Chances are if you went to a football game last Friday night, you witnessed one of 14 blowouts among local contests. Only two games came down to the wire, with Union County holding on for a spectacular 35-32 win over North Hall in Blairsville. Week 9 promises to have more games like that.
Habersham Central looks to rebound from back-to-back losses to Gainesville and Lanier. The Raiders could really use their first region win right about now. Rabun and Elbert battle in top-10 matchup in Elberton, and Dawson looks to stay red-hot. Continue ready for the full Week 9 slate.
BLITZ Game of the Week
#9 Elbert County Blue Devils (6-1; 3-0 8-AA) vs #3 Rabun County Wildcats (6-0; 3-0 8-AA)
WHEN: 7:30 pm
WHERE: Elberton, GA (Granite Bowl, Elbert County High School)
HIGHLIGHTS: Check for highlights on BLITZ website (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter) for score updates and game highlights, also on High 5 Sports at 11 p.m. on Fox 5.
PREVIOUS HIGHLIGHTS:
Week 0: Habersham/East Hall | Week 1: Lumpkin/White
Week 2: Rabun/Stephens | Week 2: White/Habersham
Week 3: Rabun/White | Week 3: Habersham/Franklin
Week 4: Stephens/Habersham | Week 5: Jefferson/Gainesville
Week 6: North Hall/Dawson | Week 7: Habersham/Gainesville
Week 8: Union/North Hall
It’s only Week 9, but tonight’s much-anticipated top-10 matchup at the Granite Bowl proves to be a de-facto region title game. #4 Rabun County (6-0; 3-0) takes its undefeated record into Elberton, while #10 Elbert County (6-1; 3-0) proves to be the final big hurdle for the Wildcats. Lee Shaw’s Cats are searching for a third consecutive region title.
This matchup has never been seen before, as the two schools have never met in competition. Elbert County joined region 8-AA this season. The Blue Devils have had plenty of time to think about and prepare for this game, as they had a bye week following their October 7 win over Oglethorpe. The Wildcats rested many starters in a 65-7 home blowout over Social Circle. With Rabun scoring in flurries in the first and second quarters, it was able to put in younger players to get experience, while resting its starters, throughout much of the second half.
The Rabun County Wildcats have been hitting on all cylinders in 2016. While the offense has scored 296 points [45.8 per game] (including 21 in a lightning-shortened unofficial game in Week 1), the defense has been ever-so-stingy, allowing only 37 pts [6.2 per game]. The defense has been incredible in the last three games, allowing a meager 10 points within region play, while the offense has outscored opponents 168-10.
Junior QB Bailey Fisher leads the offense with 1,326 pass yards and 14 TD, adding 313 yards and 9 touchdowns rushing. Senior Cal Drummond (779 rush yds, 9 TD) and receivers: junior Cole Keener (275 yds, 2 TD), freshman Braxton Hicks (268 yds, 6 TD), sophomore Austin Jones (277 yds, 2 TD) and senior Kolby Blalock (134 yds, 2 TD) share the wealth on the offensive side of the ball. The defense has been led by senior Sam Butikofer, who is in the midst of a career year with 39 tackles (4.5 for loss), two sacks, and interception and two recovered fumbles.
The Blue Devils have been led offensively by the run game, anchored by junior Jasquiz Rucker (928 yds, 7 TD) and senior La’Kel Hood (758 yds, 8 TD). Junior Tay Huff has been a key contributor as well, hauling in 200 receiving yards to go with 371 rushing yards and four TDs on the ground.
Highlights of the Elbert/Rabun game will be provided by BLITZ, and shared with HIGH 5 SPORTS at 11 p.m. on Fox 5.
Feature Photo by Jim Haynes
Friday Night Full Slate (Week 9)
#3 Rabun @ #9 Elbert
Habersham Central vs Dacula
#10 Stephens vs Oconee
White vs Chestatee
#9 Dawson @ East Hall
Lumpkin vs Fannin
Banks vs Social Circle
#10 Commerce vs Towns
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Gainesville vs Winder-Barrow
Flowery Branch @ Clarke Central
#1 Buford @ Walnut Grove
#5 Jefferson vs St. Pius X
North Hall vs #1 GAC
BYE WEEK
Union
Johnson
West Hall
