Week 5 brought several teams to their region openers. These games clearly mean more at this point.
GAC 19, #10 Lumpkin County 13
The Spartans completed an improbable comeback to shock Lumpkin, 19-13. The Indians held a 13-0 lead after a pair of field goals and a TD run by Nolan Matthews. In the second half, GAC scored three times, including with 1:30 to go to secure the victory, an 11th straight over Lumpkin (all 11 meetings).
Oconee County 35, #3 Stephens County 10
The Indians dropped a shocking 35-10 final, giving Stephens County back-to-back losses after a 3-0 start to the season. The offense couldn’t generate much in the contest.
#5 Rabun County 24, #8 Bremen 21
Rabun County won a slobber-knocker, 24-21! The Wildcats seemed to be in control early, as Noah English punched in a short TD after a Reid Giles 50-yd burst. A Ty Truelove rushing score made it 14-0 before Bremen struck back midway through the second. Rabun tacked on a field goal just under a minute left in the half, but Bremen quickly got a score back to make it a 17-14 halftime lead for the Cats. They got another second half score with 5:17 to go in the third, taking a 21-17 lead. However, Rabun got the last laugh on a Lake Evans TD with 3:48 left in the contest. The defense held on from there.
#1 North Oconee 35, #1 Jefferson 0
The Dragons fell behind quickly, as Gavin Markey threw a pick six in the first quarter. It was a 35-0 final, as North Oconee controlled the game from the opening kick.
Habersham Central 56, Loganville 21
The Raiders ran through, over, and all around Loganville in a 56-21 final. Hab Central held a 35-0 lead at the break, highlighted by a TD run from Antonio Cantrell to open the second and a Paris Wilbanks TD pass to Zeke Whittington to push it to 35-0. Donovan Warren had another big TD run in that first half. Wilbanks and Whittington hooked up again in the second half, and Cantrell also had another TD run heading into the fourth. Wilbanks rushed in a late score with a running clock to cap the scoring.
White County 24, Pickens 7
The Warriors won a second straight game, this time 24-7. It was a low-scoring first half, as the Warriors got a 38-yd TD run from Tripp Nix with just 1:16 to go before the break. The defense was outstanding. A 9-yd TD by Noel Lammers midway through the third made it 14-0, and Lammers got another one a few minutes later. Hayden Vandegriff notched a 29-yd FG late in the fourth to seal the win.
#5 Rockmart 26, Union County 12
Union fought hard but fell 26-12 against Rockmart. At the half, the Panthers were only down 9-6, courtesy of a TD pass from Kamden Kendrick to Maddox Young. Union added another early in the fourth to get within 16-12. Rockmart added some insurance late.
#6 Cherokee Bluff 42, Banks County 0
The Leopards continue their search for their first win, as they dropped a 42-0 final against Cherokee Bluff.
Ware Shoals (SC) 28, Towns County 12
Ware Shoals beat Towns County 28-12 on Thursday night (game moved due to weather). Dustin Barrett had 70 rushing yards and a TD, and Peyton McGaha had 96 passing yards and a TD.
Other area scores
#1 Buford 31, #1 Douglas 14
#1 Carrollton 45, #2 Gainesville 16
North Hall 28, Chestatee 14
Jackson County 21, Madison County 7
Franklin County vs West Oak (SC) (unknown score)
Lakeview 34, George Walton 31
Athens Christian 50, Riverside 18
BYE: Flowery Branch, Johnson, East Hall, West Hall, Hart County, East Jackson, Commerce, Dawson County
