What to watch: Week 12

Union County Panthers at Rabun County Wildcats*

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Frank Snyder Stadium, Tiger

Records, rankings: Union County is 9-0 overall, 6-0 in Region 8-AA and unranked; Rabun County is 8-1, 6-0 and No. 6.

Last meeting: Rabun County won 49-3 in 2015.

Maxwell's projection: Rabun County by 10

Notes: The winner will be the region champion. Rabun County has won five straight region titles and 33 straight region games (three of those vs. Union County). Union County hasn't won a title since 1973. In leading Union County to its first 9-0 start, QB Pierson Allison has thrown for 2,474 yards (275 per game) and 20 touchdowns. He has rushed for 597 yards at 9.6 yards per carry. Sawyer Drake and Kyle Morlock each have more than 600 yards receiving and six TD receptions. Union County is scoring 44.6 points per game, but the real improvement has been the defense. The Panthers are allowing 10.4 points compared to 29.5 during a 4-6 finish in Class AAA in 2017. Chayton Schafer has made 12 tackles behind the line, intercepted three passed, blocked three kicks and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Rabun County leads AA in scoring (47.3 points per game). Freshman QB Gunner Stockton has thrown for 1,924 yards and 24 touchdowns. Brison Beck has rushed for 952 yards. FS/WR Austin Jones has 738 all-purpose yards and 30 solo tackles.

Heard County Braves at Bremen Blue Devils

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Bremen Athletic Field, Bremen

Records, rankings: Heard County is 7-2, 5-0 in 5-AA and No. 3; Bremen is 8-1, 4-1 and No. 5.

Last meeting: Heard County won 41-13 in 2015

Maxwell's projection: Bremen by 6

Notes: The two teams are once again region rivals after Bremen spent the past two seasons in AAA. The last time they played in 2015, the seniors for both teams were freshman. The last time the Blue Devils won a game in the series is 2007, though they lead the all-time series — which dates back to 1984 — 9-7. If the Blue Devils win, they'll claim their first region title since 2008, when they won 6-A for the third year in a row. They'll win despite what would be a three-way tie atop the standings at 5-1 between themselves, Callaway and Heard County based on the tiebreaker explained in Tuesday's blog (linked above). The Braves are seeking their second straight region title, third in the last four years and fifth since 2012. The Braves are led by Aaron Beasley, who last week eclipsed the 1,000 rushing yards mark for the season. Beasley is a three-star athlete committed to Tennessee. Defensive end Zaylin Wood is also a three-star and committed to Temple.

Dublin Fighting Irish at Washington County Golden Hawks

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Shamrock Bowl, Dublin

Records, rankings: Dublin is 8-1, 5-0 in 3-AA and No. 8; Washington County is 8-1, 4-1 and No. 10.

Last meeting: Dublin won 26-14 in 2017.

Maxwell's projection: Dublin by 3

Notes: As explained in Tuesday's blog linked above, the Fighting Irish win 3-AA if they beat the Golden Hawks, but a loss puts them into a three-way tie with the Hawks and Dodge County. In that event, it will come down to the plus-minus 15 points system tiebreaker, which could give either Dublin or Washington County the 3-AA title depending on the margin of the Hawks' victory on Friday. The Hawks would have to beat Dublin by 15 to win the region. The Hawks haven't beaten Dublin since '03. The two resumed playing in 2016 after a decade apart, and Dublin won 27-26 in '16 and 26-14 last season. The Fighting Irish are seeking their first region title since '11; the Hawks are seeking their first since '16 and fourth since '13. The Hawks are led by Dyquan Bloodshaw, who has more than 1,000 rushing yards on the season and an offer from Charlotte. Linebacker Preston Daniels holds six offers, including USF and Appalachian State. The Fighting Irish are led by defensive end Steven Linton, a three-star recruit with 18 offers, including Arizona State, Louisville, Syracuse and UCF.

*Courtesy of GHSF Daily

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