Week 9 may have been the lightest on the schedule for the 2022 campaign, but it may have packed the biggest punch of the season on Friday night.
No. 1 Buford held off No. 2 Mill Creek in a massive, and hard-hitting, showdown at Tom Riden Stadium. The Wolves led wire-to-wire for a 39-27 win over the Hawks and with it gained early control in Region 8-7A. It was Buford's 24th straight win at Tom Riden against Georgia opposition and ran its record to 72-1 against Georgia teams since 2012.
Dawson County also took control in Region 7-3A, pulling out a 31-24 over Wesleyan on the road. White County got back in the 7-3A race for a playoff spot with a 56-14 win over West Hall in Oakwood.
In Region 8-A Division 1 openers, Rabun County and Commerce started their quest for a season-ending showdown for the title on Friday. No. 3 Rabun County took down No. 6 Elbert County, 41-21, at The Granite Bowl, while the Tigers ran past Athens Christian, 49-24, on the road as well.
Johnson failed to snap its losing streak with a 39-21 loss to Towns County and former coach Jason Roquemore at The Dungeon.
Jefferson stayed unbeaten in Region 8-5A with a 27-0 win over Flowery Branch at Falcons Field. The loss may all but have eliminated the reeling Falcons from the playoffs.
In Region 8-4A, North Hall kept its playoff chances alive knocking off arch-rival Chestatee, 28-21, at War Eagle Stadium. But it was a tough night for other area teams in 8-4A as East Forsyth fell to No. 2 North Oconee, 48-0, and Cherokee Bluff dropped another close game to Walnut Grove, 28-25, at Yonah Field.
You can check AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night page for game stories and video highlights.
OCTOBER 14 SCORES
Bethlehem Christian 41, Riverside Preparatory 7*
Buford 39, Mill Creek 27*
Commerce 49, Athens Christian 24
Dawson County 34, Wesleyan 27*
Gainesville 34, Habersham Central 0*
Jefferson 27, Flowery Branch 0*
North Hall 28, Chestatee 21*
North Oconee 48, East Forsyth 0*
Rabun County 41, Elbert County 21*
Towns County 39, Johnson 21
Union County 56, Providence Christian 49*
Walnut Grove 28, Cherokee Bluff 25*
White County 56, West Hall 14*
(Banks County, East Hall, East Jackson, Jackson County, Lakeview Academy, Lanier Christian, Lumpkin County, and North Forsyth all were off this week.)
(* -- denotes region contest)
