Prep football: 7A-AAA to take shape this weekend

Never count out a proven winner.

Anyone thinking North Hall football was about to take a step back last week hasn't been paying attention over the past five years.

Yes the Trojans had struggled in back-to-back games against then-No. 1s Gainesville and Buford (which has since slipped from the top spot), but North Hall wasn't about to let those losses turn into something more sinister. And the Trojans showed it last Friday, pounding Creekview 45-21 in Canton, while racking up more than 500 yards of offense.

This week, North Hall (2-2, 1-1 Region 7A-AAA) faces another crucial sub-region showdown, taking on White County (3-1, 0-0) at home -- a game that can be heard live on Majic 102.9 FM.

The Warriors have had a week off to prep for the Trojans after an impressive start to the season, and you can bet White County will be wary of turnovers.

North Hall took advantage of three first half takeaways from the Grizzlies last week to build a 38-7 halftime lead.

While the Warriors and Trojans will battle for a share of the lead in 7A-AAA, Chestatee and Lumpkin County will also shape 7A-AAA in a contest featured on WDUN AM-550 Friday.

The War Eagles (2-2, 1-0) picked up only their second-ever win over Pickens (0-1, 1-3) last week, pounding the Dragons 33-0 in Gainesville. And Chestatee knows it can stay amongst the front-runners if it can defeat the Indians in Dahlonega.

Lumpkin County (2-2, 0-1) will be looking for redemption this week after letting a lead slip against Gilmer in Ellijay, 12-10. The Bobcats are one of the surprises around northeast Georgia this season, opening 3-1 -- Gilmer hasn't won three games in since 2003 and can eclipse that mark with a win over rival Pickens this Friday.

In the south half of 7-AAA, Gainesville looks like it's starting to roll, putting together back-to-back blowout wins (55-12 over North Hall and 56-13 over West Hall). The No. 1 ranked Red Elephants (5-0, 1-0 Region 7B-AAA) will look to keep that up this weekend against West Forsyth (3-2, 1-0) at City Park in a game played live on 1240 AM ESPN Radio.

The Wolverines have been inconsistent at times this season, but Gainesville coach Bruce Miller is wary of West Forsyth's size at the line of scrimmage and expects the Wolverines to try and play ball-control in an attempt to keep the Red Elephants' explosive offense on the sideline.

In Region 8-AA, East Jackson will put its 5-0 start on the line at Banks County (2-2, 2-3 Region 8-AA). The Leopards defense will certainly be keeping an eye on Eagles standout C.J. Allen, who scored four touchdowns in last week's 48-20 win over Riverside (two rushing, one receiving and one kick-off return).

Meanwhile, Riverside (2-3, 2-2), will look to bounce back against another 5-0 team this Friday at home to third-ranked Jefferson.

In Region 8-AAAA, Habersham Central (3-2, 3-2 Region 8-AAAA) picked up a second straight heart-stopping win last weekend, pushing past Winder-Barrow 42-35. The Raiders face a surging Madison County (4-1, 4-1) this Friday at home.

Meanwhile, eighth-ranked Apalachee showed it could handle its first-ever appearance in the prep polls, edging Rockdale County 20-14. The Wildcats (4-0, 4-0) remain the only undefeated team in 8-AAAA.


-- Oct. 2 high school football games:

White County at North Hall – Radio: Majic 102.9 FM

West Forsyth at Gainesville – Radio: 1240 AM ESPN Radio

Chestatee at Lumpkin County – Radio: WDUN AM-550

West Hall at Flowery Branch

Creekview at Johnson

Gilmer at Pickens

Jefferson at Riverside

East Jackson at Banks County

Fannin County at Union County

Oglethorpe County at Dawson County

North Oconee at Rabun County

Buford at Avondale

Athens Academy at Commerce

Madison County at Habersham Central

Winder-Barrow at Apalachee

Towns County at Hebron Christian

Hart County at Jackson County