Jeff Hart

Habersham Central could not hold onto a first quarter lead as No. 2-ranked Shiloh rallied for a 77-59 win in both teams’ Region 8-6A openers.

Kyia Barrett poured in 23 points and the Habersham Central girls opened Region 8-6A play with a solid 53-43 win over Shiloh on Wednesday at home.

Region 8-6A will open its quest to the playoffs on Wednesday, with a full slate of games scheduled.

Cherokee Bluff boys coach Josh Travis was worried about a Lanierland hangover coming into their crucial Region 8-4A North showdown with North Hall on Tuesday.

With tournament season finally in the rearview mirror, the race for the playoffs can hit the fast track beginning Tuesday around northeast Georgia.

Blake Corum rushed for a 17-yard touchdown on the second snap of overtime, and top-seeded Michigan advanced to its first College Football Playoff championship game with a 27-20 victory over fourth-seeded Alabama in the Rose Bowl on Monday.

Justin Fields threw for 268 yards with a touchdown pass and a rushing TD in what could be his final home game for Chicago, and Bears dealt Atlanta’s postseason hopes a big blow, beating the Falcons 37-17 on a snowy Sunday.

Trae Young had 40 points and 13 assists, Dejounte Murray added 32 points and the Atlanta Hawks overcame a slow start and spotty late foul shooting to beat the Washington Wizards 130-126 on Sunday.

The Union County boys and Rabun County girls both came away with Battle of the States titles on Saturday at the Towns County gym.

Carson Beck passed for 203 yards and two touchdowns, backup QB Gunnar Stockton passed for two more scores and No. 6 Georgia routed previously undefeated and fourth-ranked Florida State 63-3 in the Orange Bowl on Saturday night.