Johnson at Chestatee

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: War Eagles Stadium

Coaches: Johnson, Paul Friel; Chestatee, Stan Luttrell

Records: Johnson (0-2), Chestatee (0-1)

Key players: Johnson, RB Mantevius Rucker (6-2, 215 Jr.), DT E.J. Wright (6-4, 300 Sr.), LB Joey Brooks (6-0, 210 So.). Chestatee, RB Ben Souther (6-1, 200 Sr.), QB Scott Chewning (5-10, 165 Jr.), WR/DB Lamar Brooks (5-11, 190 Sr.).

Outlook: This game is a carbon-copy of last year’s matchup with both teams still seeking their first win. The War Eagles are looking to rebound from a season-opening 34-0 loss to Gainesville two weeks ago.

Johnson is in the same boat following losses to North Hall and North Forsyth.

The Knights will try and take control of the game in hopes of winning their first game of the season with a steady, ground-control offense behind 215-pound running back Rucker. Johnson also has an athletic quarterback with senior Anthony Prophet. Last week against the Raiders, Johnson’s best chance to score came when Tre Dudley returned a kick to the North Forsyth 46.

The Knights hope to improve on their defense from last week that allowed 378 rushing yards, including 218 yards from North Forsyth’s Joey Vicary.

Chestatee’s defense also aims to play better after allowing 437 yards against the Red Elephants in the season opener.

Prediction: JOHNSON. The Knights have had a rough go of things so far this season. Things start to turn around with their first win tonight.

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Falcon Field, Flowery Branch

Coaches: Creekview, Al Morrell; Flowery Branch, Lee Shaw

Records: Creekview (1-0); Flowery Branch (2-0)

Key players: Creekview, RB/DB Michael Ay, RB/DB Hunter Livingston, K/DB Kase Saunders. Flowery Branch, QB Connor Shaw (6-2, 200 Sr.), WR/DB Rodney Young (6-1, 190, Sr.), ILB Cory Sanderson (6-1, 195 Sr.).

Outlook: Creekview comes to Falcon Field tonight fresh off a 13-7 win against Class AAAA’s then-No. 6 Sequoyah. In that win the Grizzlies proved they could start strong with a running game (Ay scored from 7 yards out on their first drive) and ride their defense to a win. Creekview also showed a reliable kicking game as two of the team’s scores came off the leg of Saunders.

The question, however, is whether or not Creekview’s good aspects are good enough to withstand a Flowery Branch team that hasn’t shown too many weaknesses – in any aspect.

In Week 1, Flowery Branch ran to a win led by Imani Cross’ 176 yards and two touchdowns. Last week, in a 35-7 win against Lumpkin County, the Falcons showed off their passing game with a near-perfect performance by senior quarterback Shaw (15-of-16 passing for 225 yards and four touchdowns). As if the dual-threat offense isn’t enough, the Falcons defense is allowing just over a touchdown per game and has caused four turnovers in two games.

And then there’s the kicking game, Billy Thompson is perfect when it comes to point after attempts, and he’s kicked off into the end zone 8-of-10 times giving the opponents a long field to work with.

Prediction: FLOWERY BRANCH. The Falcons can run, pass, defend and kick — and will be 3-0 by Saturday.

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: East Hall Stadium

Coaches: Lumpkin County, Tommy Jones; East Hall, Bryan Gray

Records: Lumpkin County (1-1); East Hall (0-2)

Key players: Lumpkin County, RB/LB Jake McClure (5-11, 195 Sr.), RB/LB Lance Chuvala (6-0, 200 Sr.), WR/DB Chad Fulton (5-10, 160 Sr.). East Hall, DE Sterling Bailey (6-6, 250 Jr.), LB/FB Corey Richardson (5-8, 210 Sr.), TE/WR Chaz Cheeks (6-5, 225 Jr.)

Outlook: The Indians defense is giving up an average of 115 yards of total offense in the first two games, and with East Hall struggling as it is on offense (no points and 84 yards of total offense in two games), Lumpkin County’s defense is hoping to maintain that average.

For as much as the offense hasn’t found its niche, the Vikings’ defense has played well. Despite giving up 33 points to White County, East Hall has two players in Cheeks and Keon Jackson, each with a pair of sacks, while Bailey is living up to his billing by already amassing 3.5 tackles for a loss.

It will be imperative if Lumpkin County wants to get out of East Hall with a win that the Indians’ line continues to provide protection for Taylor Guthrie (134 yards passing and no interceptions) and holes for McClure (148 yards rushing and one touchdown) and company. The Indians are averaging 166 rushing yards per game.

Prediction: LUMPKIN COUNTY. The Indians have an offense and a defense and go back to Dahlonega tonight with a win.

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger

Coaches: Riverside, Scot Sloan; Rabun County, Danny Durham

Records: Riverside (1-1, 1-0 Region 8-AA); Rabun County (1-1, 0-1)

Key players: Riverside, TE/DL Brandon McKinney (6-5, 255 Sr.), LB Aaron Gambrah (6-1, 200 Sr.), QB Alex O’Donnell (6-4, 218 Sr.). Rabun County, RB/DB Paul Blackstock (5-10, 160), RB/DB Daniel Campbell (5-10, 165), FB/LB J.B. McClain (5-11, 175).

Outlook: After the season’s first five quarters, an 0-2 start was a very real possibility for Riverside.

But trailing 12-0 against Banks County, the Eagles’ defense stiffened and the offense found a rhythm en route to a 23-12 region-opening win.

To make it happen, the Eagles will need a tough run defense. They surrendered 177 rushing yards to Banks County and they’ll be facing a Rabun County team that thrives on its ground game. To get their offense rolling, expect Riverside to look for McKinney often. The big tight end caught five passes for 149 yards last week after only two catches for 14 yards in the Eagles’ opening week loss to Elbert County.

Prediction: RIVERSIDE. Rabun County seems to be improved, but if the Eagles play like they did in their last three quarters last week, they’ll be too much for the Wildcats.

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Mountain View High, Lawrenceville

Coaches: Lakeview, Matthew Gruhn; Hebron Christian, Brian Smith

Records: Lakeview (1-1); Hebron Christian (0-1)

Key players: Lakeview, RB/LB Tom Drury (5-10, 190 Sr.), RB/DB Dalton Munday (5-7, 140 Sr.), QB/LB Jordan Chastain (6-0, 185 Sr.). Hebron Christian, RB/LB Matthew Pursell, QB Paul Stinespring, LB Matt Stephens.

Outlook: In first-year coach Brian Smith’s debut last week, Hebron Christian nearly pulled off a victory but fell 26-20 Friday night at Temple in its season opener.

The Lions, down two scores in the fourth quarter before rallying, were led by Pursell, who rushed 22 times for 108 yards and two touchdowns.

Xavier Railey recovered two fumbles for the Hebron defense, which got nine tackles each from Stephens and Pursell.

Lakeview is a blocked extra point attempt away from being undefeated and it’s also thanks to a game-changing running game.

Senior running back Drury is averaging 126 yards per game and 6 yards per carry, along with a touchdown a game. Munday had his first 100-yard game of his career in the Lions 27-13 win against Towns County last week along with two touchdowns.

All told, Lakeview is averaging 267 yards rushing and 20 points per game, a far cry from the 9 points per game the Lions averaged last year when they beat Hebron Christian 35-3.

Prediction: LAKEVIEW. Confidence and momentum give the Lions their first win streak in the program’s varsity history.

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Huff-Mosley Stadium, Ellijay

Coaches: West Hall, Mike Newton; Gilmer, Wesley Tankersley

Records: White County (0-2); Gilmer (0-2)

Key players: West Hall, QB Shunquez Stephens (6-4, 240 Jr.), RB Marquise Young (5-9, 180 Sr.), WR/LB Ishmail Nuckles (6-0, 180 Sr.). Gilmer, RB Jacob Teague (Jr.), QB Thomas Davis (Sr.), RB/DB Ryan Lowery (So.).

Outlook: The 2009 season couldn’t have started off any worse for West Hall. The Spartans have dropped their first two games on the road and will try to avoid an 0-3 start when they travel to Ellijay to take on the winless Bobcats.

While West Hall has struggled on defense, Stephens continues to shine and leads the area with 555 yards passing and four touchdowns through two games. The Spartans are averaging more than 21 points a game, but the problem lies on defense where they are giving up more than five touchdowns a game.

Prediction: WEST HALL. The Spartans notch their first win of the year behind another strong showing from Stephens.

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Lions Stadium

Coaches: Buford, Jess Simpson; Lovett, Mike Muschamp

Records: Buford (2-0), Lovett (2-0)

Key players: Buford, QB Alex Ross (6-1, 180 Jr.), OL/DL Kolton Houston (6-4, 280 Sr.), OL/DL Du’Von Millsap (6-6, 330 Sr.). Lovett, RB/DB Taylor Mack (5-9, 170 Sr.), QB/LB Jonathan Carkhuff (6-1, 200 Sr.), OL/DL Hunter Rich (6-0, 265 Jr.).

Outlook: Tonight’s game is big for Buford for a couple of reasons. First, it opens up the Region 6-AA schedule for the Wolves in a rematch of the 2007 Class AA state title game. Second, a win tonight gives Buford 50-consecutive regular season wins, dating back to a 2004 loss at Class AAAAA Central Gwinnett.

Buford has won its five meetings this decade against Lovett and hasn’t lost to the school since 1971.

Prediction: BUFORD. The Wolves hit 50-consecutive regular season wins tonight in Atlanta.

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Billy Henderson Stadium, Athens

Coaches: Habersham Central, Stuart Cunningham; Clarke Central, Leroy Ryals

Records: Habersham Central (1-1, 1-1 Region 8-AAAA); Clarke Central (2-0, 2-0)

Key players: Habersham Central, QB Austin Brown (6-1, 180 Jr.), OL Kalan Jones (6-3, 280 Sr.), LB Keylan Meyers (5-9, 170 Sr.). Clarke Central, WR/DB Dimitri Holmes (Sr.), QB Martay Maddox (6-6, 310 Jr.), DE Ryan Faust (6-2, 215 Sr.).

Outlook: The Raiders rebounded well from a close loss on opening night with a win in another close game last week against Heritage. With the competition within the region so close, Habersham Central will be in for another tough battle tonight when it travels to Athens to take on the 10th-ranked Gladiators.

Clarke Central enters tonight’s game fresh off the heels of a 21-7 win over Monroe Area, which has five wins in the last four years. The Gladiators are led by quarterback Maddox, who scored all three touchdowns in the win last week to give him six total for the season.

When Habersham Central’s offense is on the field, they’ll have to deal with Faust, who had five sacks, seven tackles for a loss and a blocked field goal in the Gladiators’ win over Loganville in Week 1. The Raiders offense is only averaging 13 points per game and Faust and the rest of the Gladiators will not be easy to score on.

Prediction: CLARKE CENTRAL. The Gladiators offense hasn’t put on a show yet, but the defense has, and that will be the key tonight.

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Rebel Stadium, Blue Ridge

Coaches: Jefferson, T. McFerrin; Fannin County, Clark Drennen

Records: Jefferson (2-0, 1-0 Region 8-AA); Fannin County (1-1, 0-1)

Key players: Jefferson, QB Darius Minor (5-11, 170 Sr.), LB/OL Kyle Mosley (6-2, 240 Jr.), RB/LB Lucas Redd (6-1, 200 Sr.). Fannin County, QB Nick Dean (6-0, 170 Sr.), RB/DB Garrison Kreis (5-10, 170 Jr.), RB/LB Blake Henry (5-9, 155, So.).

Outlook: The Dragons have come out of the gate on fire posting big wins in the first two games under new coach T. McFerrin. Jefferson, which flustered teams with a balanced offense last year, have relied mostly on the running game with Minor, Redd and Zach Allen leading the attack. Jefferson heads to Blue Ridge tonight with thoughts of starting 3-0 for the second straight season, while Fannin County has struggled to start the season, with the lone win coming against a Gilmer team that didn’t win a game last year.

Prediction: JEFFERSON. The Dragons have too many playmakers and are too tough on defense for Fannin County to handle.

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Ed Bryant Stadium, Carnesville

Coaches: Commerce, Steve Savage; Franklin County, Tommy Welch

Records: Commerce (1-1); Franklin County (0-2)

Key players: Commerce, RB/DB Deon Brock (5-9, 165 Sr.), LB Josh Streetman (6-2, 205 Jr.), RB/DB Jon Cash (5-9, 160 Sr.). Franklin County, WR/DB DaQuan Merritt (5-9 Sr.), QB/DB Dashan Merritt (5-9 Sr.), RB/LB Matthew Jackson (6-0 Sr.).

Outlook: Though Commerce holds a wide advantage in this series, the tide has shifted recently with Franklin County winning four of the last five meetings. Brock leads the Tigers and the area with 297 rushing yards and five touchdowns through two games, but will face a stiff test tonight when Commerce heads up Interstate 85.

Franklin County has yet to find success after switching to its double-slot option offense this season, but much of that futility could have a lot to do with their competition. The Lions have been shut down by two of the area’s best defenses (White County and Gainesville) in back-to-back losses. The Franklin County defense was solid in the opener, but yielded 41 points to second-ranked Gainesville.

Prediction: FRANKLIN COUNTY. The Lions have been toughened by two losses to open the season and should have just enough offense to win their third straight over the Tigers.

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Bogart

Coaches: Union County, Brian Allison; North Oconee, Terry Tuley

Records: Union County (2-0, 1-0 Region 8-AA); North Oconee (2-0, 1-0)

Key players: Union County, QB Kolt Owenby (6-2, 180 Sr.) WR/LB Blake Gowder (6-2, 215 Sr.), LB Michael Sossei (6-0, 190 Sr.). North Oconee, RB Brandon Whitlock (5-9, 170 Sr.), TE/DE Jesse Webb (6-2, 190 Sr.), RB/DB Lane Thompson (5-8, 155 Jr.).

Outlook: Even though the season is just three weeks old, this Region 8-AA faceoff looms large.

Both Union County and North Oconee are expecting to contend for playoff spots this season, and while loss tonight won’t prevent that, it will make it tough to get back in position to win the region. Union County found itself in a battle last week, pulling away for a 27-13 win over Rabun County when Gowder picked off a fourth-down pass and returned it for a score late in the fourth quarter. The Panthers haven’t had any trouble moving the ball, but stopping opponents has been somewhat troubling. Union County is second in the area with 407 yards gained per game, but are yielding more than 300.

Prediction: NORTH OCONEE. The Titans have the proven ability to keep the ball away from opponents, a strategy they’ll likely employ with success tonight.

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Dawson County

Coaches: Banks County, Blair Armstrong; Dawson County, Jeff Lee

Records: Banks County (0-2, 0-1 8-AA), Dawson County (0-2, 0-1 8-AA)

Key players: Banks County, QB Kane Duncan (6-3, 170, Sr.), RB Dylan Lackey (5-10, 170, Jr.), OL/DL Nathan Mathis (5-9, 240 Jr.,). Dawson County, QB Ethan Brown (Sr.), RB Ian Perry (Jr.), WR Levi Wilson.

Outlook: Banks County is 20-8 in the all-time series against the Tigers and this season looks to be much like last year as the Leopards, once again, take the field with a 0-2 record on the season. The Leopards, however, began this season with a huge hole in their offense losing Justin Beasley who rushed for 2,161 yards last season. Junior fullback Dylan Lackey, however, has shown he can move rushing for 139 yards, 109 before the half, in Banks County’s 23-12 loss to Riverside last Friday. Banks County may want to keep its eye on the Tigers’ freshman reciever Bruce Clark who had 62 yards receiving against defending 8-AA champion Jefferson 56-16 last Friday in Jefferson.

Prediction: BANKS COUNTY. The Leopards are more seasoned and have a solid rushing game against a young Dawson County line.

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Hiawassee

Coaches: Copper Basin, Tim Kidd; Towns County, Brent Brookshire

Records: Copper Basin (2-1); Towns County (0-2)

Key players: Towns County, WR/S Matt Hogsed (6-1, 180 Sr.), QB John Swilley (6-3, 225 Sr.), OL Dylen Nelson (5-10, 260 Jr.). DL Taylor Denton (5-11, 215 Jr.), RB Matt Beni (5-9, 170 Sr.)

Outlook: Towns County defeated Copper Basin last season in a 40-0 blowout for their first taste of victory in 2008, but the Cougars are 2-1 for the season and won over Hayesville (NC) 27-7 in their last game, a team that Copper Basin lost to 41-0 in 2007.

Prediction: COPPER BASIN. This program is posed to make a comeback.