EATONTON — Banks County snapped a two-game losing and at the same time kept itself in the middle of the Region 8-2A playoff race with a 24-12 win over Putnam County on the road.
The Leopards (4-4, 3-2 Region 8-2A) moved into a third-place tie with Elbert County (5-3, 3-2) and the two teams will close out the regular season on Nov. 2 in Homer.
Banks County raced out to a 24-0 lead in the third quarter and then held on over the final 12 minutes.
Sean Hall got things started with a 60-yard scoring run in the first quarter. Jacob Lehotsky added a 35-yard touchdown run in the second quarter as the Leopards led 14-0 at halftime.
In the third quarter Terrance Walker scored on a 2-yard run and a Jace Bennett interception set up a 30-yard Erwin Durmic field goal to push it to a 24-0 lead.
After Durmic’s field goal, Putnam County returned the ensuing kickoff 85-yards for a score and got a late touchdown for the final tally.
Banks County next will travel to Monticello (3-5, 2-3) for a chance to clinch a playoff berth with a victory.
