GAME OF THE WEEK: Dawson County vs. Greater Atlanta Christian
When: 7:30 p.m., tonight
Where: Tiger Stadium, Dawsonville
Records: (7-1, 5-0 Region 7-AAA); Greater Atlanta Christian (8-1, 5-0)
Buford vs. Flowery Branch
When: 7:30 p.m., tonight
Where: Tom Riden Stadium, Buford
Records: (8-1, 5-0 Region 8-AAAAA); Flowery Branch (3-6, 2-3)
Game notes: Buford has already locked up the top spot in the playoffs for Region 8-AAAAA. A win tonight would mark the fourth-straight season of being unbeaten in region play for the Wolves. Flowery Branch still has an outside shot at making the playoffs. The first step would be getting a win tonight. The Falcons also need Cedar Shoals to beat Walnut Grove.
Who to watch: Buford’s Anthony Grant has carried the ball 121 times for 962 yards for 15 scores this season. Flowery Branch quarterback Nick Lance has completed nearly 58 percent of his pass attempts for 1,042 yards and six touchdowns this season.
East Hall vs. Fannin County
When: 7:30 p.m., tonight
Where: East Hall Stadium, Gainesville
Records: (2-7, 0-5 Region 7-AAA); Fannin County (2-7, 0-5)
Game notes: Both East Hall and Fannin County are fighting to stay out of last place in the region standings as they end their seasons in Gainesville tonight. A win would be the first in region play for either team this season.
Who to watch: Vikings quarterback Austin Parker has thrown for 2,368 yards and 23 touchdowns this season, including five scores against North Hall last week.
Gainesville at Lanier
When: 7:30 p.m., tonight
Where: Longhorn Stadium, Sugar Hill
Records: Gainesville (5-4, 3-1 Region 8-AAAAAA); Lanier (6-3, 3-1)
Game notes: With a win tonight, Gainesville can move into second place in the region standings, but they can finish no worse than third with a loss. Whichever team wins the game will host the first round of the state playoffs.
Who to watch: Junior wide receiver Jim Barnett will be starting under center this week for the Red Elephants after starting quarterback DJ Irons was ejected from last week’s game in Winder against Apalachee. Barnett finished the game at QB for Gainesville a week ago, but will be making his first start tonight.
Habersham Central vs. Apalachee
When: 7:30 p.m., tonight
Where: Raider Stadium, Mt. Airy
Records: Habersham Central (4-5, 0-4 Region 8-AAAAAA); Apalachee (2-6-1, 0-4)
Game notes: Both teams are fighting to stay out of last place as the season concludes tonight for both.
Who to watch: Habersham Central quarterback Cole Wilbanks has completed 138 of his 254 pass attempts this season for 1,621 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Jefferson at Oconee County
When: 7:30 p.m., tonight
Where: Warrior Stadium, Watkinsville
Records: Jefferson (8-1, 4-0 Region 8-AAAA); Oconee County (7-2, 3-1)
Game notes: Jefferson wrapped up the top spot in the region last week with a win over Stephens County at Memorial Stadium. Oconee County will be the No. 2 in the region with a win tonight and if Stephens County falls to North Oconee. A Stephens County win puts Oconee County in third.
Who to watch: Jefferson running back Colby Wood should break the 1,000-yard rushing mark tonight as he currently sits at 962 with 13 touchdowns.
Johnson vs. Loganville
When: 7:30 p.m., tonight
Where: Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium, Gainesville
Records: Johnson (0-9, 0-5 Region 8-AAAAA); Loganville (7-2, 4-1)
Game notes: Johnson is looking for its first region victory for the season, while Loganville has solidified its No. 2 seed for Region 8-AAAAA.
Lakeview Academy vs. Riverside Military Academy
When: 7:30 p.m., tonight
Where: Lion Stadium, Gainesville
Records: Lakeview (2-7, 2-6 Region 8-A); Riverside Military (2-7, 1-7)
Game notes: The two schools are meeting for the first time as they’ve moved into the same region this season with reclassification from the GHSA.
Lumpkin County at Union County
When: 7:30 p.m., tonight
Where: Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium
Records: Lumpkin County (4-5, 2-3 Region 7-AAA); Union County (7-2, 3-2)
Game notes: Lumpkin County is looking to play the role of spoiler for Union County in terms of their seeding for the playoffs. With an Indian win, the Panthers would fall to No. 4 and push North Hall up to No. 3. A Union County win will leave it in third and the Trojans in fourth.
Who to watch: Lumpkin County’s backfield of quarterback Chandler Woodham and Zach Matthews have combined for 1,808 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. Woodham has also connected for 227 yards for two touchdowns through the air.
West Hall at Blessed Trinity
When: 7:30 p.m., tonight
Where: Blessed Trinity Stadium, Roswell
Records: West Hall (6-3, 2-1 Region 7-AAAA); Blessed Trinity (7-2, 3-0)
Game notes: West Hall needs White County to beat Marist by 12 or more points and the Spartans need to beat Blessed Trinity if they are going to make a move in region standings. Should Marist take care of the Warriors and the Titans win in Oakwood, the Spartans would retain the third seed and Blessed Trinity would take second.
Who to watch: West Hall’s Tyrese Osborne has rushed 108 times for 670 yards and eight scores this season as the Spartans’ leading running back.
White County at Marist
When: 7:30 p.m., tonight
Where: Hughes-Spalding Stadium
Records: White County (1-8, 0-3 Region 7-AAAA); Marist (6-3, 2-1)
Game notes: If White County can pull off a win by more than 12 points, they’ll give West Hall the opportunity to move up in the region standings. A win for the Warriors would be their first in the region this season. Marist will retain the No. 2 seed with a win of its own, regardless of the outcome of West Hall’s contest at Blessed Trinity.