Jackson County, Clarke Central Settle Region 8-6A Title Under Friday Night Lights
Undefeated Jackson County travels to Billy Henderson Stadium in Athens for the 7:30 p.m. kickoff as Clarke Central chases its first region crown since 2024.
By Josephine Clarke ·
The Region 8-6A championship will be decided Friday night in Athens when the 8-0 Jackson County Panthers face the Clarke Central Gladiators at Billy Henderson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., following a 7 p.m. pregame show with On3's Rusty Mansell, DawgNation's Brandon Adams and Score Atlanta's Landon Knight.
Jackson County enters the matchup averaging 47 points per game through eight contests and has posted 40 or more points in each of its last five games. Clarke Central's defense has allowed 10 points per game this season, with its highest output at 17 points in a loss to North Oconee, the team's only defeat.
Senior quarterback Ben Musser, an Appalachian State commit who transferred from Prince Avenue Christian, has thrown for 1,332 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 471 yards and nine scores. Running back Daylan Maxwell has added 1,155 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, and junior wideout Noah Norwood has 10 touchdowns on 16 receptions. Linebackers Maher Magness and Noah Bade have combined for 142 tackles and six for loss, and Tyler Mobbs has a team-high four interceptions.
Clarke Central counters with senior quarterback Trey Bryant and running back Faustino Rangel in a physical backfield pairing. Wideouts Jordan Jones and La'Gracion Little, a three-star Georgia Southern commit, give Bryant targets in the pass game. Jackson County coach Korey Mobbs and Clarke Central coach David Perno are 1-1 against each other.
The programs have met 10 times, with Clarke Central holding a 9-1 series edge. Jackson County earned its first win over Clarke Central last season, a 64-14 result. Mobbs is in his fourth season leading a program that has posted eight or more wins in three straight seasons, and Jackson County is 8-0 for the first time in program history.
Clarke Central is seeking its first region title since 2024. The game airs on Atlanta News First and streams on its website and app, with a postgame show featuring DawgNation's Kaylee Mansell, Score Atlanta's Craig Sager II and Hayden Gilbert.
The Panthers have outscored opponents by averaging 47 points per game this season, while the Gladiators have held opponents to 10 points per game with a 7-1 record.
Source: Atlanta News First
