Gainesville at Salem

Records: Gainesville (3-1, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAA), Salem (4-1, 3-1)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Evans Stadium/Reid Stadium, Conyers

Last year: Gainesville won 29-6

Game notes: Typically well-known for an explosive offense, the Red Elephants defense has pitched a shutout in the last two games, which were both region victories. ... Gainesville has allowed just 26 points in region play, all coming in a win against Winder-Barrow on Sept. 11. ... Salem also got off to a 4-1 start at the midway point of last season, but finished 6-5 in 2014. ... The Seminoles had a fourth-quarter lead, before falling 35-34 in OT against Winder-Barrow on Sept. 25. ... For the Red Elephants, senior Messiah Dorsey has taken on the role of quarterback admirably this season, passing for 565 yards and seven touchdowns, while rushing for 257 yards. ... Chris Byrd, a senior, is tops in the Gainesville running game with 307 yards and three touchdowns. Byrd is also a leader on defense at linebacker with a team-high 26 tackles (three for a loss). ... Red Elephants defensive back Chris Lyles stepped up big with four interceptions in the second half last week against Heritage. ...Salem came out on the losing end last week, despite a long touchdown run by Cairo Allah and two touchdown throws by quarterback Gerald Walker. ... Salem’s defense has allowed seven points or less in four of five outings in 2015.

East Hall vs. Dawson County

Records: East Hall (1-3, 1-0 Region 7-AAA), Dawson County (2-2, 1-0)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: East Hall Stadium, Gainesville

Last year: East Hall won 36-29

Game notes: The Vikings were able to shake off a slow start to the season, topping Lumpkin County 48-14 in the 7-AAA opener Sept. 25. ... East Hall is paced on offense by sophomore quarterback Austin Parker (785 passing yards, eight touchdowns) and wide receiver Markese Jackson (518 yards, six touchdowns). ... The Tigers were equally successful last week, knocking off defending region champion West Hall 17-0. ... Since first meeting in 2000, Dawson County has won 7 of 9 meetings against East Hall.

Flowery Branch at Winder-Barrow

Records: Flowery Branch (3-2, 2-2 Region 8-AAAAA), Winder-Barrow (2-3, 2-2)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: W. Clair Harris Stadium, Winder

Last year: Winder-Barrow won 24-7

Game notes: Both the Falcons and Bulldoggs are in the middle of the region standings, with the postseason still a very real possibility for both. ... Flowery Branch has been anchored by its strong defense, which has held the opposition to 14 points or less in four of five games this season. ... According to the Barrow County News, Bulldoggs senior running back CeCe Green, who has rushed for 678 yards (9 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns, will not play tonight, following an injury in last week’s game against Salem. ... Playing without Green is a big blow to Winder-Barrow’s offense, as he’s accounted for 76 percent of the Bulldoggs’ 888 rushing yards. ... Green’s biggest night of the season was his 345-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 40-26 loss against Gainesville last month. ... Winder-Barrow is a program on the rise, making a playoff appearance in 2014, after 10 years without a trip to the postseason.

Jefferson at Elbert County

Records: Jefferson (5-0, 1-0 Region 8-AAA), Elbert County (5-0, 1-0)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: The Granite Bowl, Elberton

Last year: Jefferson won 52-6

Game notes: Likely the most anticipated matchup in Northeast Georgia, and one of the state’s most compelling games tonight, the third-ranked Dragons visit the fourth-ranked Blue Devils at the Granite Bowl in Elberton. ... Most notable about the matchup of 5-0 programs is the star power among their offensive weapons. ... Jefferson is led by sophomore Colby Wood, who has rushed for 961 yards and 14 rushing scores. ... Elbert County is anchored by senior quarterback Mecole Hardman, who is ranked the No. 1 college prospect as an athlete in the country by the 247 Sports Composite Rankings. ... Hardman, who has scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Florida, just to name a few, has rushed for 791 yards on 98 carries (13 touchdowns) and thrown for 304 yards and three more scores. ... Elbert County has been much improved under sixth-year coach Sid Fritts, missing out on the postseason just once (2012) during his time in Elberton. ... Meanwhile, the Dragons have been stellar on defense this season, allowing only more than 10 points once (vs. Winder-Barrow) this season. ... This is the fourth meeting between Jefferson and Elbert County since 2010. ... The Blue Devils have a 4-2-1 edge against the Dragons all-time.

Buford vs. Chestatee

Records: Buford (3-1, 1-0 Region 8-AAAA), Chestatee (0-4, 0-1)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford

Last year: Buford won 54-7

Game notes: The Wolves, winners of three straight state championships, are quietly putting the pieces in place for what looks like another team capable of a deep postseason run. ... Buford last played on Sept. 18, beating White County in the region opener 49-3 in Cleveland. ... For the third-ranked Wolves, quarterback Mic Roof completed 14 of 19 throws for 188 yards and a touchdown against the Warriors. ... The running game, which is the foundation of Buford’s offense, had rushing scores from five different backs at White County. ... Meanwhile, the War Eagles have lost all four outings by at least 21 points this season. ... Chestatee dropped its region opener 37-15 at North Oconee on Sept. 25. ... Buford and Chestatee have a schedule with only Region 8-AAAA opponents for both the remainder of the regular season.

North Hall at North Oconee

Records: North Hall (1-3, 0-1 Region 8-AAAA), North Oconee (2-2, 1-0)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Titans Stadium, Bogart

Last year: North Oconee won 42-6

Game notes: North Hall lost their Region 8-AAAA opener 14-13 to Stephens County last week. ... The Trojans outgained Stephens County 352-117 in total offense in the loss. ... North Hall senior Sam Jackson caught an 80-yard touchdown pass, and senior running back Colby Miller broke off a 30-yard run to highlight North Hall’s night. ... North Oconee topped Chestatee 37-15 last week in their Region 8-AAAA opener. ... This is only the second meeting between these two schools.

Lakeview Academy at Hebron Christian

Records: Lakeview (2-2, 1-1 Region 8-A), Hebron Christian (3-2, 1-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Dacula

Last year: Lakeview won 29-27

Game notes: Lakeview defeated Providence Christian 8-7 last week on Avonte’ Gober’s touchdown and two-point conversion with 55 seconds left. ... Hebron Christian lost to Prince Avenue Christian 45-0 last week. ... Hebron Christian senior running back Steve Dubose has averaged 6.8 yards per carry and racked up 495 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the season. ... A win tonight will equal Lakeview Academy’s win total from last season. ... Lakeview is 4-3 all-time against Hebron Christian.

Riverside Military vs. Strong Rock Christian

Records: Riverside Military (0-4, 0-1 Region 8-AA), Strong Rock Christian (1-3)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Maginnis Field, Gainesville

Last year: Strong Rock Christian won 10-7

Game notes: Riverside Military scored their first touchdown last week in a 31-7 loss to Johnson. ... The Eagles have scored 10 points this season, and are averaging 140.5 yards of offense per game. ... Riverside Military senior running back Kaseem Dukes leads the team with 28 carries for 92 yards.

Banks County vs. Fannin County

Records: Banks County (3-2, 0-1 Region 7-AAA), Fannin County (2-2)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Leopard Stadium, Homer

Last year: Fannin County won 30-23

Game notes: Banks County will be tasked with slowing Fannin County quarterback Brad Davis, a junior, who has completed 80 passes for 873 yards and six scores this season. ... The Rebels have seen a steady improvement under second-year coach Jim Pavao, formerly the defensive coordinator at Gainesville High. ... The Leopards have found some offensive balance between quarterback Griffin Godwin (790 passing yards, 7 TDs) and running back Trevae Cain (413 rushing yards, 7 TDs). ... Tonight’s game is the region opener for the Rebels, which lost their last game 37-31 to Union County on Sept. 18. ... Banks County opened region play with a 14-7 loss against Franklin County on Sept. 25 in Carnesville.

Jackson County vs. Oconee County

Records: Jackson County (3-2, 0-1 Region 8-AAA), Oconee County (4-1, 1-0)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Panther Stadium, Jefferson

Last year: Oconee County won 42-21

Game notes: The Panthers have started strong under first-year coach Brandon Worley, losing only to region frontrunner Jefferson, 24-7, on Sept. 25. ... This is the toughest stretch of the schedule for the Panthers, facing teams the next two weeks (Oconee County and Elbert County) with a combined 9-1 mark. ... Oconee County started region play strong last week, beating East Jackson 49-0. ... Led on defense by University of Georgia commit Jaleel Laguins, the Warriors have allowed double-digit points just once through five games (20-14 loss vs. Putnam County on Sept. 11). ... Christian Casey, a 5-foot-7, 150-pound junior, handles most of the carries (51 runs, 310 yards) for Oconee County.

Lumpkin County at Franklin County

Records: Lumpkin County (2-3, 0-1 Region 7-AAA), Franklin County (2-2, 1-0)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Ed Bryant Stadium, Carnesville

Last year: Lumpkin County won 27-21

Game notes: Lumpkin County has developed a solid running game this season, despite its 48-14 loss against East Hall in the 7-AAA opener Sept. 25 in Dahlonega. ... Junior Zach Matthews has seen the bulk of the touches for the Indians, carrying the ball 91 times for 698 yards and nine touchdowns. ... Matthews’ season-high rushing has been 259 yards against Our Lady of Mercy on Sept. 18, but was held to just 46 yards last week against the Vikings. ... Complementing Matthews in the run game, Lumpkin County also has received a strong effort this season by sophomore Cole White with 470 yards and a pair of touchdowns to the midway point of the regular season. ... Franklin County won its region opener 14-7 against Banks County on Sept. 25.

White County at Madison County

Records: White County (0-4, 0-1 Region 8-AAAA), Madison County (0-4, 0-1)

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Red Raider Stadium, Danielsville

Last year: White County won 34-27

Game notes: Both the Warriors and Red Devils have yet to find traction on offense. ... White County has scored 23 points this season, 3 points on Sept. 18 in a loss against Buford to open Region 8-AAAA play. ... Following the region opener, the Warriors had a bye week to prepare for tonight’s game. ... Madison County has been a little more productive on offense, putting 65 points up in the last three games, following a shutout loss at Johnson to open the season Aug. 21. ... Madison County has 455 yards of offense this season, 297 of those running the ball.