The playoffs… we waited a long time for it to get here, and already the first round is in the books. Here’s what happened.
#15 Rabun County 56, #18 Dodge County 21
Rabun County was in a tight one for about 16 minutes. After going back and forth with a 14-14 tie, the Wildcats produced three turnovers and two turnovers on downs as part of 42 unanswered points. The final score read 56-21. The Wildcats had three touchdown runs by Lake Evans, two touchdown passes from Ty Truelove – both to Reed Lafevers, and two TD runs by Reid Giles. JK Fruster had a punt block that he took back for the go-ahead TD midway through the second.
#3 Statesboro 36, #2 Habersham Central 28
Habersham Central battled to the end but fell 36-28 to Statesboro in the first round of the Class AAAAA playoffs Friday night. The Raiders opened strong behind big plays from Paris Wilbanks, Jay Feitus, and standout running back Donnie Warren, who rushed for 186 yards and three touchdowns. But costly penalties, a missed field goal, and a late first-half Blue Devils touchdown shifted momentum. Statesboro took control with a dominant ground game led by Keon Childers, who matched Warren with 186 yards and three scores. Habersham rallied late to pull within one possession, but an 11-yard sack ended its final drive, closing a solid 7-4 season for the Raiders.
#1 Jefferson 55, #32 Dougherty 13
The Dragons fired past Dougherty 55-13. It was 21-0 Jefferson after one, as Eli Primm had a 33-yd TD, followed by Boone Horn’s 55-yd TD to Logan Edmunds. Primm added a 5-yd score for the 21-zip lead. Colton Grant had a 14-yd rushing score in the second, and Darren Pinkard had a 9-yd TD in the third. Grant threw a TD pass to Dalton Dye from 18 yards out later in the quarter, as he made a crazy catch for the 42-13 lead. Jacob Berardinelli added a 39-yd TD, and Amire Barnes had a 3-yd tuddy late.
#6 Calhoun 35, #27 Lumpkin County 13
After trailing 35-0 at the half, the Indians buckled down defensively, and got the offense going to finish strong in a 35-13 final.
#11 Callaway 25, #22 Franklin County 15
Callaway edged out Franklin County 25-15 to close the Lions’ season in the opening round.
#19 Stephens County 24, #14 Crisp County 21
The Indians pulled off a big opening round upset with a 24-21 road win at Crisp County, making it now four straight years going to the second round or further.
Other games of local interest
#1 Buford 45, #4 Richmond Hill 0
#1 Jackson County 53, #4 Glynn Academy 7
#2 Gainesville 48, #3 Dunwoody 3
#2 North Hall 62, #31 Mt. Zion, Jonesboro 26
#3 Ware County 44, #2 Flowery Branch 27
#12 Peach County 53, #21 Cherokee Bluff 28
#7 Columbia 32, #26 East Jackson 18
#5 Appling County 31, #28 Hart County 20
