The playoff picture got a little clearer in Class AAA on Friday night.
The outcome of some games were surprising, while others came out as expected. But with half the season in the books, the races are starting to become more clear, especially in Region 2, Region 3, Region 6 and Region 8.
Jackson comes up big
Jackson got perhaps its most important win since moving up in classification on Friday when the Red Devils took down No. 7 Westside Macon 31-29.
It was the fourth straight win for Jackson (4-1) and sets up a likely showdown with No. 6 Peach County for the Region 2-AAA championship on Oct. 18. Jackson also has a dangerous game remaining with Central Macon.
Jackson jumped out to an 18-0 lead against Westside on Friday. Shaderious Crowder scored on a run and threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to to Ny’j Smith. The Devils got an interception return for a score by Smith to stun the Seminoles.
Westside came back to take the lead. Quarterback Savion Knowlton ran for three scores and the Seminoles led 29-24 with 8:10 left.
Jackson scored the winning points on a 30-yard pass from Crowder to Smith and held on for the final six minutes.
No. 6 Peach County fought its way to a 25-14 win over Central Macon. The Trojans
Kearis Jackson scored on a 45-yard run and a 42-yard pass from Tyrique McGhee. James Jackson scored on a 3-yard run and McGhee scored on a 1-yard run.
Meanwhile in Region 8 …
No. 3 Jefferson took advantage of its veteran offensive line and overpowered No. 4 Elbert County 27-8 at the Granite Bowl in Elberton.
The Dragons just kept handing the ball to sophomore tailback Colby Wood and he responded by pounding out the yardage. Wood rushed 45 times for 285 yards and four touchdowns. Wood also had a 21-yard reception and intercepted a pass.
Elbert County’s only score came on a run by Mecole Hardman.
Laney takes leap forward
Laney took a big step toward winning the Region 3-AAA title when the Wildcats knocked off Washington County 36-29.
The Wildcats overcame a 21-6 first-quarter deficit with three scores in the second period, two of them on turnovers. Vicente Thompkins had an 88-yard interception, Denard Williamson had a 24-yard interception for a touchdown and Danye Washington scored on a 36-yard pass from Thompkins.
Washington County went ahead 29-28 on a safety and a 48-yard punt return from Markevese Latimer. But Thompkins gave Laney the lead with a 58-yard touchdowns run with 4:36 left.
Calhoun’s streak up to 112 straight
No. 1 Calhoun won its 112th straight region game by beating No. 9 Adairsville 45-13. The Yellow Jackets (6-0) allowed Adairsville to take a 10 point lead before scoring the final 42 points of the game.
Olico Dennis rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns for Calhoun. The Yellow Jackets also got 129 yards rushing and two touchdowns from quarterback Kaelan Riley, who also threw for 221 yards and one score.
Adairsville (4-1) was led by tailback Sidnee Johnson, who carried 19 times for 93 yards and a 49-yard touchdown. Johnson also caught a 20-yard touchdown pass.
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