It was either domination or dogfight for northeast Georgia high school football programs on Friday, as week 5 of the 2017 campaign produced both photo finishes and one-sided scorelines.
(NOTE: Check our Friday Game Night page for in-depth game stories and video highlights from throughout northeast Georgia.)
North Gwinnett and North Hall both battled their way to precious region victories in their respective leagues. The Bulldogs battled back from a second-half deficit to hand Mountain View its first loss of the season, 27-14 in Lawrenceville. The Bulldogs (4-1) won their fourth straight and first in 6-AAAAAAA. Across the county, region rival Mill Creek rolled to a 42-13 win over Collins Hill. The Hawks (4-1, 1-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA) will travel to face North Gwinnett next week.
North Hall, meanwhile, got two touchdowns and plenty of defense as it shut down Fannin County 13-0 in Region 7-AAA. The Trojans (1-4, 1-0 Region 7-AAA) had been close to their first win of the campaign each of the last two weeks but got it when necessary as they forced three Rebels (2-3, 0-1) turnovers. Also in 7-AAA, East Hall maintained its stellar play of the last four weeks, running past Lumpkin County 42-14, including a 21-0 first quarter lead. The Vikings (4-1, 1-0) will play host to Union County next week in a key 7-AAA battle, while North Hall will take on Dawson County. Union County fell to Greater Atlanta Christian 47-7 on Friday.
The Tigers (2-2) are coming off a jaw-dropping 45-42 shootout loss to White County in non-region play. The Warriors (5-1) and Tigers played a game-long version of one-up in Cleveland ended only by the final horn.
There was also a thrilling non-region battle in Mt. Airy, as Chestatee fought back from a 30-14 halftime deficit to down Habersham Central. The War Eagles (4-2) picked up a huge fumble inside the final two minutes to seal the win after a 292-yard, four touchdown effort from Nick Lyles.
Clayton Dykehouse had his own huge night for Banks County, as the Leopards fought their way to a key Region 8-AA victory in Monticello. Dykehouse helped key a second half fightback for Banks (2-3, 1-0 Region 8-AA) with 225 yards rushing and three touchdowns while also throwing a 50-yard scoring pass. The Leopards will play host to Rabun County next week after the WIldcats dominated West Hall 49-8 on Friday, halting a four-game win streak for the Spartans (4-2). West Hall will have a bye next week before facing Chestatee on Oct. 6.
Speaking of thrilling, Lanier fought past St. Pius 36-33 to move the Longhorns (3-2) above .500 for the season. Lanier will take next week off before beginning play in Region 8-AAAAAA. Fellow 8-AAAAAA squad Winder-Barrow also stayed undefeated, edging North Oconee 17-14 to post the Bulldoggs best start to a campaign since 1993. It was not a successful night for fellow 8-AAAAAA program Gainesville, however, as the Red Elephants suffered a 33-3 loss to Jefferson. The third-ranked Dragons (4-1) led 20-0 at the half at City Park. The Red Elephants (1-3) will travel to Marist.
Lakeview Academy (2-2, 1-2 Region 8-A) also picked up an impressive 35-14 win over Providence Christian with Lions quarterback Alec Bornhorst manufacturing four touchdowns in a Region 8-A contest. Commerce, meanwhile, dominated Athens Christian 35-0 in Region 8-A.
Flowery Branch also dominated Johnson 54-6 to win its first Region 8-AAAAA contest of the season. Meanwhile, Stephens County also notched a 33-21 win over Hart County.
Apalachee, Towns County and North Forsyth also each lost on Friday.
WEEK 5 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES, SEPT. 22
Athens Academy 53, Towns County 13
Banks County 35, Monticello 21
Chestatee 41, Habersham Central 37
Commerce 35, Athens Christian 0
East Hall 42, Lumpkin County 14
Flowery Branch 54, Johnson 6
Greater Atlanta Christian 47, Union County 7
Hebron Christian Academy 48, Riverside Military Academy 7
Jefferson 33, Gainesville 3
Lakeview Academy 35, Providence Christian 14
Lanier 36, St. Pius 33
Mill Creek 45, Collins Hill 13
Monroe Area 42, Apalachee 0
North Gwinnett 27, Mountain View 14
North Hall 13, Fannin County 0
Rabun County 49, West Hall 8
Stephens County 33, Hart County 21
White County 45, Dawson County 42
Winder-Barrow 17, North Oconee 14
Woodstock 49, North Forsyth 17
