Class AAAAAA
Mill Creek 46, Northview 13
How the game was won: The Hawks survived a sluggish start to race past the Titans. Three first half turnovers slowed Mill Creek but the Hawks ended up outgaining Northview 213-to-81 to earn the win. Edmond Graham sparked the Hawks in the second half with a 94-yard kickoff return to swing momentum fully in Mill Creek’s favor.
Top Performers: Cameron Turley threw for 143 yards on 11-of-22 passing. …Daniel Leconte rushed for 42 yards and one score. …Braxton Richburg hauled in a 53-yard touchdown and finished with four catches for 77 yards. …Miles Riley caught six balls worth 54 yards. …Kishawn Miller and Sidney Otiwu both recorded pick-sixes while Edmond Graham returned the second half opening kickoff 94 yards.
McEachern 34, Lowndes 11
How the game was won: After a slow start, McEachern scored two late touchdowns to close out the first half with a 21-11 lead. Their offense continued on its role in the second half, while their defense held Lowndes from scoring after an early second quarter field goal. Lowndes jumped out to an 8-0 lead after a three-yard rushing score by James Camon and a two-point conversion. They then led 11-7 following a 46-yard field goal by Will Solomon before conceding the lead for the rest of the game.
Top performers: McEachern running back Sam Jackson provided the spark offensively that got the Indians out of their sluggish start. He totaled three touchdowns in the game, including an 11-yard reception in the first, and two rushing scores in the second. …Quarterback Bailey Hockman accounted for three total touchdowns in the game. He threw for a score to Jackson, tossed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Smith in the third, and caught a touchdown pass on a trick play pass from Smith in the third as well.
Peachtree Ridge 51, West Forsyth 3
How the game was won: Peachtree Ridge trailed 3-0 after visiting West Forsyth kicked a field goal on its second possession then ran off 51 consecutive points–all in the first three quarters. The Lions scored seven touchdowns by seven different players. They rushed for four scores, threw a pair of touchdown passes and also found the endzone on a punt return.
Top performers: Peachtree Ridge got on the scoreboard when Chad Clay returned a punt 39 yards for a touchdown. … The Lions got scoring runs from Connor Heyward, Marquez Jackson, Malik Staples and Chris Dominguez. … Bubba Hickson, who passed for 154 yards in the first half alone, hooked up with DeAngelo Gibbs on a 67-yard scoring play. … Fred Payton threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Christian Sutton. … Zaniel Phillips added a 30-yard field goal for Peachtree Ridge.
Grayson 38, Wheeler 10
How the game was won: Grayson scored two touchdowns in the first three minutes of the game and led 21-0 at the end of the first quarter to put visiting Wheeler away early. The Rams did all of their scoring in the first two and half quarters before coasting through the final 17 minutes with a 38-7 advantage in hand. Wheeler briefly cut its deficit to 21-7 with 6:22 remaining in the second quarter but could get no closer.
Top performers: Grayson was off to the races when Demetrius Mason returned the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. … Cameryn Brent rushed for 189 yards and two touchdowns, one from 14 yards away and another from three yards out that capped off the Rams’ scoring for the night. … Quarterback Chase Brice tossed touchdown passes to Ernest Tiller and Austin Nash. … Will Van Pamelen added a 46-yard field goal for Grayson.
Camden County 38, Hillgrove 17
How the game was won: After Hillgrove cut the Wildcats lead to 24-17 with 1:43 to play in the third quarter, Camden County scored 14 unanswered points to end the Hawks’ comeback bid.
Top Performers: Brandon Fuller and Antonio Hamilton both scored two touchdowns apiece on the ground for the Wildcats. …Jeremy Patrick added a 30-yard pick-six. …Oliver Kellam booted a 38-yard field goal. …For Hillgrove, Matt Wilson tossed two touchdowns, one to Jeremiah Bridges and one to Ethan Tull. …Eirik Abney hit a 40-yard field goal late in the third.
Central Gwinnett 49, Walton 20
How the game was won: Micah Maxey threw five touchdown passes in the first half as Central Gwinnett exploded to a 42-7 lead. The Black Knights advanced past the first round in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1984.
Top Performers: Central Gwinnett quarterback Micah Maxey stole the show, finishing with 454 passing yards and seven passing touchdowns.
South Forsyth 20, Norcross 14
How the game was won: Cameron Kline’s 32-yard fumble recovery return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winning score for South Forsyth. Down 14-12 and for most of the game, Kline’s touchdown gave the team an 18-12 lead. A two-point conversion stretched the lead to 20-14.
Top performers: Norcross quarterback Baron Radcliff accounted for both touchdowns for the team. He threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Robert Sims in the first quarter, and he threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Reed in the second quarter. …Stanley Epeagba put South Forsyth on the board in the second quarter with a 12-yard touchdown run. …The South Forsyth defense pulled the team within two pints in the third quarter with a safety.
Collins Hill 35, Lambert 13
How the game was won: Collins Hill went for 95 yards on the opening drive to take the lead and never looked back. The Eagles took a 28-0 lead into the half.
Top Performers: Drew Dinsmore had an impressive night in the air as he threw for three touchdowns, all to different receivers and all before the second half… Jeremy Lewis rushed for two touchdowns, one being an explosive 43-yard rush up the middle for Collins Hill’s final touchdown of the game.
Class AAAAA
Kell 37, Creekside 33
How the game was won: What began as a scoreless battle through one quarter turned into an offensive thriller as Kell outlasted visiting Creekside. The Longhorns led for approximately six total minutes in the entire game, but they led when it mattered most after scoring what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with little more than one minute remaining. Creekside enjoyed a 27-10 advantage midway through the third quarter but could not seal the deal.
Top performers: Kell quarterback John Lampley rushed for a 20-yard touchdown and threw the clinching touchdown pass to Evan Carnes from 15 yards out. … The Longhorns also got scoring runs from Dre Houston, Josiah Futral and Dequarius Manuel. … Connor Mendelson opened the scoring for the Longhorns with a 32-yard field goal early in the second quarter. … Creekside regained the lead at 33-30 thanks to a two-yard touchdown run by Felix Harper with four minutes left.
Mays 31, Creekview 0
How the game was won: Mays jumped out to 14-0 first-quarter advantage over visiting Creekview before leading 17-0 at halftime and by the final 31-0 margin going into the fourth. The Raiders threw for almost 400 yards and the defense posted its third shutout of the season.
Top performers: Mays’ quarterback B.J. Phillips completed his first 10 passes and finished 26-of-35 for 350 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for for a one-yard touchdown. … Randrecous Davis, Corey Reed and Jamauri Elliott hauled in Phillips’ scoring strikes. Reed finished with eight catches for 93 yards. … Santonio Mapp of the Raiders made five receptions for 92 yards, rushed for 54 yards on six carries and passed for 29 yards.
Glynn Academy 28, Jones County 22
How the game was won: With four seconds left in the game Glynn Academy stand-out Deejay Dallas (UGA commit) intercepted a Bradley Hunnicutt pass in the end zone to secure the win in walk-off fashion.
Top Performers: Dallas scored on runs of 18, 40 and 48 yards and finished the game with 158 yards on 14 attempts. … Kendall Cross added a short rushing touchdown. … Glynn amassed 265 yards of offense with 225 rushing and 40 passing yards. … Jones County found scoring from Josh Skinner who added three field goals. … Tory Johnson caught a 4-yard pass from Hunnicutt for a touchdown. … Chandler Ramage notched a 63-yard rushing touchdown. … Jones County matched 411 yards of offense with 343 passing yards.
Drew 70, Carver-Columbus 34
How the game was won: Fourth-seeded Drew exploded past Region 1 champion Carver-Columbus behind the rushing of Quarderman Sloan to capture the school’s first playoff win. Drew outscored Carver 46-14 in the second half.
Top Performers: Quarderman Sloan rushed for 294 yards and four touchdowns to lead Drew. Drew racked up 550 total yards of offense.
Houston County 53, South Effingham 6
How the game was won: Jake Fromm (Alabama commit) led Houston County as the Bears opened up a 16-0 lead in the first quarter and pushed the lead to 43-6 at half. Fromm threw five touchdown passes in the first half.
Top Performers: Fromm completed touchdown passes to Eli Watson (2, 13, and 26 yards) Chris Brinson (16, 25 yards) and Amari Colbert (1 yard) and finished with 406 yards of passing in the first half on 25 of 35 attempts… Jordan Strevig added a 24-yard field goal. … Houston County also recorded a safety in the romp. … South Effingham found scoring from Patrick Brown on a 71-yard rushing touchdown.
Lanier 27, East Paulding 13
How the game was won: Lanier forced three turnovers and did not have any giveaways of its own as it overcame visiting East Paulding. The Longhorns trailed 13-7 after the first quarter but ran off 20 unanswered points by scoring one touchdown in each of the second, third, and fourth quarters. They rushed for 217 yards as a team.
Top performers: Ethan Wilson returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown to give Lanier an early 7-0 lead. … Marko Baity rushed 25 times for 151 yards and one touchdown to lead the Longhorns’ offensive charge. … Tahj Tolbert completed five of 13 passes for 66 yards and threw an eight-yard scoring strike to Derrick Brown. Tolbert’s four other completions went to Marcella Baity, who capped off the scoring with a six-yard touchdown run. … East Paulding got touchdown runs of 32 and 49 yards by quarterback Dylan Prater. He accounted for 222 total yards (140 rushing, 82 passing).
Dalton 17, Carver-Atlanta 7
How the game was won: Travis Nielson intercepted a Carver-Atlanta pass with 1:51 left in the game to seal the victory for Dalton. This followed a 27-yard field goal by Isai Hernandez.
Top performers: Drake McCowan put Dalton on the board in the first quarter with a three-yard touchdown run. …The Catamounts took a 14-0 lead into half-time thanks to a fake punt that resulted in a Jase Chastain touchdown pass to Jake Myers. …Greg Payton scored the only points for Carver-Atlanta on an 18-yard touchdown run.
Gainesville 25, Alexander 14
How the game was won: The Red Elephants rushed for 332 yards and four touchdowns while forcing six Alexander turnovers.
Top Performers: Messiah Dorsey scored on runs of 28 and 52 yards. …Chris Byrd added a 21-yard rushing touchdown. For Alexander, Daetrich Harrington rushed for 144 yards and one touchdown. …Baylor Whitfield completed 16-of-37 passes for 210 yards and three interceptions.
Stockbridge 48, Columbus 7
How the game was won: Stockbridge accounted for 455 yards of total offense, including 334 on the ground, as they breezed to a convincing victory. The defense produced two turnovers and held Columbus to only 148 total yards.
Top performers: Jalen Holston led Stockbridge on the ground rushing nine times for 96 yards and two touchdowns. …Jamari Clark also had two rushing scores and 45 yards. …Marquez Ezzard was the team’s leading receiver catching four passes for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Starr’s Mill 49, Northside-Columbus 0
How the game was won: Starr’s Mill took a 35-0 halftime lead after outgaining Northside-Columbus 449-16 in total yards in the first two quarters. The Panthers rushed for 365 yards in the first half.
Top Performers: Rico Frye led Starr’s Mill with 10 carries for 185 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the first half.
Northgate 44, Shaw 0
How the game was won: Northgate built a huge first half lead in a dismantling home victory. They also played Shaw in the season opener beating them 44-0 as well. Running backs Kyle Kater and Ton Evans each scored a first quarter touchdown before sitting out the second half.
Top performers: Evans finished with 12 rushes for 123 yards and two touchdowns (49 and 21 yards) to lead the lead on the ground. …Kater had 55 yards on 13 rushes and touchdown runs of 48 and one yard. …Quarterback Kyle McLaren went 4-of-6 passing for 55 yards and two touchdowns. His first went for eight yards to Chris Aje, and his second was a 24-yard touchdown throw to Isaiah Prayor. …The Northgate defense allowed Shaw to cross the 50 yard line only once in the entire game.
Class AAAA
Sandy Creek 49, North Hall 0
How the game was won: Sandy Creek dominated in all three phases of the game to roll over visiting North Hall. The Patriots rushed for four touchdowns and passed for two, scored on special teams with a punt return and a safety and their defense posted its fifth shutout of the season. Sandy Creek led 13-0 after one quarter, 35-0 at halftime and by the final 49-0 margin going into the fourth.
Top performers: Marvin Hubbard rushed for three touchdowns, including a 51-yarder to begin the scoring. … Bryant Walker tossed a pair of touchdown passes, one to Major Weems and another to Javon Jackson. … Drezyn Parson added a 44-yard scoring scamper for the Patriots. … Korey Banks returned a punt for a touchdown to make the score 13-0. … Tariq Muhammad blocked a punt that resulted in a Sandy Creek safety. … The defensive effort was led by Mychael Jenkins, who picked off three passes.
Buford 35, Fayette County 0
How the game was won: The Buford Wolves got out to a big lead quick, scoring 28 unanswered points before halftime. Will Westmoreland would get his second passing touchdown in the third quarter to make Buford’s lead 35-0.
Top Performers: Brandon Marsh had a big game on both sides. Marsh caught one of Westmoreland’s two touchdown passes and snagged an interception that he returned for a touchdown… Martin Mangram and Xavier Gantt both found the end zone on rushing touchdowns.
Carrollton 34, Stephens County 7
How the game was won: The Trojans outgained Stephens County 414-to-158 to roll into the second round of the playoffs and meet Jonesboro for a chance to make the quarterfinals.
Top Performers: Jarvis Terrell, who committed to Arkansas State earlier in the week, ran for 115 yards and one touchdown. …Angelo Osorio gained 91 yards on 11 carries and found the end zone once. …DeMarcus Mitchell ran in a 23-yard touchdown. …Mark Wright threw for 132 yards and two touchdowns. …Thomas Culwell and Nick Cade caught touchdowns. …Jackson Bell threw a 6-yard touchdown to AJ Curry for Stephens County’s only points of the game.
Cartersville 42, Columbia 7
How the game was won: Columbia was outmatched from the get-go, facing the high-flying offense of the Hurricanes. Cartersville ran off 42 points before Columbia found the end zone late. The Canes led 35-0 at the half and outgained the Eagles 237-48.
Top Performers: Trey Creamer scored on a 4-yard run in the first quarter. …Trevor Lawrence hit Tony Dean for the first touchdown of the game. Lawrence tossed a 19-yard score to Tiamon Pennymon in the second quarter for his second touchdown pass of the first half. Lawrence threw for 198 yards in the first half. …Pennymon scored three rushing touchdowns to go with his receiving score.
St. Pius 28, Ridgeland 19
How the game was won: St. Pius rushed for 353 yards and held off a furious second-half rally by visiting Ridgeland. The Golden Lions led 21-7 going into the fourth quarter before Ridgeland scored its second touchdown of the game, recovered an onside kick and then found the endonze again. St. Pius stuffed the ensuing two-point conversion attempt to preserve a 21-19 advantage and iced the game thanks to a touchdown run by Grant Holloman with 2:26 remaining.
Top performers: St. Pius had three 100-yard runners. Holloman carried 10 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns. Lawson Cooper turned 20 attempts into 105 yards and scored on a 19-yard run. Reed Egan had a 26-yard touchdown scamper and finished with 107 yards on 10 rushes. … Michael Bresnahan and Nicky Williamson made interceptions to lead the Golden Lions’ defensive effort. … Jalyn Shelton scored a pair of rushing touchdowns for the Panthers.
Jonesboro 17, Thomas County Central 14
How the game was won: Asael Castaneda capped the Jonesboro comeback by nailing a 35-yard field goal with 32 seconds remaining to complete the Cardinals’ comeback after trailing 14-0 at the half.
Top Performers: Montralius Mosley Jr. ran home a 23-yard score for the Cards first score of the game with 6:01 to play in the third. … Zerrick Cooper knotted the game up with 2:28 remaining in regulation when he found Jordan Griffin for a 10-yard touchdown. …With 1:10 left in the fourth, the Cardinals forced a fumble and Kali James recovered, setting up Asael Castaneda’s game-winning field goal with 32 seconds left.
Mary Persons 14, Wayne County 13
How the game was won: Mary Persons scored 14 points in the opening quarter but was held scoreless for the final three quarters as the Wayne County defense applied pressure. Wayne County pulled within 14-7 at halftime and added an early third quarter score, but a missed extra point was the difference.
Top Performers: Jatori Sims scored on a short rushing touchdown set up by a Dre’ Evans interception. … Malik Herring caught a pass from Jake Johnston and took it in for a Mary Persons touchdown. … Wayne County found scoring from Keandre Boham on a 30-yard pass from Nolan Grooms. … Tranquelle Holloway added a 1-yard run.
Spalding 27, Cairo 10
How the game was won: Naricuss Driver Jr. powered the Jaguars with three touchdowns to lead Spalding on the road.
Top Performers: Naricuss Driver scored on a 1-yard run, a 14-yarder and a 69-yard dash. …AJ Moses added a 21-yard touchdown run with 4:03 left in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. …For Cairo, Aldair Cortes sank a 36-yard field goal and John Michael Owens hit DJ Donaldson for a 6-yard touchdown.
Bainbridge 35, Griffin 7
How the game was won: Bainbridge built a 14-0 halftime lead that they continued to stretch out over the course of the second half. Led by running back Dameon Pierce and the defense, the team showed why they were region champs.
Top performers: Pierce scored two touchdowns in the game on runs of eight and seven yards. He also assisted on a score when he fumbled the ball into the end zone that was recovered by teammate Clark Wiggins. …Lerone Broadnax blocked a punt and returned it 20-yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Thomson 49, Veterans 35
How the game was won: Tyrek Braswell scored on a 37-yard touchdown run that was followed up by a Patterson Hutto interception to seal the victory for Thomson. This was a wild one that saw a 20-7 Thomson lead in the second quarter turn into a 28-27 lead for Veterans in the third. The teams each battled back before Thomson pulled away.
Top performers: Billy Mance stole the show for Thomson scoring an impressive five touchdowns on the night. He scored the game’s first points on a 71-yard run. He also scored on runs of 87, 10, 4, and 1 yard. …Logan Byrd produced the offensive firepower for Veterans. He put the team on the board in the first quarter with a 7-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jeremy Horton. Then, he scored on a 21-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. He also brought the team within seven points in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run.
Worth County 35, Locust Grove 0
How the game was won: Dontavious Buford scored on a 34-yard touchdown run in the third quarter as Worth County coasted to a road victory. Locust Grove, who was seconds away from a region title and an undefeated regular season, finished the season at 9-2. Worth County faces defending state champion Buford in the second round.
Top performers: Worth County running back Chris McDaniel had over 150 yards rushing in the first half alone, while also catching a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gerome Williams.
Class AAA
Blessed Trinity 40, Cook 14
How the game was won: The two teams were tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter. Blessed Trinity scored twice in the second quarter and put up a field goal to take a 24-7 lead. Cook scored early in the third quarter on a 42-yard touchdown pass, but it wouldn’t be enough as Blessed Trinity busted it open for 16 unanswered after the Cook touchdown.
Top Performers: This win comes as no surprise as Blessed Trinity came into the game as a #1 seed and proved to be just that…. Connor Davis completed 5 of 10 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown… Milton Shelton was the MVP of the night as he had 25 carries for 235 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Westminster 31, Southeast Bulloch 7
How the game was won: Westminster reeled off the game’s first 31 points after a scoreless first quarter to overwhelm host Southeast Bulloch. The Wildcats opened the scoring with a blocked punt return before getting three rushing touchdowns from three different players. Southeast Bulloch suffered its eighth consecutive playoff loss, leaving the Yellow Jackets still in search of their first such win since 1973.
Top performers: Westminster’s Malcolm Strickland blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown by Nance Hill early in the second quarter. … Wildcats’ quarterback Rankin Woley had a five-yard touchdown run and also picked off a pass on defense. His interception led to a 29-yard field goal by Blake Gillikin. … Chase Williams tacked on an 11-yard touchdown run and Zay Malcolme scored from 39 yards out. … Harrison Jones also had an interception for Westminster. … Southeast Bulloch got on the scoreboard midway through the fourth quarter with a 51-yard touchdown strike from Caleb Carter to Klayton Carter.
Oconee County 38, Cedartown 7
How the game was won: Cedartown took the lead 7-3 on a 74-yard touchdown pass early in the opening quarter. Oconee County responded with 25 unanswered points. Tyler Davis scored twice, giving Oconee County the 17-7 lead in the third. Zeb Noland would then go on to throw for two touchdown passes, ending Cedartown’s hope at a comeback.
Top Performers: Noland was 10-of-19 passing on the night, throwing for 265 yards and two touchdowns… Davis found the end zone three times on the night, one being a 75-yard kickoff touchdown return.
Calhoun 34, West Hall 7
How the game was won: Trailing 7-6 early, Calhoun woke up and gained a 13-7 lead entering the half. The Yellow Jackets would outscore the Spartans 21-0 in the second half to put away a gutsy West Hall team.
Top Performers: Kaelan Riley completed 18-of-23 passes for 274 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Riley also added a rushing touchdown. …Olico Dennis carried 21 times for 136 yards and a 4-yard touchdown. …Malik Lawrence caught two passes for 70 yards and a touchdown while Dusty Baker snagged four worth 52 yards and one score. …The Spartans scored from the wildcat formation on a Kwon Williams 39-yard toss to Hykeem Bennett.
Macon County 35, Pelham 12
How the game was won: Macon County held Pelham scoreless in the second half as they added three touchdowns to put pad the lead and away the game.
Top Performers: Jared Daniels led the way for Macon County, scoring two 1-yard touchdowns and a 4-yard touchdown. … Keldrick Thomas scored on a 57-yard pass from K’Hari Lane. … Macon County also added a short rushing touchdown. … Pelham found scoring from Judah Wilson on a 25-yard pass from Jimmie Fackler.
Peach County 42, Josey 0
How the game was won: Peach County built a 14-0 lead after the first quarter and opened the lead to 35-0 at half to put the game out of reach. The Trojans added a third quarter score to pad the lead and put away the game.
Top Performers: James Jackson led the way for Peach County scoring on runs of four and 25-yards. … Antonio Gilbert added two rushing touchdowns of seven and 25-yards. … Otha Redding scored on runs of 72 and 12-yards. … Trevor Woolfolk notched a 27-yard rush. …
Jefferson 49, Pepperell 0
How the game was won: Colby Wood and Zack Boobas had all-star performances to help Jefferson dominate its opening round game against Pepperell. Behind those two, Jefferson took a 21-0 lead into half. A late touchdown in the fourth quarter gave Jefferson its 49-0 lead.
Top Performers: Wood racked up three total touchdowns on the night, finding the end zone twice off of carries and then picked Pepperell off for a touchdown late in the third quarter… Boobas rushed for two Jefferson touchdowns.
Dawson County 63, Ringgold 40
How the game was won: Coach Sid Maxwell continued his Cinderella first season at the helm of the Tigers and rode his son Tucker and quarterback Coey Watson to a high-scoring victory and first playoff win since 1999.
Top Performers: Quarterback Coey Watson accounted for six touchdowns, five passing and one rushing. …Tucker Maxwell caught four touchdowns and added a 19-yard interception return for six. …Devan King and Hunter Mitchell both tacked on rushing touchdowns. …Ringgold quarterback Devin Lancaster scored four times. …Dee King ran for two Tiger touchdowns.
Sonoraville 49, East Hall 28
How the game was won: Third-seeded Sonoraville took their talents on the road in an upset victory over East Hall. Leading 28-7 at halftime, Sonoraville never allowed East Hall to get within less than 21 points in the final two frames.
Top performers: Sonoraville received huge games from both Cody Long and Hunter Lay. Long accounted for three rushing scores of 51, six, and two yards. Lay did the same scoring on runs of 19, nine, and seven yards. …Their seventh rushing touchdown of the night came on a 50-yard run by Trent Daniel.
Class AA
Greater Atlanta Christian 27, Dade County 8
How the game was won: David Mills connected with Malcolm Cunningham for a 42-yard touchdown for the first score of the game. Quickly on their next possession, Mills found Boglin on a 62-yard touchdown pass. Mills would hit Cunningham two more times to build a 27-0 lead in the third quarter. Dade scored its only touchdown with 51 seconds left in the game.
Top Performers: Mills threw four touchdown passes, three going to Malcolm Cunningham.
Lovett 34, Chattooga 28
How the game was won: Lovett went on two separate streaks of scoring 17 unanswered points before holding off a huge rally by visiting Chattooga. The two teams racked up almost the same amount of total yardage (359 for Lovett to Chattooga’s 353), but they came at much different points of the game. After the Lions had built a 34-8 advantage, Chattooga scored 20 straight points in a span of nine minutes and 27 seconds. The Indians cut the deficit to six points with 2:51 remaining but could not get any closer.
Top performers: Lovett quarterback Brady Tindall completed nine of 20 passes for 112 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He tossed a nine-yard scoring strike to Peyton Ringer. … Jay Harris led the Lions’ ground game with 22 carries for 180 yards and one touchdown. He also caught three balls for 37 yards. … For Chattooga, Isaac Foster completed six of eight passes for 100 yards and one touchdown. … Isaiah Foster rushed 15 times for 185 yards and one score while also making four catches for 56 yards and another touchdown.
Pace Academy 31, Darlington 0
How the game was won: Fourth-seeded Pace Academy took a 28-0 lead two minutes into the second half with a 69-yard touchdown run by Deon Jackson. A Samuel Sloman third quarter field goal gave Pace a 31-0 lead heading into the final frame.
Top Performers: Gunnor Faulk threw a 47-yard and 17-yard touchdown pass to Trey Blount to give Pace Academy a 14-0 lead. … Tony Addison ran in a 28-yard touchdown and Deon Jackson added a 69-yard Knights’ score.
Wesleyan 45, Model 27
How the game was won: Wesleyan struck first with a 60-yard touchdown pass at the beginning of the game, but Model responded with a pick-six to match the Wolves. The two teams went back and forth before Wesleyan entered the half with a 24-19 edge. Wesleyan scored 21 straight points in the second half before Model scored one final touchdown, giving Wesleyan the win in this 2-AA battle.
Top Performers: Banks Ramsey threw the 60-yard touchdown to Tucker Cannon and would find Cannon again in the fourth quarter for his second passing touchdown… Cannon found the end zone a total of three times, two receiving and one passing… Wesleyan’s Jordan Argilagos had an early first half rushing touchdown and earned himself another with a 37 touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
Class A