STATESBORO — It was a long drive, but boy was it worth it.
The Flowery Branch boys tennis team journeyed four hours to Statesboro on Wednesday and brought home their first ever state semifinal berth in defeating Statesboro High, 3-0, in the Class 5A quarterfinals. The Lady Falcons tennis team clinched its first ever semifinal berth the day before in a 3-0 defeat of Union Grove.
The Falcons took victories at No. 3 singles and swept the doubles points to make program history -- winning all three matches i straight sets.
Brody Millwood claimed a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 3 singles.
Meanwhile the No. 1 doubles team of Gunnar Hetzel and Matthew Helms won 6-2, 6-3, and the No. 2 team of John Hollis and Brady McVay prevailed 6-1, 6-5.
After clinching the Falcons went on to take the victory at No. 2 singles, with a 6-1, 7-5 win for Jack Thomas. Flowery Branch's No. 1 singles player Drayton Matus was up 6-2, 4-1 when play was halted.
The Falcons will travel to take on McIntosh in the semifinals, time and day to be announced.