MARIETTA -- Despite outgaining Kell and having more first downs, Flowery Branch could not overcome four turnovers in a 21-13 loss to the Longhorns Friday night in the second round of the Class AAAA state playoffs.
Kell (12-0) scored 14 unanswered points in the second and third quarters to break a 7-7 tie and then held on in the fourth quarter.
Running back Jeremy Haley had a huge game for the Falcons (10-2) with 175 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, senior quarterback Austin Brown finished 11-of-22 for 132 yards passing but had two interceptions.
Brian Randolph was a one-man wrecking crew for Kell, rushing for 217 yards and two first half touchdowns on 29 carries. But it was a 17-yard touchdown run by Chris Gaines following a Flowery Branch turnover that was the key score on the night, giving the Longhorns a 21-7 lead.
Haley's 5-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter cut the lead to 21-13, but the Falcons could not get closer.
Flowery Branch had tied the game at 7-7 on Haley's 7-yard scoring run in the second quarter but Kell answered with two touchdowns in a 1:20 span, including a 39-yard TD run by Randolph with just 41 seconds left in the first half.
Kell will take on Statesboro, a 34-28 winner over Griffin, next week in the quarterfinals.
Flowery Branch ends its season at 10-2 after finishing second in Region 8-AAAA and reaching the second round of the state playoffs in its first season in Class AAAA.
Saturday
July 12th, 2025
10:56AM
