Jefferson 33, Flowery Branch 0
How the game was won: Jefferson quarterback Colby Clark tossed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Sammy Elegreet with seven seconds left in the first half to give the Dragons a 24-0 lead. Zack Boobas ran in a 5-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter, and an errant snap on a Flowery Branch punt with 3:16 left in the period gave the Jefferson a safety to make it 33-0.
Top Performers: Colby Wood gained 117 yards off 18 carries in the first half and ran in touchdowns of 11 and 17 yards. Hayden Kilgore scored the games first points on a Jefferson field goal.
Veterans 26, Howard 7
How the game was won: After a scoreless first quarter, Veterans applied pressure in the second quarter with two scoring drives set up by interceptions from Devyn Pyle and Jacob Pierce. Veterans' 17-0 lead at the half didn't last long as Jeremy Horton returned the second half kickoff 54-yards and a late-hit put the Warhawks on the Howard 13 yard line. That would set up a rushing touchdown by Amarrian Brown that put the game out of reach.
Top Performers: Leyton Pickney connected with Rochelle Dinkins on a 21-yard pass for a score. Landon Quarles scored a touchdown on an 11-yard rush. Kicker James Tinney had field goals of 22 and 28 yards. Howard found scoring from Andres Ellington on a 15-yard pass from Avery Vining.
Columbus 46, Shaw 26
How the game was won: Down 18-16 at the half, Columbus surged past Shaw in the second half behind a balanced offensive and defensive onslaught. Terrance Dixon's 77-yard touchdown run in the third quarter swung momentum into the Blue Devils' corner for good.
Top Performers: Columbus ignited the scoring on a Mark Anthony-Dixon 92-yard kick return before Shaw answered back with a pair of field goals (19 & 20 yards) from the leg of Esteban DeJesus. Detavius Burton made it 12-7 in favor of the Raiders with a 99-yard interception return. Caleb Bailey tossed a 36-yard touchdown to Joshua Lee but Shaw quickly added an Andrew Tillery 6-yard score to Zack Taylor to regain the lead. Patrick Kitchens sank a 39-yard field goal to bring Columbus to within 18-16 at the half. Terrance Dixon's 77-yard score made it 23-18 and Kitchens then added a 45-yard field goal to spark a 33-0 run for Columbus dating back to Kitchens' second quarter field goal. Karlton Williams, Tavian Edwards and Bailey all tacked on scores, Edwards' coming on a 23-yard scoop and score. Marcus Newsome finally got Shaw back on the board with a late 8-yard touchdown run.
Carver-Columbus 37, Northside-Columbus 17
How the game was won: Northside threatened, cutting the score to 28-17 with 5:36 remaining in the fourth quarter, but Justin Swain broke a 12-yard touchdown run to put the game out of reach.
Top Performers: Cameron Jessie scored on a pair of 5-yard touchdown runs in the second half to pace Carver. Romello Kimbrough got the Tigers on the board first with a 3-yard run in the first quarter. Northside knotted the game up early in the second quarter as Bryce Valero tossed his first of two touchdowns to Cordale Scott, this one from nine yards out. Carver held a 14-7 lead at the half after Xaiyhir Jacobs found Jacobi Cunningham on a 26-yard score. Nathan Robertson sank a 35-yard field goal at the 2:19 mark of the third quarter after Jessie's first score to make it 21-10. After Jessie's second touchdown, Valero and Scott hooked up for a 32-yard touchdown strike to bring the Patriots to within 28-17 before Justin Swain's run ended the comeback bid.
Cartersville 38, Hapeville Charter 7
How the game was won: Despite committing 15 penalties for 132 yards while Hapeville totaled 14 for 128, Cartersville was able to cruise past the Hornets in a flag-infested game. Hapeville outgained Cartersville 187 to 172 in total offense during the first half, but the Canes clamped down, outgaining the Hornets 159 to 9 in the final two quarters.
Top Performers: Trevor Lawrence finished 20-of-30 for 233 yards and four touchdowns. Lawrence connected with Avery Showell twice on scores of 13 yards and 33 yards. Antoine Jefferson caught a 17-yard scoring slant while TJ Horton added a 17-yard touchdown reception. Jefferson returned a punt 49 yards for a score in the first quarter as well. Jonathan Cruz booted a 25-yard field goal to give the Hurricanes a 17-7 lead after Hapeville Charter scored on a Rory Starkey 40-yard touchdown.
Peach County 20, Mary Persons 19
How the game was won:
Peach County rallied from a 19-0 fourth quarter deficit. Mary Persons missed two crucial extra points in the game. In the fourth quarter, the Trojans trailed 19-7 and faced a 4th and 4 situation from the 9-yard-line when Antonio Gilbert found Kearis Jackson to make it first and goal. Jackson then scored on a short rushing touchdown on the next play, trimming the lead, 19-14 with 6:20 remaining. Mary Persons was forced to punt and Peach County took over with 5:14 to go. The Trojans drive stalled at the 15-yard-line and again they faced a fourth down situation. Gilbert found Devontae Howard on the game winning touchdown with 3:16 remaining and their defense held the Bulldogs and put away the game.
Top Performers:
Kearis Jackson scored on a 4-yard run. James Jackson added a short touchdown run. Devontae Howard caught a touchdown pass from Antonio Gilbert. Mary Persons found scoring from Jatori Sims on a 41-yard pass from Caleb Spier. Roger Akins caught touchdown passes of 36 and nine yards.
Oconee County 28, Cedar Shoals 10
How the game was won: Oconee County erupted for 21 fourth quarter points to power past Cedar Shoals after a tight 7-3 contest heading into the final frame. The loss knocks upstart Cedar Shoals from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Top Performers: Sam Middlebrooks gave Oconee County a first quarter lead with a 53-yard touchdown pass to Roques Dowdy. Trent Harris brought the Jaguars to within 7-3 in the third quarter. The floodgates opened in the fourth quarter as Champ Bell scored from 10 yards out and Jared Hood raced 50-yards for a score. Cedar Shoal's Jaivanni McDavid returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards to make it 21-10. Christian Casey rumbled 21 yards to close the Warrior scoring.
Clarke Central 45, North Oconee 21
How the game was won: Jonathan Sewell and NaDarius Smith both rushed for two touchdowns apiece to lead the Gladiators over North Oconee.
Top Performers: Jonathan Sewell scored two first quarter touchdowns from 80 and 61 yards. NaDarius Smith scored on a pair of 2-yard runs. Jack Mandel tossed a 5-yard strike to Reggie Smothers and Mike Walker punched in a 1-yard score. William Downs hit a 44-yard field goal. North Oconee received scores from the arm of Turner Daniel, who hit Jermaine Browner on a 40-yard touchdown and Jordan Fick from nine yards out.
West Hall 30, Dawson County 23
How the game was won: Star running back Tyrese Osborne clinched a 4-1 start to the season for West Hall with his lone touchdown of the game, a game-winning 2-yard run in overtime. Dawson County could only muster 1-yard of offense during its overtime possession.
Top Performers: Coey Watson ran in three touchdowns to pace the Dawson County offense. Watson scored on runs of six, one and five yards. Jacob Satterfield accounted for two West Hall touchdowns, a 1-yard keeper and a 9-yard fade pass to George Lira. Ashun Favorite added a 55-yard interception return for the Spartans. Israel Lopez forced overtime with his 32-yard field goal with 1:39 left in the fourth quarter, tying the game up after Watson's third score of the night.
North Forsyth 35, Pickens 31
How the game was won: Ben Bales capped an improbable back-and-forth comeback victory for North Forsyth with his 42-yard touchdown sling to Charlie Aiken with just 16 seconds remaining to stun Pickens, who held a 21-7 lead after the first quarter.
Top Performers: Griffin Heffington accounted for four touchdowns, all coming via the ground to power the Raider offense. Heffington finished with 105 yards on 20 carries. Ben Bales went 14-of-26 for 248 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Bradley Thomas led the defense with 15 tackles. Pickens received a 60-yard touchdown run and a 1-yard score from Chris Pittman. Kelton Gilbert added a 5-yard score for the Dragons while Rudy Perez sank a 29-yard field goal. Jacob Brumby hit Zack Goss on a 5-yard touchdown pass with 48 seconds left before Bales' long heave broke the Dragons' hearts.
Carrollton 45, East Paulding 7
Calhoun 57, Coahulla Creek 12
Jefferson County 24, Laney 8
Lowndes 42, Newton 34
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