We've had a lot of intriguing Friday nights already this high school football season, but this week's slate proved a bit special indeed.
There were slobber-knockers, shootouts, game-winning field goals, redemption, heartbreak and thrillers all over northeast Georgia, as a short but very sweet list of contests played out.
(NOTE: To see video highlights, game stories and score updates from throughout northeast Georgia, visit our Friday Game Night page.)
In one of the most anticipated contests of the season, Jefferson fought off an early deficit to haul down Flowery Branch and former Dragons head coach Ben Hall in a 35-29 battle at Memorial Stadium. Jefferson (3-1) stormed in front on the strength of its run game and senior Colby Wood, as he rumbled for 201 yards and three scores -- he also broke up three pass attempts on defense. The Falcons (3-1) made quite an impression, however, even in the loss.
But that was far from the only huge performance of the night.
South Pointe, S.C., quarterback Derion Kendrick put up 320 yards and four touchdowns, as the Stallions held off Buford 33-27 at Tom Riden Stadium in a clash of regional heavyweights. The Wolves (2-1) got two scoring runs from Anthony Grant but dropped their first home game on the field since 2012.
White County's Kaleb Crane rushed for 209 yards and two scores to help White County to fend off North Hall 28-18. The Warriors (4-1) bounced back from a 10-0 deficit at The Brickyard and equalled their win total from the last two seasons combined in the process. The Trojans (0-4) also continued to show plenty of grit.
Elsewhere, East Hall quarterback Austin Parker continued his stellar season with five touchdowns to help the Vikings past Jackson County 45-26. East Hall (3-1) begins region play next week in 7-AAA, while the Panthers (3-2) get a bye before beginning their 8-AAA campaign. Meanwhile, in Dawsonville, West Hall reeled off its fourth straight win via a game-winning field goal from Israel Lopez in a 13-10 defensive battle over Dawson County.
Chestatee ran past Lumpkin County in Gainesville, 60-32, as the War Eagles (3-2) get set for their final non-region game. The Indians (0-4) will begin play in 7-AAA next week. Fannin County will also begin 7-AAA play next week on the heels of a solid, 26-0 defeat of Andrews, N.C. The Rebels (2-2) got two rush touchdowns from Cody Jacobs. Fellow 7-AAA program Union County also moved to 4-0 with a convincing, 38-6 win over Banks County. The Leopards (1-3) being play in Region 8-AA next week.
After charging into the state polls, Winder-Barrow moved to 4-0 on Friday courtesy a 17-14 win at Loganville. The ninth-ranked Bulldoggs have one more non-region game next week. Meanwhile, fellow Region 8-AAAAAA program Lanier also claimed a victrory, 15-6 over Lambert, as the Longhorns (2-2) broke a two-game skid.
North Forsyth also moved to 3-1 courtesy an offensive explosion, 58-35 over Pickens, while Towns County knocked off Riverside Military in Gainesville. Apalachee also fell at Walnut Grove.
WEEK 4 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES
Chestatee 60, Lumpkin County 32
East Hall 45, Jackson County 26
Fannin County 26, Andrews (N.C.) 0
Jefferson 35, Flowery Branch 29
Lanier 15, Lambert 6
North Forsyth 58, Pickens 35
South Pointe (S.C.) 33, Buford 27
Towns County 35, Riverside Military Academy 21
Union County 38, Banks County 6
Walnut Grove 40, Apalachee 26
West Hall 13, Dawson County 10
White County 28, North Hall 18
Winder-Barrow 17, Loganville 14
Saturday, Sept. 16
Stephens County at Habersham Central (moved from Friday, Sept. 15)
