Despite what looked like some intriguing matchups coming into Friday's action, many teams decided to take the drama out early.<br />
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Buford, Gainesville, Winder-Barrow, Union County, and Mill Creek all jumped on the opposition early while Lanier got a big second half in posting wins.<br />
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Buford scored 28 points in the first 13 minutes en route to a 42-10 win over White County in Region 8-AAAA openers for both teams. Gainesville and Winder-Barrow got big Region 8-AAAAA wins, with the Elephants blasting Apalachee 48-7 and the Bulldoggs blitzing Loganville 46-7 in one of their biggest wins in years.<br />
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Also in 8-AAAAA, Lanier took a 21-7 victory over Cedar Shoals, with the defense getting a 95-yard fumble recovery late in the game to help preserve the win.<br />
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Union County got 28 first-quarter points and then cruised to a 35-8 win over rival Fannin County in what was expected to a closer game with both teams on fire offensively the last two weeks. The Panthers Joseph Mancuso threw for 248 yards and five touchdowns.<br />
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In 8-AA, Rabun County continued its strong play with a solid 24-3 win over Riverside Military in their openers.<br />
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In Region 7-AAAAAA, North Gwinnett had the comeback of the night. The Bulldogs trailed Collins Hill 21-0 in the first half but rallied for a 42-24 win at home. Mill Creek routed Duluth 42-0 on the road.<br />
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Lumpkin County fell down early and had a huge rally to tie the game in the second half but eventually fell to Our Lady of Mercy 42-35 in a wild finish.<br />
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West Hall, meanwhile, saw its three-game win streak and shutout streak come to an end against a tough North Oconee squad, 28-10. The Titans' Kawon Bryant ran wild piling up 215 yards and two touchdowns in the win.<br />
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Flowery Branch dropped its second straight 8-AAAAA contest, falling to winless Heritage, Conyers 35-16 at home. The Falcons now face a tough uphill battle for a playoff spot falling to 0-2 in region play.<br />
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A banged up East Hall squad, playing without quarterback Devin Watson, struggled on offense in a 31-6 loss to Jackson County.<br />
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Of course, you can read about all of our coverage of Friday's action on our <a href="http://www.accessnorthga.com/s15-football-central.php"><b>Friday Game Night page</b></a><br />
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<b>AREA PREP FOOTBALL SCORES, SEPT. 19</b><br />
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Banks County 24, North Cobb Christian 8<br />
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Buford 42, White County 10<br />
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Carrollton 46, North Hall 10<br />
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Commerce 27, Athens Academy 20<br />
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Franklin County 27, East Jackson 7<br />
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Gainesville 48, Apalachee 7<br />
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Heritage-Conyers 35, Flowery Branch 16<br />
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Jackson County 31, East Hall 6<br />
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Lanier 21, Cedar Shoals 7<br />
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Mill Creek 42, Duluth 0<br />
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North Gwinnett 42, Collins Hill 24<br />
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North Oconee 28, West Hall 10<br />
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Our Lady of Mercy 42, Lumpkin County 35<br />
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Pickens 49, Johnson 6<br />
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Rabun County 24, Riverside Military Academy 3<br />
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South Forsyth 55, North Forsyth 3<br />
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Union County 35, Fannin County 8<br />
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West Forsyth 56, Habersham Central 35<br />
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Winder-Barrow 46, Loganville 7
