Three northeast Georgia prep football teams have quite the Thanksgiving break ahead of them. And while four more saw their seasons come to an end during Friday's second round of the state playoffs, it was not due to a lack of fight.
Buford, Commerce and Rabun County will each practice through the holidays as they prepare for state quarterfinal showdowns. Meanwhile, Habersham Central, Dawson County, North Hall and Riverside Military each fell in their respective classifications -- though there were several close finishes.
(NOTE: For a complete look at area playoff scores and the schedule for next week's quarterfinal contests scroll down. And for video highlights and game stories visit our Friday Game Night page.)
The Wolves and the Wildcats rolled on Friday. Buford dominated Kell 44-11 thanks to a dominant defense, allowing just 166 total yards -- meanwhile, Buford rushed for 187 yards in Class 5A to clinch its 19th straight Elite Eight berth. The Wolves will play host to Bainbride in the third round at Tom Riden Stadium.
In Class 2A, Rabun County sealed its fourth straight quarterfinal appearance courtesy a 34-0 shutout of Chattooga in Tiger. The Region 8-2A champion Wildcats will be at home again next week, as they play host to second-seeded Fitzgerald -- which knocked Rabun County out of the playoffs during the 2016 quarterfinals.
Commerce is also back in familiar territory. The Tigers fended off Mitchell County 35-33 in the Class A Public bracket, denying a 2-point conversion attempt with just over a minute to play during a long road trip to Camilla. Commerce is in the quarterfinals for the fourth time in five seasons. The Tigers will travel to face Irwin County -- state runner-up in 2017.
Meanwhile, Habersham Central gave Creekview all it could handle for four quarters, leading early before falling 65-48 against the undefeated Grizzlies in Class 6A. The Raiders earned their first state playoff win since 2007 last week.
Class 3A saw both Dawson County and North Hall go down. The Trojans fell behind early but fought throughout before taking a 49-33 loss to No. 2 Cedar Grove. The Tigers, meanwhile, fell 49-17 at No. 3 Monroe Area.
And in Class A Private, Riverside Military fought back and forth with Fellowship Christian before taking a 35-28 loss in Roswell. The Eagles were coming off their first ever GHSA state playoff win.
SECOND ROUND STATE PLAYOFF RESULTS FOR AREA TEAMS
CLASS 6A
Creekview 65, Habersham Central 48
CLASS 5A
Buford 44, Kell 11
CLASS 3A
Monroe Area 49, Dawson County 17
Cedar Grove 49, North Hall 33
CLASS 2A
Rabun County 34, Chattooga 0
CLASS A Private
Fellowship Christian 35, Riverside Military 28
CLASS A Public
Commerce 35, Mitchell County 33
QUARTERFINAL STATE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE FOR AREA TEAMS
CLASS 5A
Bainbridge at Buford
CLASS 2A
Fitzgerald at Rabun County
CLASS A Public
Commerce at Irwin County
