Week 5: Area teams start to bring region races into focus

Week five brought the thick of region play, and with it a few interesting scorelines on Friday night.

White County clawed its way past East Hall in an old-fashioned defensive slug-fest, 6-0 in Rabbittown. The Vikings fought with everything they had but couldn't keep Dalton Whitfield out of the end zone for the game's only score in the Region 7-AAA battle.

Meanwhile, Chestatee flexed its defensive muscles in its own Region 8-AAAA showdown, posting only its fourth shutout in program history, 17-0 over Stephens County in Gainesville.

Also in 8-AAAA, Lumpkin County rolled up 558 yards of offense to nab its first win of the season, 31-19 over Walnut Grove. The Indians fought back from a 13-0 hole to claim success.

Perhaps the biggest result of the night came in Region 8-A, where Commerce knocked off No. 8 George Walton 31-21 in Commerce. The Tigers rushed for an astounding 309 yards in the win, fending off star George Walton running back Stanley Williams, who scored three touchdowns.

Elsewhere, Gainesville and Flowery Branch rolled to lopsided wins in Region 8-AAAAA -- and while the Red Elephants and Falcons won't dare look ahead, their regular season finale is already starting to loom.

In 7-AAA, Buford, North Hall and West Hall also stormed to big victories, each staying undefeated in region play. The Wolves and Spartans will face off in an intriguing battle next week.

Jefferson and Rabun County also dominated in Region 8-AA, as did Washington-Wilkes over Union County. The three teams have set themselves up as front-runners so far in the league. The Dragons will take on Washington-Wilkes next week in a highly-anticipated showdown.

Jackson County also gave North Oconee a scare, leading 27-26 late in the third quarter before the Titans rattled off 36 straight points.

North Forsyth also saw its perfect start to the season halted by a determined Lambert, which held off a 2-point conversion attempt from the Raiders to end the game.

Be sure to check our sports, high school sports and Friday Game Night pages for complete game stories and video highlights of Friday night's action.

FRIDAY'S AREA FOOTBALL RESULTS, SEPT. 27

Athens Academy 35, Lakeview Academy 7

Buford 63, Banks County 0

Chestatee 17, Stephens County 0

Clarke Central 43, Apalachee 19

Commerce 31, George Walton 21

Flowery Branch 38, Salem 7

Gainesville 48, Heritage, Conyers 7

Jefferson 55, Greene County 10

Lambert 14, North Forsyth 13

Lumpkin County 31, Walnut Grove 19

Norcross 27, Mill Creek 13

North Hall 51, Dawson County 6

North Oconee 62, Jackson County 27

Peachtree Ridge 49, Habersham Central 0

Rabun County 64, Social Circle 0

Riverside Military 28, Oglethorpe County 20

Washington-Wilkes 41, Union County 10

West Hall 49, Fannin County 7

White County 6, East Hall 0