Rabun and Union, as well as White and Banks, all had byes in Week 8. Jefferson got a gigantic win on the road at #6 Hart County to move up the rankings, while Commerce also won. Dawson fell, but to a powerhouse program. Habersham fell hard, as did Towns County.

#1 RABUN COUNTY WILDCATS

LAST RANKING: #1
RECORD: 6-0 (3-0)
WEEK 8: Bye
NEXT: @ Elbert County

Rabun County got its final bye week out of the way. Next up, a challenge at the Granite Bowl in Elberton. This is the back stretch!

#2 JEFFERSON DRAGONS

LAST RANKING: #2
RECORD: 5-1 (3-0)
WEEK 8: W 28-23 @ #6 Hart County
NEXT: vs Morgan County

Jefferson took the inside track for a region title, although there is still plenty of work to do. Morgan County is on deck, but Jefferson deserves a big tip of the cap for its outstanding performance on the road in the win over #6 Hart County.

#3 UNION COUNTY PANTHERS

LAST RANKING: #3
RECORD: 6-0 (3-0)
WEEK 8: Bye
NEXT: @ Banks County

Union County got a bye week to prep for Banks County on the road in Week 9.

#4 COMMERCE TIGERS

LAST RANKING: #5
RECORD: 5-1 (3-0)
WEEK 8: W 47-7 @ Lakeview
NEXT: vs #4 Hebron Christian

The Tigers cruised to an 8th straight win over Lakeview in the all-time series. The Tigers next focus on Hebron on the road next week, which won’t come as easily.

#5 DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS

LAST RANKING: #4
RECORD: 5-2 (2-1)
WEEK 8: L 7-20 vs #3 GAC
NEXT: Bye

The Tigers did an outstanding job against #3 GAC. The defense, behind ANOTHER big interception by Riley Herndon (his 6th of the year), was crazy-good.

#6 HABERSHAM CENTRAL RAIDERS

LAST RANKING: #6
RECORD: 3-4 (0-2)
WEEK 8: L 21-48 @ Gainesville
NEXT: Bye

The Raiders had a rough outing at City Park, and their playoff chances took a huge hit after starting out region play 0-2. They still control their own destiny though, so simply winning games can cure that.

#7 WHITE COUNTY WARRIORS

LAST RANKING: #7
RECORD: 3-3 (0-2)
WEEK 8: Bye
NEXT: vs West Hall

White County got a well-time bye week to regroup after back-to-back losses to powerhouse teams. Now the Warriors set their sights on West Hall in what is a must-win for any playoff hopes.

#8 BANKS COUNTY LEOPARDS

LAST RANKING: #8
RECORD: 3-3 (2-1)
WEEK 8: Bye
NEXT: vs #8 Union County

Banks County got a chance to rest up for the state’s top-ranked offense coming into Homer next week. The Leopards will have their hands full with the Panthers.

#9 STEPHENS COUNTY INDIANS

LAST RANKING: #9
RECORD: 1-5 (0-0)
WEEK 8: Bye
NEXT: @ Oconee County

The Indians got their two straight bye weeks to heal up and prep for region play. The 1-5 record is thrown out the window at this point. It’s all about these last 4 games.

#10 LUMPKIN COUNTY INDIANS

LAST RANKING: #10
RECORD: 1-5 (0-2)
WEEK 8: L 14-45 vs Cherokee Bluff
NEXT: @ #3 GAC

The Indians suffered a gut-punch loss to their former head coach Tommy Jones is his return to Dahlonega. Next up is mighty GAC.

#11 TOWNS COUNTY INDIANS

LAST RANKING: #11
RECORD: 0-7 (0-4)
WEEK 8: L 20-42 @ #4 Hebron Christian
NEXT: Bye

The Indians get a much-needed break after a gauntlet of four straight tought games, complete with 3 ranked teams. After the bye, #5 Commerce awaits…