There was heartbreak and jubilation Friday night for area teams in the second round of the state football playoffs.
Five area teams -- Buford, Commerce, Dawson County, Mill Creek and Rabun County -- progressed to the state quarterfinals, while three others saw their seasons come to an end.
Dawson County football will make its first ever state quarterfinal appearance next week after holding off Spencer 22-12 in the Class AAA second round in Dawsonville. The Tigers will battle Blessed Trinity at home in the quarterfinals after winning a coin flip Saturday. Blessed Trinity handed Jefferson a 38-12 loss that ended the Dragons' season in Roswell.
In Class AA play, Rabun County earned its first state quarterfinal appearance since 1998, shaking off a dismal first half to explode in the second for a 41-7 win over Early County in Tiger. The Wildcats will hits the road against Jefferson County in the third round after losing a coin flip following the game.
Meanwhile, Commerce rallied from behind three times before holding off Charlton County 31-29 in the first round of the Class A Public bracket.
Yet not all second half rallies ended perfectly.
Gainesville fought back from a 28-6 halftime deficit only to fall 40-34 in overtime to No. 1 Stockbridge. The outcome halted the Red Elephants' bid for a fifth straight state quarterfinal appearance. Fellow Region 8-AAAAA squad Lanier also fell, getting overwhelmed by Northgate 41-21 at home.
Buford maintained its stellar quarterfinal appearance streak going, however, rolling to a 42-0 win over Worth County in Class AAAA. The Wolves will take their 16th straight third round contest on the road when they battle Thomson next week. The Wolves lost a coin flip on Saturday.
And, in Class AAAAAA, Mill Creek gave up its first first quarter points of the season, falling behind Newnan early but then scored 34 unanswered en route to a 41-14 win in Class AAAAAA. The Hawks earned their second state quarterfinal spot in the win and will battle Archer next week at home.
Scroll down for a complete look at Friday's first round scores and next week's playoff match-ups. Also check out our Friday Game Night page for in-depth game stories from throughout the area.
SECOND ROUND STATE PLAYOFF SCORES FOR AREA TEAMS, NOV. 20
CLASS AAAAAA
Mill Creek 44, Newnan 14
CLASS AAAAA
Stockbridge 40, Gainesville 34 OT
Northgate 41, Lanier 21
CLASS AAAA
Buford 42, Worth County
CLASS AAA
Dawson County 22, Spencer 12
Blessed Trinity 38, Jefferson 12
CLASS AA
Rabun County 41, Early County 7
CLASS A Public
Commerce 31, Charlton County 29
STATE QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE FOR AREA TEAMS, NOV. 27
CLASS AAAAAA
Archer at Mill Creek
CLASS AAAA
Buford* at Thomson
CLASS AAA
Blessed Trinity at Dawson County*
CLASS AA
Rabun County* at Jefferson County
CLASS A Public (second round)
Commerce at Marion County
* - (home team determined by coin flip)
