Gainesville got its playoff aspirations off to a solid start taking a key region win while Jackson County and Johnson fell to open their region schedules on Friday.
The Red Elephants held off Forsyth Central 34-7 at City Park Stadium in Region 6-7A behind another stellar performance from Baxter Wright and the offense. However, Jackson County could not hold an early lead in a tough 16-14 loss to Walnut Grove in Region 8-5A. Johnson also was not able to open Region 8-5A with a win losing 65-0 to Eastside.
In the night's marquee matchup, Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.) nipped Buford 7-0 in a defensive slugfest between two of the Southeast's most highly-ranked teams. The Wolves forced three Lions turnovers but was held to less than 100 total yards of offense in their first shutout loss since a 10-0 defeat to Cartersville in the 2015 Class 4A state final at the Georgia Dome.
In the Battle of Highway 60, North Hall continued its dominance over Chestatee escaping with a thrilling 23-21 win at The Brickyard on a 43-yard field goal at the buzzer by Luke Brown. The Trojans have now won 18 of the 20 all-time meetings between the two programs.
Cherokee Bluff remained unbeaten with a 56-0 rout of Lakeside-Atlanta while Flowery Branch rebounded from last week's emotional loss to Gainesville with a 56-0 drubbing of Hiram at home. Lumpkin County got its fist win of the season holding off St. Francis 34-14 at home.
East Jackson tied a program record for most points in a game in a 56-27 win over East Hall. The Eagles beat Union County 56-27 on Sept. 18, 2009.
In the annual border rivalry between Habersham Central and Stephens County the Raiders kept it close until the Indians pulled away late for a 35-18 win in Mt. Airy.
Towns County fell behind 17-8 at halftime but scored 30 unanswered second half points to pull away for a 38-17 win over Lakeview Academy in Hiawassee. The Indians are 3-1 for the first time since 2008.
Class 2A No. Rabun County continued its rampage through North Carolina and South Carolina blasting Saluda (S.C.) 63-7 on the road behind another huge night from Gunner Stockton and Jaden Gibson.
You can find stories on Friday night’s action on our Friday Game Night page.
SEPT. 17 SCORES
Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.) 7, Buford 0
Cherokee Bluff 56, Lakeside-Atlanta 0
East Jackson 56, East Hall 27
Eastside 65, Johnson 0*
Fannin County 30, Banks County 13
Flowery Branch 56, Hiram 0
Gainesville 34, Forsyth Central 7*
Johnson Ferry Christian 14, Lanier Christian 6
Lumpkin County 34, St. Francis 14
North Hall 23, Chestatee 21
Pickens 45, Union County 7
Rabun County 63, Saluda (SC) 7
Stephens County 35, Habersham Central 18
Towns County 38, Lakeview Academy 17
Walnut Grove 16, Jackson County 14*
SEPT. 16 SCORES
East Forsyth 27, Riverside Military 6
Denmark 20, North Forsyth 17*
(* -- region contest)
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