Several northeast Georgia teams made playoff statements Friday night in probably the most important week of the season so far. And seven of the eight area regions had some huge matchups and many did not disappoint.
But perhaps the biggest win of the night came in Mt. Airy where Habersham Central knocked off Lanier for the first time ever, 36-15, to pull even in Region 8-6A play and into third place. A loss and the Raiders may have been looking at having to win out to make the playoffs. Now, just one win in their last two should get them back into the playoffs. Also In Region 8-6A, Buford hammered Shiloh 44-0 on the road to stay even with Dacula atop the region standings.
Gainesville went on the road and played perhaps its most complete game in Region 6-7A with an impressive 28-14 win over South Forsyth to stay on top in the region standings. The Red Elephants defense held Class 7A's best offense to its lowest output of the season.
In Region 8-5A, Jackson County was looking to perhaps seal a playoff spot but ran into a hot Loganville squad in a disappointing 47-7 loss at home. In other 8-5A action, Apalachee beat Johnson, 45-0.
In 8-4A, Flowery Branch held off Cedar Shoals 27-20 despite a shaky second half to make a big move into second place in the region standings. North Oconee rolled past East Hall 48-7 in a game that was expected to be an offensive shootout, and Chestatee was knocked off by Madison County, 44-21.
In 7-3A, Cherokee Bluff continued its stellar defensive play in taking a 41-6 win over Lumpkin County. Dawson County pulled away in the second half for a 38-21 win over the Spartans. And North Hall won its fifth straight with a 33-13 victory over Gilmer in Ellijay.
Union County could not keep its win streak going as turnovers doomed the Panthers in a 31-10 loss to Elbert County. And Lakeview Academy fell to Mt. Pisgah 31-15 at home in Region 6-A Private.
Rabun County and Banks County were set to play in Tiger but that game was postponed until Saturday in a big Region 8 -2A showdown. Kickoff in that game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
You can check AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night page for game stories and video highlights.
OCTOBER 30 SCORES
Apalachee 45, Johnson 0*
Buford 44, Shiloh 0*
Cherokee Bluff 41, Lumpkin County 6*
Dawson County 38, West Hall 21*
Elbert County 31, Union County 10*
Flowery Branch 27, Cedar Shoals 20*
Gainesville 28, South Forsyth 14*
Habersham Central 36, Lanier 15*
Loganville 47, Jackson County 7*
Madison County 44, Chestatee 21*
Mt. Pisgah Christian 31, Lakeview Academy 15*
North Hall 33, Gilmer 13*
North Oconee 48, East Hall 7*
OCTOBER 31 SCHEDULE
Banks County at Rabun County*
(* -- denotes region contest)
