Friday Night Lights for Nov. 2, 2012: Cedar vs. Salem, Gladiators vs. Bulldoggs

8-AAAAA

The Loganville Red Devils (2-6, 1-5) head into a stampede tonight against the Gainesville Red Elephants (7-1 5-0). Loganville has struggled all season but will finish under .500 regardless of the outcomes of their final two games. Last week, they lost to 7-22 to the Heritage Patriots in Conyers. Gainesville got a late season bye week, but the week before continued their rampage by defeating the Clarke Central Gladiators. Next week, the Devils hope to finish strong against an evenly match opponent in the Salem Seminoles. The Red Elephants will battle the Flowery Branch Falcons in (barring a major upset) what will be an epic fight for 1st place.

The Cedar Shoals Jaguars (3-5, 1-5) will face the Salem Seminoles (2-6, 1-5) in Conyers tonight. Last week, Cedar Shoals lost 21-31 against the Winder-Barrow Bulldoggs, while Salem lost 0-20 on the other side of Ga. 316 to the Apalachee Wildcats. Next week, Cedar Shoals will welcome the Clarke Central Gladiators for their final game of the season.

The Apalachee Wildcats (4-4, 2-3) play Heritage Patriots (7-2, 5-2) tonight on the other side of Conyers. The 'Chee struggled early in the season but stand to finish strong and possibly at or above .500. They blanked Salem at home last week, 20-0. The Pats, meanwhile, beat Loganville 22-7 last week. Next week, the Wildcats finish their season by taking the short trip across 316 to meet the Winder-Barrow Bulldoggs.

The feel-good local story in 8-AAAAA this week is the Winder-Barrow Bulldoggs, who tasted victory for the first time in three seasons by defeating Cedar Shoals last Friday by a score of 31-21. Tonight is no time to savor that sweetness as the Clarke Central Gladiators (3-5, 3-3) are coming to town looking for their first win in three weeks. Last week, the Glads lost to the Flowery Branch Falcons 13-24. The Gladiators will finish their season across town against Cedar Shoals next week, while the Bulldoggs hope to finish strong in front of the home crowd against the Apalachee Wildcats.

Region 8-A

The undefeated Athens Academy Spartans (8-0, 5-0) head to Duluth tonight to face Hebron Christian Academy (1-7, 0-6). Last week, the Spartans beat the George Walton Academy Bulldogs by one point in the toughest challenge of their season, While Hebron was trounced 11-42 by the Commerce Tigers. Next week, the Spartans end their regular season at home vs Athens Christian Academy.

The George Walton Academy Bulldogs (5-3, 2-2) head to face the Athens Christian Academy Eagles (4-4, 3-1).  The Bulldogs hope to break their slump after losing two weeks in a row, Last week a 20-21 heart-breaker against the Athens Academy Spartans, the week before in a stunning upset against Pinecrest. The Eagles, on the other hand, defeated giant-killers Pinecrest Academy 31-14. Next week, Both teams face tough regional opponents with Playoff bids on their minds. For the Bulldogs it's home vs Prince Ave; The Eagles cross town to face the Spartans.

The Prince Ave Christian School Wolverines (7-1, 3-1) meet the Pinecrest Palidins (4-3, 3-2) tonight. Last week, the Wolverines took a bye, the week prior they handily defeated Hebron Academy 48-6. Pinecrest Academy couldn't find any of that upset mojo they enjoyed the week prior against George Walton, and lost to Athens Christian Academy, 14-31. Next week the Wolverines head to Monroe to take on the slumping George Walton Academy Bulldogs.

Region 8-AA

The Hapless Social Circle Redskins (0-8, 0-5) travel to meet the Union County Panthers (5-3, 2-3). The 'Skins did not fare well last week against the Jefferson Dragons, getting scorched 10-47. Union County also lost, 10-38 to Rabin County. Next week, the Redskins head home for their season finale against Washington-Wilkes.

Region 8-AAA

The Oconee Warriors (2-6, 1-4) head slightly north to face cross-town rivals the North Oconee Titans (7-1, 5-0). Last week, the O'Warriors lost to the Jackson County Panthers, 35-48 while the Titans remained undefeated in the Region in a 57-0 route of East Jackson. Next week, the Warriors will pit themselves against that East Jackson team, while the Titans look ahead to the playoffs and play Hart County at home.

Region 8-AAAA

It's a race to the top for two 8-AAAA teams tonight in Gainesville as the Monroe Area Purple Hurricanes (8-0, 5-0) battle the Chestatee War Eagles (7-1, 6-0) for the top spot in the region. The teams are currently tied for 1st in 8-AAAA, but that will change tonight. Last week, neither team showed much mercy to floundering opponents. The 'Canes easily swamped the Madison Red Raider's 63-6, while the War Eagles dispatched Lumpkin County 49-17. Next week, the War Eagles should have no more trouble handling the Red Raiders than they would negotiating a speed bump. MAHS faces a tougher challenge in the Eastside Eagles next week, but an Eagle win in that game would be quite an upset.  

The flip side of 8-AAAA takes place in Danielsville tonight, as the Walnut Grove Warriors (1-7, 0-5) take on the Madison County Red Raiders (0-8, 0-5). While there are obviously  no playoff berths in the offering for either struggling team, nobody wants to finish in last place. Both teams seek their first Region win and to avoid last place. The Warriors lost at Eastside last week, 20-55 while the Raiders got flattened by the Purple Hurricanes, 6-63. This is Madison's final game of the season (they end on a bye week), while Walnut Grove will finish up next week at home against Lanier. 

Independant/Other:

The Loganville Christian Academy Lions completed their regular season last week undefeated against cross-town rivals the Covenant Christian Academy Cougars. The final score was 48-14, giving the Lions an 8-0 season.

LCA begins round one of their playoffs tonight, facing Creekside Christian (McDonough) at home. The Lions have already faced this team early in the season and defeated them 35-14.

Bethlehem Christian Academy's Knights (2-6) will visit Green Academy (1-9) tonight. Last week the Knights took a bye, having been soundly defeated by Dawson Street Christian Academy the week prior. Dawson Street handled Green Academy in similar fashion last week, handing that school a 7-44 defeat.

Highlights provided by our facebook friends and Patch readers. Our friends at www.hearthe game.com provide highlights to the Winder-Barrow, Apalachee and Bethlehem C.A. games. Be sure to tune in to them to hear those games LIVE. Final scores and standings cross-checked at www.maxpreps.com. Become part of the Patch Sports team...reort your highlights, pictures and final scores right here!

Check out all the final scores in tomorrow's Saturday Scorecard here on Patch.

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