It’s a rarity to have three local teams still alive for the Quarterfinals. What a blessing to make it this far. Here’s what happened on the biggest stage!

THE LOCALS

#1 Rabun County 27, #4 Bleckley County 24

The Wildcats overcame a series of miscues, missed opportunities, and bad luck to win an OT thriller over Bleckley County. Gunner Stockton had 3 rushing TD and a passing TD in the win.

#1 Jefferson 28, #1 Carver, Columbus 22

Malaki Starks and Paxton Corkery had first half TDs to lift the Dragons up 14-6 going into the break. Late in the third, Starks scored again to make it 21-6. Carver stormed back with an early fourth quarter TD to cut it to 21-14. Starks sealed the win with a TD run with 5 minutes to go, though Carver scored again with 25 seconds to go. Jefferson recovered the onside kick to win the game.

#1 Irwin County 25, #1 Commerce 21

Sammy Brown saved the Tigers, as they were down 13-0 quickly before he scored to get Commerce on the board in the second. Irwin responded with its own TD to go up 19-7. Brown notched a 72-yd TD run a bit later to make it 19-14. Irwin got on the board again before the half, making it 25-14. Dreylan Martin scored a 3rd quarter TD to pull it to within 25-21, and the defense allowed nothing the rest of the way for Commerce.

THE OTHERS

#1 Buford 44, #2 Hughes 15