Teams stay alive as playoffs loom

DAHLONEGA - Staying alive was the theme around northeast Georgia Friday night as the high school football season heads into its final week of the regular season.

Chestatee needed a defensive stop on a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter to hold off Lumpkin County 24-22. Meanwhile, White County held off Gilmer 23-20. With the victories both teams stayed alive for a playoff spot in Region 7-AAA.

Chestatee will play host to No. 3 North Hall next week while White County travels to Lumpkin County. Chestatee can still win the subregion with a win and a White County loss. The War Eagles also could be knocked out of the playoffs with a loss and a White County win. North Hall routed East Hall 73-20 Friday.

Jefferson moved into a position to win Region 8-A after demolishing arch-rival Commerce 42-7. It was the first win for the Dragons over the Tigers in 12 tries. Jefferson will close out the season at Athens Academy next week for the region title.

In Region 7B-AAA Gainesville clinched a playoff spot with a 40-14 win over West Hall while Flowery Branch locked up the subregion title with a 42-13 over Johnson.

In other action around the area, in Region 8-AA Fannin County wrapped up a home game in the first round with a win over Rabun County while Banks County held off Dawson County 28-21.

Class AAA No. 2 Stephens County rallied to beat No. 6 Hart County 20-7 to win the Region 8-AAA title. Apalachee beat Monroe Area 41-21 in other 8-AAA action.

Habersham Central won its seventh straight game 41-10 over Jackson County in Region 8-AAAA action.

Riverside Military Academy had a rough road trip losing 49-14 to defending GISA state champ and No. 1-ranked Tattnall Square. The Eagles, however, are still assured of at least a No. 3 seed in the upcoming GISA playoffs in I-AAA North.