Woodward Academy 74, Salem 6
How the game was won: Woodward Academy racked up 400 yards of total offense, including 318 in the first half alone, to overwhelm visiting Salem. The War Eagles led 34-0 after the first quarter and 62-0 at halftime before coasting through the last 30 minutes. Salem finally got on the scoreboard when Daryl Carter threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Zuber with 3:44 remaining in the third quarter. Joshua Johnson and Jalen Polk dominated the first quarter to allow Woodward to take control right from the start. In fact, Johnson even returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
Top performers: In addition to his special teams heroics, Johnson also hauled in a 26-yard scoring strike from Ryan Glover to make the score 20-0. Polk had touchdown runs of two yards and 35 yards in the opening quarter. Glover finished the night 4-of-9 for 163 yards and three touchdowns, also connecting with Cade Sutherland (from 71 yards out) and Sultan Shabazz (on a 61-yarder). Kimani Vidal scored a defensive touchdown when he returned a fumble 10 yards to the endzone and the War Eagles also got a 48-yard interception return for a score by Darien Wiggins. Vidal also rushed for a seven-yard touchdown.
Westminster 42, Cedar Grove 21
How the game was won: In a rematch of a 2015 Class AAA semifinal showdown, Westminster--this time with home-field advantage--once again got the best of Cedar Grove. The Wildcats never led in the first half but they twice recovered from seven-point deficits to go into the intermission with a 14-14 tie. Westminster dominated the third quarter by a 21-0 margin to take complete control and it was all but over when Zay Malcolme rushed for a touchdown with 3:26 remaining to give his team a 21-point cushion.
Top performers: Malcome had two touchdown runs, including a 25-yarder in the second quarter. He also returned a kickoff 84 yards to the endzone to get Westminster's scoring started and set up an Ian Ude touchdown run by returning a punt 38 yards to the six-yard line. Ude, whose score gave the Wildcats a 28-14 advantage, also had an interception on defense. Westminster broke the game open with two touchdown passes from Ward Croft to Joe Egan, both from more than 60 yards out. Cedar Grove quarterback Jelani Woods had two touchdown runs and threw a 75-yard scoring strike to Dennis Bell.
Johns Creek 35, Northview 8
How the game was won: Johns Creek dominated its nearby neighborhood rival. The Gladiators didn't allow a score until the fourth quarter and held the Titans to 25 yards of offense in the first half.
Top Performers: Zach Gibson scored on a 4-yard keeper and tossed a 12-yard touchdown to Zach Williams. Bryce McCain came away with a 35-yard pick-six. Matthew Taylor added an 80-yard score and Gerard Hearst scored from seven yards out. The Titans scored when Michael Harps fell on a fumble in the end zone.
Centennial 35, Cambridge 14
How the game was won: Centennial led 14-7 at half but pulled away in the fourth quarter with the team's fourth and fifth rushing touchdowns, the last capping a clock-killing 95-yard drive with under two minutes to play.
Top performers: Centennial quarterback Casen Conway surpassed 200 yards rushing, running for a score in the first half and one in the second to give the Knights a 21-7 lead. Malcolm Gallagher and Tyreke Smith had host Centennial's fourth-quarter TDs, and Morris Stanley had the team's first TD. Running back Drew Sherman also eclipsed 100 yards for the Knights.
Lovett 35, Towers 6
How the game was won: The total yardage stood at a competitive 336 to 252 in Lovett's favorite, but the Lions dominated on the scoreboard en route to a convincing road win over Towers. Lovett led 14-0 after one quarter and 21-0 at halftime prior to a scoreless third quarter for both teams. The Titans' lone score came with 11:54 left in the game when Terry Dennis dove in from one yard out. The Lions quickly added touchdowns on the ground and through the air to put Towers away.
Top performers: Lovett quarterback Brady Tindall rushed for two touchdowns and tossed a 25-yard scoring strike to K.J. Wallace. Tindall completed 11 of 17 passes for 173 yards but he was also picked off three times. Quintavius Terr of the Titans had one interception and also caught two passes for 75 yards. The Lions got additional touchdown runs from Dillon Light and J.T. Carr. Lovett's Peyton Ringer returned two punts for 69 yards and finished with four receptions for 57 yards.
McCallie, TN 56, Blessed Trinity 6
Pace Academy 45, Redan 22
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