Class AAAA
Jefferson 21, West Laurens 0
How the game was won: Jefferson outgained visiting West Laurens 136 to 70 in total yardage and completed the shutout to advance to the state quarterfinals for the fourth time in five seasons.
Top performers: Quarterback Colby Clark gave Jefferson 1 7-0 lead with a 3-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter. Running back Colby Wood rushed for a third quarter touchdown before icing the game with a 53-yard touchdown run with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter.
Woodward Academy 49, Northwest Whitfield 8
How the game was won: Woodward scored three first-quarter touchdowns to jump out to a big lead at home. The War Eagles gained 518 total yards.
Top performers: Quarterback Ryan Glover was 15-of-21 passing for 257 yards and four touchdowns and also had a 4-yard rushing score. Glover hit JR Pace (20 yds), Cade Sutherland (6 yds), Hunter Falconer (10 yds) and Joshua Johnson (36 yds) for TDs. Tahj Gary was the game's leading rusher with 104 yards on 11 carries, with touchdown runs of 1 and 3 yards. Johnson was the leading receiver with five catches for 106 yards.
Blessed Trinity 24, Carver-Columbus 21
How the game was won: Romello Kimbrough ran in a 14-yard touchdown to give visiting Carver-Columbus a 7-0 lead with 2:20 left in the first quarter. Blessed Trinity's Jake Smith found JD Bertrand for a Titans touchdown to make it a 7-7 game entering the second frame. Blessed Trinity added a Brooks Hosea field goal with 3:53 left in the half to take a 10-7 lead. Jake Rudolph ran in an 8-yard touchdown and Smith tossed a touchdown to Ryan Davis from 17-yards out to grow a 24-7 Titans advantage. The Tigers stopped the 24-0 scoring run with a 99-yard Us Beasley kickoff return touchdown to make it a 24-14 game entering the fourth quarter. Kimbrough scored his second touchdown of the game to cut the deficit to 24-21, but the Titans were able to run out the clock.
Top performers: Blessed Trinity quarterback Jake Smith threw touchdown passes to JD Bertrand and Ryan Davis. Carver's Us Beasley returned a kickoff 99-yards for a touchdown and teammate Romello Kimbrough rushed for a pair of scores.
Spalding 38, Ridgeland 21
Top performers: A.J. Moses got Spalding going with a 5-yard touchdown run to open the second quarter and hauled in a 56-yard touchdown catch for the Jaguars' final score.
Thomson 42, West Hall 14
How the game was won: Host Thomson quarterback Mills Ridings threw a pair of first half touchdowns to build a 28-7 lead at the break. Mike Thomas added a 9-yard touchdown run to open the second half and Ridings connected with Trey Parker for the duo's second touchdown to grow the lead to 42-7 entering the final quarter.
Top performers: Thomson running back Michael Thomas finished with 24 carries for 224 yards and two touchdowns, while also catching a 14-yard touchdown pass from Mills Ridings. West Hall's Will Satterfield threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Will Dague and Tyrese Osborne returned a fourth quarter fumble 61 yards for a touchdown.
Cartersville 35, Burke County 7
How the game was won: Cartersville outgained Burke County 409-170 and set the tone right away, jumping out to a 35-0 halftime lead.
Top Performers: Trevor Lawrence finished 19-of-31 for 316 yards and four touchdowns while adding 57 yards rushing on six carries. Avery Showell caught nine passes for 133 yards and two scores. Trey Creamer caught four for 96 yards and a touchdown. Nyvin Nelson led the defense with 12 stops.
Cairo 10, Sandy Creek 7
How the game was won: Cairo led 3-0 at half and 10-0 early in the fourth quarter after a touchdown pass. With just over a minute left to play, Sandy Creek returned a punt for a touchdown, but Cairo recovered the ensuing onside kick and then ran out the clock on offense.
Top performers: Tight end Matt Cromer took a 17-yard screen pass from John Michael Owens into the end zone to give Cairo its 10-0 lead. Cromer also recovered the onside kick to seal the win. Cole Phillips connected on a 44-yard field goal in the second quarter and missed from 50-plus yards in his other attempt.
Mary Persons 38, Heritage-Catoosa 21
How the game was won: Mary Persons led Heritage-Catoosa 14-7 at the half and took a 21-14 lead into the final quarter. Zach Harvey got the Bulldogs started with a 53-yard touchdown run.
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