No. 4 Jefferson made a huge statement on Friday night by rolling up 462 yards in whipping Elbert County 52-6.
The Dragons (6-0) were led by quarterback Evan Shirreffs, who completed 9 of 16 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns, and running back Sammy Williams, who rushed for 169 and three touchdowns. Dalton Hill and T.J. Skelton caught the touchdown passes.
Jefferson also returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns, as Jackson Howard and Tradd Porter each came up with pick-six.
“They’re No. 4 for a reason,” Elbert coach Sid Fritts told WSGC-FM radio after the game. “You see them on film and you’re a little worried. And you get lined up on the field and you know it’ll be difficult.”
It was the most points allowed by Elbert County since giving up 59 to Stephens County in the final game of the 2006 season.
Overall Friday was another big night for the ranked teams. Only one team in the top-10 was defeated, that being No. 10 Adairsville by No. 2 Calhoun.
Washington County 56, Laney 20: So much for the No. 1-ranked Golden Hawks getting a test. Washington County rolled up 510 yards of total offense in the Region 3-AAA contest.
Washington County (6-0) was led by quarterback A.J. Gray. He scored on a 58-yard run, a 25-yard run, a 3-yard run, a 42-yard run, threw a touchdown pass and ran for a two-point conversion. The Hawks also scored on a 13-yard run by Ethan Ray and a 25-yard run from Justin Lawrence.
Laney (3-3) scored on a 97-yard run by Vincent Thompkins and a 28-yard fumble return by Travon Samuels to cut the Waco lead to 21-14. But the Wildcats didn’t get another score until late in the game when Lackey connected with Andre James for 23-yard touchdown.
Calhoun 42, Adairsville 10 : The No. 2-ranked Yellow Jackets broke it open in the second half and handed neighboring rival Adairsville its first setback of the season. It was the 50th straight home victory and the 104th consecutive region win for Calhoun.
Calhoun (6-0) was led by quarterback Kaelen Riley, who ran for two touchdowns and threw for three others, finding Carson Brown, Jireh Wilson and Thomas Lester for scores. Lester also came up with an interception off a tipped pass and returned it 55 yards to set up one of Riley’s touchdowns.
The Jackets ran it effectively, too, with Olico Dennis gaining 124 and Bryson Bushong adding 90.
Adairsville (4-1) closed to within 21-10 on Sidnee Johnson’s touchdown run, but Calhoun responded with a score and added two more in the fourth period. Johnson finished with 110 yards rushing.
Peach County 33, Central Macon 0: Quarterback Robert Allen threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns to lead the No. 5 Trojans (6-0). Allen completed 18 of 22 passes, with Keris Jackson catching seven for 114 yards and three TDs.
Westside Macon 31, Jackson 14: Quarterback Marcel Williams ran for a touchdown and threw for three scores as the No. 7 Seminoles improved to 6-0. Williams completed 11 of 19 of 201 yards and threw touchdown passes to Steve Dolphus, Tyler Wheeler and Gerimie Mitchell, who had four catches for 106 yards. Cedric Hollingshed rushed 27 times for 138 yards.
Not playing on Friday were No. 3 Blessed Trinity, No. 6 Westminster, No. 8 Central Carroll and No. 9 Hart County.
In other notable games played Friday:
Oconee County now 6-0: Oconee County spotted Jackson County a score, but responded with three second-period touchdowns en route to a 42-21 win. QB Zeb Noland scored on a 3-yard run and threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Sanders. Christian Casey scored on another run to give the Warriors a 21-7 halftime lead. Oconee improved to 6-0 for the first time since 2001.
Fannin County stuns Banks County: The Rebels scored with 7.5 seconds left to beat Banks County 30-23. The winning drive, set up following a blocked punt, was completed when Brad Davis connected with Tyler Beaver for a touchdown.
Lumpkin turns back Franklin County: Quarterback Zach Matthews ran for 125 yards and three touchdowns to lead Lumpkin County a 27-21 win. Gunnar Wood rushed for 86 yards and Bradley Womack ran for 55.
Four straight for Cook: Jalen Bennett, Jay Smith, Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Doe each scored a touchdown to help Cook rout Tattnall County 33-8 for its fourth straight win.
Murray County wins, Coahulla Creek scores: Murray County beat Coahulla Creek 21-14 on the Friday. It was the first victory of the season for Murray. It was the first points scored by the Creek this season; the Colts had been shut out in their first four games
About the Author
