FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Flowery Branch snapped a four-game losing streak with a crucial 32-23, Region 8-4A win over Madison County on Friday night at Falcon Field.
The Falcons (2-5, 1-2 Region 8-4A) got stellar play from their special teams that proved to be the difference. Tripp Morris returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. Then, on a fake field goal attempt, Brooks Recinella found Ryland Garrison for a 14-yard TD pass. Later in the game, Jackson Prehar blocked a punt and Jakob Akers picked up the loose ball and returned it for another touchdown.
In between all of that, Griffin Harper had a 37-yard touchdown run and Recinella booted a 43-yard field goal for the Falcons.
Flowery Branch now finds itself back in the thick of the playoff race. The Falcons will play host to Walnut Grove next week in a game that could decide the final payoff spot in the region.
The Warriors (4-3, 1-2 Region 8-4A) and Branch are tied for the fourth spot but both still have No. 4 North Oconee left to play in the region. The winner would own the head-to-head tiebreaker.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2024/10/1266651/football-special-teams-pushes-branch-past-madison-co-back-into-8-4a-playoff-race