Everybody but Lumpkin takes the field this Friday among our 11 local programs. We are now up to 80% on our predictions this season after being fairly accurate last week. Here are our bold picks for the games below.

DISCLAIMER: We dissect the numbers, check against other projections, utilize the brain and not the heart. If we pick against any of our beloved 11 programs, take it as a diss if you want, or use it as motivation. We obviously would love to see all 11 programs win every single game, so we’ll celebrate even if we’re wrong if it means our locals walk away as winners.

THE LOCALS

Habersham Central vs Stephens County

The Raiders and Indians square off in one of Georgia’s biggest rivalries. It’s been since 1996 (23 years) since a Habersham win. The Raiders are more balanced on offense than Stephens, who will be without starting QB Kenny Colwell. If Habersham can stop the run (which won’t be easy with a slippery Hudson Spurlock), this could be their year to finally get that win over the rivals. We pick HABERSHAM.

#7 Dawson County vs #8 Denmark

The #7-ranked Tigers take on #8 Denmark. This will be a great clash in Dawsonville, and won’t come easy. Dawson is getting tremendous effort and success from tons of different players, which makes it tough to stop them. We pick DAWSON.

#2 Rabun County vs Putnam County

The #2 Wildcats take on Putnam in the 8-AA opener. The scary thing is this team still hasn’t hit its stride and is working out kinks from having so many young players on the field. This game will be over by the second quarter. We pick RABUN.

#10 Union County vs Monticello

The #10 Panthers had to fight a little harder than expected for the win over Fannin, but that was good to see how the team handles adversity. There won’t be much of that against Monticello in a game that’ll be over before the half. We pick UNION.

Banks County vs Social Circle

Banks County’s defense was looking extremely good until last Saturday. The offense was shut out again (second time in 3 games). Social Circle crushed Cross Keys in their last game, 38-0. We honestly don’t know much this year about that team, so being at home and looking to right the ship, we pick BANKS.

Towns County vs #10 George Walton

The Towns County season has been rough so far, being outscored 151-19 in 3 games. Playing their second ranked opponent in a row will be a tall order for this group. We pick GEORGE WALTON.

#6 Commerce @ Providence Christian

The #6 Tigers will be looking to get back on the winning track after a long bye week that came after a 40-20 loss to #6 Hart County. Commerce should have little trouble with a 1-2 Providence Christian team. We pick COMMERCE.

#8 Jefferson @ Gainesville

This is a big one! Jefferson and Gainesville haven’t played much in their history, in fact only 3 years ago was this matchup ever seen. In the 3 meetings, Jefferson has won all matchups. We see no reason for that trend to reverse. We pick JEFFERSON.

White County @ North Hall

At the Brickyard. This rivalry runs deep, as both teams have won 23 times in 46 total meetings. The Warriors are very balanced, and J Ben Haynes continues to have his best season yet. North Hall’s option is typically a hard assignment. The Warriors have won two of the last 3, and just lost last year by a single TD. We pick WHITE.

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THE OTHERS

Predicted winners are in bold

#1 Buford vs Newton
Chestatee vs Fannin County
Johnson vs Cross Keys