Playoffs, week 1: Thrillers, gut-wrenchers as five area teams move on

The opening round pairings of the high school football playoffs Friday night offered some intriguing matchups that lived up to the billing. It also offered several big-time programs a chance to show they are once again serious contenders for state titles.

Class AA's No. 1-ranked and four-time defending state champ Buford had little trouble in getting by Temple in a 49-13 win at Tom Riden Stadium. The Wolves (11-0) next will take on Jefferson County at home in the second round. Region 6-AA went 3-1 in the opening round with Blessed Trinity and Westminster also posting wins.

Seventh-ranked Flowery Branch, meanwhile, needed a Hail Mary as time expired to beat playoff-newcomer Johns Creek, 41-38, in a thriller. The Falcons (10-1) will play host to Thomas County Central next week in the second round. The Falcons are looking to return to the state title game for the first time since 2008.

Sixth-ranked Gainesville figured to be pushed by Dalton, a team that would have gone 8-2 and been no worse than a No. 2 seed if not for having to forfeit four games early in the season. But the Red Elephants battled back from a slow start and finished strong in a 48-27 win at City Park Stadium. The Red Elephants (10-1) will play host to Monroe of Albany next week in the second round of the Class AAA postseason. Gainesville, which played for the state title in 2009, is looking for a return trip.

Stephens County offered Region 8-AAA its second win of the night, rallying to beat Cedartown 21-14 at The Reservation. The Indians (9-2) will travel to Cairo next week in the second round. Region 8-AAA split with 7-AAA as Ridgeland knocked off Monroe Area 35-21 and Allatoona beat Franklin County 40-21.

Habersham Central roller coaster season came to an end in another roller coaster game on Friday, as the Raiders suffered a 65-48 defeat to defending Class AAAA champ Chattahoochee in the first round. Except for the Raiders it was a good night for Region 8-AAAA, which went 3-1 in the first round.

Region 8-AA split with 7-AA, as North Oconee and Elbert County recorded wins. Yet Banks County (7-4) fell to Adairsville, 21-3, while Jefferson (8-3) lost 39-6 to Calhoun, which has finished state runner-up in three straight seasons.

Region 8-A had a rough night going 1-3, including Commerce losing to Lincoln County, 35-14. Prince Avenue Christian got the only win, beating Washington-Wilkes, 21-8.


AREA FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF SCORES, NOV. 11:

North Gwinnett 49, Archer 3

Flowery Branch 41, Johns Creek 38

Chattahoochee 65, Habersham Central 48

Gainesville 48, Dalton 27

Stephens County 21, Cedartown 14

Allatoona 47, Franklin County 21

Buford 49, Temple 13

Calhoun 39, Jefferson 6

Adairsville 21, Banks County 3

Lincoln County 35, Commerce 14


SECOND ROUND PLAYOFF GAMES FOR AREA TEAMS:

Thomas County Central at Flowery Branch

Monroe at Gainesville

Stephens County at Cairo

Jefferson County at Buford

Colquitt County at North Gwinnett

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