The playoffs were realized for 8 local teams. Here’s how things settled in the opening round!

The Most Dramatic – Dawson County 36-27 over Sandy Creek

The Biggest Blowout – Cedar Grove 79-0 over White County

The Biggest Upset –  Hapeville Charter 12-10 over #2 Jefferson

THE LOCALS

#3 Hapeville Charter Hornets 12, #2 Jefferson Dragon 10

The Dragons took a slim 10-0 lead, but Hapeville battled back with a pair of TD runs by Quantaves Haskins to shock the #2-ranked Jefferson Dragons in the opening round of state. Tre Reece had the lone TD for Jefferson.

#1 Rabun County Wildcats 63, #4 Pace Academy Knights 14

The Wildcats throttled Pace Academy, 63-14. It was never in question, as Rabun County. The party got started with a 43-yd TD run by Gunner Stockton. That 7-0 lead held until the second. Lang Windham had a 13-yd TD to push it to 14-0. Hunter Moore had a great punt block that went out of the end zone for a safety and the 16-0 lead. Stockton had a 27-yd run for the 23-0 lead. A 10-yd TD pass from Stockton to Jaden Gibson advanced it to 30-0, which was the score at the break. In the third, a bad snap to the punter was kicked out of the back of the end zone, making it 32-0. A 40-yd TD pass from Stockton to a wide open Baxley O’Brien pushed it to 39-7. Stockton threw a 5-yd TD to Tate Ramey pushing it up to 46-7 still in the third. Still in the third, a 28-yd TD from Stockton to Windham made it 53-14. A 32-yd pass from Stockton to Ethan Clarke then made it 60-14 STILL IN THE THIRD. Cesar Armenta closed it out with a FG in the 4th for the 63-14 win.

#2 Dawson County Tigers 36, #3 Sandy Creek Patriots 27

The Tigers earned a huge 36-27 win over Sandy Creek. Dawson held a 19-14 halftime lead, with a TD from Zach Holtzclaw to Braedon Hubbard, and a defensive TD by Matt Bennett. Dom LeBlanc had a pair of field goals as well. In the second half, Holtzclaw threw another TD to push it up to 26-14. Another TD pass, this time to Hubbard again, made it 36-27. Dawson advances to the second round for the sixth time under Sid Maxwell.

#2 Lovett Lions 28, #3 Union County Panthers 7

The Panthers fell to Lovett, 28-7, ending their 2021 season on the road.

#4 Stephens County Indians 27, #1 Rockmart Yellowjackets 13

The Indians pulled off the rare 4-over-1 upset in a 27-13 win at Rockmart. This marks the first return to the second round since 2014. After trailing 6-3, the Indians scored 17 in the second to take a lead they would not relinquish.

#1 Bowdon Red Devils 35, #4 Commerce Tigers 0

On Saturday night, the Tigers fell 35-0 on the road.

#1 Cedar Grove Saints 79, #4 White County Warriors 0

Cedar Grove went up 58-0 at the half on the way to a blistering 79-0 win over White County, ending the Warriors’ season.

#1 South Atlanta Hornets 46, #4 Banks County Leopards 12

The Leopards fell 46-12 in the first round at South Atlanta, ending their season.

THE OTHERS

#1 Buford 38, #4 Kell 14 **Saturday Game**
#1 Cherokee Bluff 38, #4 GAC 17
#1 Denmark 23, #4 Mountain View 20
#3 Flowery Branch 33, #2 Mays 28
#2 Carver, Atlanta 56, #3 North Hall 17
#2 Ringgold 30, #3 Hart County 21
#1 Villa Rica 42, #4 Jackson County 14