PLAYOFF ACTION: Upsets of Valdosta, Lowndes highlight quarterfinals

Despite Mill Creek’s loss at Colquitt County, Collins Hill and Grayson defeated Region 1 foes on the road tonight to give Gwinnett a 2-1 edge in the quarterfinals tonight over their South Georgia rivals. Brookwood also won, defeating Cobb County upstart Hillgrove 45-35.

In Single-A, Wesleyan got revenge on Wilcox County, who eliminated the Wolves last season.

See below for our recaps of eight quarterfinal games …

Class AAAAA

Collins Hill 31, Lowndes 28: A 30-yard overtime field goal from Mitchell Blanchard gave Collins Hill (10-3) the win at Lowndes (10-3). Collins Hill tied the game with 3:04 left in regulation on a pass back to quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who also had three passing touchdowns in the game.

Colquitt Co. 27, Mill Creek 14: John Russ hit Tyler Cierski with 5:38 to play to pull the visitors (7-6) within 21-14. Octavius Jackson scored on an interception return to ice the game after the Packers (8-5) got the ball back. D’Amonte Ridley and Tommy Hudson also scored, as the hosts overcame five turnovers.

Grayson 22, Valdosta 0: Corey Jones rushed for a touchdown and hauled in a 35-yard scoring strike from quarterback Nick Schuessler to lead the visiting Rams (10-3) past Valdosta (11-2). Grayson forced the Wildcats into six turnovers, including an interception that was returned 66 yards for a touchdown by Jesse Hogan. Jones rushed for 26 yards on six carries and teammate Ryan Braswell rushed 14 times for 51 yards.

Class AAAA

Tucker 42, Ware Co. 3: Quan Maggett scored on runs of 4 and 43 yards, as the host Tigers (13-0) cruised to victory over the Gators (10-3). Bashir Coles finished with two touchdowns and ran for 145 yards. James Vaughters and Ramal Davis scored defensive touchdowns, and Chris Sanders had an interception.

Sandy Creek 41, Monroe Area 0: Sandy Creek (13-0) kept its 27-game winning streak alive by holding visiting Monroe Area (11-2) to 43 yards of total offense. Derrick Alexander and Lennie Foster both rushed for two scores, and Alex Chisum had eight catches for 187 yards. Bruce Dukes added a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Class AAA

Carrollton 17, Cairo 0: The Trojans (13-0) scored on a 29-yard pass from A.J. Barge to Marlandas Crane on the opening drive, then held the visiting Syrupmakers (12-1) to 232 total yards. Carrollton would then score on a 35-yard field goal by Joseph Ingui and a 2-yard run by Broderick Snoddy.

Class AA

Lovett 35, Brooks County 18: Backup quarterback Jack Geraghty ran for 112 yards and four touchdowns as the visiting Lions (10-3) dominated Brooks County (7-6). Lovett totaled 317 yards of offense. The Trojans opened the scoring on a 2-yard run by DeAndre Parrish, but the Lions responded with 23 straight points before the half.

Calhoun 31, Fitzgerald 13: J.T. Palmer’s two touchdown catches, including one on the final play of the first half, paced the hosts (12-0). Dustin Christian opened the scoring with a touchdown reception late in the first. Darreal Joyner scored for the Purple Hurricanes (10-2).

Carver, Columbus 40, Thomasville 14: Isaiah Crowell ran for more than 300 yards as the host Tigers rolled past Thomasville. Crowell had five rushing touchdowns and raced to scoring plays of 1, 5, 47, 55, and 84 yards for Carver’s first five scores before Marquez Holloway added an eight-yard touchdown run.

Class A

Savannah Christian 17, Lincoln County 14: Will Austin rushed for a 44-yard touchdown and caught a 28-yard scoring pass from Harrison Curry to lead the visiting Raiders past Lincoln County. Mac Miller contributed an early field goal while Austin and Jalen Myrick sealed the win with interceptions during a scoreless second half.

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