Week 7: Region dogfights, blowouts highlight big night

West Hall showed just how bad it wanted a region win on Friday night -- as did Gainesville, North Hall, North Forsyth and Stephens County, each of whom fought their way to big victories in their respective leagues. Meanwhile, a number of other area squads pulled off lopsided victories in Week 7 of high school football action.

(NOTE: Visit our Friday Game Night page for game stories and video highlights from contests throughout northeast Georgia. For a look at statewide scores, click here.)

None had to fight as hard as the Spartans, however, who scored late and then held off a last-ditch Chestatee possession to seal a 35-28 win in Gainesville. In the five-team Region 7-AAAA, it was a big step forward toward the postseason. Elsewhere in the region, Blessed Trinity pulled away from White County 34-7.

in Region 8-AAAAAA, Gainesville also halted a two-game losing skid, answering an early deficit to defeat Habersham Central 24-7 in Mt. Airy. Also in 8-AAAAAA Lanier fended off a second-half Winder-Barrow charge to notch a 34-21 victory. Dacula also held Apalachee in check for a 26-7 win. Dacula will travel to face the Red Elephants next week in a huge region showdown.

In Region 7-AAA, North Hall bounced back from last week's defeat to seal a 28-20 victory in Dahlonega over Lumpkin County. The Trojans are just one game behind Dawson County and Greater Atlanta Christian, who each maintained their spotless region records on Friday. The Tigers rolled over Union County 57-26. The Spartans also dominated East Hall 69-12 after the Vikings put up a tough early fight.

In Region 8-AAAA, Stephens County traveled to St. Pius and clinched a 27-13 win that kept them in step with Jefferson, which had a bye.

Region 8-AAAAA provided some lopsided results, as Flowery Branch fell 41-7 at Walnut Grove to suffer its first region setback, while Buford stoned Johnson 48-0.

Plenty more area teams dominated on Friday, including Rabun County, 57-0 at Putnam County in Region 8-AA. Class AAAAAAA No. 1 Mill Creek also blanked Discovery 62-0 to set up a more intriguing Region 6-AAAAAAA showdown next week with Peachtree Ridge in Hoschton. 

North Forsyth did not completely crush rival Forsyth Central, but the Raiders did pick up an impressive 28-15 win in Region 5-AAAAAAA.

Region 8-A did see some more convincing finales, including a 63-0 victory for Commerce over Providence Christian that halted a two-game losing skid, while Prince Avenue Christian blanked Lakeview 49-0.

Jackson County and East Jackson also fell in Region 8-AAA play.

WEEK 7 AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES, Oct. 7
Blessed Trinity 34, White County 7

Buford 48, Johnson 0

Commerce 63, Providence Christian 0

Dacula 26, Apalachee 7

Dawson County 57, Union County 26

Franklin County 21, Jackson County 14

Gainesville 24, Habersham Central 7

Greater Atlanta Christian 69, East Hall 12

Lanier 34, Winder-Barrow 21

Mill Creek 62, Discovery 0

Monroe Area 28, East Jackson 16

North Forsyth 28, Forsyth Central 15

North Hall 28, Lumpkin County 20

Prince Avenue Christian 49, Lakeview Academy 0

Rabun County 57, Putnam County 0

Stephens County 27, St. Pius X 13

Walnut Grove 41, Flowery Branch 7

West Hall 35, Chestatee 28

North Hall running back Jack Brown runs through the rain in the Trojans' win over Lumpkin County in Dahlonega.

Chestatee's Nick Lyles tries to escape a tackle from a West Hall defender during the Spartans' 35-28 win on Friday night in Gainesville.

Gainesville running back KD Smith (20) scores a touchdown in front of Habersham Central's Garrett Kinsey in the Red Elephants' win on Friday in Mt. Airy.

North Forsyth's Nick Sing (99) celebrates a turnover during the Raiders' win over Forsyth Central on Friday.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/10/455188/week-7-wrap