Three region titles and five more playoff spots were claimed Friday to highlight a busy night around Northeast Georgia on the gridiron.
Rabun County won the 8-2A crown with another huge game from Gunner Stockton and Jaden Gibson in a 56-14 rout of Union County in Blairsville.
Meanwhile, in Region 7-3A, Cherokee Bluff captured its second straight region crown, surviving a bruising game with North Hall, 28-26, at The Brickyard. Dawson County and White County both sealed up playoff spots in Region 7-3A as well. The Tigers whipped arch-rival Lumpkin County, 42-8, at Tiger Stadium while the Warriors smacked Gilmer 52-25 in Cleveland.
In Region 8-4A, No. 1 Jefferson was stunned by North Oconee, 11-6, in a game where the Titans got a pair of special team safeties to help capture the region title at Memorial Stadium.
Flowery Branch also clinched a spot in Region 8-4A with a 30-20 win over Chestatee at Falcon Field. Banks County in Region 8-2A also clinched a spot with Riverside Military’s 38-2 loss to Elbert County.
Commerce clinched a playoff spot and will have a chance to repeat as champs in Region 8-A Public after knocking off No. 9 Washington-Wilkes 31-20. The Tigers will travel to Lincoln County next week.
Gainesville’s long playoff streak is still alive for another week after the Red Elephants took down first place Denmark, 13-7, in a huge Region 6-7A game at home. The Red Elephants have made 21 straight postseason appearances going back to 1999.
For others, the playoff run either ended or will have to wait another week to learn their fate.
Habersham Central is still alive in Region 8-6A after Buford's win over Winder-Barrow but the Raiders will have to win next week and get some help.
Lumpkin County, Riverside Military, East Hall, and Towns County all saw their playoff runs end with losses.
You can find stories on Friday night’s action on our Friday Game Night page.
SCORES FOR FRIDAY, OCT. 29
Buford 38, Winder-Barrow 2*
Cherokee Bluff 28, North Hall 26*
Commerce 31, Washington-Wilkes 20*
Dawson County 42, Lumpkin County 8*
Elbert County 38, Riverside Military 2*
Flowery Branch 30, Chestatee 20*
Gainesville 13, Denmark 7*
Hart County 52, East Jackson 18*
Jackson County 42, Greenbrier 27*
Lanier Christian 24, Unity Christian 12*
Madison County 62, East Hall 18*
North Oconee 11, Jefferson 6*
Rabun County 56, Union County 14*
Social Circle 42, Towns County 22*
South Forsyth 28, North Forsyth 10*
Southeast Whitfield 28, East Forsyth 21
St. Francis 33, Lakeview Academy 12*
West Hall 35, Johnson 7
White County 52, Gilmer 25*
(* -- Denotes region contest)
OFF THIS WEEK
Banks County
Habersham Central
West Hall
