If last week proved anti-climactic with several blowout wins, this week more than made up for it with more nail-biting finishes in one night than we can remember.
(NOTE: Be sure to check out our Friday Game Night page for in-depth game stories and video highlights of contests throughout northeast Georgia. Also, click here for a round-up of scores from around the state.)
Three area contests spilled into overtime -- White County winning its first game of the season over North Hall; West Hall fended off Dawson County for its fourth straight win; and Towns County edged Riverside Military in double overtime -- while five more were decided by one score.
Amongst the tight finishes was Apalachee's first win since 2014, as the Wildcats defeated Walnut Grove 14-13 to bust a 14-game winless streak (the Wildcats did tie Union Grove 22-22 on Sept. 2). Meanwhile, North Forsyth moved to 3-1 to continue its best start to a campaign since 2013 with a 35-31 comeback win over Pickens. Lanier also ended a two-game losing skid with a breath-taking defeat of Lambert, 35-28 after trading blows throughout the fourth quarter.
Elsewhere, Buford jumped out to a 31-7 lead on Jeff Davis of, Montgomery, Ala., only to hold on for a 38-30 victory at Tom Riden Stadium.
Chestatee also notched its second straight win, holding off Lumpkin County 38-33 in Dahlonega, while East Hall sprinted past Jackson County 38-22 in Valhalla.
Union County also summoned its strength late to pull away from Banks County, 42-28 after the game was tied at 28-28 in the fourth quarter.
It wasn't all photo finishes, however, and there were a few lopsided finales, including Jefferson's 33-0 defeat of Flowery Branch. The Dragons did it in their usual fashion, relying on the run game and dominant defense. The Falcons managed just 32 yards on the night, while Jefferson rushed for 268, as it bounced back from its lone loss in style. The Dragons will play host to a Gainesville team next week that has had two weeks off since a win over Clarke Central on Sept. 2.
Stephens County also halted Habersham Central's three-game win streak, taking an early lead and closing out a 27-7 victory in Toccoa to claim its third win of the season.
Meanwhile, Fannin County stomped Andrews, N.C., 42-0, while Loganville ran over Winder-Barrow 41-7.
East Jackson will round out the weekend tomorrow at Glynn Academy in Brunswick.
WEEK 4 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES, Sept. 16
Apalachee 14, Walnut Grove 13
Buford 38, Jeff Davis, Montgomery, Ala. 30
Chestatee 38, Lumpkin County 33
East Hall 38, Jackson County 22
Fannin County 42, Andrews, N.C. 0
Jefferson 33, Flowery Branch 0
Lanier 35, Lambert 28
Loganville 41, Winder-Barrow 7
North Forsyth 35, Pickens 31
Stephens County 27, Habersham Central 7
Towns County 13, Riverside Military Academy 6 2OT
Union County 42, Banks County 28
West Hall 30, Dawson County 23 2OT
White County 24, North Hall 23 OT
Sept. 17 SCHEDULE
East Jackson at Glynn Academy (Glynn County Stadium), 1 p.m.
