Folks - We're returning to the old blog format this season for Friday Night Chat. I'll be checking in full-time around 7 p.m.
While you're waiting, here are televised and streamed games. If you watch, check back here and give updates.
TV
*Creekview vs. North Paulding, 6 p.m., Fox Sports South
*Sandy Creek vs. Archer, 8:45 p.m., Fox Sports South
Streamed via NHSF Network
*Bacon County at Cairo, 7 p.m. (scrimmage)
*LaGrange at Callaway, 7 p.m.
*Ridgeland at Adairsville, 7 p.m.
*Rockdale County at Heritage-Conyers, 7 p.m.
*Effingham County at Liberty County, 7:15 p.m.
*Brooks County at Ware County, 7:30 p.m.
*Etowah at Marietta, 7:30 p.m.
*Marist at Blessed Trinity, 7:30 p.m. (scrimmage)
Here are cut-&-pasted previews from GHSF Daily of three top Friday games:
Sandy Creek vs. Archer
When, where: 8:45 p.m. Friday, Walter H. Cantrell Stadium, Powder Springs
Rankings: Sandy Creek (11-1-1 in 2013) is No. 2 in AAAA; Archer (11-1 in 2013) is No. 3 in AAAAAA.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Look for Sandy Creek RB Eric Swinney to have a huge season. He rushed for 1,289 yards and 24 touchdowns last season sharing time with another 1,000-yard rusher, Delvin Weems, who transferred to Tucker. Swinney is rated the nation's No. 10 RB prospect and has committed to Ole Miss. 2. Archer QB Gabe Tiller returns for his third season as the starter after passing for 2,370 yards and 28 touchdowns with just six interceptions in 2013, and the Tigers have a returning 1,000-yard rusher in Randy Nails. Archer returns seven starters on defense. 3. Archer began playing football in 2009 and has quickly evolved into one of Gwinnett County's top programs. The Tigers have increased their victory total each season, and in 2013 they won their first region title and first playoff game and had a school-record 11 victories. Sandy Creek is having its best run in the history of the program, which began in 1992. The Patriots have won at least 11 games for six consecutive seasons, a stretch that includes three state titles.
Benedictine at Greater Atlanta Christian
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Spartan Stadium, Norcross
Rankings: Benedictine (13-1 in 2013) is No. 3 in AA; Greater Atlanta Christian (10-2 in 2013) is No. 1 in AA.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. Greater Atlanta Christian is ranked No. 1 in preseason for the first time despite having never won a state title or having beaten defending champion and Region 6-AA rival Lovett any of the past six tries. But GAC has the most high-end prospects in Class AA. WR Darius Slayton (940 yards receiving) and RB Micah Abernathy (1,664 yards rushing) each are among the top-20 prospects in Georgia. GAC returns all four starting linebackers, and they include Tyler Cooksey (committed to Georgia Tech) and Paul Carothers (Navy). The new quarterback is a sophomore, Davis Mills. 2. Benedictine's semifinal run in 2013 was the Savannah school's best effort since 1978. All five starters on the offensive line are gone, but returning are QB Stevie Powers (1,511 yards passing), preseason all-state WR Brad Stewart (698 yards receiving) and RB Chance Jackson (852 yards rushing). 3. GAC and Benedictine have never played each other in football, but they met in the Class AA baseball final last spring in Savannah. Stewart hit a home run for a 3-2 lead in Benedictine's 7-2 victory in Game 3.
North Cobb at Northside (Warner Robins)
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, McConnell-Talbert Stadium, Warner Robins
Rankings: North Cobb (9-3 in 2013) is unranked in AAAAAA; Northside (10-2 in 2013) is No. 4 in AAAAA.
Last meeting: This is the teams' first meeting.
Three things to know: 1. North Cobb lost 16 starters from last year's region championship team, but it has an important returnee in QB Tyler Queen. The Auburn-committed senior, who is expected to be 100 percent after suffering an arm injury during the baseball season, passed for 2,150 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 434 yards and nine TDs in 2013. 2. Northside's QB situation is less settled as the team looks to replace Marcus Ivory, who graduated after passing for almost 1,300 yards last season. The favorite to win the job, according to the Macon Telegraph, is Jurmon Weaver, who played receiver in 2013 and caught 16 passes for 297 yards and five touchdowns. Also in contention are Tanner Smith, who was 2-for-2 passing last year and rushed 21 times for 64 yards, and sophomore Tobias Oliver. 3. Both schools are in the midst of unprecedented periods of success. Northside has won 10 or more games for a state-record 16 consecutive seasons. North Cobb's 20 victories in 2012 and 2013 are the most in a two-year period in school history.
About the Author
