Jeff Hart

Flowery Branch snapped a four-game losing streak with a crucial 32-23, Region 8-4A win over Madison County on Friday night at Falcon Field.

Twice within a month, Gainesville has had a chance to show it could win the games that matter most. For the second time, however, the Red Elephants were left pondering just what is needed to clear that final championship hurdle.

Buford and East Forsyth got Week 9 off to a solid start on Thursday, winning key region games to stay in the playoff and region title hunt in their respective regions. But they aren’t the only ones with a chance this week to put themselves within sight of region titles heading into the final third of the season.

It will be the busiest week of the season with 19 games in northeast Georgia scheduled as playoff races have gotten red-hot around the area.

Brock Szakacs threw 3 TD passes to lead East Forsyth to a key 34-15, Region 8-4A win over Walnut Grove on Thursday on the road.

Justin Baker ran for a touchdown and also ran in a blocked punt for a touchdown to help lead Buford to a 51-14 win over Dacula in Region 8-6A action on Thursday at Tom Riden Stadium.

The two teams suing NASCAR asked a judge for a preliminary injunction Wednesday so they can compete next season under the charter system they are challenging as their antitrust case moves through federal court.

Kirby Smart doesn't believe he needs to use last week's shocking wave of upset losses by four highly ranked AP Top 25 teams as motivation for No. 5 Georgia in Saturday's visit from underdog Mississippi State.

Rafael Nadal is retiring from professional tennis at age 38, he announced in a video message Thursday, after winning 22 Grand Slam titles — 14 at the French Open — during an unprecedented era he shared with rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

With North Hall and Greater Atlanta Christian set to duke it out as unbeatens for first place in Region 6-3A Friday night at The Brickyard, it seems as if things are pretty cut-and-dried as we steam toward the playoffs.