Round Two saw X of our teams move on to the quarterfinals! Here’s what happened under the lights.

#1 Jefferson 42, #2 Hiram 21

The Dragons used a 21-point third quarter to overcome a 14-7 deficit on the way to clinching a Quarterfinals berth. Jefferson got 5 total TDs from Sammy Brown, who rushed for 4 scores and threw for another. Gavin Markey had a TD pass as well to Talan Childress, and Zay Minish caught Brown’s TD pass. Brown scored an 80-yd TD on the first offensive play for JHS, but his fumble was scooped up in the second and taken back for the tying score. A TD pass had the Hornets up 14-7 at the break. Brown and Dashaun Keith had interceptions, and the defense had 2 turnover on downs, 3 forced missed field goals, and the 2 interceptions. Brown had a 41-yd TD run in the third to tie the game, then had a 9-yd TD pass to Minish for the go-ahead game-winner. Markey threw a 65-yd TD to Childress, and Brown polished it off with TD runs of 48 yards and 69 yards. The Dragons are back into the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2020.

#1 Lumpkin County 45, #2 Oconee County 42 (2 OT)

The Indians’ dream season continues with an electric 2 OT win over Oconee County of 45-42. In the second quarter, Cal Faulkner ran for a 34-yd TD to give Lumpkin a 13-7 lead. The Warriors would take the 14-13 lead heading into the half. It was back-and-forth the rest of the way. Oconee was up 21-13 until Faulkner found Nolan Matthews on a 73-yd TD, and the 2-pt conversion tied it up. Caiden Wood responded with a 65-yd TD for Oconee, who lead 28-21 going into the fourth. Mason Sullens capped a 69-yd drive with a TD to knot the game with 8:48 to go. Again Wood delivered with a 74-yd TD seconds later. The Indians turned it over on downs at the 9-yard line with 2:09 left in the game, but didn’t give up. They got the ball back, and Faulkner found Matthews for a tying TD with 41 seconds to go, sending it to OT. Sullens’ 1-yd TD had Lumpkin up, but Oconee did the same. Will Staples’ 24-yd FG walked it off, sending the Indians to their first-ever Quarterfinals.

#1 Commerce 34, #2 Dade County 14

The Tigers are back into the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2020. JP Allen got the party started with a 3-yd TD to cap a crazy 8:40 second opening drive. That set the tone, as Allen scored again from 22 ticks out for the 14-0 lead. That held to the fourth when Jaiden Daniels had a 40-yd TD. He’d add a 29-yd score for good measure, making it 27-7. Jacari Huff’s 12-yd TD capped the scoring in the final minutes.

#3 Rabun County 42, #1 Whitefield Academy 14

The Wildcats are back in the Quarterfinals for a 9th straight season, winning 42-14 in a rematch against Whitefield that we saw earlier in the season. Rabun County got up 14-0 in the first on a TD run by Ty Truelove, and a Truelove – Willie Goodwyn 93-yd TD in the second made it 21-7. Reid Giles had a 50-yd TD in the third as the Cats led 35-7 heading into the final quarter. Truelove also had a TD pass to Cooper Welch.

#1 Rockmart 56, #2 Union County 14

The Panthers’ incredible season comes to a close with a 56-14 road defeat at 1-seed Rockmart. Union County sees a large core play their final game in what was a solid 2023 season.

#2 Wesleyan 33, #1 Stephens County 26

Wesleyan shocked Stephens County with a 33-26 win in the second round, thus ending the Indians’ incredible season. The Wolves had control of the game early and forced the Indians into playing catch-up.

OTHER LOCAL GAMES

#2 Buford 28, #1 Norcross 25
#1 Gainesville 35, #2 Blessed Trinity 12