The rain may have dampened a few offenses, but it couldn't dampen some incredible outcomes on Friday, as a number of area squads came up with key victories on Friday night in Week 5 of high school football.
Lanier and Gainesville each picked up big wins in Region 8-AAAAA -- and, thanks to a stunning, 35-34 overtime win for Winder-Barrow over Salem -- the Longhorns and Red Elephants are now tied for first place in region play. Gainesville faces Salem -- which suffered its first 8-AAAAA setback thanks to the Bulldoggs -- on the road next week and then Lanier at home on Oct. 9. The Longhorns will get a bye before their Gainesville showdown. Also in 8-AAAAA on Friday, Flowery Branch continued its fightback, winning its second straight region game, 25-13 over Cedar Shoals.
Mill Creek also notched its first-ever defeat of North Gwinnett in Region 7-AAAAAA, shutting the Bulldogs down 28-0 to move to 5-0.
Meanwhile, in Region 7-AAA, Dawson County knocked off defending region champ West Hall 17-0 in Oakwood to hand the Spartans their first region loss since 2013. East Hall also roared to its first win of the season, hammering Lumpkin County 48-14 in Dahlonega. Franklin County also edged Banks County 14-7.
In Region 8-AAA, Jefferson knocked off cross-town rival Jackson County 24-7 to open their region campaign with a win. The victory sets up a huge showdown at Elbert County next week after the Blue Devils defeated Hart County 24-14 on Friday.
In Region 8-AAAA, Stephens County fended off a late rally from North Hall to win 14-13, while North Oconee pushed past Chestatee.
Union County also pulled away from Social Circle for a 42-21 win to move to 5-0, 1-0 in region play.
And, In Region 8-A, Commerce bounced back from a two-game losing skid to defeat Athens Christian 27-14. Lakeview Academy also nipped Providence Christian 8-7.
Johnson also put it on Riverside Military 31-7.
NOTE: To read in-depth game stories and see video highlights, check out our Friday Game Night section inside...
WEEK 5 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES, SEPT. 25
Alpharetta 48, Habersham Central 20
Clarke Central 16, Apalachee 0
Commerce 27, Athens Christian 14
Dawson County 17, West Hall 0
East Hall 48, Lumpkin County 14
Flowery Branch 25, Cedar Shoals 13
Franklin County 14, Banks County 7
Gainesville 28, Heritage, Conyers 0
George Walton Academy 24, Towns County 0
Jefferson 24, Jackson County 7
Johnson 31, Riverside Military 7
Lakeview Academy 8, Providence Christian 7
Lambert 42, North Forsyth 14
Lanier 21, Loganville 6
Mill Creek 28, North Gwinnett 0
North Oconee 37, Chestatee 15
Oconee County 49, East Jackson 0
Stephens County 14, North Hall 13
Union County 42, Social Circle 21
Winder-Barrow 35, Salem 34 OT
