There weren't many close finishes on Friday night -- but the ones that were made for some memorable stuff as Week 7 of high school football played out around northeast Georgia.
(NOTE: Check our Friday Game Night page for in-depth game stories and video highlights from throughout northeast Georgia.)
Region 8-AAAAAA in particular proved riveting, as Habersham Central at Gainesville and Winder-Barrow at Lanier provided fans with a pair of never-say-die battles. The Red Elephants nipped the Raiders at the death, scoring on an 81-yard touchdown pass and a 36-yard field goal to cap a fourth quarter comeback and win 30-27 at City Park. It was the Red Elephants' first win since opening night.
Meanwhile, the Bulldoggs held off a late Longhorns charge 24-21, including a blocked field goal at the buzzer to seal a win after Lanier scored a touchdown and recovered an onside kick wityh jusr 12 seconds remaining. It was Winder's first ever win over Lanier and kept the Bulldoggs undefeated at 7-0.
Jackson County also pulled off a clutch region victory, knocking off Franklin County 28-21 in Carnesville for a Region 8-AAA win. The Panthers are now 1-1 in region play.
West Hall also fended off a late Chestatee comeback attempt for a 28-14 win in Oakwood. The Spartans sprinted to a 28-0 lead, 21-0 at the half and rushed for 317 yards in notching their first Region 7-AAAA victory of the campaign. Stephens County also suffered a 28-13 loss to St. Pius X in Region 8-AAAA.
Friday's remaining finals proved lopsided.
White County battled Blessed Trinity for a half and was tied 14-14 in the second quarter before the Titans pulled away 50-14 in Region 7-AAAA play.
Buford dominated Johnson 70-0 in Region 8-AAAAA, while Flowery Branch overcame a 7-7 first quarter tie to run away for a 49-13 defeat of Walnut Grove in 8-AAAAA.
In Region 8-A, Commerce got back on the winning track with a 55-0 shutout of Providence Christian, while Prince Avenue Christian defeated Lakeview Academy 71-7.
Region 7-AAA also saw some eye-opening finales, as East Hall went down to No. 3 Greater Atlanta Christian 59-0, and Dawson County pulled away for a 52-21 win at Union County. North Hall also dominated Lumpkin County 55-14. The Trojans and Panthers play next week in Gainesville in a potentially huge showdown.
Rabun County also crushed Putnam County 59-0 in Region 8-AA, while Mill Creek ran past Discovery 45-7 in Region 6-AAAAAAA. North Forsyth also claimed its largest ever defeat of Forsyth Central, 58-0, in Region 5-AAAAAAA.
WEEK 7 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES, OCT. 6
Blessed Trinity 50, White County 14
Buford 70, Johnson 0
Commerce 55, Providence Christian 0
Dacula 49, Apalachee 13
Dawson County 52, Union County 21
Flowery Branch 49, Walnut Grove 13
Gainesville 30, Habersham Central 27
Greater Atlanta Christian 59, East Hall 0
Jackson County 28, Franklin County 21
Mill Creek 45, Discovery 7
Monroe Area 55, East Jackson 0
North Forsyth 58, Forsyth Central 0
North Hall 55, Lumpkin County 14
Prince Avenue Christian 71, Lakeview Academy 7
Rabun County 59, Putnam County 0
St. Pius 28, Stephens County 13
West Hall 28, Chestatee 14
Winder-Barrow 24, Lanier 21
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