The second half of the high school football season is underway with some big games on tap Friday across Northeast Georgia.
#2 Buford 44, Habersham 7
Habersham Central (3-3, 1-1) fell back to .500 on the season after dropping a region game to the Buford Wolves (4-1, 2-0). Friday’s home loss marks the start of a tough back half of the season for Central that includes Dacula and Lanier.
North Hall 34, #7 White County 31 (F/OT)
The Warriors, playing without star QB J Ben Haynes, fell in heartbreaking fashion, 34-31, to visiting North Hall in a pivotal region contest in Week 7 that was decided in overtime. With Haynes out, Cannon recorded over 250 receiving yards and 3 TD, including scoring twice in the fourth quarter to tie the game both times. The Trojans (3-3; 2-0) got an 18-yd field goal by Luke Brown that was mere inches inside the right upright. Brian Carter of BLITZ Sports captured the highlights (see above video).
#1 Rabun County 63, Pope 17
The Rabun County Wildcats (5-1) dominated the Greyhounds Friday night, beating Pope by 56 points, 63-17.
Stephens County 21, Monroe Area 41
After an electrifying and satisfying win over arch-rivals Habersham Central and a bye week, Stephens County went into Friday’s game against Monroe energized and well-rested. It wasn’t enough. Monroe Area beat Stephens 41-21. With the win, Monroe ups its record to 5-1 while the Indians drop to 4-2 overall.
#3 Commerce 35, Greene County 0
The Tigers are at #3 in state polls and they did everything Friday to keep it that way. Commerce rolled over Greene County, 35-0.
Lumpkin County 7, Gilmer 62
Lumpkin County is still winless in its first five games of the season. The Indians had hoped to change that in Friday’s region road matchup against the Bobcats. Gilmer (3-3, 1-2) went into the game hunting to their first region win and got it.
Other area games:
Eastside 34 – Clarke Central 35
Fannin County 36 – Pepperell 23
Forsyth Central 0 – Denmark 21
Franklin County 21 – Hart County 36
Madison 7 – Cedar Shoals 23
Lambert 35 – Gainesville 42
Walnut Grove 56 – Johnson 7
Pickens County 21 – Cedartown 52
Cherokee Bluff 35 – West Hall 7
Chestatee 0 – North Oconee 44
Prince Avenue Christian 63 – Hebron Christian 14
Oconee County 36 – East Jackson 14
North Forsyth 24 – West Forsyth 10
FORFEITS
Towns County (F) – Lincoln County *Town lost by forfeit in Friday’s home region game
Elbert County (F) – Haralson County (F) *Elbert and Haralson lost by double forfeit in Friday’s home game against Elbert County
Lakeview – #1 Fellowship Christian (F) *Fellowship Christian lost by forfeit to Lakeview Academy
Brian Carter of BLITZ Sports contributed to this report
