Most of the night's finals proved lopsided -- but the close calls were classics for area football teams as Week 6 of high school football played around northeast Georgia on Friday.
Union County shocked Elbert County on the road, 29-28. Jefferson, meanwhile, fought off a determined Franklin County 17-10 on the road. And, West Hall went to Denmark and stormed away with a 48-27 win.
(NOTE: For a complete look at scores from around the area scroll down. And for in-depth game stories and video highlights, visit our Friday Game Night page.)
The Panthers converted a 2-point end-around run from Sawyer Drake with just over a minute to play and then intercepted an Elbert pass in Union County territory to snatch a huge victory in Region 8-2A and remain undefeated -- as did Rabun County, which defeated Banks County 68-7 in Homer. The rival Wildcats and Panthers are the lone teams in 8-2A with unblemished region records.
In Region 8-3A, a dogged Jefferson fought back from 10-3 down at the half, scoring two unanswered TDs to grab the victory.
And in Forsyth County, West Hall's defense not only showed it up, it took center stage, recording six turnovers -- including two it turned into touchdowns -- as the Spartans grabbed an early lead and responded again late to seal a clutch victory in Region 7-4A.
Elsewhere, Greater Atlanta Christian kept North Hall scoreless in pulling away for a 21-0 victory to hand the Trojans their first loss of the season and set up a second straight judgement night for Region 7-3A next week with Dawson County -- which won handily over East Hall 64-0 on Friday to move to 6-0.
Jackson County also battled but came up short, 26-14 versus Morgan County.
And in Sugar Hill, Habersham Central battled through the first half but could not find enough offense to get off to a winning start in Region 8-6A play, falling to Lanier 38-10.
Domination proved the byword for most other contests on the night, as Buford blanked Johnson 49-0, and Dacula handled Gainesville 37-7. Flowery Branch also opened Region 7-4A play in style, striking for five first half touchdowns en route to a 42-0 win at White County. Riverside Military also ran out to a 48-14 Region 8-A defeat of Towns County in Gainesville.
FRIDAY'S AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES
Buford 49, Johnson 0
Cherokee Christian 28, Lanier Christian Academy 19
Dacula 37, Gainesville 7
Dawson County 64, East Hall 0
Fannin County 45, Cherokee Bluff 7
Flowery Branch 42, White County 0
Greater Atlanta Christian 21, North Hall 0
Hebron Christian 51, Lakeview Academy 14
Jefferson 17, Franklin County 10
Lanier 38, Habersham Central 10
Marist 59, Chestatee 7
Monroe Area 62, East Jackson 0
Morgan County 26, Jackson County 14
Rabun County 68, Banks County 7
Riverside Military 48, Towns County 14
Union County 29, Elbert County 28
West Hall 48, Denmark 27
