GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Gavin Hall ran for 220 yards and three touchdowns, Baxter Wright threw for 238 yards, 3 TD passes and one rushing to lead Gainesville past South Paulding, 46-27, on Friday in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs at City Park Stadium.
The Red Elephants (11-0) will play host to Blessed Trinity in the second round next week. The Titans (9-2) advanced with a 24-10 win over Creekview in the opening round.
It was a tight game for most of the first half as the teams traded touchdowns, with South Paulding (3-8) grabbing a 14-13 lead on a 53-yard pass midway through the period. But Gainesville responded with 20 straight points into the third quarter, highlighted by a 50-yard touchdown pass from Wright to Sky Niblett.
South Paulding cut the lead to 33-21 moments later, but Gainesville would outscore the Spartans 14-6 in the fourth quarter to pull away.
Niblett finished with 106 yards and 2 TDs receiving. Eric Hart had 75 yards and 1 TD for the Red Elephants.
