WEST HALL (2-4, 1-2 Region 7-AAA): Bye last week after losing to Buford 61-0 on Oct. 5
-- EAST HALL (2-4, 0-3 Region 7-AAA): Bye last week after losing to North Hall 60-12 on Oct. 5.
-- HISTORY: East Hall won the last meeting, 47-14 in 2011. The Vikings lead the series 9-8.

BANKS COUNTY at FANNIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge
-- BANKS (1-5, 0-3 Region 7-AAA): Bye last week after losing to Dawson County 45-9 on Oct. 5.
-- FANNIN (1-5, 1-2 Region 7-AAA): Lost to North Hall 63-0 last week.
-- HISTORY: Banks County won the last meeting, 42-21 in 2011. Fannin County leads the series 4-2.


REGION 8-AAA
MORGAN COUNTY at EAST JACKSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Eagle Stadium, Commerce
-- MORGAN (4-2, 1-2 Region 8-AAA): Lost to Elbert County 29-22 last week.
-- EAST JACKSON (0-6, 0-3 Region 8-AAA): Bye last week after losing to Hart County 44-0 on Oct. 5.
-- HISTORY: This is the two teams’ first meeting.

JACKSON COUNTY at HART COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Pete Herndon Stadium, Hartwell
-- JACKSON (4-2, 2-1 Region 8-AAA): Bye last week after defeating Franklin County 32-29 on Oct. 5.
-- HART (3-3, 3-0 Region 8-AAA): Defeated Oconee County 58-19 last week.
-- HISTORY: Hart County won the last meeting, 22-13 in 2011. The Bulldogs lead the series 9-0.


REGION 8-AAAA
LANIER at CHESTATEE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: War Eagle Stadium, Gainesville
-- LANIER (3-3, 1-2 Region 8-AAAA): Lost to Eastside 20-14 last week.
-- CHESTATEE (5-1, 3-0 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Walnut Grove 51-0 last week.
-- HISTORY: This is the two teams’ first meeting.

DRUID HILLS at JOHNSON
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Oakwood
-- DRUID HILLS (2-4, 0-3 Region 2-AAAAAA): Lost to Newton 19-3 last week.
-- JOHNSON (4-3, playing non-region schedule): Defeated Clarkston 31-27 last week.
-- HISTORY: This is the two teams’ first meeting.

EASTSIDE at LUMPKIN COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
-- EASTSIDE (4-2, 2-1 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Lanier 20-14 last week.
-- LUMPKIN (2-4, 2-1 Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Madison County 34-20 last week.
-- HISTORY: This is the two teams’ first meeting.

STEPHENS COUNTY at MADISON COUNTY
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Red Raider Stadium, Danielsville
-- STEPHENS (4-2, 1-2 Region 8-AAAA): Lost to Monroe Area 21-17 last week.
-- MADISON (0-6, 0-3 Region 8-AAAA): Lost to Lumpkin County 34-20 last week.
-- HISTORY: Stephens County won the last meeting, 34-12 in 1999. The Indians lead the series 24-8, including 10 straight wins.


REGION 8-AAAAA
CLARKE CENTRAL at GAINESVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: City Park, Gainesville
-- RADIO: 1240 AM
-- CLARKE CENTRAL (3-3, 3-1 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost to Heritage, Conyers 23-20 last week.
-- GAINESVILLE (6-1, 5-0 Region 8-AAAAAA): Defeated Salem 49-6 last week. The Red Elephants are ranked No. 8 in Class AAAAA.
-- HISTORY: Gainesville won the last meeting, 28-0 -- in 1975. The Red Elephants lead the series 4-2.

HERITAGE, CONYERS at FLOWERY BRANCH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Falcon Field, Flowery Branch
-- RADIO: 550 AM
-- HERITAGE (6-1, 4-1 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Clarke Central 23-20 last week.
-- FLOWERY BRANCH (5-2, 5-0 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Winder-Barrow 54-14 last week.
-- HISTORY: Flowery Branch won the last meeting, 21-13 in 2011. The Falcons lead the series 2-0.

APALACHEE at CEDAR SHOALS
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Waters-Wilkins Stadium, Athens
-- APALACHEE (2-4, 1-3 Region 8-AAAAA): Defeated Loganville 35-28 last week.
-- CEDAR SHOALS (3-3, 1-3 Region 8-AAAAA): Bye last week after losing to Gainesville 42-23 on Oct. 5.
-- HISTORY: Apalachee won the last meeting, 28-13 in 2011. The Wildcats lead the series 3-1.

WINDER-BARROW at LOGANVILLE
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Red Devil Stadium, Loganville
-- WINDER (0-6, 0-4 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost to Flowery Branch 54-14 last week.
-- LOGANVILLE (1-5, 0-4 Region 8-AAAAA): Lost to Apalachee 35-28 last week.
-- HISTORY: Loganville won the last meeting, 42-7 in 2011. The Red Devils lead the series 9-1.


REGION 6-AAAAAA
WEST FORSYTH at NORTH FORSYTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Raider Valley, Coal Mountain
-- WEST FORSYTH (6-0, 3-0 Region 6-AAAAAA): Defeated Johns Creek 37-16 last week. The Wolverines are ranked No. 5 in Class AAAAAA.
-- NORTH FORSYTH (3-3, 0-3 Region 6-AAAAAA): Lost to Alpharetta 55-21 last week.
-- HISTORY: West Forsyth won the last meeting, 38-0 in 2011. The series is tied 2-2.


REGION 7-AAAAAA
HABERSHAM CENTRAL at NORTH GWINNETT
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Tom Robinson Memorial Stadium, Suwanee
-- HABERSHAM (1-6, 1-4 Region 7-AAAAAA): Defeated Mill Creek 47-28 last week. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 8 in Class AAAAAA.
-- NORTH GWINNETT (5-1, 3-1 Region 7-AAAAAA): Defeated Meadowcreek 31-12 last week.
-- HISTORY: North Gwinnett won the last meeting, 21-19 in 1999. The series is tied 2-2.

MILL CREEK at DULUTH
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Wildcat Stadium, Duluth
-- MILL CREEK (4-3, 3-2 Region 7-AAAAAA): Lost to North Gwinnett 47-28 last week.
-- DULUTH (2-4, 1-3 Region 7-AAAAAA): Bye last week after losing to North Gwinnett 42-28 on Oct. 5.
-- HISTORY: Mill Creek won the last meeting, 48-7 in 2011. The Hawks lead the series 6-0.