Week Nine featured some big games with playoff implications! Here’s what went down.

*keep checking back for additions to the recaps as that data becomes available.*

#4 Elbert County 21, #2 Rabun County 9

The Blue Devils handed Rabun its first region loss in 10 years, taking control of Region 8-A DI in the process with a 21-9 win. The rain played a factor for both teams, but the Wildcats had 3 turnover on downs that were critical, as well as some bad luck and several penalties that stalled drives. Elbert scored on the opening drive on a 64-yd TD by Jacari Burnett. They made it 14-0 on a 31-yd TD from Jayvyn Hickman to Ty’Rikis Jones. Rabun got on the board with a 29-yd Marcus Remillard FG just before the half. That 14-3 score held til the fourth when the Blue Devils got the dagger on a Braydon Scarborough TD pass from 20 yards out to Malik Moon. The Cats responded with a 66-yd TD from Ty Truelove to Willie Goodwyn, but weren’t able to score again.

#3 Jefferson 41, Flowery Branch 13

The Dragons remained unbeaten with a dominant 41-13 win over Flowery Branch. The Falcons scored first, but a Sammy Brown 65-yd TD tied the game in the first. Gavin Markey had an 8-yd rushing score in the second to pull ahead, and Dallas Russell had a scoop-n-score moments later for the 21-7 lead. Before the break, Markey fired a 22-yd TD pass to Talan Childress, and the duo connected again on a 34-yd TD in the third to push it up to 34-7. Markey then had a long distance TD pass to Zay Minish to cap the scoring.

#5 Commerce 39, Athens Christian 0

It was all Commerce in a 39-0 region win over Athens Christian. Terrence Burch had a 65-yd TD early, and Ty Sorrells had a 35-yd pick six. Sorrells had another pick in the first quarter as well. Jacari Huff’s 41-yd TD run still in the opening quarter made it 20-0. Burch had an 8-yd TD midway through the second, and Jace Lyle had a 1-yd TD late in the third.

Wesleyan 21, Dawson County 20

Wesleyan plunged a dagger into the Tigers’ playoff hopes with a 21-20 win. It was 21-14 at the break, and Dawson scored a pair of field goals by Dom LeBlanc in the second half but the Wolves held on for the key win.

#1 Gainesville 49, Habersham Central 7

The Red Elephants stomped through Habersham Central in a 49-7 win. It was 42-0 at the break before the starters came out for Gainesville.

White County 38, West Hall 7

The Warriors rebounded with a big win over West Hall, 38-7. White County quickly got things going with a 62-yd TD run from Tripp Nix. Hayden Vandegriff’s 42-yd FG made it 10-0 before West Hall retaliated with a long TD run. Just before the end of the first, Ryan Fowler scampered in for a 48-yd TD, and he added a 1-yd plunge late in the half for the 24-7 lead. Nix connected with Gaines Clark for a 33-yd TD in the third, and Fowler added a 63-yd TD run a few minutes later. Neither team scored the rest of the way.

Johnson 35, Towns County 0

Johnson earned a shocking 35-0 win over Towns County. It was only a 7-0 game after the first, and that extended to 13-0 late in the half. The Knights added another before the break to go up 20-0. Johnson added 15 more in the second half.

Providence Christian 55, Union County 35

Union County fell 55-35 against Providence Christian in a key region battle. Despite the 20-point loss, the Panthers actually were down just one score at the start of the fourth. It was a remarkable comeback attempt, as Providence held a 41-14 halftime lead. Union pulled within 41-35 going into the final quarter.

OTHER LOCAL GAMES

#2 Mill Creek 31, #1 Buford 24
North Hall 27, Chestatee 0
Walnut Grove 21, Cherokee Bluff 16
Lakeview Academy 14, North Georgia 7
Bethlehem Christian 51, Riverside Military Academy 0