What Week 8 lacked in terms of games played, made up for in terms of points. Here are the results from around our coverage area, including a few top-10 matchups.

THE LOCALS

#3 GAC 20, #6 Dawson County 7

The Tigers played phenomenal football against one of the state’s best, proving they belong in that conversation also. GAC now takes the edge for the outright region title. After falling behind early, Zach Holtzclaw hit Dakohta Sonnichsen for an electrifying 75-yd TD to tie it up. GAC stretched the lead to 20-7 at the half, which held as the final score.

#9 Jefferson 28, #3 Hart County 23

The Dragons held on for a big-time statement win. Jefferson got up fairly quick and held off Hart County’s comeback attempt in the final minutes. Jordan Perry had a pair of early TDs, and the Dragons were up 14-7, and held a slim 14-10 halftime lead. Colby Clark’s 4th & Goal from the 2 stretched it to 21-10 early in the third. Clark added another score to push it to 28-16 with 9:36 left in the game. Hart County scored again late for the final time, and had the ball back with 2 minutes to go, but the Jefferson defense held on for the huge win.

Jefferson made the most of its chances, as Hart County outpaced the Dragons with 440 yards to 260. Perry had 84 yards, Malaki Starks had 62, and Colby Clark had 34. On defense, it was Starks notching ANOTHER interception, as did Rem Maxwell.

Cherokee Bluff 45, Lumpkin County 14

Tucker Kirk threw an 18-yard TD pass in the first quarter to pull within 10-7 of Cherokee Bluff, but the Bears held the Indians in check and won in coach Tommy Jones’ return to his old stomping grounds. It was 38-7 at the half and was 45-7 before BoJack Dowdy’s TD run in the running fourth quarter.

#5 Commerce 47, Lakeview 7

The Tigers were all over Lakeview, forcing a half dozen turnovers en route to a 47-7 region win. It was 41-0 at the break, and Tyelon Brock had a pair of TDs, while Nate Ray, Grey Holbrook, Dreylan Martin, Samuel Roach, and Landon Bunn all recorded scores.

Gainesville 48, Habersham Central 21

Habersham rolled into City Park and never really got going. It was 35-14 at the half, and 48-14 by the early third quarter. Habersham added a score in the fourth. The Raiders fall to 0-2 in region play and put themselves in a tough spot in an attempt to make the playoffs.

#8 Hebron Christian 42, Towns County 20

On the negative side, Towns County suffered yet another loss and still seek win number one. On the plus side, the offensive output against a state-ranked opponent was pretty impressive.

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THE OTHERS

#1 Buford 31, Cedar Shoals 13
Johnson 24, Walnut Grove 22 (4OT)
#3 Flowery Branch 40, Chestatee 7
#1 Marist 45, West Hall 7
Fannin County 49, East Hall 26
Riverside Military 37, Providence Christian 5
#3 Blessed Trinity 20, #7 Denmark 19