MACON — The longest title streak in Georgia high school history is no more.
Jefferson's 18-year run as Duals state champions came to an end Friday night as the Dragons lost to Sonoraville 48-22 in the Class 3A semifinal at the Macon Centreplex.
The Dragons had won every Duals championship spanning four classifications since its inception in 2001 and came in as the defending state champions. But Sonoraville, who won the Class 3A Traditional state title last year, was too much for Jefferson.
But North Hall, which won the 2018 Duals title and lost to the Dragons in last year's championship match, will get another shot at the title. The Trojans held off Jackson County, 48-24, to advance to the championship match.
North Hall and Sonoraville will duke it out beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday for the 3A championship.
Jefferson and Jackson both drop into Saturday's 9 a.m. consolation semifinals. The Dragons will await the Pike County-Adairsville winner while the Panthers will take on the Stone Mountain-Lovett winner.
Meanwhile, Commerce rolled into the Class A finals at the State Duals after taking down Holy Innocents, 43-19, Friday afternoon.
The Tigers will take on Trion in Saturday's 3 p.m. finals in a rematch of last year's championship match. Trion held off Mt. Pisgah 42-22 to advance.
Commerce is looking for its seventh consecutive Class A crown
Buford's quest for a third title in four seasons also ended with a 37-25 loss to Veterans in the Class 5A semifinals. The Wolves fall into the consolation semifinals and will take on the Harris County-Walnut Grove winner at 9 a.m.
And, Flowery Branch's and Gainesville's runs in the State Duals came to an end Friday afternoon.
Flowery Branch temporarily stayed alive in the Class 4A tournament with a 49-28 win over Columbus in the first round of the consolation bracket. Then, the Falcons were nipped by Cartersville, 41-33, in the second round of the consolation bracket and were eliminated. Flowery Branch fell into the consolation bracket with an opening-day loss to No. 2-seed Gilmer on Thursday. The Falcons were in the State Duals for the first time since 2014.
Gainesville, making its first appearance since 2017, was knocked out by Sequoyah in the second consolation round in Class 6A, falling 50-18 to the Chiefs on Friday. Gainesville won its opening match of the tournament against Evans on Thursday but was knocked into the consolation round with a loss to No. 2 seed Creekview later in the day.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2020/1/868638/wrestling-branch-stays-alive-win-4a-beats-columbus