ON THIS DAY
We all love to look back at the games that were. The ones that truly stand out. Since 2009, BLITZ has been to hundreds of football games. We have our favorites, for sure. While that list will emerge, this is merely a rundown of ALL the games we were lucky enough to witness. Each game comes with a set of scores on a 1-10 scale. Barn-Burner, Historical, Hype, and Talent (high-profile players). Throughout the year, we will add OTD games on that specific date. Stay tuned.
AUGUST
AUGUST 5, 2022 – East Hall vs Habersham Central (Scrimmage)
FINAL SCORE: 27-0 Habersham
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 0
Hype: 1
Talent: 2
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 4/40
The Raiders went nuts after a long lightning delay to win 27-0 in convincing fashion at East Hall, as Blandon Grizzle had 2 TD and Carson Parker had one passing and another rushing.
AUGUST 5, 2016 – Banks County vs Habersham Central (Scrimmage)
FINAL SCORE: 28-9 Habersham
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 0
Hype: 2
Talent: 3
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 6/40
A scrimmage, which means nothing. BUT it was the turning point in the new era for Habersham Central under Benji Harrison. And Michael Babers was back for another great season at RB. He took his first carry 40 yards in this game. Clayton Dykhouse emerged as a go-to back for Banks as well. It was close initially, but Babers and company reeled off a 28-9 win. Fun fact – it was the earliest football scrimmage or game we at BLITZ have ever covered.
AUGUST 10, 2018 – White County vs Stephens County (Scrimmage)
FINAL SCORE: 13-7 White County
Barn-Burner: 5
Historical: 0
Hype: 2
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 12/40
A season-opening scrimmage was scoreless until late in the first half, when J Ben Haynes connected with Cooper Turner for the go-ahead score that proved to be the difference in a tight 13-7 battle. Michael Mintz showed off a little on defense, and the Warriors had the hype of a promising season. Stephens County was displaying the soon-to-be talents of Gamarion Carter, Hudson Spurlock, and Kenny Colwell. Some solid talent on the field.
AUGUST 12, 2022 – #3 Rabun County vs #9 Bowdon (Scrimmage)
FINAL SCORE: 34-21 Rabun County
Barn-Burner: 3
Historical: 6
Hype: 8
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 24/40
The Wildcats opened ‘Life without Gunner Stockton’ and showed out in a 34-21 top-10 matchup with Bowdon. New QB Keegan Stover threw for 3 TDs, including two to Jaden Gibson and another to Cory Keller. Lang Windham also had a TD as part of a 21-point second quarter.
AUGUST 13, 2021 – #1 Rabun County vs St. Francis (Scrimmage)
FINAL SCORE: 44-14 Rabun County
Barn-Burner: 2
Historical: 2
Hype: 7
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 21/40
Rabun opened its historic season with a 44-14 win behind Gunner Stockton’s 5 TD passes (4 to Jaden Gibson). Lang Windham had 2 TDs as well. The Wildcats got down 7-0 before scoring 44 unanswered points for the scrimmage win.
AUGUST 13, 2010 – #10 White County vs North Forsyth (Scrimmage)
FINAL SCORE: 14-13 North Forsyth
Barn-Burner: 8
Historical: 1
Hype: 3
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 17/40
This game had the hype, as the Warriors opened what is still arguably their best season in school history. Future Kentucky athlete Ashely Lowery and future star QB Cole Seagraves had the star power, and the defense was swarming. Unfortunately, North Forsyth led 7-0 after a late first half score, and slid past the Warriors 14-13 in a game that came down to the final seconds.
AUGUST 14, 2009 – #10 Stephens County vs Habersham Central (Scrimmage)
FINAL SCORE: 21-7 Stephens County
Barn-Burner: 2
Historical: 1
Hype: 6
Talent: 3
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 12/40
Scrimmage or not, the hype is always sky-high for Habersham and Stephens. Stuart Cunningham marked a new era in his first game as head coach for the Raiders. And things got really heated during the contest between the arch-rivals, as officials and coaches had a disagreement. Austin Brown was Habersham’s star player along with Dee Ellison, and Dacen Cash for Stephens. No one scored until late in the first half, a Cash big-time TD pass to put the Indians up 7-0. They went up 14-0 in the third, and 21-0 in the fourth. Habersham finally found the end zone within the last minute of the game.
AUGUST 15, 2014 – #7 Gainesville @ White County (Scrimmage)
FINAL SCORE: 47-21 Gainesville
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 1
Hype: 2
Talent: 3
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 6/40
This was a scrimmage, so there’s that. The significance came in the fact that Gainesville entered “life without Deshaun Watson” and Mikey Gonzalez took the torch for the Red Elephants. This game did see the emergence of some key White County players, like Maurice Sutton. But the game didn’t count or mean anything, and the hype was only because the teams hadn’t played since 2010 on the same field, when Deshaun as a freshman came in and won a region title on White County’s field.
AUGUST 17, 2012 – #10 Dawson County vs Towns County (Scrimmage)
FINAL SCORE: 38-6 Dawson
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 0
Hype: 4
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 10/40
The Tigers opened the 2012 season with high expectations. That because they had a glut of returning, experienced playmakers, many of whom endured three years prior on varsity of learning and gaining experience. The hype was very high in Dawsonville. They weren’t exactly polite to Towns County, blasting them in a 38-6 route that was decided very quickly. There were some talented guys on Dawson’s squad – starting with Tyler Dominy (who won BLITZ Player of the Year that season), Will Anglin, Bruce Clark, Zack Martin, Chris Sailor, Max Muldoon, and others. Jackson Noblet led Towns County.
AUGUST 17, 2018 – Habersham Central vs Dawson County
FINAL SCORE: 32-28 Dawson
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 7
Hype: 7
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 31/40
A Week Zero official game between the Raiders and Tigers. The hype was intense, as the Tigers were opening a new era after the departure of one of the best to ever play for them, Coey Watson, had graduated. It was remarkably, the first-ever matchup between the schools despite close proximity. Habersham had a move-in QB, Tre Luttrell (All-State player), and Donovan Curry, Don Bailey, Tarin Westbrook, and up-and-comer Jackson Clouatre (first career TD in this game). Dawson had guys like Sevaughn Clark, Ahmad Kamara, Ryan Glass, and a stellar defense. It was back-and-forth, with Luttrell on his very first play as a Raider going 74-yards for a TD on a circus play. It came all the way down to the final drive, and on 4th-and-Goal and down 28-25, Dawson decided to go for the win rather than the tie. With seconds to go, Clark rushed in for the game-winner in what was an all-time thriller in Mt. Airy.
AUGUST 18, 2017 – Chestatee vs North Hall
FINAL SCORE: 42-12 Chestatee
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 6
Hype: 6
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 17/40
The War Eagles and Trojans squared off at Chestatee. It’s always hyped up because the two are long-time rivals going back nearly 20 years. PLUS it was the first game of the season. Nick Lyles and Storm Yarbrough led the War Eagles to an easy win. Lyles had 4 TD, and freshman Christian Charles had his first varsity success. It was all Chestatee, who beat the rivals for the first time since 2005 (12 years apart from wins).
AUGUST 19, 2016 – Habersham Central vs East Hall
FINAL SCORE: 45-13 Habersham
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 2
Hype: 4
Talent: 4
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 10/40
This game was a cake-walk for Hab Central. Michael Babers had 183 rushing yards and 3 TD, Cole Wilbanks and Jake Jones did their thing, and Austin Frady (4 TFL) led a great defensive attack. East Hall was never in the game, and the Raiders opened their renovated field with a blowout win to open the season.
AUGUST 20, 2021 – #1 Jefferson vs #1 Rabun County
The Dragons overcame an early 7-0 deficit when Sammy Brown tied it up with a 78-yd TD run. Jefferson reeled off 22 straight points, and held off Gunner Stockton (2 TDs) and Rabun County in a battle of #1s. Malaki Starks, Brown, and Kadin Bailey had the TDs for Jefferson.
AUGUST 21, 2015 – #7 Rabun County vs #4 Jefferson
The game was scoreless until midway through the first half. Then Colby Wood happened. He finished with 264 yards and 3 TD, and held off Charlie Woerner, Bailey Fisher, and Cal Drummond in a true top-10 billing. It marked the 17th straight win for Jefferson over the Wildcats, but it wasn’t easy for them. They pulled away late for a 19-7 win.
AUGUST 22, 2013 – Union County vs White County (Scrimmage)
FINAL SCORE: 10-7 White
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 0
Hype: 3
Talent: 4
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 13/40
The Panthers opened the season with a scrimmage against White County. This was more important than meets the eye, as Union was seeking their next QB. Joseph Mancuso was that guy, and he scored a rushing TD to tie the game late. But it was the Warriors who won on a Wesley Saunders field goal. Featured players included Mancuso, Jacob Rogers, Dalton Whitfield, AJ Vandiver, and Maurice Sutton.
AUGUST 22, 2014 – #5 Jefferson vs Rabun County
FINAL SCORE: 50-14 Jefferson
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 2
Hype: 5
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 14/40
Well, the hype was there. And the two programs had just battled into overtime for the region title the season prior. But #5 Jefferson made it 18 in a row over Rabun, as Evan Shirrffs (220 yds, 1 TD), Sammy Williams, and Dalton Hill (4 rec, 149 yds, 2 TD) couldn’t be held off the board. They scored on five consecutive possessions, going up 24-0 in a blink. Charlie Woerner had his highlights for Rabun, as did Collin Grant and Tucker Williams. The other hidden nugget, freshman RB Colby Wood got his first career score in this one too!
AUGUST 23, 2013 – Towns County vs Hayesville (NC)
FINAL SCORE: 20-0 Hayesville
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 1
Hype: 4
Talent: 3
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 9/40
There’s really not much to say about this one…lightning shortened it significantly after Hayesville took a quick 20-0 lead over rivals Towns County and QB Jackson Noblet in the season-opener. Hayesville won its fourth in a row over the Indians.
AUGUST 23, 2019 – Dawson County vs Habersham Central
FINAL SCORE: 27-13 Dawson
Barn-Burner: 5
Historical: 3
Hype: 6
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 19/40
Second matchup ever for Habersham and Dawson. Shawn Thomas opened the game with a 95-yard touchdown on the kickoff to begin 2019. Caleb Bonesteel then had a 52-yard field goal. Ryte Woodruff, Joshua Pickett, and Jackson Clouatre helped give the Raiders the 13-10 lead. Bonesteel ties it up. The 13-all tie held until another Thomas 60-plus yard TD run in the third quarter. Zach Holtzclaw at QB came out of his shell and made a name for himself, and he rushed in a score to seal the deal, 27-13.
AUGUST 24, 2012 – #10 Dawson County vs East Hall
FINAL SCORE: 42-0 Dawson
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 3
Hype: 7
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 16/40
The hype? It was real. Dawson came in state ranked to open the season with a veteran team looking to make its first playoff push in many years. They didn’t disappoint. The game itself…it was great for the Tigers, but in general was not close enough to ever make for a thrilling game or anything like that. It was nice however to see Tyler Dominy, Will Anglin, Zack Martin, Bruce Clark, Chris Sailor, and others click perfectly to set the tone for a historic season. Being that it was a region game adds to the hype. Martin had two early rushing TDs, Dominy threw and ran for a TD to go up quickly 28-0. He finished with 252 yards and 3 TD!
AUGUST 24, 2018 – Lumpkin County vs White County
FINAL SCORE: 40-7 White
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 2
Hype: 5
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 13/40
J Ben Haynes, Cooper Turner, Jay Lepkoske, Michael Mintz, and others littered the highlight reel early and often for White County. Mintz notched an early TD run and added another to go up 14-0. Haynes then connected with Cody Versluis for a huge TD pass, and the Warriors rolled to a 40-7 win. Lumpkin moved to 1-1 on the year and White County opened its season in this win.
AUGUST 24, 2019 – #4 Rabun County vs Bremen (Erk Russell Classic)
FINAL SCORE: 34-13 Rabun
Barn-Burner: 3
Historical: 7
Hype: 9
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 26/40
The Wildcats opened the much-anticipated Jaybo Shaw-era with sophomore QB Gunner Stockton and highly recruited Braxton Hicks at WR. They didn’t disappoint, to the point that the game wasn’t really in question. It was tighter in the first half, but the Cats pulled away in the second half. Stockton had three rushing scores and one passing. Rabun hoisted the Erk Russell Classic trophy at the end on a special night at Georgia Southern.
AUGUST 25, 2017 – #5 Rabun County vs #9 Mt. Pisgah
FINAL SCORE: 62-21 Rabun
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 6
Hype: 10
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 24/40
This game was not a thriller, but for Rabun fans it was a lot of fun nonetheless. It was a top-10 matchup and made for all the hype to open the season. It marked the seventh time in program history of scoring 60-plus points, and it led off the historic 2017 State Championship game season for the Wildcats. Bailey Fisher was unstoppable, throwing TDs to Cole Keener and Braxton Hicks and rushing for two himself. Austin Jones returned a punt for a score, and had a TD catch from Chase Horton on a trick play. A 51-yd FG for Andrew Barnes, an interception by Keener, and a punt block for a TD, as well as a swarming defense made for a game that saw Rabun click in every facet of the game. Worth noting that Jacob Cendoya (Troy baseball commit) was the dual threat QB for Mt. Pisgah and a pretty good QB himself.
AUGUST 26, 2011 – Habersham Central vs Apalachee
FINAL SCORE: 38-35 Habersham
Barn-Burner: 9
Historical: 4
Hype: 7
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 26/40
A season-opening THRILLER for the Raiders to open what turned out to be a season in which they made the playoffs and each win came in dramatic fashion. They were dubbed the “Cardiac Kids” for taking every game down to the wire. This was the first of those, as Kevin Ellison (217 yards) tied the game up early with a rushing score in the first. The future Georgia Southern star added a 47-yard TD in the second, and a 56-yard TD in the third. Apalachee kept pulling up by a TD, but Ellison responded each time. He tied it again with a 44-yard TD run in the third for his fourth TD run of the night. Patrick Burns notched the go-ahead TD run, a 22-yarder in the fourth, to go up 35-28. Ian Wheeler (future Oregon punter) clipped a short-yardage field goal the proved the difference in the 38-35 win.
AUGUST 26, 2016 – Lumpkin County vs White County
FINAL SCORE: N/A
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 0
Hype: 5
Talent: 3
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 8/40
Probably…no…definitely the worst game we’ve ever taken in. That’s because the game never really got going at all, and a horrible downpour and lightning canceled it. It was later made up, but we missed out on a great battle between rivals. There was only one or two solid plays in the first quarter of what remains our least favorite Friday Night.
AUGUST 27, 2010 – Lumpkin County vs Riverside Military Academy
FINAL SCORE: 35-0 Lumpkin
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 2
Hype: 6
Talent: 3
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 12/40
The Indians were sans-Taylor Guthrie for the season opener. Their star QB was sidelined with a fractured finger, but Ian McIntosh shouldered the load. The junior had a monster game in all facets, scoring touchdowns in three phases: defensively on a fumble return, offensively on a 23-yard catch, and on special teams with a punt return. Lumpkin shut out RMA to open the season with a big win at home.
AUGUST 27, 2021 – North Hall vs Stephens County
FINAL SCORE: 42-0 Stephens
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 3
Hype: 4
Talent: 4
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 11/40
Stephens County earned a second straight shutout win over North Hall and 22nd win in 23 all-time meetings. Ben Stowe threw a couple of early TD passes, and Cam Lacy showed out as the Indians rolled to an easy win.
AUGUST 28, 2009 – Habersham Central vs Cedar Shoals
FINAL SCORE: 16-13 Cedar Shoals (OT)
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 4
Hype: 7
Talent: 4
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 25/40
A slobber-knocker if there ever was one. It was only 7-3 going into the final quarter of Habersham’s first game of the year. Austin Brown found a playmaker in Kevin Ellison, who dove inside the pylon for a 10-7 lead late. With 3 minutes to go, and 4th & 5 in the red zone, Cedar Shoals rolled the dice and decided to go for it instead of the tying field goal. They converted, but the Raider defense had three straight goal line stands to force that field goal anyway, which was good with a minute left to play. Josh Wellborn booted a big field goal in OT (his second FG of the night), to give Hab the 13-10 lead. Cedar Shoals again got stuffed at the goal line on back-to-back plays, but Gwendale Harris scampered in for the walk-off touchdown and the win 16-13 in one of the best games we’ve seen at Raider Stadium.
AUGUST 28, 2015 – Habersham Central vs #7 Rabun County
FINAL SCORE: 42-14 Rabun
Barn-Burner: 4
Historical: 7
Hype: 10
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 29/40
A much-anticipated “Battle of the Gorge” pitted Habersham Central against local rivals and #7-ranked Rabun County. The visiting Wildcats were coming off a season-opening loss, while the Raiders were playing their season opener. It was also the opening of the Benji Harrison-era at Hab Central; he was going up against the legendary Lee Shaw, who coached him and coached with him. Bailey Fisher, Charlie Woerner, and Cal Drummond were electric for Rabun. Habersham featured Mason Kinsey, Michael Babers, Jim Barnett, Cole Wilbanks, and company. Wilbanks hit future NFL player Kinsey with a 68-yard TD to open the scoring, but Rabun retaliated with a Fisher to Woerner (also a future NFL player) TD. The Raiders recovered a fumble by Jeremiah Nicely for a TD to take another lead. Fisher scored a 16-yard TD (failed 2PC), so Hab was still up 14-13 into the half. In the third, Drummond took a 63-yard carry to the house, denying a sure tackle, giving Rabun a lead. Eli Gipson added a rushing score to pad the lead (2PC good), making it 28-14. Next possession, Woerner then made an unbelievable catch on a great pass by Fisher to put the Cats up 35-14. Drummond’s second TD rush in the fourth polished off the win.
AUGUST 28, 2021 – #1 Rabun County vs #8 Pace Academy
FINAL SCORE: 47-14 Rabun
Barn-Burner: 2
Historical: 7
Hype: 10
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 27/40
Rabun County got an ESPN game at home for the second year in a row. It had all the hype with a top-10 showdown, but Rabun throttled Pace behind 7 Gunner Stockton TDs! He collected over 500 yards of offense and threw for 6 and ran for 1. It was a night to remember, and Pace held in there for a quarter before it got too crazy.
AUGUST 30, 2019 – White County vs Lumpkin County
FINAL SCORE: 49-6 White
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 2
Hype: 4
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 11/40
Not the most exciting game by any means, as this rivalry matchup was never really in question. J Ben Haynes did his thing, as he scored two early rushing TDs, as did Zion McMullen in an 49-6 route. White County busted out to 31-0 lead in just one half.
AUGUST 31, 2012 – Habersham Central vs White County
FINAL SCORE: 31-0 White
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 4
Hype: 6
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 16/40
It was a close game after one quarter, which was scoreless. Will Stonecypher found pay dirt in the second to get the Warriors going. Will Brock (90 yards rushing, 1 TD) also got in to push the lead to 17-0. But the fun part was Maurice Sutton’s flea-flicker 33-yard TD pass to Andrew Burgen. Dalton Whitfield then scored a TD to polish off the scoring. It marked White County’s first-ever win over Habersham Central.
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 – Habersham Central vs White County
FINAL SCORE: 24-21 White
Barn-Burner: 9
Historical: 5
Hype: 7
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 28/40
This one was a great game! The Warriors brought in freshman QB J Ben Haynes to Raider Stadium and came out with a thrilling, 24-21 win. Kaleb Crane had 3 TDs, including one early to go up 7-0. But AJ Curry for the Raiders notched a 16-yard TD run to tie it up. A second quarter, 53-yard rushing score by Crane gave White Co the 14-7 lead heading into the break, and midway through the third, he had a 16-yard score to push it to 21-7. Baylor Hinshaw had a TD run for Habersham to pull within 21-14 before Brett Bardenwerper’s 33-yard field goal proved the difference as White County went up 24-14. Curry’s late rushing TD pulled it within 24-21, and the Raiders got another shot at it, but a final hail mary throw at the end fell to the turf.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2011 – Lumpkin County vs Union County
FINAL SCORE: 28-13 Lumpkin
Barn-Burner: 4
Historical: 3
Hype: 5
Talent: 4
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 16/40
It was a close battle at Lumpkin County, with the Indians holding a slim 14-10 lead until Ian McIntosh scored a 60-yard TD and a 63-yard TD to push it up to 28-10. He finished with 240 yards and 3 TD on just 9 carries. He also had a 63-yard TD run. The 28-13 score at the break held up for the final line.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 – #6 Rabun County vs #10 Stephens County
FINAL SCORE: 24-10 Rabun
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 7
Hype: 9
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 31/40
The Wildcats and Indians squared off for a HUGE Top-10 matchup in Tiger. The teams had not played each other since 1959, so that added to the hype. It was dubbed the “Battle for Currahee Mountain.” Bailey Fisher went off for a 265-yard passing night, and rushed for 109 and 3 TD. Cal Drummond had 201 rushing yards himself for Rabun. Jackson Bell and AJ Howard had some flashy highlights for the Indians, as Bell struck first with a rushing score and the early 7-0 lead. Fisher’s first rushing score came early in the second quarter to tie the game, which held to the half. In the third, Fisher connected with Austin Jones and Cole Keener for key passes that led to a field goal by Andrew Barnes. Howard had a 50-yard run that set up a tying field goal for Stephens, who tied the game heading into the fourth. Fisher rushed one in on a long run for the go-ahead score with 9 minutes left, then added another for good measure in the final minutes.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2010 – Habersham Central vs Cedar Shoals
FINAL SCORE: 18-3 Cedar Shoals
Barn-Burner: 3
Historical: 1
Hype: 2
Talent: 3
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 9/40
An early TD run by Cedar Shoals and a 2PC made it 8-0. CS then went up 18-0 by the third with a 63-yard TD run and a field goal. Habersham added a Josh Wellborn 41-yd field goal late to get on the board.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 – #1 Jefferson vs Southside (SC)
FINAL SCORE: 45-7 Jefferson
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 1
Hype: 1
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 9/40
The score is worse than it appears. Jefferson jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the opening kickoff, a 99-yd TD for Sammy Brown. He touched the ball4 times, with 3 of them going for touchdowns (KO return, rushing, fumble recovery). Malaki Starks added a TD on his only carry. Jefferson was up 42-0 after the first and put in the JV for the remainder of the game.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 – Lumpkin County vs #2 Flowery Branch
FINAL SCORE: 35-7 Flowery Branch
Barn-Burner: 2
Historical: 4
Hype: 7
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 21/40
The Falcons rolled into Dahlonega with purpose. The #2-ranked Flowery Branch team had just come off a state championship game appearance the season prior, and Connor Shaw was back to lead the charge in 2009. Imani Cross got a rushing score early, and Lumpkin’s Ian McIntosh tied it up with a short rushing score of his own. From there it was all Falcons. Shaw threw two TD passes to Rodney Young to pull away.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 – #10 Union County vs Lumpkin County
FINAL SCORE: 51-28 Union County
Barn-Burner: 2
Historical: 2
Hype: 6
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 16/40
The game was supposed to be closer. It was for a quarter, when Zach Matthews scored a rushing TD early for Lumpkin, and Austin Pierce added a TD later. But Joseph Mancuso and company went to work. It started with a TD bomb to Knox Kiernan for 47 yards, and a 10-yd TD run by Mancuso gave the Panthers the lead for good. Mancuso later found Cole Wright for a 29-yd TD. It was all she wrote.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 – White County vs Stephens County
FINAL SCORE: 44-6 White County
Barn-Burner: 2
Historical: 5
Hype: 10
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 24/40
The Warriors and Indians were squaring off in the COVID-19 era, so the hype was unreal as the season finally got started two weeks later than originally planned. White County hadn’t beaten Stephens in 10 years. That changed in a hurry. J Ben Haynes went off for 5 total TDs in a 44-6 clout of Stephens. Worth noting that in our Game of the Week preview, we predicted the season’s first TD to be a 25-yard TD from J Ben Haynes to Cooper Turner. We were wrong…by one yard (it was a 24-yard TD).
SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 – Lumpkin County vs Union County
FINAL SCORE: 28-7 Union County
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 3
Hype: 7
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 23/40
Joseph Mancuso and the Panthers took until the second quarter to put the game’s first points up, as he found Sam Gilbert for a 20-yd passing TD. It was the only score of the first half. This game was more about Gilbert, who suffered a severe concussion and was carted off and taken to the hospital following a monster hit by Gunner Wood, who was ejected from the game. Robert Prunier caught a Mancuso pass a bit later for 40-yd TD. Zach Matthews scored a 22-yarder TD to make it 13-7 late in the third, but Mancuso responds with a 22-yd TD pass to Chase Barnett, and then another a 2PC Prunier for good measure. A 69-yd TD to Jacob Rogers was the icing on the cake to close it out.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 – Habersham Central vs Stephens County
FINAL SCORE: 49-14 Habersham Central
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 5
Hype: 8
Talent: 4
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 17/40
Sydnee Mulligan led the Raiders, but it wasn’t enough as the arch-rivals Stephens ran away with a 49-14 win. Mason Long got the offense going with a rushing TD for the Indians following an interception by Will Smith. Safario Reese netted a 60-yard TD a bit later, as did Ty Brown to push it to 21-0. Davis McCall added a pick-six, Long added another rushing score and it was 35-0 at the break. Reese made it 42-0 with another rushing TD, Zeb Noland padded the lead to 49-0. Brandon Moore added two late TDs for the Raiders.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2019 – Habersham Central vs White County
FINAL SCORE: 42-28 Habersham Central
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 4
Hype: 6
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 23/40
Ryte Woodruff notched a rushing TD to open the scoring. He then found Pickett on a short pass, who went 56 yards and all over the yard to a score to go up 14-0. Jackson Clouatre made it 21-0 with a TD to head to the break. Pickett then went 55 yards for yet another TD on a pass from Woodruff, making it 27-0. J Ben Haynes then threw a big TD to get White County on the board, but Woodruff responded with a short TD run to push it back up. Haynes seconds later threw a 42-yd TD pass to Nix Burkett. After an onside kick, Haynes notched a rushing score to make it 34-21. ANOTHER onside kick was successful for the Warriors, and Haynes added another rushing score (his fourth total TD) to pull within 34-28. Clouatre saved the Raiders with a late TD, his second, and Hab Central won 42-28.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2012 – White County vs Lumpkin County
FINAL SCORE: 34-7 White County
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 3
Hype: 5
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 13/40
A fumble recovery for a TD by the Warriors set the tone very early. White County’s Sean Greer scored a rushing TD. Will Brock connected with Jeffrey Scoggin for a pair of TD as the Warriors rolled to their best start since 2009. Within the game, White County held Lumpkin scoreless to a point, making it eight straight scoreless quarters for the Warrior defense.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 – #3 Rabun County vs Stephens County
FINAL SCORE: 41-14 Rabun County
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 4
Hype: 5
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 23/40
The Wildcats made it three straight over Stephens County. Jackson Webb, Austin Jones, and the defense shut down Stephens County, but not before Hudson Spurlock and the Indians opened up with a 7-0 lead after one. Gunner Stockton threw a go-ahead TD pass to Sam Adams. Going into the break, it was 13-7 Cats. Kenny Colwell put Stephens ahead with a rushing TD in the third, after big passes to Gamarion Carter. But then things changed with a punt return by Austin Jones to the house late in the third. Brison Beck added a couple of rushing TD to polish it off.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 – White County vs #3 Rabun County
FINAL SCORE: 49-26 Rabun County
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 3
Hype: 7
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 27/40
Neither team had a loss coming in. Bailey Fisher, Austin Jones, Cole Kenner, and others made sure #3 Rabun wound up on the winning side. A 67-yard TD from Fisher to Jones really got it going. It was tied at 14 going into the second, as J Ben Haynes threw a TD, and Kaleb Crane had a rushing score for White Co. Fisher’s first TD (of 6 total on the game), was the initial score. Brett Bardenwerper had a couple of field goals for the Warriors, but Fisher had three rushing scores and three passing. Crane did add an 84-yard TD (his second). A Fisher to Keener 62-yard TD put them ahead for good, and Jones’ pick-six put it out of reach. Keener had a TD catch to put the icing on the cake.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2011 – Habersham Central vs Salem
FINAL SCORE: 43-39 Habersham
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 5
Hype: 6
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 28/40
Habersham was coming off a heart-breaking loss, and in turn dealt one to Salem. Kevin Ellison (101 rush yds) threw for a TD and rushed for another to put the Raiders up 14-zip early. After a Salem TD run, Pat Burns rushed one for Hab, followed by another Ellison TD run to push the lead to 28-7. But Salem’s Jahad Coleman (181 yds, 4 TD), scored his second TD to cut the deficit in half. Right before the half, Salem’s QB added a TD run to make it 28-21. Coleman took the second half kickoff back 95 yards for a TD, and the 2PC gave them the 29-28 lead after trailing by 21. Coleman added yet another TD run in the third to push it to 36-28. After a field goal gave them an 11-point lead with under five minutes left AND the ball on the one yard line…magic happens. A muffed handoff put the ball on the rug, and Habersham recovered. A big drive ended with Ellison’s third TD run, leaping at the plane to get in to cut it to 39-36 after a 2PC from Ellison to Zac Franks. The onside kick worked for the Raiders. Ellison notched a HUGE run inside the 20 with 40 seconds to go…Ellison then threw a corner fade to Franks, who pulled down the game-winning 16-yd TD just before the final horn (32 seconds left). Habersham wins 43-39.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 – #6 Rabun County vs White County
FINAL SCORE: 49-7 Rabun
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 8
Hype: 7
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 24/40
The winless Warriors traveled to Rabun to take on the Cats for the first time in 15 years. Bailey Fisher and Cole Keener were electric, connecting on a huge early TD. Fisher then connected with freshman Braxton Hicks for a 71-yd TD to push the lead to 14-zip quickly. Fisher rushed one in before the end of the quarter to make it 21-0. After a botched kickoff return and only 15 seconds later, Fisher threw TD pass number three, this time to Noah Cannon. Rabun was up 28-0 after one. When Fisher threw a 65-yd TD in the second to Keener, it was 35-0. Fisher had 6 passing scores and 1 rushing for a 7-TD performance as the Wildcats went on to win 49-7.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 – White County vs Habersham Central
FINAL SCORE: 21-12 Habersham
Barn-Burner: 4
Historical: 4
Hype: 6
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 20/40
The Raiders needed only one offensive TD (a nice 12-yd run by Simarcus Burney). The defense scored twice, and held off Darius Cannon and Silas Mulligan (a TD each) in a 21-12 win.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2009 – White County vs #1 Gainesville
FINAL SCORE: 42-20 Gainesville
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 6
Hype: 7
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 23/40
A lot of talent on this field, and it started with a Blake Sims 71-yd TD CATCH as Tyson Smith threw a wildcat TD to him. It was quickly 14-0 moments later after a botched punt ended up in the hands of Thomas Sprague for a TD. Sims found TJ Jones (future NFLer) in the end zone for a TD pass in the second quarter. Down 21-0, Tyler Dotson threw a 35-yd TD to Cameron Seagraves, who made a stellar catch for the first White County TD. Then the unthinkable…the wildcat formation worked AGAIN, as Smith found Sims for a 77-yd TD that proved to be a dagger for the Warriors. Name a time a running back had 150 passing yards and 2 TD, while the QB had that line receiving…Smith ended up on the receiving end of a TD before the break to push it to 35-7, and Gainesville rolled to the 42-20 final, making it 8 straight wins over White County, who had some great play from all-time great Ashely Lowery as well.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 – #1 Commerce vs #3 Jefferson
FINAL SCORE: 34-10 Jefferson
Barn-Burner: 5
Historical: 8
Hype: 10
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 30/40
This game is always super-intense between the rivals. Throw in that Commerce was #1, and Jefferson #3, and it fell on a patriotic day like 9/11, and it made for a hyped up game like none other as both teams came in undefeated. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that close of a contest as the game got deeper in. Commerce got an opening-drive field goal and then blocked Jefferson’s attempt at one. It was 3-0 Commerce in the second, and with just a few minutes left in the half, Jefferson’s Bryce Moore found Caleb Cooley for a 7-yd TD pass to put the Dragons up for good. The next play Commerce fumbled it away, and Colby Wood made them pay with a 15-yd TD run before the break to push it to 13-3. Wood notched a 10-yd TD in the third to make it 20-3, and a 9-yd score to make it 27-3. The win made it 8 out of 9 for Jefferson over Commerce.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 – #1 Rabun County vs #2 Prince Avenue Christian
FINAL SCORE: 38-31 Rabun
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 40/40!
In a game that no only brought together the state’s #1-ranked team in Rabun County (2A) and #2-ranked Prince Avenue Christian (1A), this 9/11 game featured the top-rated QB recruit in the COUNTRY for the Class of 2021 and 2022. That being Prince Avenue’s Brock Vandagriff (5*/UGA commit) and Gunner Stockton (5*/South Carolina commit). It was a first-ever meeting, and was an 8 PM kickoff aired on ESPNU. All the hype, all the talent, all the history. The game itself? Everything you’d dreamed it would be. Stockton had 3 rushing and 2 passing TD, and Vandagriff had 3 passing TD. Rabun led early and stretched it to 31-7 early in the third before the Wolverines going off for 24 unanswered points to tie the game. One final drive for Stockton, and he didn’t disappoint, throwing a 32-yd TD pass to Adriel Clark for the win.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 – Rabun County vs Jackson County
FINAL SCORE: 34-21 Rabun
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 8
Hype: 8
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 29/40
Collin Grant threw an early TD pass to Charlie Woerner, and a bit later, a freshman named Bailey Fisher threw his first of 113 career TD passes to Jack Johnson for the 13-0 lead. Jackson County pulled ahead 14-13, but Woerner had an acrobatic TD to take back the lead, 19-14. They wouldn’t relinquish it. Woerner added his third TD of the half, as he finished with 130 rushing yards. It was 27-14 after a 2PC by Grant, and Fisher added his first career rushing score to make it 34-14. Just before the break, Malik Tuck scored his second TD for Jackson, pulling within 34-21. It was truly a tale of two halves, as the teams combined for 55 in the first half only to both be shut out in the second half.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2013 – Towns County vs Rabun County
FINAL SCORE: 55-13 Rabun County
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 10
Hype: 4
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 21/40
This game was over quickly, as Charlie Woerner flew all over Towns County. Two plays in, and he scored a 60-yard rushing TD. Wes Holcombe’s long TD pass to Alden Wright pushed the lead. Woerner stuck again from 24 yards out. The Wildcats racked up 331 rushing yards. Tucker Williams added a scoop-n-score, and Woerner’s third TD went for 65 yards to make it 35-0 prior to the third quarter. Woerner made it 4 TD on a 10-yarder, Hunter Sims added a rushing score, as did Eli Gipson. It marked Lee Shaw’s 100th career win.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2019 – Stephens County vs #2 Rabun County
FINAL SCORE: 44-7 Rabun County
Barn-Burner: 3
Historical: 5
Hype: 6
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 23/40
It was a little more interesting than the score indicates. Gunner Stockton got an early rushing score for the 7-0 Wildcats lead. A double-reverse trick play TD from Mardy Lanier to Hudson Spurlock tied it up at 7 apiece early in the second quarter. Late in the second, Stockton connected with Tate Ramey for a TD to regain the lead. An hour-long lightning delay finally let up. Just before the break, Spurlock, deep in Stephens territory, couldn’t catch an errant snap. He chased and wisely kicked it out of the back of the end zone for a safety. Rabun was up 16-7, and again a wet ball eluded Spurlock. Mason Sprinkle had the scoop-n-score to push the lead to 23-7. It gets worse for Stephens. Receiving the opening kickoff for the second half, it was bobbled and caught by Hunter Moore who took it in for a score and the 30-7 lead. Later in the half, Stockton threw his second TD pass, this time to Sam Adams.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 – Habersham Central vs Collins Hill
FINAL SCORE: 52-0 Collins Hill
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 1
Hype: 2
Talent: 3
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 6/40
Probably one of the worst games we’ve had the pleasure of taking in. There just wasn’t much to get excited about for Habersham Central. It was 31-0 at the break, and just went downhill from there.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 – Stephens County vs Habersham Central
FINAL SCORE: 41-28 Stephens County
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 9
Hype: 8
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 30/40
Can you say heart-breaker? The Raiders looked to be on their way to a win over Stephens for the first time since 1996 (22 years), BUT the Indians went off for 34 unanswered points to keep the curse alive. Tre Luttrell threw a bomb to Donovan Curry, who made a great TD catch to put Habersham up 7-0 early. Luttrell then connected on a 50-yard TD to DonDon Bailey to push it to 14-zip. Hudson Spurlock cut the deficit in half with a 44-yard rushing TD. Luttrell responded with a 68-yd TD pass to Curry again, and shortly after it was 28-7 when Luttrell scored a rushing TD. That became a 28-14 halftime lead. In the third, an 83-yard ridiculous TD from Kenny Colwell to Gamarion Carter tied the game at 28 all. Colwell threw another TD a bit later to claim the lead, and after Luttrell threw his third INT of the game, MJ Jones got a rushing TD to put the final nail in the coffin.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2011 – Chestatee vs Dawson County
FINAL SCORE: 27-22 Chestatee
Barn-Burner: 9
Historical: 6
Hype: 6
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 28/40
Three plays in, Jordan DeGraff hit Tony Faison (117 yds, 1 TD) with a 68-yd TD pass to put the War Eagles up 7-0. Tyler Dominy, Will Anglin, Zack Martin, and Bruce Clark stayed in this game though. A Max Muldoon field goal clipped the deficit to 7-3 before DeGraff notched a rushing score in which he dove inside the pylon to put the War Eagles up 14-3. DeGraff before the break got a 38-yd TD run as well, making it 21-3 War Eagles. In the second half, Martin found pay dirt to bring the Tigers within 21-10. A costly fumble inside the red zone gave Dawson new life. Dominy found Clark for an 11-yd TD late, to make it 21-16. Getting the ball back, Martin scored his second TD (103 rush yds) to give Dawson a 22-21 lead with 4:34 to go. The War Eagles had one final drive. DeGraff (197 pass yds, 2 TD) hit Kelly Arthur for a pair of big plays, including a 20-yd TD with 1:58 to go and Chestatee up 28-22, which held as the final score.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 – Stephens County vs Habersham Central
FINAL SCORE: 27-7 Stephens
Barn-Burner: 4
Historical: 7
Hype: 9
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 26/40
Habersham came in undefeated at 3-0 and looking to get their first win over Stephens in 20 years. The Raiders got turned away early on 4th and Goal, and Hassan Brown (122 yds, 2 TD) responded with a 15-yd TD run for the Indians early. AJ Howard (151 yds, 2 TD) helped carve up some yards as well, driving the score up to 14-0 with a TD run, and later a long TD run that featured 12 missed tackles. The Indians went on to win 27-7.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 – Habersham Central vs Stephens County
FINAL SCORE: 49-46 Stephens
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 38/40
It’s one of the best Habersham/Stephens editions we’ve seen. However, it was more heartbreak for the Raiders, who held a HUGE lead and looked to be on the way to winning this matchup for the first time in 21 years. Same old song and dance, as the Indians stormed back and won 49-46. The Raiders got it started with a bang, as brothers AJ and Donovan Curry connected for a 59-yd opening TD (former Stephens County players). Both teams swapped huge fumbles before Hassan Brown gave the Indians a 7-6 lead. Cole Beitzel added a rushing score to put SC up 14-6. AJ Curry had another big fumble inside the 10-yard line, and Beitzel capped off the ensuing drive with his second TD. It was quickly 21-6 Indians before Curry rushed in a TD to pull within 21-12. Curry pulled it within 28-26 later with another rushing TD in the second half. The wild third quarter was just getting started. Beitzel added his third TD run. Curry added his third. The Raiders actually went up 46-42 in the final minutes. Brown added his second TD for the game-winner from 11 yards out.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2010 – Habersham Central vs #2 Clarke Central
FINAL SCORE: 38-14 Clarke Central
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 3
Hype: 2
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 11/40
An early Quinshawn Watson rushing score for the Gladiators set the pace in this one. He added a 57-yarder in the second quarter that was negated by a penalty, but a passing TD to Marquez Williams got the same result anyway. Watson notched another score to make it 21-0, and soon enough it was 24-0 with the Raiders trailing big. Junior Kevin Ellison (213 yds, 2 TD) got Habersham on the board with a 73-yd TD run. CC responds with a passing score before Ellison scored on an 11-yd run to make it 31-14. A 45-yd TD pass from Maddux again to Byrd (his second TD catch) pushed the lead back up to 38-14, which proved the final.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 – Habersham Central vs #4 Stephens County
FINAL SCORE: 35-18 Stephens
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 5
Hype: 9
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 27/40
The Indians used 3 TDs from Ben Stowe to Cam Lacy, the third of which took a 14-12 game into a 21-12 lead. Stowe added a rushing TD as Stephens County remained undefeated at 5-0. Stowe threw for 279 yards, while Lacy had 185 receiving and Bryson Trimier had 2 INTs. Simarcus Burney led the Raiders with 2 rushing TD. Burney had 132 rushing yards, but Habersham allowed 409 yards of offense to Stephens County. Stephens’ Javin Gordon added a late TD, and Carson Parker had a rushing TD for Habersham.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 – Habersham Central vs Loganville
FINAL SCORE: 31-27 Habersham
Barn-Burner: 9
Historical: 4
Hype: 4
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 23/40
Visiting Loganville got on the board first with an AJ Schmidt TD run. An interception by Avery Dodd got the Raiders in enemy territory, where DJ Griffin capped off a drive with a second quarter TD to give Habersham the 7-6 lead. Storm Johnson (Loganville) scored from a few feet out to regain the lead at 12-7. Just before the break, Austin Brown connected with Jamal Walters for a go-ahead TD, as the Raiders led 17-12. Johnson took the second-half opening kickoff back 93 yards for the score, and Loganville again took a lead, 20-17, and stretched that to 27-17. Griffin (157 yds) notched a 66-yd TD run to cut it to 27-24. In the fourth, Brown (225 yds, 2 TD) again threw a TD pass to Walters, giving the Raiders a 31-27 lead. Twice more, Loganville had a drive that looked promising, but interceptions by both Griffin and Ellison secured the Raiders’ first win of the season.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 – White County vs #2 Buford
FINAL SCORE: 49-3 Buford
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 1
Hype: 2
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 10/40
Not really much to say about this one. Buford rolled into White County and made quick work of the Warriors. The Wolves had just come off a rare loss, snapping a 41-game win streak. Needless to say, White County got fed to the Wolves. Martin Mangrum bulldozed in for an opening-drive TD run, and added another later in the first for the 14-0 lead. Shug Frazier was lights out on defense for the Wolves, and Christian Turner gave Buford a 21-0 lead with a short-yardage TD. Mic Roof connected with Brandon Marsh for the 28-0 advantage at the break, and Anthony Grant helped carve out some yards for the Wolves on the way to a 49-3 blowout.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 – #1 Rabun County vs #2 Jefferson
FINAL SCORE: TBD
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 37/40
This marked a second straight week that #1-ranked Rabun was playing a #2 with a 5-star QB. This had extra sauce on it, as these teams have a rich history, though Jefferson came in winning 17 straight in the series and not losing since 1955 to the Cats. Rabun drew first blood with a Lang Windham TD run, but 5-star recruit Malaki Starks responded for Jefferson with a 72-yd tying TD. It was 7-7 at the break, but the Dragons used over 8 minutes off the clock to open the second half, and Starks got his second rushing score to make it 14-7. After a Carter Stephenson TD made it 21-7, Gunner Stockton found Adriel Clark for a 41-yd TD pass to cut it to 21-14. Jefferson scored again on a Jordan Perry TD run to cap the scoring.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 – Habersham Central vs West Forsyth
FINAL SCORE: West Forsyth 56-35
Barn-Burner: 5
Historical: 2
Hype: 4
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 17/40
Habersham was looking to snap a 16-game losing streak. The offense put up, but the defense did not. Bennett Black and John David Herrin connected with a big pass, and Bryson Browner got the Raiders up first. A 60-yd TD run for WF knotted it up though. The Wolverines made it 14-7 later in the first. Michael Babers tied it up with a rushing score for Hab in the second. Back and forth they went, as West Forsyth went ahead with a short passing score before the break. But a 44-yd TD from Black to DC Outlaw again tied things up. However, the Wolverines went ahead with another rushing TD, and never looked back.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2013 – Habersham Central vs Mountain View
FINAL SCORE: Mountain View 27-0
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 0
Hype: 1
Talent: 3
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 4/40
This game offered almost nothing, as the Raiders fell to Mountain View 27-0.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 – Habersham Central vs Stephens County
FINAL SCORE: Habersham Central 27-21
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 38/40
One of the most memorable Habersham games ever, as the Raiders ended a 23-year drought against their arch-rivals. It didn’t come without drama though. Right off the bat, Ryte Woodruff threw a long bomb to the end zone which resulted in a sensational catch by Joshua Pickett to get the Raiders on the board. Hudson Spurlock responded in the second quarter with a 37-yd TD run to tie it up. Woodruff late in the half threw his second TD pass to Caleb Wade, making it 13-7 at the half. The third quarter saw Woodruff rush in for a score to push it to 19-7. Spurlock got another rushing TD to cut it to 19-14. Late in the third, Woodruff’s 4th total TD and 2nd rushing of the game seemed to put it out of reach after a 2PC pass to Pickett made it 27-14. The ensuing kickoff was taken back for a TD for the Indians, making it 27-21. A goal-line stand in the fourth kept the Raiders up, but the Indians got another shot at it, and threw up a Hail Mary!
SEPTEMBER 21, 2019 – #5 Stephens County vs Walnut Grove
FINAL SCORE: Stephens 61-20
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 3
Hype: 4
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 14/40
Homecoming for the Indians, who didn’t disappoint. Chaz Thornton (115 yds, 2 TD) went wild, scoring an early TD to put Stephens up for good. Deante Mayfield then launched a long 80-yd TD to Tomas Colbert. Walnut Grove pulled back with a quick TD to make it 14-7 Indians. But the VERY next play from scrimmage was a 61-yd TD run for Thornton to push it back to 21-7. Mayfield and Colbert hooked up again for a 70-yd TD, then Colbert added a 55-yd punt return for a TD. Then Mayfield (205 yds, 3 TD) and Colbert (205 rec yds, 3 TD) did it AGAIN from 55 yards out. That gave Colbert four TDs in the first half and three in the second quarter alone. 41-7 was the halftime score, and the starters didn’t even take the field in the second half.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 – Habersham Central vs Chestatee
FINAL SCORE: Chestatee 41-37
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 6
Hype: 7
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 29/40
Chalk this up as a heartbreak for the Raiders, as they led 30-14 at the break. It looked so convincing that we at BLITZ thought it was in the bag and took off for the night. Nick Lyles did have a 96-yd TD run in the first to give the War Eagles the lead. Baylor Henshaw had a rushing TD (20 yds) to knot it up, then AJ Curry found brother Donovan for an 80-yd TD to make it 14-7 Hab. The brothers connected again in the first half with a 44-yd score to push it to 21-7. A sack by Andrew Lovell made it 23-7, and AJ Curry rushed in for a score as the Raiders went up 30-7 but went on to lose 41-37.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 – Lumpkin County vs Johnson
FINAL SCORE: Lumpkin 30-21
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 2
Hype: 3
Talent: 4
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 15/40
Homecoming for Lumpkin, and Ian McIntosh (187 yds) made sure it started right. 17 seconds in, he went 64 yards to the house to put the Indians up 7-0. AJ Millwood for Johnson had a 38-yd TD run later in the half to tie it up. Daniel McCrary threw a TD pass before the break to McIntosh, who made a circus juggling catch as Lumpkin went up for good and on to the 30-21 win.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 – #6 Jefferson vs #10 Gainesville
FINAL SCORE: Jefferson 31-28
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 38/40
Despite rich histories from both schools, the nearby opponents had NEVER faced off. Add in that they were both among the state’s top-ranked programs, and this proved to be AS ADVERTISED. Colby Wood got the show started with a 57-yd TD run to put the Dragons up. After Colby Clark’s big run inside the red zone, Zack Boobas added a 6-yd score to make it 14-0. In the second, Jefferson went up 17-0 on a field goal before Gainesville struck back. DJ Irons scampered in on a QB keeper to cut the deficit to 17-7 for the Red Elephants. Third quarter, Irons found Jim Barnett to pull within 17-13. Wood then several minutes later responded with a TD to put JHS up 24-13. Irons threw another TD to Martavious Davis, making it 24-20 going into the fourth. Boobas’ diving TD to push it up to 31-20 was all Jefferson needed. Irons came back with another TD pass to Barnett (31-28 after 2PC). Gainesville got it back with a minute left, but a Hail Mary heave from Irons was nearly caught by Barnett in the end zone, ending the game.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2010 – Habersham Central vs Madison County
FINAL SCORE: Habersham 44-14
Barn-Burner: 2
Historical: 1
Hype: 3
Talent: 4
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 10/40
Kevin Ellison (213 yds, 2 TD) got the party started with a 72-yd TD run, threw a TD to Chastan Howard. Madison County pulled off a 79-yd hook and ladder to perfection to pull within 21-7 in the second half. The Raiders went up 38-7 in the fourth, leading up to Sydnee Mulligan’s first career rushing score. Habersham got its first win of the season.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 – #1 Rabun County vs Pickens (SC)
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 70-14
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 5
Hype: 4
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 17/40
The Wildcats took on Pickens (SC), and Gunner Stockton threw for 6 TD and ran for another. Lang Windham had 4 total TD, and Baxley O’Brien 2 in a game where Stockton surpassed 11K passing yards. Rabun scored 35 in the 3rd quarter on the way to a blowout win, scoring on all 10 of their legit drives.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 – Habersham Central vs #5 White County
FINAL SCORE: White 28-21
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 9
Hype: 10
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 36/40
The Raiders and Warriors both come in undefeated, and White County ranked #5 (best since the 70s). The proximity makes this “rivalry” intense anyway. White County overcame a third quarter deficit and scored two straight J Ben Haynes TDs for the win. Haynes had 3 rushing scores, while Joshua Pickett had 2 rushing and 1 passing for the Raiders in a game that came down to a Hail Mary attempt by Habersham. It was win number 300 all-time for the Warriors, and they moved to 4-0 for the first time since 1975. Silas Mulligan had opened the game with a 20-yd TD run. Pickett scored from 63 and 60 yards out, and threw a 16-yd TD. Haynes scored his from 21, 4, and 41 yards out.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 – Banks County vs Franklin County
FINAL SCORE: Franklin 22-21
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 4
Hype: 7
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 26/40
The Leopards opened region play in this one, and Trevae Cain got it going with an early TD run. Then one those plays we’ll never forget happened. Griffin Goodwin’s pass hit off the chest of receiver Zez Steeple and ricocheted into the end zone, where Logan Hubbard happened to be at the right place, right time. He made a diving catch to put Banks up 14-0 in the second. Franklin responded with a Tyrique David to Brooklyn Wright for a 67-yd TD. Martez Shannon then had a pick-six for the Lions on the very next play to tie it up. A bit later, Hubbard struck again with an interception that was tipped up and his luck continued. Cain got another rushing score to grab the 21-14 lead, but Franklin stormed back with a TD and 2PC for the win.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 – East Jackson vs #8 Jefferson Dragons
FINAL SCORE: Jefferson 70-6
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 2
Hype: 3
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 11/40
This one was over in a blink. The Dragons put up their second-ever 70-point game (coming back-to-back years against East Jackson). Colby Clark opened the can with a 4-yd TD run, then on the next play, Malaki Starks had a pick-six to make it 14-0. Reece Johnson’s 16-yd TD made it 21-0, Kam Robinson’s 60-plus yd punt return made it 28-0, Kade McNally’s 10-yd TD run made it 35-0…all in just one quarter. Jordan Perry’s 22-yd TD in the second pushed the lead to 42-0 and the rest is history.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2012 – Habersham Central vs Peachtree Ridge
FINAL SCORE: Peachtree Ridge 30-7
Barn-Burner: 2
Historical: 1
Hype: 2
Talent: 3
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 8/40
The Raiders held Peachtree Ridge at bay until the second quarter. Then trailing 9-0, the Raiders got a little life when Brandt Rinehart took an interception 50-some yards to the house to cut it to 9-7. The Lions then scored 21 unanswered for the eventual blowout win.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 – Banks County vs #3 Rabun County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 68-7
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 7
Hype: 3
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 18/40
This game gets little points for style, but the Wildcats came out with some kind of added want-to against Banks County. Gunner Stockton was responsible for Rabun’s 33 second quarter points, which led to a 47-0 halftime lead and 68-7. Stockton recorded seven total touchdowns. Three plays in, Stockton threw a 59-yd TD to Austin Jones. He added a 29-yd TD run, AJ Wheeler recorded a safety, a 25-yd TD from Stockton to Dawson Lathan, Stockton 6-yd TD run, Edwin Diaz 37-yd FG, Hunter Dills’ scoop-n-score, another Stockton-to-Jones score (52 yds), another couple of Stockton rushing scores (6 yds, 31 yds), and a Brody Jarrard TD run. All told, Stockton threw for 3 TDs and ran for 4.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 – Dawson County vs North Hall
FINAL SCORE: Dawson 30-7
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 3
Hype: 7
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 18/40
Coey Watson put the Tigers up quickly with a rushing TD, then a 25-yd TD pass to Ryan Glass padded the lead. Sevaughn Clark added to the first half lead as the Tigers went on to win big, 30-7.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 – Habersham Central vs Winder-Barrow
FINAL SCORE: Habersham 54-10
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 8
Hype: 8
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 24/40
All-time Habersham leading rusher Kevin Ellison got things started with an early 8-yd TD run on Homecoming night. Brant Rinehart scored his first TD of the year before Ellison scored another TD on a 66-yd breakaway run. Winder responded with a similar TD, but Pat Burns got the score back for the Raiders, as they went up 28-10 at the break. Rinehart scored from 28 yards out for the TD. Ellison, who finished with 236 rushing yards in this game, went over 1,000 for the season. His 7-yd TD (third of the game) made it 41-10, putting the game on ice. It was his 20th TD of the year, a new Raiders record. The Raiders put up over 550 yards of offense, and Jake Tench had a rushing score late to make it 47-10, and Donnie Chastain capped it off with a 66-yd TD run.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 – North Hall vs #10 Dawson County
FINAL SCORE: Dawson 45-27
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 6
Hype: 8
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 27/40
At the Brickyard, Dawson made no doubt which team was better in a much-hyped matchup. It was Coey Watson-to-Nick Murphy that got the party started, pushing Dawson up 10-0 after one. North Hall’s Jack Brown had an 8-yd TD to cut to 10-7. After a tipped INT, Brown scored again to put the Trojans up 14-10. The second half kickoff was taken by Kolton Brumbelow to the house to put the Tigers up for good, 17-14. A 26-yd TD from Watson to Murphy made it 24-14 a bit later. Though Kyle Bacus got a short TD run moments later to cut it to 24-21, Watson connected with Luke Martin in the fourth to stretch it back up to 31-21. Watson had a rushing TD on the next drive (38-21) to put the game on ice.
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 1, 2010 – White County vs Lumpkin County
FINAL SCORE: White 21-14
Barn-Burner: 8
Historical: 3
Hype: 7
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 25/40
The Warriors, on the way to one of their best seasons in many years, squeezed past rivals Lumpkin. This game featured a good number of BIG hits on catches up the middle. Late first quarter, Cole Seagraves scored on a QB keeper to put White up 7-0. Ashely Lowery had a monster game, and had an 11-yd TD run before the break to push it to 14-0. He scored again from a few yards out in the third, making it 21-0, as the Warriors held on for the 21-14 win. The duo of Lowery and Seagraves combined for 449 yards and 3 TD.
OCTOBER 1, 2021 – #6 Stephens County vs #8 Monroe Area
FINAL SCORE: Monroe Area 34-24
Barn-Burner: 8
Historical: 7
Hype: 9
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 31/40
In a battle of top-10, unbeaten region foes, Monroe Area completed a fourth quarter comeback behind 4 TDs by QB Selatian Slaughter. Ben Stowe threw 3 TDs for the Indians, including 2 to Cam Lacy. Lacy’s 82-yd TD catch late in the third appeared to give Stephens momentum, but the Purple Hurricanes scored twice in the fourth to win the game.
OCTOBER 2, 2009 – Habersham Central vs Madison County
FINAL SCORE: Madison 35-6
Barn-Burner: 3
Historical: 2
Hype: 2
Talent: 3
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 10/40
The Raiders held Madison County scoreless into the second quarter. The Red Raiders finally got going and led 14-0 at the break. Habersham had just one first down in the first two quarters of play but were somehow still in the game. Tyler Jackson got Hab on the board with a short-yardage TD, but it wasn’t enough. Austin Brown threw three picks for the Raiders, and we saw flashes of great play from DJ Griffin (interception) and Kevin Ellison (at wildcat QB). Madison spoiled Homecoming night for Habersham.
OCTOBER 2, 2020 – Stephens County vs Habersham Central
FINAL SCORE: Stephens 27-12
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 6
Hype: 8
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 28/40
The Indians at The Reservation sought revenge after allowing Habersham to take a win the year prior in the heated rivalry. We saw something we had never seen before – a 0-0 game at halftime. To open the third, Ben Stowe connected with Gamarion Carter for a 76-yd TD. Joshua Pickett responded less than two minutes later with a 34-yd TD run to cut it to 7-6 in favor of the Indians. Pickett helped the Raiders grab a third quarter lead when he threw a 36-yd TD pass to Grayson Taylor to make it 12-7. Stowe then threw a 65-yd TD pass to Cam’ron Lacy, added a 10-yd TD run, and found Carter again for a 42-yd TD. The Indians scored 20 unanswered to win, 27-12.
OCTOBER 4, 2013 – Habersham Central vs #7 Norcross
FINAL SCORE: Norcross 49-3
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 1
Hype: 2
Talent: 2
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 5/40
Just a bad game here at Habersham as #7-ranked Norcross came in and quickly excited with a win at Raider Stadium.
OCTOBER 5, 2018 – Habersham Central vs Gainesville
FINAL SCORE: Habersham 49-32
Barn-Burner: 3
Historical: 5
Hype: 7
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 22/40
Gainesville scored first in this “must-win” game for Habersham, going up 3-0 on an early field goal. Tracy Lowery got the Raiders ahead with a 16-yd TD. Second quarter, an 11-yd Lowery TD run stretched it to 14-3. Then all crazy broke loose, as the teams combined for 4 TD in less than two minutes. Dez Brown for Gainesville scored a rushing TD (14-10 Hab), followed by the next play on a Tre Luttrell-to-DonDon Bailey on a 61-yd TD (21-10 Hab). After a Patrick Tedder interception, Lowery had a big run to set the Raiders up. Luttrell found Donovan Curry for an 11-yd TD (24-10). Gainesville got a last second TD in the half (24-17 Hab), but the Raiders and Luttrell picked up with another TD pass in the third (Luttrell to Bailey; 35-17 HC). Luttrell capped it off with ANOTHER TD sling to Curry, as Habersham wins 49-32.
OCTOBER 6, 2017 – Gainesville vs Habersham Central
FINAL SCORE: Gainesville 30-27
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 9
Hype: 9
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 36/40
This game was supposed to be a statement win for the Raiders. Both squads came in with 4-game losing streaks. Habersham opened the game with a TD run by Baylor Henshaw following a big-time pass from AJ Curry to Jim Barnett. After a Gainesville FG cut the Red Elephants’ deficit to 6-3, future Habersham QB Tre Luttrell went 43-yards for a TD to push the Gainesville lead to 10-6. Luttrell then recorded a 30-yd TD pass to Tyriq Kabir to make it 17-6. Another long FG made it 20-6 at the break. Henshaw had a late TD run in the third, 16 yards out, to cut the Raider deficit to 20-13. After the Raiders recovered a bad snap on a punt attempt inside the 10-yard line, Curry immediately flew in for a game-tying TD. Henshaw’s third rushing TD (17 yds) came in the fourth with 7 minutes or so left, and gave Habersham a 27-20 lead. It seemingly was in the bag when Donovan Curry picked off Luttrell on the next drive in the end zone. With just over 3 minutes to go, with a 7-point lead AND the ball, the Raiders coughed it up. After forcing a punt, the Red Elephants converted a 4th & 19 from back at their own 19 yard line. It was one of the craziest Hail Mary plays we’ve ever seen, as Trey Blackwell hauled in a pass near midfield then raced all the way in for an 81-yd game-tying TD with under 2 minutes to play. Tied up at 27, the Raiders with 1:50 to go couldn’t get a first down, thus giving Gainesville another shot. Christian James hit a 36-yd field goal as time expired to give Gainesville an unfathomable win.
OCTOBER 7, 2011 – #9 Banks County vs Dawson County
FINAL SCORE: Banks 19-14
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 6
Hype: 8
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 31/40
Zack Martin racked up 180 rushing yards in the losing effort for Dawson, who led on his first TD run of the game. The 7-0 lead held for quite awhile, but Banks County’s Brenton Roark hauled in two interceptions off Tyler Dominy to keep it close. After a muffed punt that Banks recovered, Tyler Hubbard got a rushing score on a QB keeper to tie the game at 7 apiece. Marquez Maddox did a lot of heavy lifting in the ground game in the third, but Tanner Thompson for the Leopards was rewarded with the 1-yard TD to give Banks a 13-7 lead. Martin’s second TD run gave the Tigers a 14-13 lead with 5:45 to go. Dean Ewing scored a late TD on a carry, stretching to break the plane with 40 seconds left. The Leopards held a 19-14 lead, and Dominy’s Hail Mary attempt was caught, but time ran out after Hubbard made the game-saving tackle.
OCTOBER 8, 2010 – Habersham Central vs #5 Flowery Branch
FINAL SCORE: Flowery Branch 42-7
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 4
Hype: 6
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 17/40
The Falcons rolled into Habersham and brought with them a former Raider at QB, Austin Brown. He was booed by the Raider fans a bit, and carved up a nice game as Lee Shaw-led Flowery Branch cruised to an easy win on Homecoming night.
OCTOBER 8, 2021 – Towns County vs Commerce
FINAL SCORE: Commerce 28-20
Barn-Burner: 9
Historical: 3
Hype: 7
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 25/40
Commerce survived an upset when Towns County recovered a fumble and scored a TD late. The onside kick was unsuccessful, but it was a great battle in Hiawassee. Dreylan Martin scored 3 TDs for Commerce, while Jaiden Daniels had 200-plus rushing yards. Towns relied on Kyle Oakes’ 3 TDs.
OCTOBER 9, 2009 – Habersham Central vs Apalachee
FINAL SCORE: Apalachee 21-13
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 3
Hype: 5
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 20/40
Apalachee quickly went up 21-0 in the first. In the second half, Austin Brown found Chuck Rucker for a big TD pass to cut into the deficit. Rucker then took a punt back in the fourth to the house to cap the scoring, as Habersham falls 21-13.
OCTOBER 9, 2015 – Habersham Central vs Lambert
FINAL SCORE: Lambert 21-7
Barn-Burner: 5
Historical: 2
Hype: 2
Talent: 3
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 12/40
While the Raiders would go on to lose this one and stay winless for the season, the defense turned in its best performance in over two years. Jeremy Jones, Jake Jones, and Cody Patterson had three of the four picks in the game for Habersham. Cole Wilbanks seemingly hit future NFLer Mason Kinsey for a big TD, but it was called back. The Longhorns scored a short yardage TD to open the second. Wilbanks found Kinsey for a TD to tie the game at 7 just before the break. Lanier retaliated with a TD to retake the lead for good, and added to it in the second half on the way to a 21-7 win.
OCTOBER 9, 2020 – Dawson County vs #5 White County
FINAL SCORE: Dawson 42-35
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 6
Hype: 9
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 33/40
The Warriors came in favored to win this 7-AAA opener. It was the defacto region title game, as the two front-runners for the region squared off. Zach Holtzclaw threw for a career-best 6 TD in the constant rain. Turnovers happened, as Holtzclaw threw two picks, J Ben Haynes one, and both teams had multiple fumbles. Many players had great nights, including Silas Mulligan, Haynes, Darius Cannon, and Haynes for White County, and Holtzclaw, Jaden Gibson, Dakohta Sonnichsen, Tyler Lane, and Isaiah Grindle for Dawson. Dawson went up 14-0 before the Warriors cut it within 14-7, and it was 21-14 at the break in favor of the Tigers. White County got two straight TDs to take a brief 28-21 lead, but the Tigers tied it up and went up 35-28. A game-tying TD by White County paved the way for the thrilling finish. The Warriors had a chance to go up in the final minutes, but fumbled it away at the 5-yard line. Holtzclaw promptly hit Gibson for a game-winning 77-yd TD catch with 3:50 to go. Gibson then picked off the final pass in the end zone to secure the wild, wet win. Haynes left in the third with a leg injury and didn’t return.
OCTOBER 10, 2014 – Rabun County vs Oglethorpe County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 49-7
Barn-Burner: 2
Historical: 3
Hype: 4
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 16/40
After an uncharacteristic turnover by the Wildcats to open the game, OC drove in for a go-ahead TD. That was it, as Rabun just throttled them the rest of the game. Eli Gibson had the short-yardage TD to get things going. Charlie Woerner (future NFLer) hauled in a fantastic interception, then dropped a 66-yd run to give the Cats a great spot for a Gibson TD to open the second. The lead was firmly in hand for good. Woerner notched a pair of TD runs to pad the lead to 28-7. Just before the break, QB Collin Grant connected with Woerner for his third TD of the night, making it 35-7 at the half. Rabun went on to win 49-7.
OCTOBER 11, 2013 – #8 Jefferson Dragons vs #9 Rabun County
FINAL SCORE: Jefferson 26-20
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 39/40
The undefeated Wildcats traveled to Jefferson in a big-time marquee matchup of top-10 teams. TJ Skelton was filling in for the injured Evan Shirreffs for the Dragons, and threw a TD pass to put them up 7-0. Wes Holcombe got the Wildcats all knotted up with a TD pass to Hunter Sims. Later in the half, Sammy Williams notched a go-ahead TD, and it was 13-7 at the break. Holcombe’s goal-line TD in the third put the Cats up 14-13. Dan Dailey’s short TD run padded the lead to 20-13. With under three to play, Skelton tied it up with a QB keeper. Jefferson then got it back with a chance to win on a short field goal, but it missed wide left to send it to overtime. Sketon’s rushing score in OT was the game-winner, as Rabun was denied on their counter-attempt.
OCTOBER 11, 2019 – Lakeview vs #5 Commerce
FINAL SCORE: Commerce 47-7
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 0
Hype: 3
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 9/40
Not much of a game, as the #5 Tigers just poured it on Lakeview in Gainesville. Nate Ray, Tyelon Brock (2 TD), Grey Holbrook, Sam Roach, and Dreylan Martin all found pay dirt in the first half, as Commerce held a 41-0 halftime lead.
OCTOBER 12, 2012 – Habersham Central vs Meadowcreek
FINAL SCORE: Habersham Central 31-12
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 2
Hype: 4
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 12/40
Sydnee Mulligan (197 yds) and Brandt Rinehart (130 yds) got the Raiders a big win. Jake Tench got the scoring started with a short-yard plunge. Meadowcreek immediately responded with a long TD pass put trailed 7-6 after a failed 2-pt try. Rinehart’s second quarter TD made it 14-6 Hab. A field goal made it 17-6 at the break. Rinehart scored on a 47-yd TD run in the third to make it 24-6. A crazy throw from nearly 50 yards out kept Meadowcreek in the conversation and pulled them within 24-12. Mulligan got a late TD to seal with win for the Raiders.
OCTOBER 12, 2018 – #3 Rabun County vs #10 Elbert County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 45-14
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 4
Hype: 8
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 22/40
In a big top-10 matchup, Brison Beck got Rabun off to a quick start with a 43-yd TD run in the first, and added another TD run in the second. Gunner Stockton notched a TD run before the break as the Cats went up 21-0. Beck’s third TD run of the evening pushed it to 27-0. Elbert got a short-yardage TD to get on the board, but the Cats responded in the fourth with a Stockton-to-Austin Sosebee 26-yd TD followed by a Tate Ramey 2PC conversion on a great pass from Stockton. That made it 35-7, and Beck polished it off with his career-best fourth TD to put the nail in the coffin.
OCTOBER 13, 2017 – North Hall vs Union County
FINAL SCORE: North Hall 55-34
Barn-Burner: 5
Historical: 3
Hype: 8
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 23/40
On Friday the 13th at The Brickyard, things couldn’t have gotten any weirder. Union fell behind quickly on a North Hall rushing score, but Cole Wright knotted it up with his own rushing TD. A rare passing TD for the Trojans gave them the 14-7 lead. A 42-yd rushing TD in the second put NH up 21-7. Later in the half, a Wright TD pass to Austin Potette cut it to 27-14, and closed that to within 27-20 when Wright threw a 62-yd TD pass to Sawyer Drake. But just before the half, the Trojans got a big TD to go up 34-20, as they went on to win 55-34.
OCTOBER 14, 2011 – #10 Stephens County vs White County
FINAL SCORE: Stephens 25-14
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 6
Hype: 8
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 28/40
The Indians and Chaz Thornton did damage right out of the gate. Deante Mayfield and Tomas Colbert hooked up on a big pass play setting up the first score, a Thornton TD run. He added another long 29-yd TD run to push the lead to 13-0 in the second. Will Brock and Jeffrey Scoggins got the Warriors in business with multiple connections, leading to a Dalton Whitfield TD to cut it to 13-7. Thornton struck again after White County took a lead, this time going 55 yards to the house for the 19-14 lead. Mayfield’s late TD plunge capped the scoring at 25-14.
OCTOBER 14, 2016 – Union County vs North Hall
FINAL SCORE: Union 35-32
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 6
Hype: 8
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 31/40
The Panthers held off a furious North Hall comeback after taking a sizable lead. Cole Wright threw a 60-yd TD to Sean Dobbins to get the scoring started. The lead was padded to 14-3 on a 22-yd TD run for Wright. Jack Brown and Kyle Bacus kept the Trojans in it, as Bacus’ TD cut it to 14-10. Wright got a 79-yd TD run that showed off his athleticism and speed, making it 21-10. North Hall got Maddox Turner to go 61 yards for a TD to cut it to 25-21 and claim the lead. Wright threw a 71-yd TD pass to Dobbins for a 28-25 lead again for Union. Turner scored yet again in the 4th as the Trojans went up 32-28. After a big-time interception, the Panthers won the game on a Bo Lynch 32-yd TD run. Dobbins sealed the game with a pick on the last heave by the Trojans.
OCTOBER 15, 2010 – #10 White County vs #9 Stephens County
FINAL SCORE: White 21-14
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 6
Hype: 8
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 31/40
Ashely Lowery did it all in this game – a blocked punt, big-time tackles, returns, and of course, rushing the ball. A QB sneak for a score by the Indians’ Mark Palmer had Stephens up early. Cole Seagraves’ arm and Lowery’s legs kept the Warriors in it, as Seagraves powered up for his own QB TD run to tie the game. It remained 7-all heading into the fourth. A 43-yd TD pass to Tomas Colbert from Palmer. Minutes later, a razzle dazzle play by the Warriors worked, as Seagraves handed it off to Ethan McCallister, who found Patrick Jones in the end zone to tie the game. Seagraves found brother Cam on a check-down, and he rumbled about 60 yards in the final moments of the game. Seagraves two plays later powered in for the score and the lead. Down at the 5-yard line with seconds to go, Palmer’s pass in the end zone was picked by Cam Seagraves to give the Warriors the win.
OCTOBER 15, 2021 – Banks County vs #1 Rabun County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 63-0
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 6
Hype: 2
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 17/40
The Wildcats scored on the opening kick with Cory Keller’s 79-yd TD return. Gunner Stockton put on a show with a career-high 454 passing yards and tied a career best with 6 TD passes, passing Deshaun Watson for 2nd all-time in passing TD. Stockton threw 3 TDs to Baxley O’Brien (a career-high), and 2 TD to Jaden Gibson, who also had a career night with 260 receiving yards (12th most in state history). Lang Windham had over 140 total yards and a TD as well.
OCTOBER 16, 2009 – Chestatee vs White County
FINAL SCORE: White 31-17
Barn-Burner: 2
Historical: 3
Hype: 6
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 16/40
Ashely Lowery scored a 95-yd TD to put the Warriors up 7-3 early over the War Eagles. Chestatee caught the fumble bug, and the Warriors made them pay with a field goal and a Rusty Ryder TD run to make it 17-3. Cole Seagraves connected on a 24-yd TD pass to Patrick Jones to pad the lead to 24-3 at the break as White County rolled.
OCTOBER 16, 2015 – #5 Rabun County vs #6 Union County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 49-3
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 7
Hype: 10
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 27/40
The hype was real! Union was #6 and Rabun #5, both unbeaten in region play. Rabun was 6-1 overall and Union 7-0. This was a Bailey Fisher clinic, though Cal Drummond got the scoring started with a short TD run. Joseph Mancuso got the Panthers down the field, but they settled for a field goal to pull within 7-3. That was the only time they’d light up the board. Drummond notched a 27-yd TD moments later (14-3), Alden Wright intercepted Mancuso, who left with a leg injury and was on crutches. Fisher threw a 10-yd TD pass to Jack Johnson (21-3), then another to Eli Gipson (28-3). Drummond later blocked a punt, which Gipson scooped up and waltzed into the end zone (35-3). Fisher scored on a long TD run weaving in and out of traffic (42-3) to make it 42-3 before the break. A TD pass from Fisher to Johnson early in the third was the final nail in the coffin, as Rabun claimed the region title with this win.
OCTOBER 16, 2020 – #7 White County vs North Hall
FINAL SCORE: North Hall 34, White 31 (OT)
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 8
Hype: 7
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 31/40
What a game! After taking a 10-0 lead, White County saw North Hall storm back and tie it at 17 going into the break. The Trojans, who never throw the ball, had two passing scores and took a 24-17 lead going into the fourth. Riley Stancil twice hooked up with Darius Cannon for game-tying scores in the fourth to tie it at 24 and again at 31. With the Warriors playing without star QB J Ben Haynes, they lost in overtime when North Hall got a chip shot field goal to sneak inside the right uprights. Cannon had three TD for the Warriors.
OCTOBER 17, 2014 – #10 Union County vs Rabun County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 45, Union 31
Barn-Burner: 9
Historical: 9
Hype: 9
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 36/40
This game had all the makings for some crazy hype. Arch-rivals in a defacto region title game. Great talent all over the field. 900 yards of offense…it had it all. #10 Union entered a perfect 7-0 as Rabun came in 5-2, but both were 3-0 in region games. Collin Grant threw a 56-yd TD pass to Jack Johnson to open the scoring. Joseph Mancuso responded with a 5-yd TD pass to Robert Prunier to tie it up. Grant came back with a 6-yd TD run to make it 14-7 after one. In the second, Mancuso tied it with a 40-yd TD pass to Jacob Rogers, though the Cats got a field goal to hold a 17-14 lead at the break. In the third, Will Stone got a scoop-n-score to put the Panthers up 21-17. Grant then found Alden Wright for a 47-yd TD to reclaim the lead at 24-21. A Knox Kiernan field goal tied it at 24 apiece. Later in the third, Charlie Woerner’s 1-yd TD run made it 31-24 Cats. But Chase Barnett matched it with a 20-yd TD run of his own, tying the game at 31 all. Starting the 4th, Cain Tomlin scored a rushing TD to put Rabun up 38-31, and the back broke for Union when they had 1st & Goal and were turned away on downs after getting to the one yard line. With 1:28 to go, Woerner notched an 8-yd TD run to put the game on ice (45-31).
OCTOBER 18, 2013 – Habersham Central vs #1 North Gwinnett
FINAL SCORE: North Gwinnet 41, Habersham 0
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 0
Hype: 1
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 6/40
Northing to report here…
OCTOBER 18, 2019 – Banks County vs #8 Union County
FINAL SCORE: Union 14, Banks 7
Barn-Burner: 9
Historical: 5
Hype: 3
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 22/40
#8 Union came into Homer unbeaten, but most of the star players were sitting out for the Panthers. Thais put their perfect record and region title game aspirations in jeopardy. Logan Helcher got the start with Pierson Allison out, and got a 47-yd TD to John Mancuso early on. Late in the third, Helcher found Mancuso open in the end zone from the 1-yd line to make it 14-0. Bowen Roberts hit Erwin Durmic for a 68-yd TD to cut it within 14-7, but the Panthers held on for the close win.
OCTOBER 19, 2012 – #3 Buford vs Dawson County
FINAL SCORE: Buford 34, Dawson 3
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 2
Hype: 3
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 13/40
As good as Tyler Dominy and company were in 2012, it was a brutal ask to go to Buford and try to compete. The eventual state champions rolled the Tigers in this one.
OCTOBER 19, 2018 – #6 Jefferson vs #3 Monroe Area
FINAL SCORE: Monroe Area 35, Jefferson 21
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 9
Hype: 9
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 33/40
Monroe Area’s Chandler Byron accounted for all five Hurricane TDs as his team remained perfect at 9-0. Both Jefferson and Monroe came in unbeaten in region in a Week 9 matchup that was the region title game. Byron had a 9-yd and 38-yd TD run to make it 14-0 early. In the second, Carter Stephenson found eventual Baylor TE Garmon Randolph for a TD. Byron then responded with a 52-yd TD to make it 21-7. Byron’s 17-yd TD made it 28-7 going into the break. Paxton Corkery had a 1-yd TD plunge to make it 28-14, but Byron got yet another TD to cap the scoring and secure the region crown.
OCTOBER 20, 2017 – #3 Rabun County vs #10 Elbert County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 35, Elbert 7
Barn-Burner: 4
Historical: 7
Hype: 10
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 28/40
Bailey Fisher and company won a defacto region title game. Fisher connected with Braxton Hicks for an early TD, and Brison Beck scored on a short TD run to push the Cats up 14-0. Shun Allen’s 1-yd TD cut it to 14-7, but Fisher found Hicks in the second quarter for a 69-yd TD. Fisher added a rushing score later in the quarter to put it out of reach.
OCTOBER 21, 2011 – Habersham Central vs #7 Heritage (Conyers)
FINAL SCORE: Heritage 45, Habersham 42
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 6
Hype: 6
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 28/40
This one was a heart attack. A 7-0 deficit for the Raiders got knotted up when Kevin Ellison found Zac Franks for a 71-yd TD pass to open the second. After falling behind again, Ellison ripped off a 22-yd game-tying TD run in the second. Heritage went up 28-14 at the break, and stretched it to 35-14 before Ellison (227 yds rush, 187 yds pass) struck again with an 80-yd TD run (35-21 Heritage). Again Heritage padded it to 42-21 late, but then came the comeback. Ellison got a 57-yd TD run seconds later (42-28), Sydnee Mulligan notched a short TD in the fourth (42-35), and Patrick Burns added a short TD (42-42) to tie the game. After all that, a penalty got Heritage in field goal range, and a chip-shot 24-yarder with 6 seconds left did the trick.
OCTOBER 21, 2016 – #9 Elbert County vs #3 Rabun County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 42, Elbert 10
Barn-Burner: 4
Historical: 8
Hype: 10
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 31/40
It was the first-ever meeting between the Cats and Blue Devils, and they both came into this one at the Granite Bowl with the winner taking the region title. Both were top-ten ranked. The game was scoreless after one, and the Wildcats had turned the ball over three times and were marred by penalties. In the second quarter, Elbert (who had its own problems with two missed field goals and red zone stalls), got a field goal to go up 3-0. Things changed quickly, when Cal Drummond scored a rushing TD, and after the ensuing kickoff was fumbled, Bailey Fisher (245 yds passing, 187 yds rushing) got one of his own. Suddenly it was 14-7. In the third, Fisher added a 51-yd TD run that everyone still talks about, in which he put on a spin move and dove inside the pylon. Still in the third, Fisher threw a 31-yd TD to Noah Cannon (28-3). Fisher had another 30-plus yard TD run to go up 35-3 as the Cats won 42-10.
OCTOBER 22, 2010 – Lumpkin County vs #8 Stephens County
FINAL SCORE: Stephens 35, Lumpkin 24
Barn-Burner: 8
Historical: 9
Hype: 8
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 31/40
This was a first-ever meeting between the Indians and Indians. Opening drive saw Chaz Thornton (181 yds, 2 TD) score a 27-yd TD to put Stephens up early. Mark Palmer made it 14-0 on a TD run after Taylor Guthrie had fumbled away the ball for Lumpkin. Down 14-0, Lumpkin got a boost when Michael Flanagan got a short TD run in the second. Palmer got that score back on a keeper later in the half to pad the lead to 21-7. After a LC field goal, the kickoff was then taken by Cassadine Blassingame 97 yards for a back-breaking TD, which made it 28-10 Stephens. Momentum was for Stephens, who went on to win.
OCTOBER 22, 2021 – #1 Rabun County vs Elbert County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 45, Elbert 7
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 10
Hype: 9
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 28/40
Gunner Stockton tied the state all-time passing TD record in a 45-7 win over Elbert on senior night at Rabun. Stockton accounted for 5 TD (3 passing, 2 rushing) in the win.
OCTOBER 23, 2009 – Habersham Central vs Rockdale County
FINAL SCORE: Rockdale 34, Habersham 14
Barn-Burner: 3
Historical: 4
Hype: 5
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 17/40
On a nasty rainy night, Rockdale came in and dashed any hopes for the Raiders. Kevin Ellison did put Hab up 7-6 after a Dee Ellison 57-yd interception return. But the Bulldogs took over from there, scoring the next 28 points before Austin Brown found Jamal Walters for a 34-yd TD pass late.
OCTOBER 23, 2020 – Banks County vs Union County
FINAL SCORE: Union 19, Banks 7
Barn-Burner: 5
Historical: 1
Hype: 3
Talent: 3
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 12/40
Union hadn’t played in three weeks thanks to a bye week and two COVID canceled games. Thanks 2020! Banks was limping into this one quite literally, missing a few players with injury. Union’s Logan Helcher had a 66-yd TD run to break a scoreless tie in the second to go up 6-0. Jonah Daniel got a rushing score in the second half, as well as a TD catch from Helcher to cap the scoring as the Panthers won 19-7.
OCTOBER 24, 2014 – Banks County vs Dawson County
FINAL SCORE: Banks 27, Dawson 21
Barn-Burner: 9
Historical: 7
Hype: 4
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 26/40
Playoff hopes on the line for both teams coming in. Banks County’s Griffin Goodwin hooked up 60-plus yards to Zez Steeple for a TD to open the game on the first play. The Leopards were up 6-0, and Goodwin found Austin Segars for a TD later in the half to push it to 12-0. It was a coming out game for Coey Watson for Dawson as he threw a TD on 4th down to Andrew Goley to pull within 12-7. Goley got a 3-yd score moments later to give Dawson a 14-12 lead. Watson hooked up 55-yards for a score before the break with Nick Murphy, making it 21-12. However, Banks stormed back for a last-minute win.
OCTOBER 25, 2013 – #10 White County vs Dawson County
FINAL SCORE: White 17, Dawson 10
Barn-Burner: 9
Historical: 5
Hype: 7
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 28/40
White County had big momentum after a statement win over #4 North Hall. It wasn’t easy, but Dalton Whitfield made sure the Warriors got the win. He scored a 14-yd TD for the game’s first points. It was 10-0 Warriors going into the fourth. Max Muldoon booted a field goal for the Tigers to cut it to 10-3. Whitfield got a late TD run to push it back to 17-3. Chris Sailor took the ensuing kick back for a 95-yd TD to make it 17-10, but that stood as the final.
OCTOBER 26, 2012 – Habersham Central vs Duluth
FINAL SCORE: Duluth 56, Dawson 14
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 1
Hype: 1
Talent: 2
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 4/40
Nothing to see here…28-0 halftime lead ballooned into a 56-14 win for Duluth. Sydnee Mulligan and Jake Tench both had rushing scores for Hab.
OCTOBER 26, 2018 – White County vs Chestatee
FINAL SCORE: White 49, Chestatee 20
Barn-Burner: 5
Historical: 3
Hype: 5
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 20/40
On a cold, wet night, Christian Charles had his fair share of highlights for the War Eagles, including a first blood TD run and then a 33-yd TD to make it 14-0 Chestatee. J Ben Haynes found Cody VerSluis for a 34-yd TD to pull it within 14-7. Charles before the break connected with Seth Pressley for TD to push it to 20-7, but the Warriors stormed back for a 49-20 win in a giant second half.
OCTOBER 27, 2017 – Lumpkin County vs Dawson County
FINAL SCORE: Dawson 42, Lumpkin 21
Barn-Burner: 4
Historical: 10
Hype: 6
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 28/40
Coey Watson put on a clinic for the Tigers. He came in with 96 career TDs, and his 97th was a rushing score early to put Dawson up 7-0. Lumpkin knotted it up on a Julian Hazen TD run in the second. After an 82-yd run down to the one by Sevaughn Clark, Watson pounded it in himself for TD #98. His 46-yd TD pass to Ryan Glass moments later was #99 and pushed the lead up to 21-7. The third quarter saw Watson scramble and find the end zone for #100 of his career. Clark added a TD run later as the Tigers cruised, 42-21.
OCTOBER 28, 2016 – #4 Jefferson vs #9 Stephens County
FINAL SCORE: Jefferson 35, Stephens 7
Barn-Burner: 4
Historical: 9
Hype: 9
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 30/40
It was the first meeting since 1955 for these guys, and it was to decide a region championship in 7-AAAA. Colby Clark and Colby Wood tore apart the Indians defense, as the duo hooked up for two passing TDs in the first half, and both had a rushing score as well. Wood eclipsed 1,000 yards for the third straight season in the win.
OCTOBER 29, 2010 – Habersham Central vs Loganville
FINAL SCORE: Loganville 42, Habersham 24
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 6
Hype: 5
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 24/40
Kevin Ellison carried the Raiders, scoring 3 TDs on the ground in the first half, which ended 21-21 going into the break. Loganville outscored Hab 21-3 in the second half to claim the win.
OCTOBER 29, 2021 – Union County vs #1 Rabun County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 56, Union 14
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 29/40
Gunner Stockton’s 1-yard TD pass in the first quarter to Tate Ramey put him alone as the all-time passing TD leader in Georgia (162). It was one of 5 TDs passing in the first half of a 56-14 win. Baxley O’Brien had 2 TD catches, while Lang Windham had 4 total TDs (3 rushing, 1 receiving). Rabun County claimed their 8th straight region championship!
OCTOBER 30, 2009 – Lumpkin County vs #10 Creekview
FINAL SCORE: Creekview 55, Lumpkin 13
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 2
Hype: 1
Talent: 3
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 7/40
Creekview ran at will over Lumpkin in this one, though Michael Flanagan scored a TD for the Indians. A trio of pick sixes helped #10 Creekview waltz on to a win.
OCTOBER 30, 2015 – Dawson County vs Lumpkin County
FINAL SCORE: Dawson 41, Lumpkin 0
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 10
Hype: 7
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 25/40
Dawson needed a win to take its first ever region title and first trip to state since 2012. The Tigers won easily, 41-0, led by Hunter Mitchell’s 4 touchdowns! Coey Watson got a TD, as did Logan Hurst. Watson threw a TD also to Tucker Maxwell as the Tigers hoisted the region championship trophy for the first time in school history.
OCTOBER 31, 2014 – Habersham Central vs North Forsyth
FINAL SCORE: Habersham 32, North Forsyth 7
Barn-Burner: 3
Historical: 10
Hype: 3
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 21/40
Habersham Central, on Halloween 2014, snaps a 21-game losing streak with first win since October 12, 2012. Michael Babers did damage with 3 rushing TD, as did Bennett Black, who threw a 68-yd TD to Mason Kinsey to give the Raiders a big halftime lead.
OCTOBER 31, 2020 – #1 Rabun County vs Banks County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 71, Banks 0
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 6
Hype: 2
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 16/40
Gunner Stockton threw for 4 TD and rushed for 2 TD as the #1 Cats set a school record for points (71), largest margin of victory, and biggest shutout. Lang Windham had a TD, Adriel Clark had 2 receiving TD, and Cory Keller had a punt return for a TD. Sutton Jones and Tate Ramey also had TD catches, while Kielen Sanders had 2 rushing TDs with all the backups in.
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 1, 2013 – Habersham Central vs Mill Creek
FINAL SCORE: Mill Creek 61, Habersham 0
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 2
Hype: 1
Talent: 2
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 5/40
Nothing to see here…
NOVEMBER 1, 2019 – Habersham Central vs Winder-Barrow
FINAL SCORE: Winder 41, Habersham 40
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 3
Hype: 6
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 25/40
The Raiders, despite Ryte Woodruffs 4 rushing and 1 passing TD, fall 41-40 in a thrilling heartbreak to Winder, who got 4 rushing scores by Jahyvon Sullivan.
NOVEMBER 2, 2012 – #9 North Hall vs Banks County
FINAL SCORE: North Hall 42, Banks 7
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 7
Hype: 6
Talent: 5
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 19/40
This game was big only because the Trojans rolled to the region title with the win.
NOVEMBER 2, 2018 – #2 Rabun County vs #9 Union County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 56, Union 28
Barn-Burner: 3
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 31/40
The Wildcats won their fifth straight region championship with a 56-28 win over Union behind Gunner Stockton’s five touchdowns. Brison Beck added a pair of scores. Union came in unbeaten, and it was a much-hyped top-ten billing.
NOVEMBER 4, 2011 – Habersham Central vs Rockdale County
FINAL SCORE: Habersham 34, Rockdale 7
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 3
Hype: 4
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 14/40
Patrick Burns scored 3 rushing TDs, and Kevin Ellison (183 rush yds) threw a first half TD pass to Brant Rinehart to push the Raidres out to a big lead. Ellison later had a school record 94-yd TD run.
NOVEMBER 4, 2016 – #9 Dawson County vs #1 GAC
FINAL SCORE: GAC 42, Dawson 7
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 4
Hype: 7
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 21/40
The Tigers look for their second consecutive region 7-AAA title in a top-10 showdown at home against top-ranked GAC, who is led by Stanford QB commit Davis Mills. Mills and the Spartans claim the Region Championship in cruising fashion after a 28-0 halftime lead with four Mills touchdowns put the game out of reach early, 42-7 the final.
NOVEMBER 5, 2010 – #10 White County vs #4 Gainesville
FINAL SCORE: Gainesville 21, White 7
Barn-Burner: 8
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 38/40
This game lived up to the hype. A freshman QB for Gainesville named Deshaun Watson led the Red Elephants to a Region Championship against White County and Ashely Lowery. Throw in that Gainesville had 3 other DI players on the field, and this game had a TON of talent out there. Gainesville made it 3 straight region titles. Cole Seagraves found Ethan McCallister for an opening TD before Watson led the Red Elephants back for the win.
NOVEMBER 5, 2021 – Dawson County vs North Hall
FINAL SCORE: Dawson County 26, North Hall 8
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 6
Hype: 8
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 27/40
Dawson never trailed in a 26-8 win, as Braedon Hubbard had a pair of 70-plus yard TD catches from Zach Holtzclaw. Conley Dyer also had a TD in the Tigers’ win.
NOVEMBER 6, 2009 – #9 Flowery Branch vs #1 Gainesville
FINAL SCORE: Gainesville 49, Flowery Branch 17
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 31/40
The game had all the hype…big-time rivals, a top-10 matchup, a field full of future NFL players and big-time DI players, and playing for a Region Championship! Blake Sims (Alabama, NFL) even caught a TD from TJ Jones (Notre Dame; NFL) early and Tyson Smith had a rushing TD to set the tone. Teyran Rucker also had a TD run early. Connor Shaw (South Carolina; NFL) had little time to work with in the backfield. Smith scored again before the break to push it to 28-0, and a Sims-to-Jones TD pass made it 35-0 into the half. Imani Cross got the Falcons on the board in the third with a TD run, then future NFLer Will Monday (Duke; NFL) got a field goal to clip the lead to 35-10. Jones caught another TD from Sims to go up 42-10; though Shaw would throw a TD to Will Frazier later. Smith capped the scoring with a late TD.
NOVEMBER 6, 2020 – Elbert County vs #1 Rabun County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 63, Elbert 7
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 4
Hype: 3
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 15/40
NOVEMBER 7, 2015 – White County vs North Hall
FINAL SCORE: North Hall 30, White County 13
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 3
Hype: 4
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 14/40
Trojans win fourth straight, 30-13, to deny Warriors a fourth straight state playoff berth.
NOVEMBER 8, 2013 – #1 Gainesville vs #8 Flowery Branch
FINAL SCORE: Gainesville 55, Flowery Branch 45
Barn-Burner: 9
Historical: 9
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 38/40
You really just have to check the tape on this one. 100 points in total in a marquee matchup with future NFL QB Deshaun Watson having a ridiculous game, out-dueling Flowery Branch QB Jackson McDonald. The Region 8-AAAAA Championship…
NOVEMBER 8, 2019 – #6 Union County vs #1 Rabun County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 49, Union 7
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 31/40
The Wildcats used a 21-0 first half to go on to a 6th straight region championship behind Gunner Stockton’s 7 touchdowns.
NOVEMBER 9, 2012 – #10 Flowery Branch vs #10 Gainesville
FINAL SCORE: Flowery Branch 35, Gainesville 34
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 40/40
The Region Championship was won by Flowery Branch in this battle of arch-rivals. Deshaun Watson ended up losing, but went on to lead the Red Elephants to the state title weeks later. This one had literally everything you could want. Jackson McDonald led Flowery Branch in a big-time QB battle. It was only the second region title for FB, and first-ever outright.
NOVEMBER 9, 2018 – #2 Rabun County vs Spencer (2A RND 1)
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 65, Spencer 0
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 6
Hype: 6
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 21/40
The Wildcats dominated in every aspect of the game with a 65-0 blowout win over Spencer. Rabun scored on its first eight drives. Gunner Stockton threw for six touchdowns and rushed for another. Braxton Hicks and Austin Jones each had three receiving scores. This was Rabun’s biggest ever shutout, biggest ever playoff win, and largest margin of victory ever at the time.
NOVEMBER 10, 2017 – #9 Jefferson vs White County (4A RND 1)
FINAL SCORE: Jefferson 29, White 13
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 6
Hype: 8
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 28/40
The Dragons held off a tough White County team, ripping off three straight scores, including three total TDs for senior RB Colby Wood.
NOVEMBER 11, 2011 – Banks County vs Adairsville (2A RND 1)
FINAL SCORE: Adairsville 21, Banks 3
Barn-Burner: 5
Historical: 5
Hype: 8
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 24/40
Banks County couldn’t get anything going in their home playoff game.
NOVEMBER 12, 2010 – #10 White County vs LaGrange (3A Rnd 1)
FINAL SCORE: White 28, LaGrange 20
Barn-Burner: 9
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 37/40
Ashely Lowery and the Warriors did just enough to earn the school’s first-ever home playoff win. Cole Seagraves and Lowery did the heavy lifting in this historic game.
NOVEMBER 12, 2016 – #3 Rabun County vs BEST Academy (2A Rnd 1)
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 55, BEST 20
Barn-Burner: 4
Historical: 7
Hype: 7
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 29/40
The Saturday night playoff game marked the first ever-meeting between the two programs. The Cats’ 26-6 halftime lead seemed safe, but the Eagles opened the second half with two quick TDs to cut it to 26-20. Rabun got serious, and poured on four unanswered TDs to finish off the third quarter and take the 55-20 win. Cal Drummond accounted for 300-plus yards and four rushing scores! Bailey Fisher did his thing in yet another Rabun playoff win.
NOVEMBER 12, 2021 – #2 Jefferson vs Hapeville Charter (4A Rnd 1)
FINAL SCORE: Hapeville 12, Jefferson 10
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 10
Hype: 6
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 36/40
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.
NOVEMBER 13, 2015 – Dawson County vs Ringgold (3A Rnd 1)
FINAL SCORE: Dawson 63, Ringgold 40
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 9
Hype: 9
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 33/40
he Dawson Co Tigers won 63-40, using 5 TD from SR Tucker Maxwell (4 receiving, 1 pick six). Coey Watson had a solid game under center, and the Tigers (winners of their 1st ever region title) made another first with hosting and winning their first ever playoff game at home. Dawson is now 2-4 all-time in the playoffs, and won its first since 1999. The 8th win also is the most since 2004.
NOVEMBER 13, 2020 – #1 Rabun County vs Union County
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 63, Union 14
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 10
Hype: 6
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 25/40
Rabun County claimed a seventh straight region championship with a win over Union, also marking a seventh straight win on the season and a seventh in a row over the arch-rivals. Gunner Stockton had 8 TD (6 passing, 2 rushing), passing Bailey Fisher on the all-time passing TD list at #6 in state history. Adriel Clark had 4 TDs, while Lang Windham had 2.
NOVEMBER 14, 2014 – #10 Rabun County vs Chattooga (2A Rnd 1)
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 24, Chattooga 0
Barn-Burner: 3
Historical: 9
Hype: 8
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 27/40
Charlie Woerner and Collin Grant guided Rabun to a big-time playoff win, their first since 1998.
NOVEMBER 15, 2013 – #2 GAC vs #10 Rabun County (2A Rnd 1)
FINAL SCORE: GAC 34, Rabun 7
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 6
Hype: 6
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 20/40
The Spartans put an abrupt end to the Wildcats’ season in Atlanta.
NOVEMBER 15, 2019 – #1 Rabun County vs BEST Academy (2A Rnd 1)
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 38, BEST 0
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 6
Hype: 6
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 21/40
Rabun’s defense held the Eagles scoreless, while Gunner Stockton and Braxton Hicks connected for 2 touchdowns.
NOVEMBER 17, 2017 – #3 Rabun County vs BEST Academy (2A Sweet 16)
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 35, BEST 2
Barn-Burner: 0
Historical: 7
Hype: 7
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 23/40
Bailey Fisher (312 pass yds, 2 TD; 133 rush yds, 3 TD) tallies 5 TD to power Rabun County to its third straight quarterfinals game in a 35-2 easy win over BEST. Austin Jones eclipsed 100 tackles on the season to go with his 1,000+ all-purpose yards. Braxton Hicks had 2 TD catches.
NOVEMBER 18, 2011 – #3 Flowery Branch vs Thomas County Central (4A Sweet 16)
FINAL SCORE: Flowery Branch 31, Thomas 21
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 7
Hype: 8
Talent: 8
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 30/40
QB Kanler Coker led FB to another quarterfinals berth in a tight playoff game, the last playoff win for coach Lee Shaw at the Branch before he left for Rabun County.
NOVEMBER 18, 2016 – #3 Rabun County vs #8 Vidalia (2A Sweet 16)
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 42, Vidalia 7
Barn-Burner: 3
Historical: 8
Hype: 9
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 29/40
The Wildcats used six touchdowns (3 passing, 3 rushing) by Bailey Fisher to a 42-7 dominating win, sending Rabun to a second straight quarterfinal appearance. Vidalia’s 5-star LB Nate McBride was held to nothing in this game. Austin Jones and Braxton Hicks were monumental in this one as well for the Cats.
NOVEMBER 19, 2021 – #1 Rabun County vs #9 Jeff Davis (2A Sweet 16)
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 56, Jeff Davis 7
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 8
Hype: 7
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 25/40
Going up against a team that allowed just 5 points per game all season, Rabun County jumped out to a 21-0 lead and were up 42-0 going into the break. Gunner Stockton had 4 TD passes, all to Jaden Gibson (230+ yds), and threw for over 400 yards. He also had 3 rushing TD, and Lang Windham had a TD run. Rabun marched back into the quarterfinals.
NOVEMBER 20, 2015 – #3 Rabun County vs Early County (2A Sweet 16)
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 41, Early 7
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 33/40
Rabun trailed 7-zip at the half until Bailey Fisher and Charlie Woerner ignited the offense in the third quarter. The duo hooked up for 3 TDs in just a few minutes, while Fisher threw four TDs in the 3rd quarter alone. Rabun’s 41-7 win earned the team its 11th win, the most since their other quarterfinal run in 1998. The Wildcats have now won 11 straight games, a school record!
NOVEMBER 20, 2020 – North Hall vs Dawson County
FINAL SCORE: North Hall 34, Dawson 21
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 6
Hype: 8
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 28/40
The Trojans jumped out to a 20-0 lead before Dawson clawed back in. Clark Howell had 2 TD and Kevin Rochester had one in the first half, while Zach Holtzclaw found Jaden Gibson for a late TD in the first half. Both teams traded scores in the third before the Trojans notched a late TD to put the game away.
NOVEMBER 21, 2014 – #10 Rabun County vs #3 Benedictine (2A Sweet 16)
FINAL SCORE: Benedictine 42, Rabun 9
Barn-Burner: 2
Historical: 4
Hype: 9
Talent: 6
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 21/40
The Wildcats fell at home in a big playoff game, but this marked the beginning of an era of deep playoff runs that stretched a good portion of the next decade.
NOVEMBER 22, 2013 – #1 Gainesville vs #10 South Paulding (5A Sweet 16)
FINAL SCORE: Gainesville 55, South Paulding 12
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 8
Hype: 9
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 27/40
Deshaun Watson led the Red Elephants to another quarterfinal berth with a blowout win at home over South Paulding.
NOVEMBER 22, 2019 – #1 Rabun County vs Toombs County (2A Sweet 16)
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 34, Toombs 14
Barn-Burner: 3
Historical: 8
Hype: 9
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 29/40
The Wildcats overcame a brief deficit to score 27 unanswered points on the way to clinching a fifth straight quarterfinals berth. Gunner Stockton threw 2 TD passes and rushed for one, while Cory Keller had a rushing TD. Hogan Woodard and Sam Adams had the receiving scores, while Edwin Diaz had 2 field goals.
NOVEMBER 23, 2012 – #10 North Hall vs Morgan County (3A Sweet 16)
FINAL SCORE: North Hall 13, Morgan County 9
Barn-Burner: 9
Historical: 8
Hype: 9
Talent: 7
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 33/40
Andrew Smith’s punt return for a TD in the first was HUGE for North Hall. He tallied both TDs for the Trojans, as he recorded a rushing TD for all North Hall would need. Kevin Christmas tore it up in the ground game too as North Hall got a win to reach the quarterfinals.
NOVEMBER 24, 2017 – #2 Screven County vs #3 Rabun County (2A Quarterfinals)
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 56, Screven 14
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 36/40
The Wildcats got over the hump, finally getting a quarterfinals win. It was a long bus ride, but Rabun SR QB Bailey Fisher had a hand in 7 of 8 TDs as the Wildcats advanced to their first-ever semifinals. Fisher surpassed 1,000 yards rushing on the season and 9,000 career passing yards. He utilized Austin Jones, Cole Keener, and Braxton Hicks, and Brison Beck had a mammoth game as well.
NOVEMBER 24, 2018 – #2 Rabun County vs #8 Fitzgerald (2A Quarterfinals)
FINAL SCORE: Fitzgerald 28, Rabun 17
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 7
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 34/40
Fitzgerald used a power run game to take an early lead over the Wildcats, and never looked back in a 28-17 win. Gunner Stockton, Austin Jones, and Braxton Hicks battled through rain and cold as Rabun was edged in the quarterfinals game.
NOVEMBER 26, 2021 – #2 Thomasville vs #1 Rabun County (2A Quarterfinals)
FINAL SCORE: Thomasville 49, Rabun 24
Barn-Burner: 6
Historical: 7
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 33/40
Thomasville racked up 7 TDs on the way to a 49-24 win over Rabun County in a #1-versus-#2 Quarterfinals matchup.
NOVEMBER 27, 2015 – Jefferson County vs #3 Rabun County (2A Quarterfinals)
FINAL SCORE: Jefferson Co 31, Rabun 28
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 40/40
Rabun County’s season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion when Warriors’ kicker Evans Hodges nailed a 31-yard field goal as time expired, giving Jefferson County a 31-28 win and a trip to the state semifinals. Coach Lee Shaw’s Wildcats had won a school-record 11 straight games, back-to-back region titles and a trip to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1998. Charlie Woerner polished off his career with two TD in the loss, while Bailey Fisher threw three touchdowns and rushed for one.
NOVEMBER 28, 2020 – #1 Rabun County vs #5 Haralson County (2A Rnd 1)
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 35, Haralson 7
Barn-Burner: 5
Historical: 7
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 32/40
The Wildcats used a 28-0 first half en route to a 35-7 win in the first round of the playoffs. Gunner Stockton tallied 4 TDs (2 passing, 2 rushing), eclipsing 9,000 career passing yards and his 40th passing TD of the season and 20th rushing TD of the season. Lang Windham had a rushing and receiving score, and Adriel Clark caught his 24th TD pass, 3 shy of the state single-season record. Rabun held Haralson scoreless until 1 minute left in the game.
NOVEMBER 29, 2013 – #1 Gainevsille vs Mundy’s Mill (5A Quarterfinals)
FINAL SCORE: Gainesville 42, Mundy’s Mill 28
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 37/40
This was all Deshaun Watson! Sit back and watch what was his final win as a Red Elephant, and his final home game at Bobby Gruhn Field. The Helicopter TD he scored in this one was unforgettable.
NOVEMBER 30, 2012 – #8 North Hall vs #4 Peach County (3A Quarterfinals)
FINAL SCORE: North Hall 52, Peach 10
Barn-Burner: 2
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 32/40
The Trojans made history with a quarterfinal win that was a HUGE upset of championship favorite Peach County. North Hall’s option was electric in a night no one at The Brickyard will ever forget, led by Kevin Christmas, TJ Tate, and Andrew Smith.
DECEMBER
DECEMBER 1, 2017 – #3 Rabun County vs #6 Brooks County (2A Semifinals)
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 23, Brooks 12
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 40/40
After a slow star, Cole Keener (3 INT) and Bailey Fisher (2 rushing, 1 passing TD) and Austin Jones (INT, 73-yd TD to seal the win) gave the Wildcats a trip to the Mercedes Benz Stadium for the 2A State Championship with a 23-12 win over Brooks County.
DECEMBER 4, 2009 – #1 Gainesville vs #3 Flowery Branch (3A Semifinals)
FINAL SCORE: Gainesville 29, Flowery Branch 21
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 40/40
Blake Sims, Tai-ler Jones, Connor Shaw battle in the best game in Georgia High School Football history. It’s the best game we’ve ever covered. Two region rivals squared up in a rematch at City Park. Two teams that live just a few miles apart. Over 8,000 people were in attendance as the Red Elephants and future DI players Blake Sims (Alabama, AFL), TJ Jones (Notre Dame, NFL), AJ Johnson (Tennessee, NFL), Jeremiah Ledbetter (Arkansas) stormed back to come from behind and shock coach Lee Shaw’s Falcons, who were led by their own DI talents like Connor Shaw (South Carolina, NFL), Imani Cross (Nebraska) Will Monday (Duke, NFL), and others. FB went up 14-zip despite a pair of missed field goals that proved to be pivotal. The second half kickoff was returned 96 yards for a TD by Sims to turn the tide. Shaw rushed in a TD to respond and make it 21-7, but it was all Gainesville from there. The heartbreak really came with 4 minutes left. The Falcons were up 21-14 but punting from their own end zone. For the first time all year, Monday’s punt was blocked, and recovered for the Red Elephants for a tied game. Gainesville then got the ball back and fumbled TWICE but both times Flowery Branch couldn’t recover. With 18 seconds left, Sims hit Tyson Smith with a short TD pass to give Gainesville the win, as they moved on to the state title game.
DECEMBER 4, 2020 – #1 Jefferson vs #9 Hapeville Charter (4A Sweet 16)
FINAL SCORE: Jefferson 35, Hapeville 0
Barn-Burner: 3
Historical: 7
Hype: 7
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 27/40
The Dragons used a pair of Malaki Starks TD runs to take down Hapeville Charter. Jefferson was up 21-0 at the half on TDs by Starks, Spencer Neese, and Max Aldridge (scoop-n-score). Paxton Corkery and Starks added TDs in the third as the Dragons rolled into the Quarterfinals in a 35-0 win.
DECEMBER 5, 2008 – #2 LaGrange vs #3 Flowery Branch (3A Semifinals)
FINAL SCORE: Flowery Branch 28, LaGrange 0
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 37/40
The Falcons shut down LaGrange, and Connor Shaw and Daniel Drummond pulled off the mighty upset on the road, earning a trip to the Georgia Dome and the state title game.
DECEMBER 11, 2020 – #1 Rabun County vs #7 Bleckley County (2A Quarterfinals)
FINAL SCORE: Rabun 27, Bleckley 24 (OT)
Barn-Burner: 10
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 40/40
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.
DECEMBER 12, 2014 – #1 Buford vs #2 St. Pius X (4A State Championship)
FINAL SCORE: Buford 55, St. Pius 10
Barn-Burner: 1
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 30/40
The Wolves did it again, winning ANOTHER state title over St. Pius. It wasn’t even close, though St. Pius had some moments early on. Still, it’s always a special game when it’s at the Dome!
DECEMBER 12, 2014 – #1 Benedictine vs #2 GAC (2A State Championship)
FINAL SCORE: Benedictine 45, GAC 21
Barn-Burner: 4
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 9
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 33/40
Benedictine rolled through GAC and pulled away late to win a state title in the Dome!
DECEMBER 12, 2012 – #1 Gainesville vs #3 Ware County (5A State Championship)
FINAL SCORE: Gainesville 49, Ware 10
Barn-Burner: 2
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 32/40
Deshaun Watson and the Red Elephants got it done with a blowout win in the Dome to win a State Championship!
DECEMBER 12, 2012 – #1 Buford vs #2 St. Pius X (3A State Championship)
FINAL SCORE: Buford 10, St. Pius 3
Barn-Burner: 9
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 39/40
The Wolves did it again with a 10-3 State Championship win over St. Pius in the 3A title game!
DECEMBER 15, 2017 – #2 Rabun County vs #4 Hapeville Charter (2A State Championship)
FINAL SCORE: Hapeville 35, Rabun 23
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 37/40
Hapeville Charter used a 21-3 halftime lead to propel them it to a 35-23 State Championship win over Rabun County, snapping their 14-game win streak and 20-game home win streak. The game was played a week later than expected, and was played at Rabun County due to a cancellation at the Benz in Atlanta. Bailey Fisher, Austin Jones, and Braxton Hicks stood out in the title game.
DECEMBER 18, 2020 – #3 Callaway vs #1 Rabun County (2A Semifinals)
FINAL SCORE: Callaway 41, Rabun 17
Barn-Burner: 4
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 34/40
#3 Callaway Cavaliers (10-1; 5-AA Champions) vs #1 Rabun Co Wildcats (12-1; 8-AA Champions) in a GHSA Class 2A Semifinals matchup from Hogansville, GA on December 18, 2020. Callaway used Charlie Dixon’s big night to upend Rabun County, who got a rushing TD and passing TD from Gunner Stockton, which included a state-setting TD catch to Adriel Clark, who has sole possession of the single-season state record. Rabun County trailed from wire to wire, and Callaway scored 21 straight in the third quarter.
DECEMBER 29, 2020 – #1 Jefferson vs #2 Marist (4A State Championship)
FINAL SCORE: Marist 30, Jefferson 14
Barn-Burner: 7
Historical: 10
Hype: 10
Talent: 10
TOTAL GAME SCORE: 37/40
Jefferson’s Jordan Perry accounted for a couple of first half TDs as the Dragons held a share of the lead at 14-14 going into the half. Malaki Starks, Perry, Kam Robinson, and Paxton Corkery (2 sacks) all had big games, but Marist’s Alan Chadwick became a 3-time state champion and gained win number 399 when the War Eagles outscored Jefferson 16-0 in the second half to win 30-14.
BLITZ 