There will be an added layer of intrigue this week when North Gwinnett travels to Parkview for Football Fridays in Georgia.

That’s because the new North Gwinnett coach is Eric Godfree, a former Parkview player who was the head coach at his alma mater from 2014 to 2022. Godfree moved on to North Gwinnett during the off-season when Bill Stewart took a position at Georgia Tech. Godfree was 70-37 in nine seasons at Parkview.

Godfree’s replacement is another Parkview man – Joe Sturdivant. He started for the Panthers during their glory years (45-0, three state titles) under coach Cecil Flowe, who Sturdivant recruited to return as an assistant coach.

Sturdivant spent two seasons at Rabun Gap and was head coach at Providence Christian in 2022, where his team went 2-8. He jumped at the chance to return home.

Parkview is 2-0 after soundly defeating Kell 43-24 in the Corky Kell Kickoff Classic and Shiloh 60-0. The Panthers, who compete in Region 4, did not play this week.

North Gwinnett is 2-1 after defeating Gardendale, Ala., 50-42 on Friday. The Bulldogs, who compete in Region 7, suffered their only loss to defending Class 7A champion Mill Creek in the Corky Kell Kickoff Classic, 49-14.