With the first one out of the way, Friday night lights are back for the second installment of the 2023 season. Here are where local squads will be strapping on chin straps this week:
HABERSHAM CENTRAL AT WHITE COUNTY
Both teams are looking for their first win of the season after falling in rivalry matchups. The Raiders (0-1) dropped their opener at home against Stephens County in dramatic fashion in a game they led all but five seconds of.
White County (0-1) went on the road to North Hall and never saw the lead in a 49-34 contest.
Habersham Central successfully produced 384 yards of total offense with 192 yards and two scores through the air and 168 yards and 1 touchdown on the ground in the opening-game loss. Running back Hayes Gunn carried a bulk of the load with 79 rushing yards with quarterback Carson Parker running for 68 yards of his own.
Warriors’ quarterback Tripp Nix was the catalyst for the offense in their loss. The junior finished the contest with 283 total yards (186 passing, 97 rushing) and four scores (1 passing, 3 rushing).
STEPHENS COUNTY VS RABUN COUNTY
Coming off their comeback win over Habersham Central on the road, the Indians (1-0) will host the Wildcats (1-0), who won their opener 45-21.
Rabun County topped Stephens County a year ago, 14-7. That loss was one of only two losses for the Indians in regular-season play.
The Indians used a balanced offense with 26 passing and 29 rushing plays in their win over Habersham Central.
The Wildcats also balanced their attack with 20 attempts through the air and 15 on the ground. They used that to put two into the end zone on the ground and four through the air.
BANKS COUNTY AT OGLETHORPE COUNTY
The Leopards (1-0) opened their account with a 53-13 win over Johnson (Gainesville) in Week 1. Banks County forced four turnovers, including three interceptions last week.
Oglethorpe County (0-1) lost a 14-7 contest on the road at East Jackson. The Patriots’ seven points came off a 52-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.
FRANKLIN COUNTY VS PICKENS (SC)
The Lions (0-1) dropped a tough game to Madison County in Danielsville last week. This week, they’ll host the Blue Flames out of Pickens, South Carolina.
Both schools will be looking for their first win of the season Friday night at Ed Bryant Stadium in Carnesville. Franklin County will be looking for some payback after Pickens came out on top in a 42-17 affair last season.
ELBERT COUNTY VS MADISON COUNTY
The Blue Devils (1-0) opened their 2023 campaign with a 24-14 win over Hart County on the road last week and will be looking to keep the momentum rolling as Madison County comes to The Granite Bowl Friday night.
The Red Raiders (1-0) knocked off Franklin County in their opener at home a week ago and will be in search of revenge after falling to Elbert County last year.
Elbert County leaned heavily on its ground game in Week 1, rushing the ball 50 times for 205 yards. Jacari Barnett got the bulk of those carries with 30 for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
This will be the 38th meeting between the two schools with the Blue Devils holding a decisive 28-8-1 record against Madison County.
WEST HALL VS JOHNSON (GAINESVILLE)
After falling to cross-county rival East Hall, 35-28, to open the season, the Spartans (0-1) will aim to right the ship against Johnson (0-1) at home.
The Knights are looking for their first win since 2019, while West Hall is looking to add to the win column for the first time since this same matchup a season ago.
West Hall was run-heavy against East Hall in its opener. The Spartans scored three times on the ground in 30 attempts. They only put the ball in the air eight times.
Junior running back Elijah Hayes carried the ball 13 times for 180 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore quarterback Brett Strum rushed for 42 yards and a score on eight carries.
Friday’s clash will be the 30th between these two teams with the Spartans holding a 20-8-1 lead.
GAINESVILLE AT MOUNTAIN VIEW
The Red Elephants (1-0) started Year 2 under Josh Niblett with a 34-26 win over Marist last week and now they head to Lawrenceville to see if they can extend their regular season win streak to 12 games dating back to last season with a win over Mountain View.
Gainesville was perfectly balanced in its play calling a week ago with 28 passing attempts and 28 rushes.
Senior quarterback Baxter Wright connected on 19 passes for 231 yards, two scores and one interception. Senior running back Gavin Hall carried the load with 203 yards on 19 rush attempts for two touchdowns.
The Bears are also coming off an opening win, decimating Shiloh 58-7 on the road. They’ll be looking to reverse last season’s 30-7 loss to Gainesville, the only meeting between the two in Mountain View’s 14 seasons as a program.
FLOWERY BRANCH AT ST. PIUS X
Falcons (1-0) coach Jason Tester has had his squad ready to play early, winning both of the opening games in his first and second seasons in Flowery Branch. Both of those wins came against Decatur, including a 38-7 meeting last Friday.
This week, Flowery Branch will head down I-85 with hopes of repeating more history from a season ago when it topped St. Pius X, 9-0, in Week 2.
Last week, the Falcons followed senior running back Malik Dryden, who ran for 144 yards and a score. Senior quarterback Josh Oliver threw for 134 and a touchdown, but it was his two touchdowns on the ground that helped seal the win for Flowery Branch.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY VS ATHENS CHRISTIAN
The Lions (0-1) are coming off a close 20-13 loss to King’s Ridge Christian a week ago and will now look to open their home slate against the visiting Eagles.
Athens Christian has yet to play a game this season, but won last season’s contest against the Lions 42-8. The Eagles hold an 8-0 record against Lakeview Academy all-time.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY AT WALKER
The Eagles have yet to play a down of football this season after last week’s contest against Lumpkin County was canceled.
Walker is coming off a 43-0 win over Cross Keys.
LUMPKIN COUNTY VS UNION COUNTY
The Panthers (1-0) will make the 50 minute drive down the winding roads of Highway 19 as the Indians welcome them to the Burial Grounds for the latest showdown in the Battle of Blood Mountain rivalry.
While Lumpkin County hasn’t snapped the ball yet, Union County is coming off a 50-12 win over Fannin County in Blue Ridge a week ago.
The Panthers put a score on the board through the air with quarterback Caiden Tanner linking up with Jensen Goble on the senior-to-senior connection. But it’s the ground game that absolutely bolstered the offense for Union County with 326 of the team’s 493 yards coming from the rushing attack.
Union County’s defense also came up big, limiting Fannin County to 276 yards of total offensive production.
Lumpkin County won last year’s matchup 28-6, but it was the first time in five meetings the Indians had won in the Battle of Blood Mountain.
With Friday’s contest in Dahlonega being the 42nd in the rivalry, Union County holds a 24-16-1 edge in the all-time record.
