Region title and playoff races are fast taking shape around northeast Georgia, and Friday night provided some impressive performances for area programs, as Week 6 of the high school football season played on through the rain.
Jefferson is not yet in full control of Region 8-AAA -- Oconee County is still undefeated in 8-AAA play too -- but the Dragons showed that the road to the region crown looks very much like it will run through Memorial Stadium after they pushed past Elbert County 27-8 in a showdown of undefeated top five-ranked squads in Elberton. Jefferson did it in usual fashion -- grinding with their offensive line and Colby Wood, who rushed for 284 yards on 47 carries and scored four touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Dragons kept the explosive Mecole Hardman under wraps for the most part, allowing 107 yards and a touchdown to the quarterback.
In Region 8-AAAAA, Gainesville set itself up for a mammoth showdown with Lanier next week, taking advantage of six turnovers to roll past Salem 34-6 in Conyers. The Red Elephants are now 4-0 in region play and will face a Longhorns squad that is also 4-0 next week in Gainesville. Also in 8-AAAAA, Winder-Barrow outlasted Flowery Branch 24-17 to keep its place in the postseason race -- the win, combined with the Salem loss to Gainesville moved the Bulldoggs into fourth place (Loganville is third) in the standings.
In Region 8-AAAA, North Hall put together the most impressive scoreline of the night, hammering North Oconee 31-0 to get its first region win. The Trojans, which lobbed two 58-yard touchdown passes, will face Buford next week in Gainesville. The Wolves blanked Chestatee 56-0 on Friday. Stephens County, meanwhile, stayed tied for first in region play with a 29-6 win at Monroe Area. White County also bounced back from a slow start to clinh a 26-11 win over Madison County -- the Warriors' first victory of the season.
In 7-AAA, Dawson County out-fought East Hall 35-28 to move to 2-0 in region play and set up a huge showdown with Franklin County next week -- which defeated Lumpkin County 29-8. Both teams are tied for first in 7-AAA. Meanwhile, Banks County powered past Fannin County 52-28 to move to 1-1 in region play; West Hall (on a bye), Lumpkin and Fannin are yet to record a region win.
Rabun County and Union County continued their march toward their rivalry showdown in a couple of weeks with dominating wins -- the Wildcats shutting out Social Circle 44-0 and the Panthers taking out Oglethorpe 41-6. Meanwhile, Riverside Military picked up its first win of the season, 21-6 over Strong Rock Christian.
Mill Creek also maintained its unblemished record with ease, crushing Meadowcreek 52-0 in Region 7-AAAAAA.
Check out our Friday Game Night page for in-depth game stories and video highlights from around northeast Georgia.
WEEK 6 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES, OCT. 2
Athens Academy 36, Towns County 7
Banks County 52, Fannin County 28
Buford 56, Chestatee 0
Dawson County 35, East Hall 28
Franklin County 29, Lumpkin County 8
Gainesville 34, Salem 6
Hebron Christian 21, Lakeview Academy 0
Jefferson 27, Elbert County 8
Loganville 38, Apalachee 0
Mill Creek 52, Meadowcreek 0
Morgan County 37, East Jackson 7
Norcross 38, North Gwinnett 10
North Hall 31, North Oconee 0
Oconee County 29, Jackson County 0
Prince Avenue 35, Commerce 14
Rabun County 44, Social Circle 0
Riverside Military 21, Strong Rock Christian 7
Stephens County 29, Monroe Area 6
Union County 41, Oglethorpe County 6
White County 26, Madison County 11
Winder-Barrow 24, Flowery Branch 17
