The high school football season gets in full swing Friday. Here’s our look at some of the area’s most highly anticipated games for 2009.
1. Gainesville at Flowery Branch, Nov. 6
Should sustaining an undefeated record and winning a Region 7-AAA title not be on the line — like most think it will be come this game in November — the Gainesville-Flowery Branch matchup is a must-see because of the crazy amount of Division-I caliber talent that will be on the field.
Whether it ends up being a shootout — and how could it not be with the speed on the Red Elephants’ side and precision passing on the Falcons’ side — or a defensive battle, this game should be circled on everyone’s calendar.
Get your tickets early though, because the new Falcon Field will be standing room only.
2. North Hall at Gainesville, Sept. 18
It has become Hall County’s pre-eminent rivalry, and it doesn’t need two of Region 7-AAA’s best teams to be one of the most talked about contests of the season.
But when North Hall and Gainesville represent last year’s subregion champs, as they do this season, the on-field drama could match the off-field fanfare.
The Red Elephants hold a wide advantage in the series history, but the games have become much more competitve in recent years after a hiatus from 1992-2001.
Gainesville enters the season as on the state’s top teams, but don’t expect the Trojans, who may be flying under the preseason radar, to be intimidated.
3. Flowery Branch at North Hall, Oct. 18
For various reasons dating back a few seasons, this burgeoning rivalry is considered a must-win for both fanbases, even if it won’t have any bearing on subregion standings.
More importantly, it features two of the area’s most successful teams of recent years, as both have recent trips to the Georgia Dome under their belt (North Hall, 2007 semifinals; Flowery Branch 2008 finals), and both have been to the playoffs at least three straight seasons.
As usual, it also features an interesting study in contrasting offensive philosophies: The Trojans thrive by grinding it on the ground, while the Falcons have been a wide open offense since switching to the spread in 2006.
4. Commerce at Jefferson, Aug. 28
North Hall and Gainesville might be the talk of Hall County when they meet, but when it comes to history, little in the area can touch the annual clash of Tigers and Dragons.
Since Jefferson moved up to Class AA last season, it’s no longer a region game, but good luck finding a spectator at Memorial Stadium this Friday who thinks the game means any less than it ever did in the previous 61 meetings.
Commerce will be eager to get back on the winning side of this rivalry, as the Dragons have won the last two years after Commerce won the previous 11 straight.
5. White County at Chestatee, Oct. 16
By the time these two 7A-AAA rivals meet in the eighth week of the regular season, postseason lives could be on the line.
Both are competing for one of the North subregion’s precious two playoff spots, and the loser figures to be flirting dangerously close to elimination.
The winner should live to fight another Friday.