BUFORD AT WALNUT GROVE
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: Warrior Stadium
Records: Buford (6-1, 3-0 Region 8-AAAAA); Walnut Grove (3-4, 2-1 Region 8-AAAAA)
Who to Watch: Last week it was quarterback Mic Roof, who threw for 103 yards and added a rushing score in a 56-14 win against Cedar Shoals.
Game notes: Buford needs a win to secure its 18th straight postseason berth, while Walnut Grove in still in the picture for its first playoff berth in school history. The Wolves have gone over 40 points in each of their last four victories.
The Warriors are in the running for the postseason after lopsided region wins against Johnson and Flowery Branch.
CHESTATEE AT WHITE COUNTY
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: White County Stadium, Cleveland
Records: Chestatee (3-5, 0-2 Region 7-AAAA); White County (1-6, 0-1 Region 7-AAAA)
Who to Watch: Chestatee running back Nick Lyles is one of the state leaders is rushing, standing currently at 1,226 yards this season. He carried the ball for 150 yards in a loss to Blessed Trinity last week. Also big for the War Eagles, quarterback Storm Yarbrough has completed 50 percent of his throws for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2016.
Game notes: This game will quite possibly decide who gets left out of the postseason in the five-team Region 7-AAAA. Chestatee and White County both still have to play the likely region champion and 10th-ranked Marist (5-2, 1-0).
FLOWERY BRANCH AT CLARKE CENTRAL
When: 7:30 tonight
Where: Billy Henderson Stadium, Athens
Records: Flowery Branch (3-5, 2-2 Region 8-AAAAA); Clarke Central (4-4, 2-2)
Who to Watch: The Falcons have struggled offensively in a recent downward trend with a 41-7 loss to Walnut Grove and 42-0 defeat at the hands of Loganville. Flowery Branch quarterback Nick Lance, a junior, is at 909 passing yards for the year. His leading receivers are Jalin Strown (445 yards, 7 TDs) and Malik Drayton (338 yards).
Game notes: Flowery Branch and Clarke Central are currently in a three battle with Walnut Grove for the last two playoff spots in the region. Buford and Loganville look to be solid, for the time being, as the top two in the region playoff race.
GAINESVILLE VS. WINDER-BARROW
When: 7:30 tonight
Where: City Park Stadium, Gainesville
Records: Gainesville (3-4, 1-1 Region 8-AAAAAA); Winder-Barrow (4-3, 1-1)
Who to Watch: Red Elephants junior quarterback DJ Irons has established himself as their best offensive player, completing 60 percent of his throws this year for 1,444 yards. He’s thrown 11 touchdowns and only three picks. His leading receiver is Jim Barnett with 31 catches for 467 yards and five TDs. Gainesville’s defense is steered by Tyree Robinson with 105 stops.
Game notes: The Red Elephants are realistically going to need to win 2 of their last 3 to be a lock for the postseason. Winder-Barrow is coming off a competitive 34-21 loss Oct. 7 against region-leading Lanier.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL VS. DACULA
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: Raider Stadium, Mount Airy
Records: Habersham Central (4-3, 0-2 Region 8-AAAAAA); Dacula (3-4, 2-0)
Who to Watch: Habersham’s defense. A week ago, Gainesville’s defense held the Falcons to 273 total yards in a 25-20 Dacula win. The Raiders’ defense will need to be at its best against Dacula to hold their offense, led by quarterback Shayne Buckingham, at bay.
Game notes: With a loss, Habersham Central would drop to 0-3 in region play, making it tough for the Raiders to be able to get a spot in the playoffs. Tough, but not impossible. The Raiders and Falcons have played four times and split them evenly. Last week, Dacula was able to take advantage of a couple of turnovers and penalties from Gainesville to pull out a victory at City Park Stadium. Habersham Central is looking to turn things around after opening up 4-1 and losing the last two in region play.
JEFFERSON VS. ST. PIUS X
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: Memorial Stadium, Jefferson
Records: Jefferson (6-1, 2-0 Region 8-AAAA); St. Pius X (0-7, 0-2)
Who to Watch: Colby Wood has a good chance to break the 1,000-yard mark against the winless Golden Lions as he’s only 178 yards away.
Game notes: This region matchup will be the first meeting between the two schools. This contest could be a trap game for the Dragons as they’ll play Stephens County next week and Oconee County the following week. All three teams are tied atop the region standings and are all locks for playoff spots.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY AT HEBRON CHRISTIAN
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: Lions Stadium, Dacula
Records: Lakeview Academy (1-6, 1-5 Region 8-A); Hebron Christian (4-3, 3-3)
Who to Watch: Alec Bornhorst has been able to command the passing game when his team needs it most and nearly completed a comeback against Athens Christian on Sept. 30.
Game notes: Lakeview Academy is evenly split in eight games against the Lions. Lakeview Academy is looking for a strong finish in its final three games, which are all region matchups.
LUMPKIN COUNTY VS. FANNIN COUNTY
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: The Burial Grounds, Dahlonega
Records: Lumpkin County (3-4, 1-2 Region 7-AAA); Fannin County (2-5, 0-3 Region 7-AAA)
Who to Watch: Already averaging 137.1 yards per game behind Lumpkin’s sturdy offensive line, senior fullback Zach Matthews (165 carries, 960 yards, 8 touchdowns) is just 60 yards shy of 1,000 for the season, and has a good shot at breaking that mark this Friday night. The Indians as whole have rushed for 2,372 yards on a combined 405 carries. Junior Cole White is another to help carry the load beside Matthews with 498 yards and seven scores.
Game notes: Lumpkin County may need a little help with three games left, but the playoff hunt is still very much afoot. The Indians have split wins with the Rebels in the previous two meetings, though given Fannin’s 0-3 mark in region play, the Indians could notch their fourth win in the series by the end.
NORTH HALL VS. GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: The Brickyard, Gainesville
Records: North Hall (5-3, 2-2 Region 7-AAA); Greater Atlanta Christian (7-1, 4-0)
Who to Watch: Kyle Bacus continues to be the Trojans’ go-to running back with 1,183 yards and 14 touchdowns. He’s been consistent all season, going over 100 yards in 7 of 8 games this season. For Greater Atlanta Christian, Stanford commit Davis Mills has thrown for 1,016 yards and 16 TDs in only six games this season. Balanced on offense, Kyler McMichael has run for 888 yards and 14 TDs this season.
Game notes: Greater Atlanta Christian has won region games by 23, 42, 57 and 27 points. With a win tonight, the Spartans will likely face Dawson County (5-1, 3-0) for the 7-AAA title on Nov. 4 in Dawsonville. North Hall controls its own playoff destiny, but will probably need a win against either Greater Atlanta Christian or East Hall to make it certain.
RIVERSIDE MILITARY ACADEMY AT GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: Davenport Field, Milledgeville
Records: Riverside Military (1-6, 1-6 Region 8-A); Georgia Military (4-4)
Game notes: In the 29th installment of the “Military Bowl,” Riverside Military will be looking for its 16th victory in the series and its second this season. The two have tied three times. For Riverside Military, this is the only contest that on the schedule that isn’t a region game.