Alpharetta plays its final regular-season road game Friday when the Raiders visit Johns Creek at 7:30 p.m. in a Region 7-6A matchup.
Both teams enter the contest searching for traction in region play. According to MaxPreps, Alpharetta sits at 2-6 overall and 1-3 in region, fifth in the seven-team AAAAAA Region 7. The Raiders have lost two straight, falling to Roswell 39-13 on Oct. 9 and to Milton 41-12 on Oct. 16.
Johns Creek has had a tougher go. The Gladiators are 1-7 overall and 0-4 in region, seventh in the standings, riding a seven-game losing streak. Their lone win came in the season opener, 24-17 at Northview on Aug. 21.
The Gladiators have been outscored 347-82 on the season and have not won at home, going 0-4 at Johns Creek High School. Alpharetta, meanwhile, has scored 141 points and allowed 263 but has struggled away from home with an 0-4 road record. Both of the Raiders' wins came on their own field: 17-16 over Duluth on Sept. 11 and 33-0 over Riverwood on Oct. 2.
Region 7-6A picture
Milton leads the region at 4-0, followed by Gainesville and Roswell at 4-1 each, according to MaxPreps standings. Lanier holds fourth at 2-2. Alpharetta and Johns Creek sit near the bottom, separated by one region win.
A victory Friday would give the Raiders a 2-3 region mark heading into their regular-season finale. A loss would drop them to 1-4 with one game remaining.
Raider to watch
Alpharetta's Kyron Pipes Jr. has been a bright spot on special teams. He leads the team with 590 total return yards and averages 30.21 yards per kickoff return, according to MaxPreps.
What's next
After Friday's game, Alpharetta closes the regular season at home against Lanier on Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Johns Creek finishes its schedule the same night, traveling to Riverwood.
