The opening round of the state playoffs saw a handful of local programs in the big dance. For some, their season ended in Friday night action. A few are still set to play on Saturday. Those who advanced to the next round include Commerce and Dawson County.
#2 Rome 35 – #3 Habersham Central 14
The Raiders were within 14-7 after a quarter, though Rome notched a late TD to close out the first half up 21-7. That score held up to the fourth quarter when Joshua Pickett had an electrifying 80-yd TD run to cut the deficit to 21-14. Rome responded with a TD pass to re-up the lead and extended it to 35-14 a bit later.
#1 Rockmart 48 – #4 White County 35
The Warriors fell behind quickly but ended very strong in a valiant effort. White County was down 20-0 at the end of the first quarter. The rest of the way, the Warriors outscored Rockmart 35-28. J Ben Haynes notched a rushing score to open the second quarter, though Rockmart responded to pad the lead at 27-7. Just before the half, Haynes connected on a 27-yd TD to Darius Cannon to cut it to 27-14. Silas Mulligan’s 1-yard plunge in the third bridged the gap to 27-21 before Rockmart pounded out an 80-yd TD on the ensuing kickoff in response. Mulligan scored again from 7 yards out midway through the third, making it 34-27. Two straight TDs by Rockmart put the game out of reach, though Haynes threw his final TD pass of his amazing career to Reece Dockery to cap the scoring. In his final game, Haynes delivered 2 passing and 1 rushing TD.
#1 Commerce 52 – #4 Manchester 20
The Tigers didn’t disappoint and scored a program record 52 points in a playoff game. Commerce got a Trey Huff first quarter TD, then came one from Elijah Burns, then Michael Sherman in the second. Add in a Diaz FG before the break, and it was 24-0 Commerce. Manchester put 12 points up in the third, but Dreylan Martin got some of that back with a TD run to make it 31-12 going into the final quarter. Martin got another TD in the fourth to make it 38-12, and Manchester pulled within 38-20. Shawn Cunningham had a late score as the Tigers rolled into the second round.
#3 Dawson County 45 – #2 Adairsville 31
The Tigers went on the road and smoked Adairsville, 45-31 to advance to the second round. It looked the part of a low-scoring game, when Dawson went up 7-0 and held a 7-3 lead after one quarter. However, things picked up in the second. A 1-yd Zach Holtzclaw TD run, followed by a Conley Dyer 40-yd TD run made it 21-3 Tigers. The tides quickly turned with a 9-minute flurry of TDs for Adairsville, who took at 24-21 lead into the locker room. Dyer opened the second half scoring with a 39-yd TD, followed by a Holtzclaw 75-yd TD pass to Dakohta Sonnichsen to re-up the lead to 35-24. Caleb Bonesteel hit a clutch field goal before the end of the third, pushing it to 38-24. Adairsville got a big-time TD pass to cut it to within 38-31, and then recovered an onside kick. However, a botched fake punt led to a Dawson TD to seal the win, 45-31. The Tigers advanced to take on powerhouse Oconee County in round two.
Other area games
#4 Martin Luther King, Jr.14 – #1 Clarke Central 41
#4 Franklin County 7 – #1 Greater Atlanta Christian 37
#3 Gainesville 14 – #2 Archer 21
#3 Hart County 21 – #2 Carver, Atlanta 32
#3 North Murray 28 – #2 North Hall 36
#3 Lakeview 7 – #2 North Cobb Christian 28
#4 Lafayette 7 – #1 Cherokee Bluff 35
#4 Douglas County 0 – #1 Buford 48
#3 Discovery 0 – #2 Denmark 63
#4 Hebron Christian 28 – #1 Prince Avenue Christian 63
#4 Westminster 7 – #1 Oconee County 21
#3 Meadowcreek 14 – #1 West Forsyth 39
Saturday, Nov. 28:
#1 Jefferson vs #4 Mt. Zion
Jefferson will play a Saturday afternoon game against Mt. Zion to open their playoff run. Mt. Zion isn’t really in the same stratosphere as the #1 Dragons. Should be over quick.
#1 Rabun County vs #4 Haralson County
Rabun will host Haralson County in the opening round on Saturday. This is probably the biggest game in the 2A bracket in the first round. One win separated Haralson County, who is ranked #5 in 2A by MaxPreps, from the 5-AA region champion team. This is a bonafide top-10 matchup early.
#3 Union County @ #2 Heard County
The Panthers will travel on Saturday to Heard County in the opening round of the playoffs. Union closed the regular season with a much-needed win over Gilmer, but there are still more questions than answers. Will Jonah Daniel play? Ultimately, Heard County can throw when it needs to but has a lethal running game that features 5 players with 300 or more rushing yards.
#1 Callaway 7, #4 Banks County 0 (FFT)
Banks County forfeited their playoff game due to COVID concerns within the program. The Leopards close their season at 1-10 overall.
#3 Luella @ #2 Flowery Branch
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