Franklin Co.-Elbert Co. headlines Region 8-AAA slate

After last week’s headline game in Region 8-AAA, Hart County at Eastside, gave way to the Eagles being in control of their path to the region title, this week’s spotlight game is between two surprise teams.

Franklin County (4-2, 3-0) travels to the Granite Bowl to take on Elbert County (5-1, 2-1) in a game between teams that didn’t make the playoffs last year, but are in line to host a playoff game this season.

“I can’t emphasize how big this game is,” Elbert coach Brent Miller said.

The Blue Devils’ strong start can be attributed to the running of Valdon Cooper, who’s had three 100-yard rushing games including last week when he went for 126 yards and two touchdowns.

Cooper’s also shared time with Trez Haley, who rushed for 131 yards and two scores last week. Miller said the backs aren’t used in specific situations, just whoever has the hot hand on a given night gets more carries.

Elbert continues to win for the first time since 2002 when the Blue Devils started 6-1.

“They’ve been down for so long,” Miller said. “We want to let them enjoy being up for a while.”

But the Lions are only the second team to really challenge the Devils after Eastside, their only loss. Elbert’s five wins have come against teams that are a combined 7-24.

HART COUNTY’S RUN DEFENSE

For the second time this season, and in both losses, Hart County’s run defense was exposed for big yards last week in a loss at Eastside.

The Eagles scored on their first five possessions, all on the ground, to lead 34-12 by halftime, and won 48-20.

In a game that was billed as a potential region championship meeting, Eastside avenged last year’s loss in Herndon Stadium.

“Never really got on track,” Hart coach Joby Scroggs said of a lackluster first half. “We knew what kind of game it was, and it didn’t gel for us.”

The loss alters Hart’s path to the Region 8-AAA championship. The Bulldogs now must hope Franklin County knocks off Eastside in the regular season finale.

“We’re hoping Franklin County can,” Scroggs said. “(Eastside’s) tough, got great speed and size. Now we have to plan on someone else to do it, readjust. If we can beat Franklin and Franklin can beat Eastside, we can get a share again.”

For starters, the Bulldogs (4-2, 2-1) play host to Oconee County (1-5, 1-2) this week. The Warriors snapped a five-game losing streak last week with a 27-21 win over Stephens County.

“Big and strong, huge. I don’t see anybody in AAA that can be any bigger than they are,” Scroggs said. “They’re definitely better than their record. We’ve got to play better defensively, they’ve got a great running game, we’ve got to stop people from running the ball down the field.”

STEPHEN COUNTY’S BRIGHT SPOT

Not much has been memorable about Stephens County’s season this year. But the down-the-field passing game from senior quarterback Dacen Cash to receivers Quan Trammel and Kadaryl Burtch has been the most effective offense so far.

Trammell and Burtch each had at least 90 yards receiving, and Cash had more than 240 all-purpose yards in last week’s loss to Oconee County. Cash also rushed for first downs three times on third downs.

The Indians’ four-game losing streak has clinched the worst record in program history since 1999 when they were 7-4 in Charlie Winslette’s first season. Stephens (1-5, 0-3) hasn’t lost five games since the 3-7 1995 season under Jay Russell. But even in those years, the Indians didn’t lose as many as four in a row. This is longest losing streak for the Indians since 1985 when they lost their final five games in the final season under Monte Tillman.

The injury-riddled season also brings to light the success the Indians had in Travis Noland’s first three seasons. These five losses are as many as Stephens lost between 2005 and 2007, Noland’s first three seasons.

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