Play by play, tackle by tackle, it all comes back to Gainesville coach Bruce Miller, even at the dead of night.

The Red Elephants have studied enough film on sixth-ranked Lanier (5-0, 4-0 Region 8-AAAAA) this week that they’ve started seeing defensive schemes in their heads.

“I can see them running in my mind, in my dreams,” said Miller. “You watch and see what weaknesses they may have, if they have any. If they don’t have any, you try to contain them the best you can.”

That’s the challenge this week for Gainesville (4-1, 4-0 in region), who face the Longhorns at City Park Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday. For the second straight year, the winner will likely clinch a region title, along with a No. 1 seed in the Class AAAAA playoffs next month.

Lanier kicked a field goal in the final seconds of last year’s contest to survive a 23-point Gainesville rally, capping off a wild 26-23 win that all but handed the Longhorns their first region title in school history. Lanier began its varsity football program in 2010, and has since commanded the attention of opponents across the state.

Gainesville’s Messiah Dorsey scored two touchdowns as a wide receiver in last year’s loss in Sugar Hill. Since then, he’s transitioned into a steady dual-threat quarterback who has passed for just over 150 yards per game with nine passing touchdowns, and has rushed for five scores.

As a senior, a win would mean exorcising the demons of a comeback that came up just short.

“It stuck pretty deep inside,” said Dorsey. “I got a little nasty feeling coming from that game. I didn’t like how it ended … It means a lot. I think it means that we can come together as one and play Gainesville football.”

To do that, the Red Elephants will need to counter the devastating effects of All-American Derrick Brown (6-4, 322 pounds), Lanier’s star defensive tackle. Despite receiving double-teams throughout the season, the senior (43 total tackles, 5 sacks) accounts for nearly a third of the Longhorns’ tackles for loss.

Brown returned an interception for a touchdown in last season’s win over Gainesville. Lanier coach Korey Mobbs said he’s told his team to consider Friday’s game to be just as important as all of the rest.

The Longhorns fell in the first round of the playoffs after clinching a No. 1 seed, while No. 2 seed Gainesville ended up reaching the state quarterfinals.

“We’ve talked to the kids about last year, and it’s in the past, it means nothing this year,” said Mobbs. “We probably would have taken their path. It’s a fun game, a big game, but it’s just one game. That’s why we have such respect for them.”

CONTAINING DERRICK BROWN: Brown, a five-star college prospect with 25 major Division I offers, will have his full focus on getting his hands on the quarterback this Friday. Brown, who’s taking a trip to Tennessee this weekend, also holds offers from Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and other SEC powers.

The Red Elephants will have to fend him off without the help of senior Cole Handte (partially-torn MCL), who can work on both offensive and defensive line.

Miller said he isn’t looking to double-team Brown, but believed that the tackle will be a handful as Dorsey goes through his progressions. Brown is currently the consensus No. 9 recruit in the country.

“You can’t in our situation,” said Miller. “He’s a force. I would look at him if I was in college. He can definitely play.”

PICKING THEIR MOMENTS: Gainesville currently leads the region in interceptions (11). Safety Chris Lyles leads the team with four picks on a defense that’s allowed just six points in the last three games.

Lanier, which typically boasts a run-heavy offense, might be tempted to go to the pass after losing leading running back Ashton Barnes to an ACL tear last month. Still, the Longhorns are averaging 210 yards per game behind brothers Marcella and Marcko Baity, who both average at least 60 yards per game apiece.

In Lanier’s recent 21-6 win over previously unbeaten Loganville, Marcella Baity finished with 114 rushing yards, while Brown’s pick-six in the fourth quarter secured the victory.

Lanier hasn’t put much trust in its passing game so far. Senior quarterback Tahj Tolbert has thrown for just one touchdown this season, while giving up five picks.

“We’ve been hungry,” said Lyles. “We’ve been waiting for this game since last year. It’s been on my mind since then.”

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS: Friday’s well-hyped matchup between the Longhorns and the Red Elephants is easily Gainesville’s most important game of the season, with potential playoff seeds at stake.

Miller will look to senior running back Chris Byrd (74 carries for 391 yards) to be his every-down rusher. Byrd has proved effective at extending drives and churning out tough third downs.

Still, even with a victory, Gainesville will need to take care of business against Clarke Central (2-3), Cedar Shoals (1-4), Loganville (5-1) and county rival Flowery Branch (3-3) to guarantee its second region title in three years.

Read capsule previews of all area football matchups here

Friday’s games

East Hall vs. West Hall

Gainesville vs. Lanier

North Hall vs. Buford

Flowery Branch at Clarke Central

Chestatee vs. Madison County

Johnson at Osborne

Lakeview Academy vs. George Walton

Riverside Military at Washington-Wilkes

Lumpkin County vs. Fannin County

White County vs. Stephens County

Dawson County vs. Franklin County

Habersham Central vs. Lambert

Jackson County at Elbert County

Jefferson vs. Morgan County