It was a record-breaking night for Washaun Ealey (pictured). A Region 5-AAAAA showdown between two unbeatens favored the home team, and North DeKalb rivals Tucker and Chamblee clashed with playoff position on the line. Here are Score’s class-by-class recaps of all of Friday night’s action.
CLASS 5A (by Brian Jones)
The showdown in Cobb County was not as suspenseful as most anticipated it would be, as Harrison clipped East Paulding, 28-16. The Hoyas were able to hold the Raiders to three points in three quarters to improve to 7-0. … Over in DeKalb County, Stephenson was able to roll past M.L. King 27-7. With the win, the Jaguars have put themselves in great position to win the Region 2 crown. But Union Grove was able to survive Luella 10-6 to remain undefeated in Region 2 play and maintain an unblemished overall record of 7-0. … Over in Gwinnett County, Peachtree Ridge blanked Collins Hill 21-0. The Lions defense, led by Kevin Minter, was able to hold the Eagle rushing attack to only 23 yards on 25 carries. … Down in South Georgia, Camden County cruised past Johnson-Savannah by the unbelievable score of 78-6 to put itself that much closer to clinching their eighth consecutive region title. Greg Baker led the rushing attack with three touchdowns.
CLASS 4A (by Ricky Dimon)
Crucial battles for playoff positioning were the norm in Class 4A action on Friday night. The classification’s top-ranked team, Westside-Macon, was idle and found itself a half game out of the Region 1 lead at night’s end as a result. That’s because Thomas County Central (6-1, 5-0) pulled out a 20-19 thriller over Harris County (3-4, 3-2). … Chamblee’s playoff hopes are on thin ice after coming out on the short end of a huge clash with Region 6 rival Tucker (6-1, 5-1). Running back Drayton Allen-Calhoun scored on a 70-yard reception and a 60-yard gallop to pave the way past the Bulldogs (4-3, 3-3). … The final postseason spot in that region could come down to Chamblee and Miller Grove (3-3-1, 3-3), which could not pull off a surprise victory over Marist. The War Eagles (6-1, 6-0) scored a dominant 35-13 win to pad their lead atop the standings. … Statesboro (8-0, 4-0) also denied an upset, taking care of Ware County (3-3, 2-1) to stay undefeated with a 24-7 triumph. … Rome made a huge statement in the form of a 24-6 victory over Northwest Whitfield, handing the Bruins (5-2, 3-1) their first region setback. The Wolves (7-1, 5-0) have now separated themselves from the rest of the Region 7A pack. … Hillgrove suffered a devastating defeat atop the Region 7B standings against Sprayberry. A wild fourth quarter saw the Hawks (4-3, 2-1) rally from a 26-13 deficit in the final two minutes only to be victimized by bizarre circumstances at the very end. Sprayberry (4-3, 3-0) somehow got five downs inside the red zone and kicker Eddie Avellaneda booted the game-winner on “fourth” down with 14 seconds left.
CLASS 3A (by Fletcher Proctor)
The Baldwin Braves looked sharp in taking down Richmond Hills. Jerrico Ford had two touchdowns rushing while Corico Hawkins led the defensive effort in a 38-0 shutout win. … Meanwhile, top-ranked Cairo traveled to Dougherty and Reginald Bryant’s 121 yards rushing and two scores paced the Syrupmakers to a 42-7 win. The Syrupmakers improved to 6-0 on the season. … Conner Shaw and the No. 7 Flowery Branch Falcons visited East Hall, and while Shaw had one touchdown pass and one scoring run, it was Imani Cross doing the lion’s share of the work with 150 yards rushing and two scores. … Dunwoody’s Erick Cooper and Treavor Scales helped the Wildcats thrash Columbia 45-12. Each accounted for one score. … The always dangerous Grangers of LaGrange hosted Northside-Columbus, and Ocie Slater’s two scores ended this one quickly, 47-14. … Finally Carver-Columbus, led defensively by Jarvis Jones, manhandled Shaw 32-6, sending Shaw to its 6th loss of the year.
CLASS 2A (by Corey Mitchell)
The top-ranked Wolves of Buford (7-0 overall) traveled to the Brickyard to face Thomson and left with a 29-0 win Friday night. The Thomson offense had a paltry 72 total yards on its way to becoming the fourth shutout victim of the season for the Wolves. Jessel Curry led Buford with 88 yards on six carries and the game-sealing touchdown early in the third quarter. … Blessed Trinity defeated Cross Keys 76-0 Friday night behind 276 yards and four scores by Sam Burkhalter. The Titans (6-1 overall) will travel to Tom Riden Stadium next Friday to face the defending state champion Wolves in a showdown that may serve as the toughest test to date for both teams. … Both Appling County and McIntosh County Institute both held serve on Friday night, setting up a clash of 7-0 Region 1 squads next Friday. Appling County beat Brantley County 53-14 while MCI shutout Tattnall County 33-0. MCI will play host to Appling in the unofficial regular season championship game at 7:30 in Darien, Ga. … The second-ranked Purple Hurricanes of Fitzgerald (7-0 overall) took care of business, dispatching Early County 21-6 Friday night. Brooks County won its game easily over Berrien, 40-14. The Trojans and Hurricanes will face off next Friday for the region 1 driver’s seat with both teams sporting perfect 4-0 regional records.
In other Class 2A games:
Pepperell 48, Rockmart 14
Dublin 23, Swainsboro 20
Jefferson 34, Banks Co. 22
Westminster 43, Decatur 6
GAC 34, Avondale 21
CLASS A (by Derek Wiley)
No. 1 ranked Emanuel County Institute took control of Region 3 with a 35-12 win over previously unbeaten Johnson County, and Washaun Ealey took control of the Georgia high school football record books with three more touchdowns to give him 113 in his career to break Matt Dunham’s state record of 111. Ealey tied Dunham with a 3-yard run in the first quarter and then broke the record with a 1-yard run in the third quarter. Ealey finished the night with 243 yards, giving him 1,447 on the season. … Second-ranked Wilcox County (7-0) defeated Dooly County (3-4) 27-12. … Third-ranked Clinch County blew out Atkinson County 47-6. … Fourth-ranked Lincoln County (6-1) defeated Washington Wilkes (4-3) 14-6. A.G. Middlebrooks scored both touchdowns, including a 55-yard run in the fourth quarter. … Brookstone (7-0) defeated Marion County (6-1) 19-14 to round out the top five. John Spencer scored the go-ahead touchdown from 3 yards out early in the fourth quarter.
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