Jefferson and Stephens County both played in Quarterfinals games on Black Friday. Here’s what transpired on the coldest Friday night of the season.
#1 Jefferson 42, #5 Cherokee Bluff 28 (3A)
The Dragons scored twice in the final 7 minutes to secure a second win over Cherokee Bluff, 42-28. Gavin Markey accounted for 5 TDs (3 rush, 2 pass), and Rett Hemphill had a TD run, 2 interceptions, and a sack. Markey threw a TD pass to Talan Childress in the first from 31 yards out. Brooks Brien threw one for Bluff to Dylan Haley, but the XP missed. Hemphill’s 12-yd TD made it 14-6. The Bears tied it on a TD from Brien to Bryce Fontenot, and a 2PC. A field goal had them up 17-14. Just before the break, Markey threw a TD to Joshua Causey to go ahead 21-17. The Bears rallied to another field goal in the third to get within one before Markey had a 13-yd TD for the 28-20 advantage. Brien kept for a 1-yd TD, with KT Thompson rushing for the 2PC to lead off the fourth quarter tied at 28. Then Markey grabbed a 2-yd TD with just over 7 minutes left. his 68-yd TD run with 2 minutes left sealed the win. Hemphill had an INT in the closing seconds.
VIDEO Jefferson outlasts Cherokee Bluff to reach second consecutive Semifinals
#6 Appling County 23, #14 Stephens County 9 (2A)
The Indians saw their season come to a close in a 23-9 final at LaGrange.
Other area scores
#1 Buford 43, #1 North Gwinnett 7 (6A)
#20 LaGrange 49, #5 North Hall 17 (3A)
North Oconee 28, Cartersville 26
Prince Avenue Christian 61, Calvary Day 39
Toombs County 56 Elbert County 17
