Several area teams clinched playoff berths Friday night in high school football action while one team in the GAPPS division saw their season end in the first round of the playoffs...
As expected, Rabun County and Union County completed their collision course toward a Region 8-2A title showdown with big wins. The Wildcats thrashed Oglethorpe County 49-0, while the Panthers dismantled Social Circle 41-6. Banks County, however, saw its playoff hopes dashed after a 28-0 loss to Monticello in Homer.
In Region 7-3A, Dawson County and North Hall continued their winning ways and will meet next week at The Brickyard for the No. 2 seed in the region. The Tigers rolled past Cherokee Bluff, 52-9, and the Trojans smacked East Hall, 44-6. The Bluff, meanwhile, saw its surprise run at a playoff spot ended with its loss to Dawson County. Fannin County clinched the final spot in Region 7-3A with its 35-14 win over Lumpkin County.
Gainesville continued its hot streak at home taking down Apalachee, 51-21, for its third straight win and clinched a playoff berth at the same time. The Red Elephants now will have a chance at the No. 2 seed in Region 8-6A but will have to get by No. 5 Lanier next week at City Park Stadium. Winder-Barrow blocked a game-tying extra point with 58 seconds to go to beat Habersham Central, 41-40, in Mt. Airy.
In Region 8-5A, Johnson's bid for its first playoff spot in 15 years will have to wait another week after a 48-14 loss to Clarke Central at home. No. 1 Buford stayed perfect with a dominating 49-0 win over winless Walnut Grove.
Commerce dealt Riverside Military Academy's playoff chances a big blow with a 52-21 win at Maginnis Field. The Eagles will need help in Class A Private to get back to the playoffs for a second consecutive season. Lakeview Academy won for the second time in three weeks knocking off Towns County 41-0 in Hiawassee.
All four of the playoff spots in Region 7-4A have been locked up but Flowery Branch snapped its two-game losing streak with a 44-0 win over West Hall and White County held off Chestatee, 34-14, in Gainesville.
And in Region 8-3A, where all four spots have been settled, Jefferson beat cross-town rival Jackson County, 55-0, while East Jackson fell to Morgan County 45-31.
(Check below for all of Friday night's scores and a look at next week's schedule, which is the official end of the regular season. The GHSA playoffs begin Nov. 8)
AREA GHSA FOOTBALL SCORES FOR NOV. 1
Buford 49, Walnut Grove 0
Clarke Central 48, Johnson 14
Commerce 52, Riverside Military 21
Dawson County 52, Cherokee Bluff 9
Fannin County 35, Lumpkin County 14
Flowery Branch 44, West Hall 0
Gainesville 51, Apalachee 21
Jefferson 55, Jackson County 0
Lakeview Academy 41, Towns County 0
Monticello 28, Banks County 0
Morgan County 45, East Jackson 31
North Hall 44, East Hall 6
Rabun County 49, Oglethorpe County 0
Union County 41, Social Circle 6
White County 34, Chestatee 14
Winder-Barrow 41, Habersham Central 40
GAPPS 11-man AA FIRST ROUND PLAYOFFS
Skipstone Academy 12, Lanier Christian Academy 6 2OT
AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE FOR NOV. 8
Banks County at Elbert County*
Blessed Trinity at White County*
Buford at Clarke Central*
Dawson County at North Hall*
Flowery Branch at Denmark*
Habersham Central at Apalachee*
Jackson County at East Jackson*
Johnson at Loganville*
Lanier at Gainesville*
Lumpkin County at East Hall*
Rabun County at Union County*
Region 8-A crossover at Commerce #
Region 8-A crossover at Lakeview Academy #
Region 8-A crossover at Riverside Military #
Region 8-A crossover at Towns County #
West Hall at Chestatee*
(* -- denotes region game)
(# -- will update with opponent)
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