Gainesville vs. Cedar Shoals

Records: Gainesville (4-3, 4-2 Region 8-AAAAA); Cedar Shoals (1-6, 1-5)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: City Park Stadium

Last year: Gainesville won 61-26

Game notes: After being stunned by Clarke Central last week in Athens, the Red Elephants can’t afford another loss if they hope to open the playoffs at home. ... After back-to-back region losses Gainesville sits in third place ahead of Winder-Barrow thanks to head-to-head advantage. ... The last time Gainesville dropped back to back region contests was at the end of the 2012 regular season, before going on to claim the Class AAAAA state championship. ... Last week’s loss for the Red Elephants was a direct result of five turnovers. ... Gainesville’s offense this season is paced by senior quarterback Messiah Dorsey, who has passed for 851 yards and rushed for 528 yards. ... After facing Cedar Shoals, Gainesville will get its crack at Loganville (7-1, 6-1), who currently sits alone at No. 2 in the region behind Lanier. ... Gainesville has opened the postseason at home each of the past seven seasons. ... Cedar Shoals is coached by Scott Wilkins, who has 107 wins with the Jags. ... Wilkins coached at Cedar Shoals from 1994-2007, before returning in 2014. ... Gainesville has defeated Cedar Shoals in each of the past three seasons.

Lakeview Academy vs. Athens Christian

Records: Lakeview Academy (2-5, 1-4 Region 8-A); Athens Christian (4-4, 3-3)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Jock Hornor Field, Gainesville

Last year: Athens Christian won 40-0

Game notes: At 2-5, the Lions are likely out of the race for playoff selection for the top 16 private school programs in Class A. ... Athens Christian is very much alive for a postseason spot, following consecutive wins against Providence Christian, Towns County and George Walton Academy.

Riverside Military at Greene County

Records: Riverside Military (1-6, 0-3 Region 8-AA); Greene County (3-4, 1-2)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Tigers Stadium, Greensboro

Last year: Greene County won 24-7

Game notes: The Eagles have started to close the gap on the competition, losing just 21-16 against Oglethorpe County last Friday at Maginnis Field. ... The week before, Riverside Military competed in a 14-3 loss against a talented Washington-Wilkes. ... Greene County currently owns the fourth-place spot in 8-AA, despite back-to-back region losses. ... The Tigers are under the leadership of fourth-year coach Robert Edwards, who made his name playing as a great University of Georgia running back and was picked by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft.

East Hall at Franklin County

Records: East Hall (3-4, 2-1 Region 7-AAA); Franklin County (4-3, 3-1)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Ed Bryant Stadium, Carnesville

Last year: East Hall won 34-7

Game notes: Even with a less than flashy record, the Vikings are still right in the thick of a five-team race for four playoff spots in 7-AAA. ... The Vikings are led by versatile sophomore signal caller Austin Parker, who has thrown for 1,392 yards and 13 scores. ... His main target is junior slot receiver Markese Jackson, who has 794 receiving yards and has run for 269. ... The Vikings probably have the toughest remaining schedule of a 7-AAA contenders, having to face Franklin County, Fannin County and Banks County, who are all still in the playoff race. ... The Lions are coming off a big 21-14 win against West Hall in Oakwood. ... After tonight’s game, Franklin County’s only remaining region game is against Fannin County on Nov. 6 in Blue Ridge.

North Hall at Monroe Area

Records: North Hall (3-4, 2-2 Region 8-AAAAA); Monroe Area (2-5, 1-3)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: The Purple Pit, Monroe

Last year: Monroe Area won 38-35

West Hall at Fannin County

Records: West Hall (2-5, 0-3 Region 7-AAA); Fannin County (4-3, 2-1)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Rebels Stadium, Blue Ridge

Last year: West Hall won 49-0

Game notes: Though very slim hopes, the Spartans are still mathematically alive to make the postseason in 2015. ... In order to stay in the race, West Hall will have to run the table against Fannin County, Banks County and Lumpkin County. ... After a region title in 2014, West Hall’s season started out promising with back-to-back non-region victories. ... The Spartans have put up just 21 points through three region contests. ... The Rebels currently sit in the fourth spot in 7-AAA. ... Fannin County has had strong quarterback play from junior Brad Davis, who has completed 135 of 199 throws for 1,759 yards and 14 touchdowns. ... Davis threw for 446 yards and four touchdowns in a win against Lumpkin County on Oct. 9. ... Fannin County’s top receiver is Cooper Earls, who has 56 catches for 749 yards. ... Tyler Collis and Jack Roper are both over 400 yards rushing for the Rebels. ... Fannin County is trying to bring second-year coach Jim Pavao his first trip to the postseason. ... Pavao served as defensive coordinator at Gainesville High before arriving in Blue Ridge.

Chestatee vs. White County

Records: Chestatee (0-7, 0-4 Region 8-AAAA); White County (1-6, 1-3)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: War Eagles Stadium, Gainesville

Last year: White County won 50-28

Game notes: Despite its record, the Warriors have been competitive in most games this season. ... White County has a 1-point loss against Stephens County (4-0 in region play) on Oct. 9, and lost on a last-minute field goal 16-14 against Pace Academy on Sept. 9. ... The Warriors lost by only 7 to a solid Pickens program to open the season on Aug. 28. ... White County would have to win its final three, then hope for upsets against the top-tier programs to crack the playoffs. ... Chestatee is already eliminated from playoff contention. The War Eagles have dropped 16 of their last 17 games dating back to the start of 2014.

Buford vs. North Oconee

Records: Buford 6-1 (4-0 Region 8-AAAA); North Oconee 4-3 (3-1)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford

Last year: Buford won 58-3

Game notes: With a win tonight, Buford will cement a spot in the state playoffs for the 17th year in a row. ... The Wolves pounded the Titans last year, en route to a third straight state championship. ... Since a loss to McEachern on Sept. 4 broke Buford’s 42-game winning streak, the Wolves have won four straight games, including three shutouts in league play. ... North Oconee is on a two-game win streak heading into tonight with dominant wins over Monroe Area and White County. ... The Titans finished in second place in 8-AAAA last year, and have yet to tackle Stephens County (6-1, 4-0), who is their main challenger for the No. 2 spot to the postseason. ... Buford is averaging 46.1 points per game, while allowing just 8.6. The Wolves have allowed opponents just 47 rushing yards all season. ... Buford boasts a strong running back corps, including Christian Turner (36 carries for 303 yards), Martin Mangram (42 carries for 295 yards) and Anthony Grant (49 carries for 367 yards). ... Wolves quarterback Mic Roof has a 70 percent completion rate so far, with seven passing touchdowns. ... Jacob Martin currently leads Buford with 26 tackles, including four tackles for loss. ... Defensive tackle Shug Frazier has three sacks on the season.

Banks County at Dawson County

Records: Banks County (5-2, 2-1 Region 7-AAA); Dawson County (4-3, 3-1)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Tigers Stadium, Dawsonville

Last year: Banks County won 27-21

Game notes: With only one loss for both in league play, the Leopards and Tigers are primed for a run toward the postseason down the home stretch of the regular season. ... Dawson County, Banks County, East Hall, Franklin County and Fannin County are the five one-loss squads battling for four playoff spots. ... East Hall and Franklin County will face one another tonight in Carnesville. ... West Hall (0-3 in region) is a longshot to get back in the race, while Lumpkin County (0-4) is already out of postseason contention. ... For Banks County, Trevae Cain (838 yards, 15 touchdowns) leads an offense that is skewed toward running the ball more. ... However, Leopards junior quarterback Griffin Godwin is solid with 58 pass completions for 1,038 yards. ... Equally as important, Godwin makes good decisions with the ball, throwing nine touchdowns with no interceptions. ... Zez Steeple is the Leopards’ leading receiver with 24 catches for 529 yards (22 yards per reception). ... For Dawson County, sophomore quarterback Coey Watson has been strong, throwing for 1,055 yards and eight touchdowns. ... Hunter Mitchell is the Tigers’ main weapon throwing the ball with 91 carries for 553 yards (6 yards per attempt). ... Banks County still has its meeting with East Hall remaining.

Jackson County vs. East Jackson

Records: Jackson County (3-5, 0-4 Region 8-AAA); East Jackson (1-7, 0-4)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Panthers Stadium, Jefferson

Last year: Jackson County won 35-15

Game notes: Despite a strong start to the season, a rocky run in region play ended the Panthers’ chances of making the postseason in 2015. ... Jackson County has already played the top four region programs. ... The Eagles are also out of the playoff hunt. ... East Jackson has scored a lone touchdown in region play.

Habersham Central vs. Johns Creek

Records: Habersham Central (0-7, 0-6 Region 6-AAAAAA); Johns Creek (4-3, 4-2)

When: 7:30 Friday

Where: Raider Stadium, Mount Airy

Last year: Johns Creek won 42-14

Game notes: Despite being out of playoff contention, the Raiders have had players with solid offensive production. ... Junior Michael Babers has rushed for 813 yards and 10 scores for Habersham Central. ... Raiders’ QB Cole Wilbanks has completed more than half of his throws for 797 yards and seven touchdowns. ... Habersham Central will have more chances to win a game this season. ... The Raiders final two regular season games are against North Forsyth (1-5 in region) and Chattahoochee. ... Johns Creek is still well within the playoff race, ... The fifth-place Gladiators have an identical record to Centennial, who are No. 4 right now, with head-to-head advantage.

Read about The Times' Game of the Week, North Hall at Monroe Area, here

Friday's games

East Hall at Franklin County

Lakeview Academy vs. Athens Christian

North Hall at Monroe Area

Riverside Military at Greene County

West Hall at Fannin County

Buford vs. North Oconee

Chestatee vs. White County

Gainesville vs. Cedar Shoals

Habersham Central vs. Johns Creek

Banks County at Dawson County

Jackson County vs. East Jackson