It wasn't exactly "Black Friday," but a number of area football teams might have felt like it after watching their seasons come to an end in the first round of the state playoffs.<br />
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Five northeast Georgia teams fought through to survive the opening round -- Buford, Gainesville, Jefferson, Rabun County and Stephens County all earning victories -- but nine more area squads saw their seasons come to a close on a bitter night.<br />
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There were some incredible finishes -- including two in Hall County, as Gainesville outscored Creekview 42-37 in Class AAAAA to claim the Red Elephants seventh straight first round postseason win. Gainesville -- the only team from Region 8-AAAAA to post a first-round victory -- will travel to Harris County next week in a rematch of a 2012 quarterfinal. <br />
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West Hall, meanwhile, so nearly pulled out its own thriller in Class AAA, reeling off 24 straight points in the second half to take a 38-35 lead over Oconee County... only to watch the Warriors mount a 93-yard drive to score the game-winning touchdown with just under a minute to play. It was a simultaneously heart-wrenching and prideful moment for the Spartans, who showed tremendous heart to fight back from a 35-14 halftime deficit. West Hall's season -- which included its first-ever region title -- is complete.<br />
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It was a tough night for all of Region 7-AAA, which was swept out at the hands of Region 8-AAA. Elbert County held off a determined Lumpkin County 28-18 -- the Indians trailed just 21-18 with 7:00 remaining. Hart County ran away from East Hall 42-14 in Hartwell, while Jefferson stiff-armed Franklin County 38-7. The Dragons led 38-0 at the half and got a chance to rest some key starters with Dodge County looming in the second round.<br />
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Region 8-AAAA also showed its worth on Friday, winning three of its four contests, including a 63-0 victory for Buford, as the Wolves marched past Southeast Whitfield. The Wolves were led by 140 yards rushing and three touchdowns -- on six carries -- by Xavier Gantt. Region 8-AAAA No. 3 seed Stephens County also earned its first playoff win since 2011, blasting Pickens 42-14 to set up a second round game at West Laurens next week.<br />
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Elsewhere, Rabun County clinched its first state playoff win since 1998, holding off Chattooga 24-20 in Tiger. The Wildcats will play host to Benedictine of Savannah next week. It was one of two wins for 8-AA on the night, though Union County could not find a way past Model, falling 50-36 in Blairsville.<br />
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Perhaps the biggest shock of the night came in Class AAAAAA, where Region 7-AAAAAA was swept from the playoffs. Mill Creek suffered a 24-6 loss at Grayson, while Central Gwinnett pulled one of the shocks of the playoffs, winning 12-9 in Suwanee. <br />
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Region 8-AAAAA champ Lanier also saw its season come to a surprising end, as the No. 1 seed suffered a 24-21 loss to Sequoyah. Four seed Winder-Barrow also suffered a 31-7 loss at No. 1 seed Kell.<br />
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As always, in-depth game stories, video highlights and state scores are available on our <b><a href="http://www.accessnorthga.com/fridaygamenight">Friday Game Night page</a></b>. It was a telling first night in the playoffs, and we're already looking forward to round two.<br />
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<b>AREA FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FINALS, NOV. 14</b><br />
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Buford 63, Southeast Whitfield 0<br />
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Cartersville 54, White County 0<br />
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Central Gwinnett 12, North Gwinnett 9<br />
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Elbert County 28, Lumpkin County 18<br />
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Gainesville 42, Creekview 37<br />
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Grayson 24, Mill Creek 6<br />
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Hart County 42, East Hall 14<br />
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Jefferson 38, Franklin County 7 <br />
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Kell 31, Winder-Barrow 7<br />
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Model 50, Union County 36<br />
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Oconee County 42, West Hall 38<br />
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Rabun County 24, Chattooga 20 <br />
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Sequoyah 24, Lanier 21<br />
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Stephens County 42, Pickens 14
