Two teams -- Gainesville and Commerce -- were looking to continue long playoff streaks Friday night. Commerce got the mission accomplished, but the Red Elephants dropped a gut-wrencher at home to help highlight another big, and crucial, night around northeast Georgia.
The Red Elephants missed out, at least for one week, on a 21st straight postseason appearance with another nail-biter, this time falling 14-7 to West Forsyth in the always-exciting Region 6-7A. The loss for Gainesville (5-3, 3-1 Region 6-7A) knocks them into third place in the region.
Commerce advanced for the 24th consecutive season with a 48-22 rout of Social Circle in Region 8-A Public. The win for the Tigers (7-1, Region 8-A Public) also puts them within one win of claiming no worse than second place in the region.
Flowery Branch clinched in Region 8-4A with a 49-7 over Madison County to move to 6-2 overall, 3-1 in region play and kept pace with North Oconee for second place. The Titans (4-5, 4-1 Region 8-4A) beat Cedar Shoals on Friday but have yet to take on No. 2 Jefferson.
No. 9 Cherokee Bluff stayed unbeaten with a wild 28-27 win over Dawson County in a huge Region 7-3A battle in Dawsonville. The Tigers (4-4, 3-1 Region 7-3A) let a 20-14 halftime slip away in the second half. The Bears (8-0, 4-0 Region 7-3A) will take on North Hall (5-3, 4-0 Region 7-3A) next week for the outright region lead.
Staying in 7-3A, West Hall kept its slim hopes alive with an inspired 35-7 win over Gilmer at home. Lumpkin County, however, was knocked out in its 49-13 loss to White County (6-2, 2-2 Region 7-3A) which can clinch a playoff spot with a win over Gilmer (4-4, 2-3 Region 7-3A) in Ellijay next week.
Towns County stayed alive for a playoff spot in Region 8-A Public with a 20-0 win over Greene County on the road but East Jackson's playoff dreams ended with a 27-12 loss to Franklin County in Region 8-3A.
Class 2A No. 3-ranked Rabun County clinched a home playoff spot with a 63-7 blowout win over Elbert County at The Granite Bowl.
Johnson lost to Greenbrier 49-0 in Region 8-5A action.
Buford and Lanier were set to play in Sugar Hill on Friday but that contest was moved to Saturday in a big Region 8-6A showdown. Kickoff in that game is now scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at The Ranch.
You can check AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night page for game stories and video highlights.
NOVEMBER 5 SCORES
Eastside 27, Jackson County 0*
Jefferson 67, Chestatee 12*
Rabun Gap 21, Union County 6
NOVEMBER 6 SCORES
Commerce 48, Social Circle 22*
Cherokee Bluff 28, Dawson County 27*
Flowery Branch 49, Madison County 7*
Franklin County 27, East Jackson 12*
Greenbrier 49, Johnson 0*
Rabun County 63, Elbert County 7*
Towns County 20, Greene County 0*
West Forsyth 14, Gainesville 7*
West Hall 35, Gilmer 7*
White County 49, Lumpkin County 13*
NOVEMBER 7 SCHEDULE
Buford at Lanier, 12:30 p.m.* -- moved from Nov. 6
(* -- denotes region contest)
