Gainesville, Flowery Branch gears up for the 17th episode of Hall’s hottest soccer rivalry

Gainesville currently has a 10-6 lead in the rivalry against Flowery Branch.

Regular season matchups in this series (2002-2009 and 2012-2015) were all on the region’s schedule.

However, Flowery Branch’s victories in this rivalry over the past three seasons were all non-regional affairs.

Flowery Branch coach Ben Hall said the encounter is so significant as most of the players on both sides have played against each other since they were youngsters in the North Georgian Youth Football Association.

“It’s going to be a challenge for us to say the least,” said Hall. “Gainesville is playing with a lot of momentum right now.”

For the sake of accuracy, both programs play with verve at the beginning of the season.

Flowery Branch already has an inaugural win against the 5A St. Pius X Class, the No. 8 in the state, and then a 31-7 win against Dawson County on August 27th.

The Red Elephants bounced back with a decisive 44-0 win over Chattahoochee in Week 2 after losing the opener against John’s Creek 26-10 in the Corky Kell Classic on August 20.

Hall and Webb both said this match between Gainesville and Flowery Branch is important to keep on schedule, to prepare for tough regional schedules and eventual playoff hopes.

The Red Elephants prepare to play against the six largest public schools in Forsyth County in Region 6-7A, while the Falcons find themselves in a deep Region 8-4A that includes senior Jefferson (2-0) heard.

At the moment, Gainesville and Flowery Branch both appear to be clicking while the game is in progress.

In Week 2, Myles Ivey had 156 yards on the ground for the Falcons, including a 97-yard scoring run in the second half.

For Gainesville, junior running back Naim Cheeks scores three touchdowns in the first quarter against Chattahoochee.

Many expect the game to go all the way this week.

If so, it won’t be the first time, and it probably won’t be the last time.

In 2012, Flowery Branch held for an exciting 35-34 win when it stopped Gainesville on a 2-point try to win the game and win the regional championship.

However, this loss sends the Red Elephants into the postseason on their way to winning the state championship.

Webb, who was the wide receivers coach at Flowery Branch at the time, remembers the last game very well as the title in the region and the top seeds are at stake.

Gainesville turned on second backup quarterback Mikey Gonzalez and had starter Deshaun Watson field in the backcourt.

Immediately, the Flowery Branch defense recognized it as a trick game. In the direct snap to Watson, he was stopped with the ball behind the line of scrimmage.

“That was a great football game,” said Webb.

The most prestigious match in this series history, however, was when the two programs clashed in the 2009 Class 3A semifinals in a crowded City Park Stadium.

In front of an estimated crowd of 10,000+ fans, the Red Elephants stormed forward with a blocked punt for a touchdown en route to a 29:21 win.

The following week, Gainesville lost in the state championship to Peach County at the Georgia Dome.

After this week, Gainesville has a bye to prepare for the region’s opener against Forsyth Central on September 17 in Gainesville.

With a bye in view next week, Flowery Branch will play a non-regional game against Hiram on September 17th at Falcons Field.

Games on Friday

Gainesville vs. Flowery Branch

Cherokee Bluff vs. East Forsyth

North Hall in Hart County

Riverside Military vs. Druid Hills

East Hall in Franklin County

Lakeview Academy vs. Myopic Gap

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