Week 9 wrap: North Hall clinches playoff spot; Chestatee, GHS fall short; Branch gets back on track

North Hall became the first Northeast Georgia area team to officially clinch a playoff spot on Friday night to highlight an important night of football around the area.

The Trojans ran over, through, and around Gilmer for a 47-6 Region 7-3A win -- fifth consecutive -- at The Brickyard.

Also in Region 7-3A, Cherokee Bluff and Dawson County both big wins. The Bears rolled Lumpkin County, 55-8, at home, while the Tigers beat West Hall, 51-0, in Dawsonville. North Hall, Bluff, and Dawson County all are unbeaten and close out the regular season over the final three weeks playing each other for the region title.

In Region 6-7A, Gainesville and North Forysth both suffered losses. The Red Elephants' offense struggled all night in a 17-9 loss to South Forsyth at City Park. The Raiders went on the road and struggled offensively in a 26-7 loss to Lambert.

Buford stayed unbeaten in Region 8-6A routing Shiloh, 37-0, at Tom Riden Stadium. The Wolves improved to a perfect 9-0 in 8-6A play since joining the region in 2020.

Flowery Branch snapped its two-game losing streak in Region 8-4A with a gutsy 34-14 road win over Cedar Shoals in Athens. Madison County's Logan McClure booted a 31-yard field goal late in the game to lift the Red Raiders to a 24-21 win over Chestatee. The War Eagles had a chance after a huge kickoff return by Christian Vargas, but Luke Bornhorst's interception two plays later ended the comeback bid. East Hall's upset bid fell short against Class 4A No. 10 North Oconee in a 56-0 loss in Rabbittown.

And Class 2A No. 1 Rabun County ran its Region 8-2A win streak to 45 straight with a 63-0 rout of Banks County in Homer.

You can find stories on Friday night’s action on our Friday Game Night page.

SCORES FOR OCT. 15

Apalachee 42, Johnson 0*
Buford 37, Shiloh 0*
Chamblee 55, East Forsyth 6
Cherokee Bluff 55, Lumpkin County 8*
Commerce 30, Franklin County 0
Dawson County 51, West Hall 0*
Elbert County 52, Union County 29*
Flowery Branch 34, Cedar Shoals 14*
South Forsyth 17, Gainesville 9*
Lambert 26, North Forsyth 7*
Lanier 28, Habersham Central 10*
Lanier Christian 52, New Creation Christian 0
Madison County 24, Chestatee 21*
Mount Pisgah 35, Lakeview Academy 6*
North Hall 47, Gilmer 6*
North Oconee 56, East Hall 0*
Rabun County 63, Banks County 0*

(* -- denotes region contest)

South Forsyth held on to beat Gainesville, 17-9, at City Park on Friday.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2021/10/1045913/week-9-football-sked