Week 8 Football Round Up

Class AAAAAA

Walton 49, Pope 10

How the game was won: After losing its last two outings with Pope (44-36 in 2014 and 24-16 in 2009), Walton steamrolled the rival Greyhounds, jumping to a 49-0 lead just six minutes into the second quarter. Walton held Pope’s offense to just seven yards in the first half and forced four turnovers.

Top performers: Walton quarterback Addison Shoup ran in a 21-yard touchdown and passed for two scores. … Freshman Dominick Blaylock returned a punt for a touchdowns and K.K Brooks ran in two early Walton touchdowns. … Walton held a 287-to-7 advantage in first half yardage before cruising in the second half.

Lambert 21, Habersham Central 7

How the game was won: Lambert never trailed, scoring twice in the second quarter and once in the fourth to slowly pull away from host Habersham Central. Both the first and third quarters were scoreless, as the Longhorns took a 14-7 lead into halftime before holding on.

Top performers: Lambert’s quarterback tandem of sophomore Bobby Gabriel and junior Richie Kenney proved to be too much for Habersham Central. Gabriel opened the scoring with a sneak for a touchdown. … Kenney and senior receiver Tanner Hall engineered Lambert’s second touchdown drive. Hall made a one-handed catch for a first down then hauled in a scoring strike from Kenney. … Another Kenney touchdown pass, this one to Tyler Gillis, iced the game with six minutes remaining.

Newton 47, Alcovy 0

How the game was won: Newton jumped out to a 44-0 halftime lead. Quarterback Romario Johnson threw three touchdown passes for the Rams.

Top performers: Johnson threw two touchdown passes to J.J. Holloman and one to DeAndre Huff, with all three going for over 60 yards. … Jacobi Francis had a 68-yard punt return for a score. … Kirk Taylor had a 23-yard rushing touchdown.

Johns Creek 26, Chattahoochee 21

How the game was won: Johns Creek led 13-7 at halftime, but a Cole Neuber interception return for a touchdown on Chattahoochee’s first possession of the second half gave the Gladiators a commanding lead. Chattahoochee came back to cut its deficit to five points, but Johns Creek recovered an onsides kick with three minutes remaining and ran out the clock on offense.

Top performers: Zach Gibson had touchdown passes to Marcus White in the first quarter for 30 yards and Jeremy Disher in the fourth quarter for 18 yards to make it 26-7. … Sophomore Gerard Hearst had a four-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. … Daquez Crawford also had an interception for Johns Creek.

Hillgrove 55, North Paulding 35

How the game was won: Hillgrove gained 528 yards while the Wolfpack accounted for 502 yards in this high scoring meeting. Both teams had two turnovers, but it was penalties that were the only stat line that wasn’t close. North Paulding committed eight penalties, six on offense, while Hillgrove was flagged just three times.

Top Performers: Jeremiah Bridges caught five passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. …Bingo Long and Bryson Parks both finished with a touchdown reception apiece. …Parks also tossed a 28-yard touchdown pass. …Matt Wilson, Tavion Walker, Jaylen McCollough and Trevor Smith all scored rushing touchdowns. …Hunter Arters went 13-of-16 for 237 yards and three touchdowns. …For North Paulding, Kyle Banks finished 22-of-37 for 302 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Banks also ran for 101 yards on seven totes. …D.J. Owens caught seven passes for 83 yards and two scores. …Chad Terrell caught four passes for 90 yards and a touchdown while Dylan Autenrieth snagged five balls for 77 yards and two scores.

Mill Creek 42, Mountain View 0

How the game was won: The Hawks pitched their fourth consecutive shutout and are yet to allow a point in Region play. Also with the win, Mill Creek clinches a playoff berth. The Bears were outgained 426 to 71 and gained only three yards rushing. The three yards rushing finally push Mill Creek’s season total of rushing yards allowed to over 100 yards.

Top Performers: Joe Thomas carried 21 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns. …Daniel Leconte scored on a 10-yard run and finished with 37 yards. …Cameron Turley completed 18-of-32 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns. …Braxton Richburg caught three passes for 54 yards and one score. …Miles Riley hauled in a 5-yard touchdown pass.

Brookwood 33, Central Gwinnett 28

How the game was won: Dorian Miles scored on a 27-yard touchdown reception from Angelo DiSpigna with 59 seconds remaining to give Brookwood a five-point lead. The two-point conversion try failed, but Brookwood stopped Central Gwinnett on its final possession to seal the win. Brookwood trailed 21-7 at halftime before Matthew Hill sparked a Broncos comeback by taking the second half opening kickoff 90 yards for a score.

Top performers: Central Gwinnett’s Major Bellamy caught 15 passes for 314 yards and touchdown catches of 32 and 59 yards, and he caught a pass for a two-point conversion. … Miles had nine receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns, the first score a 10-yard touchdown pass from Tanner Winskie. … Winskie was 13-of-21 passing for 151 yards and DiSpigna was 8-of-17 for 110 yards, with each throwing a touchdown to Miles. … Hill had six receptions for 87 yards. … Broncos linebacker Leonard Warner had a 33-yard fumble return. … Jesse Brown rushed 23 times for 125 yards and a touchdown for Brookwood.

Valdosta 26, Tift County 23

How the game was won: Valdosta used 19 unanswered points in the second half to rally from a 23-7 deficit midway through the third quarter. Tift County took its first lead with a diving 35-yard touchdown reception by R.J. Meriweather on 4th and 13 to make it 10-7. After a Valdosta fumble, Tift County kicker Fernando Ramirez knocked in a 31-yard field goal to make it 13-7. Griffin Collier ran in a 2-yard Tift touchdown and Ramirez hit a 37-yard field goal with 8:49 left in the third quarter to build the 23-7 advantage. Seth Shuman found Demarquz Owens for a 21-yard touchdown pass on fourth down that cut the deficit to 23-13. Valdosta made it a 23-19 ball game with a Tim Griffin rushing touchdown but missed extra point. Zakoby McClain hauled in a huge interception the next Tift County possession that gave Valdosta the ball back at the Blue Devils’ 36-yard line. Wesley Veal caught a 29-yard pass that brought the Wildcats down to the 1-yard line and Griffin punched it in for his second 1-yard score to give Valdosta the 26-23 lead with 10:24 left. … McClain came up with another huge defensive play and sacked Tift County for a 14-yard loss to kill the drive. On Tift County’s final possession, Jalen Temples iced the game with an interception with 53 seconds left.

Top performers: Tim Griffin ran in the game-winning touchdown with 10:24 left in the ball game. Jalen Temples and Zakoby McClain came up with fourth quarter interceptions. … Seth Shuman threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Demarquz Owens.

Harrison 41, Kennesaw Mountain 7

How the game was won: Justin Fields scored on a 40-yard run to stretch Harrison’s lead to 27-7 before halftime.

Top Performers: Darius Clark shined once again for Harrison. He scored twice on 3-yard runs. …Chris Kalafut started the scoring barrage for the Hoyas picking up a fumble and running it back 60 yards in the first quarter. …Fields also threw a touchdown pass in to Aidan Loucks in the third quarter.

Archer 38, South Gwinnett 3

How the game was won: Archer scored five first half touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) to break up the game. Tigers quarterback Will Bearden led the way, accounting for four of the first half scores.

Top performers: Bearden went 5-of-6 passing for 257 yards and only one of his completions did not go for a score. …Dylan Singleton caught one pass for 71 yards Kyle Davis led the team in receiving with two catches for 133 yards, both of which went for touchdowns. …Jamyest Williams led the team in rushing with five carries for 100 yards and a touchdown.

Parkview 69, Berkmar 0

How the game was won: Parkview out-gained Berkmar 336 to 157 in total offense and included a whopping 42 points in the second quarter to defeat the Patriots for the 16th consecutive time.

Top performers: Parkview quarterback Jack Chambers finished with two touchdown passes and 97 yards off 9-of-11passing. … Running back Deion Slade finished with five carries for 62 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a 40-yard score. … Parkview returned two interceptions and a punt for touchdowns in the second quarter.

Grayson 66, Shiloh 3

How the game was won: Grayson led 52-3 at halftime and got two safeties and three fumble recoveries for touchdowns—one each by Adesola Abisoye (15 yards), Chris Martin (30 yards) and Darius Martin (70 yards).

Top performers: Grayson quarterback Chase Brice was 10-for-13 passing for 178 yards and two touchdowns. Cameryn Brent (13 yards) and Ryan Carriere (45 yards) were the recipients on the scoring passes. … Ernest Tiller was Grayson’s leading rusher at 36 yards and had a five-yard touchdown. Denzel Wright (five yards) and Nick Prince (two yards) also had rushing scores.

Westlake 41, Newnan 21

How the game was won: Malik Willis hit AJ Terrell for a 28-yard touchdown with 8 seconds left in the first half to break a 14-14 tie and give the Lions momentum heading into the second half.

Top Performers: Malik Willis tossed two touchdowns, a 28-yarder to AJ Terrell and a 4-yard strike to Marquez Louder, after rushing for a 50-yard score in the second quarter. …Kristen Griffin scored on a 4-yard run. …Marquez Burdette Jr. brought in a 63-yard rushing touchdown with 10:18 to play in the fourth before Justin Broughton sealed the deal with a 25-yard rushing touchdown later in the fourth. …K.D. Satterwhite intercepted a pass for Newnan in the first quarter.

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Class AAAAA

Ola 24, Union Grove 0

How the game was won: Ola used a stout rushing attack along with a dominating defensive performance to shutout their opponent second opponent of the year (26-0 over McIntosh on Sept. 11).

Top performers: The defense accounted for three turnovers highlighted by Shane Shirley’s 50-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Marlon Golatt also recovered a fumble and Marcus Watkins tallied an interception. …Chris Rodriguez and Trey Hill each accounted for Ola rushing touchdowns. Rodrigues went in from four yards, while Hill found the end zone from 10 yards out. …Cameron Corley connected on a 41-yard field goal in the third quarter to stretch Ola’s lead to 17-0.

Starr’s Mill 42, McIntosh 10

How the game was won: Rico Frye’s 11-yard touchdown run in the third quarter put Starr’s Mill up 28-7. Their lead was not relinquished as the rushing attack for the team was on all night.

Top Performers: Frye scored four rushing touchdowns in total, including runs of 83, 39, 11, and one yard. …Dion Munerlyn caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joey DeLuca for Starr’s Mill in the first quarter.

Drew 54, Morrow 0

How the game was won: Quarderman Sloan’s 65-yard touchdown run in the second quarter stretched the Drew led to 27-0.

Top performers: Sloan finished the game three touchdowns including scores of 65, 48, and 35 yards. He ran for over 150 yards on single-digit carries. …Quarterback Joseph Newman accounted for four total touchdowns. In the first quarter, he found Bryson Duckworth twice on scores of 75 and 21 yards. He also threw a touchdown pass to Kahari Richards and ran for a 28-yard touchdown in the second quarter. …Duckworth finished with two receptions for 96 yards.

Sequoyah 24, Cass 3

How the game was won: Cameron Gales broke a 0-0 tie in the second quarter on his 1-yard touchdown run for Sequoyah before the Chiefs scored 10 third quarter points to put the game out of reach.

Top Performers: Sequoyah quarterback Austin Tracy went 12-27 for 164 yards and a touchdown to Derrion Rakestraw. …Rakestraw led the team in receiving with six catches for 102 yards. …Gales finished with 14 carries for 40 yards and two touchdowns.

Allatoona 42, New Manchester 27

How the game was won: Russell Halimon rumbled to four touchdowns to power the Buccaneers. Tied at the half 14-14, Allatoona opened a 28-21 lead in the third before closing the door with 14 fourth quarter points.

Top Performers: Russell Halimon ran for four touchdowns, highlighted by a 75-yard score at the 4:12 mark of the third quarter. …Brandon Rainey accounted for two touchdowns, one coming of a 6-yard touchdown toss to Michael Pynes in the fourth quarter. …Juanyea Tarver picked up a sack while Tate Tatum intercepted a pass with under a minute to play in the win. …Allen Johnson also blocked a PAT.

Lanier 16, Gainesville 8

How the game was won: After a scoreless first half, Lanier took a 3-0 lead with a 22-ard field goal by Noah Thomas with 6:13 left in the third quarter. Gainesville fumbled deep in its own territory and Lanier took over before facing a 4th and 3 from the Red Elephants’ 6-yard line. After the pass was tipped, Juwuan Jones secured it for a gamechanging touchdown that put the Longhorns up 10-0. Five-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown blocked a Gainesville punt to set up the next score that he would rush in himself from 1-yard out. Gainesville’s Messiah Dorsey ran in a 3-yard touchdown that cut the lead to 16-8 after a successful two-point conversion, but were turned over on downs on their final possession. Lanier (6-0) moves to 2-0 all-time against the Red Elephants.

Top performers: Juwuan Jones caught a 6-yard touchdown pass on 4th and 3. … Lanier’s Derrick Brown blocked a punt and ran in a 1-yard touchdown. … Noah Thomas hit a 22-yard field goal and Gainesville’s Messiah Dorsey ran in a 3-yard touchdown.

Alexander 43, Hiram 17

How the game was won: An efficient Baylor Whitfield and a stingy defense helped the Cougars take a 36-3 lead and coast to another Region 5 victory.

Top Performers: Baylor Whitfield finished 18-of-24 for 265 yards and three touchdowns to go with an interception. …Daetrich Harrington carried 11 times for 120 yards and one touchdown. …Justin Hall caught six passes for 65 yards and a score. …Leon Agee returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown and recorded an interception. …Hiram rushed 40 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns.

Glynn Academy 14, Ware County 7

How the game was won: Glynn Academy kicker Banks Entwistle booted a 40-yard field goal and the Terrors defense held Ware County to just 37 total yards in the first half to build a 3-0 lead. Glynn Academy forced a fumble on Ware County’s first possession of the second half and took over at the Gators 19 yard line. Ware County pushed back Glynn Academy for three straight negative plays and the visiting Terrors had to settle for a 48-yard field goal that was nailed by Entwistle. Ware County finally sustained a drive, fueled by five Glynn Academy penalties and took a 7-6 lead at the end of the third quarter. The Terrors responded, however, and capped off an 80-yard drive with a Kendall Cross touchdown to reclaim a 12-7 lead. UGA-commit Deejay Dallas ran in the two-point conversion to make it a 14-7 advantage. Ware County had one last chance on a fourth down at the Glynn Academy 26 yard line but were stopped short.

Top performers: Glynn Academy kicker Banks Entwistle made a 40 and 48-yard field goal. … Kendall Cross ran in the game-winning touchdown for visiting Glynn Academy.

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Class AAAA

Cartersville 42, Ridgeland 7

How the game was won: A lightning delay was the only thing that could stop the high-powered Cartersville offense. The Canes outscored Ridgeland 28-7 in the second half to pull away. Trevor Lawrence found Antoine Jefferson for a 22-yard touchdown pass with no time left in the second quarter to swing momentum and give Cartersville a 14-0 lead at the break.

Top Performers: Trevor Lawrence went 18-of-30 for 283 yards and four touchdowns. ..Terrius Callahan caught a 53-yard touchdown pass. …Miller Forristall scored on a 34-yard pass.

Sandy Creek 42, Whitewater 7

How the game was won: A 35-0 lead was more than enough for the Patriots against the Wildcats. Sandy Creek used a balanced offensive attack to impose its will on host Whitewater. Defensively, the Patriots did not allow a first down until the fourth quarter with its second string in.

Top Performers: Drezyn Parson scored on a 34-yard touchdown run. …Bryant Walker tossed two touchdowns to Korey Banks. …Marvin Hubbard and Eric Woods both scored rushing touchdowns.

Buford 48, North Hall 0

How the game was won: Buford led just 14-0 at the half but scored four touchdowns in the third quarter to pull away. The Wolves limited North Hall to just 76 total yards.

Top performers: Martin Mangram rushed for 97 yards on seven carries with touchdown runs of 20, two and 33 yards. … Anthony Grant rushed for 94 yards and a one-yard touchdown. … Joshua Blackwell had a two-yard rushing score and T.D. Roof had an eight-yard score to cap off Buford’s third-quarter scoring. … Jamaal Singleton had a three-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter for the game’s final points.

Jonesboro 21, Spalding 9

How the game was won: Jonesboro led just 7-2 at the half, but Zerrick Cooper’s second touchdown pass of the night in the third quarter, a five-yard throw to Jordan Griffin, gave the Cardinals a 14-2 lead.

Top performers: Cooper threw two touchdown passes on the night, the first going to tight end Calder Marria for 21 yards in the first quarter. … Montralius Mosley ran for a 99-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter with five minutes remaining, one play after Jonesboro stopped Spalding on downs at the 1-yard line. … Jonesboro defensive tackle Kali James had three sacks, all in the first half.

Locust Grove 42, Eastside 13

How the game was won: Locust Grove sits atop Region 4AAAA and quietly moved to 6-0 with another dominating victory.

Top Performers: Champ Leddon did it all on offense for Locust Grove. He totaled three catches for 37 yards and a touchdown. He added three rushes for 57 yards, and he threw a 64-yard halfback pass for a touchdown. …Quarterback Cameron Maddox was efficient passing going 5-of-7 for 75 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed 11 times for 27 yards with two goal line scores. …Running back Caleb Huntley rushed for 85 tough yards on 19 carries.

Woodward Academy 51, Troup 21

How the game was won: Woodward never trailed and scored 23 unanswered points in the second quarter to pull away from host Troup. The War Eagles churned out 284 yards of offense while remaining undefeated on the season. They excelled in almost all areas in this one, scoring touchdowns through the air, on the ground, with a kickoff return, a punt return and on an interception return.

Top performers: Woodward quarterback Ryan Glover completed 12 of 21 passes for 221 yards and opened the night’s scoring with a 13-yard touchdown strike to Sultan Shabazz. Glover also rushed for a three-yard score in the second quarter. … Joshua Johnson returned a kickoff 78 yards to the endzone and Jeffrey Hubbard added a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown. … Xavion Fleetwood returned an interception 75 yards for the War Eagles’ final touchdown. … James Polk had a pair of third-quarter touchdown runs to pad Woodward’s lead.

Veterans 14, West Laurens 7

How the game was won: Veterans Logan Byrd dove into the endzone from 1-yard out to cap the game-winning drive with 2:46 left in the fourth quarter. The Warhawks forced West Laurens into a 4th and 7 situation with 1:50 left in the game and got the clinching stop.

Top Performers: Byrd also scored on a 99 yard run as he found a crease from within the Veterans end zone. … Kicker Dylan Belvins was 2-of-2 on extra point attempts. … Darius Bradford scored on a 3-yard run for West Laurens. … Kicker Bill Leroy added the extra point.

Carrollton 30, Fayette County 2

How the game was won: Carrollton (3-3) took a 30-0 lead into the fourth quarter and opened Region 5 play with a convincing victory over Fayette County, while extending its winning streak to three games. Carrollton capitalized on three Fayette County turnovers and controlled the game on the ground with 139 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns by Jaylan Thomas. Carrollton quarterback Mark Wright got the scoring starting with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Thomas Culwell with 7:34 left in the opening quarter. After Thomas’ first touchdown, Mitch McLendon added a 28-yard field goal that capped off a 15-play, nine-minute drive to give Carrollton a 16-0 lead at the half.

Top performers: Carrollton running back Jaylan Thomas ran the ball 20 times for 90 yards and three touchdowns. … Conrad Jackson and Keegan Hill recovered fumbles for Carrollton and the team produced three sacks and six tackles for loss.

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Class AAA

Westminster 49, Decatur 16

How the game was won: Westminster surged to a 28-0 halftime lead with two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns as its balanced offensive attack overwhelmed visiting Decatur. The Wildcats’ defense also shut out Decatur’s offense, as the Bulldogs scored only on an interception return, a fumble return and a safety.

Top performers: Westminster quarterback Rankin Woley threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Joe Egan and a 20-yard scoring strike to Ethan Price. Woley also had a 25-yard touchdown run and an interception on defense. …. Zay Malcolme led the Wildcats’ rushing attack with scoring scampers of eight yards and 85 yards. … Keller Harper replaced Woley in the fourth quarter and added touchdown runs of 28 and 35 yards. … For Decatur, Terrill Hall zigzagged his way to the endzone for an 86-yard interception return and Marcus Hood had a fumble return for a touchdown.

Ringgold 48, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 0

How the game was won: The Tigers jumped out to a 25-0 first quarter lead and coasted to a 48-0 halftime advantage before calling the dogs off.

Top Performers: Devin Lancaster found Andre Tarver for a 40-yard touchdown pass to open up the scoring. …Cole Kibler scored on a 37-yard run and later threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Mac Brower. …Dee King added a 5-yard touchdown run. …Ty Jones galloped 59-yards for a score. …Dalton Green returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown, while the defense later tacked on a safety. …Abel Vargas knocked in a 32-yard field goal.

Calhoun 38, Sonoraville 0

How the game was won: Calhoun scored 21 first quarter points to set the tone on the road and dispose of Sonoraville. Olico Dennis punched in two touchdown runs in the opening period.

Top Performers: Olico Dennis rushed 10 times for 114 yards and three touchdowns. …Kaelan Riley completed 11-of-18 passes for 232 yards and one score. …Malik Lawrence caught an 11-yard touchdown pass and finished with three catches for 104 yards. …Bryson Bushong carried seven times for 51 yards and a 2-yard touchdown plunge. …Kolby Reynolds added an interception.

Peach County 35, Kendrick 12

How the game was won: Peach County scored all its points before halftime as they took advantage of Kendrick turnovers in the win at home in Fort Valley.

Top Performers: Jamain Thompson blocked a punt and returned it three yards for a touchdown. … Otha Redding added an interception touchdown return from five yards out. … Jame Jackson ran in touchdowns from three and four yards out. … Quarterback Tyrique McGhee connected with Kearis Jackson for a 38-yard touchdown pass. … The Trojans defense allowed only 109 yards of offense (59 rushing and 50 passing).

Cook 43, Toombs County 14

How the game was won: Brandon Doe’s third rushing touchdown in the first half gave Cook a 29-7 lead before they took a 43-7 lead into halftime. A combination of stifling defense and ground and pound offense powered Cook.

Top Performers: Doe had 145 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 11 carries in the first half… With the game out of reach, Cook allowed just one score in the second half and breezed to victory.

Jefferson 17, Morgan County 0

How the game was won: Jefferson running back Colby Wood ran in two first half touchdowns before the Dragons taked on a field goal to take their 17-0 lead. Jefferson held Morgan County’s ground attack to just 36 rushing yards in the first half. Wood rushed for 70 of his 146 yards in the first half and ended the game with a 50-yard run.

Top performers: Colby Wood finished with 21 carries for 146 yards and a pair of 1-yard touchdowns.

Hart County 62, East Jackson 0

How the game was won: Hart County scored 34 points in the final 8:10 of the third quarter after taking a 28-0 halftime lead and ran out the clock in a scoreless fourth quarter. Trey Clark ran in a 3-yard touchdown for the only points of the opening quarter, but on the first play on the second quarter, he returned to the end zone with a 7-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0. Trae Stowers ran in a Hart County touchdown with just under six minutes left in the half and then returned to the end zone four minutes later on a 43-yard touchdown pass from Robert Allen Jr. to make it a 28-0 lead at the half. Clark opened third quarter explosion with his third rushing touchdown, before Allen Jr. connected with Anthony Turner for his second passing touchdown of the game to make it 41-0. Clark housed a 36-yard touchdown with 1:44 left in the quarter to make it 48-0 and then Bennie Allen took the stage. Forty seconds after Clark’s fourth touchdown, Allen ran in his first score of the game. On East Jackson’s next possession, Allen scooped up a fumble and ran it in for a touchdown just 16 seconds after his rushing score to make it 62-0.

Top performers: Trey Clark ran in four touchdowns. … Trae Stowers rushed for a touchdown and caught a 43-yard touchdown. … Hart County quarterback Robert Allen Jr. threw two touchdown passes, including his connection with Stowers and a third quarter touchdown to Anthony Turner. … Bennie Allen rushed for a touchdown and scored on a fumble return.

Blessed Trinity 46, Therrell 6

How the game was won: The Titans went on the road and put the game out of reach in the first half thanks to three Conor Davis touchdowns and three Milton Shelton scores. Both players did not play in the second half.

Top Performers: Conor Davis completed 7-of-10 passes for 164 yards and three touchdowns. …Milton Shelton carried 15 times for 105 yards and three touchdowns. …The Blessed Trinity defense collected seven sacks led by Shane Parton’s three. …Jacob Koelsch came away with an interception in the victory.

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Class AA

Greater Atlanta Christian 33, Pace Academy 13

How the game was won: Greater Atlanta Christian scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to erase a 13-12 deficit at the intermission and sprint past host Pace Academy. Turnovers were a key factor, as Pace Academy used two interceptions to aid its first-half success. Spartans’ quarterback Davis Mills did not turn the ball over at all in the second half and Greater Atlanta Christian converted two Pace Academy miscues into 14 points.

Top performers: Mills completed 12-of-19 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns. He tossed scoring strikes 29 yards and 13 yards to Malcolm Cunningham and Marcus Young, respectively. Mills also rushed for a two-point conversion following Greater Atlanta Christian’s go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter. … The Spartans were also led by Joshua Pickens, who rushed for two scores. … The Knights got two field goals of 42 and 43 yards by Samuel Sloman in addition to a 26-yard touchdown pass from Gunnor Faulk to Trey Blount.
Pelham 20, Thomasville 13

How the game was won: Thomasville turned the ball over on downs with with 1:24 remaining sealing the victory for Pelham. This is their first win over Thomasville in 93 years (21 meetings). At the half, Pelham had out gained Thomasville 203 to 86.

Top Performers: Javoris Williams scored on runs of five and four yards in the first half to give Pelham a 12-0 halftime lead. Quarterback James Fackler connected with Cassius Allen on 4th and 5 for a 45 yard touchdown in the second half to stretch their lead to 20-6.

Jefferson County 48, Metter 3

How the game was won: Deabo McKinney scored on a 40-yard run to give Jefferson County a 21-0 lead in the second quarter. They finished the half leading 27-0 in what was an almost flawless two quarters of play.

Top Performers: Ty Bell accounted for three touchdowns for Jefferson County. He had touchdown runs of 64 and 10 yards and caught a 38-yard touchdown pass. …Maurice Gamble scored in a way not seen in many football games. He picked up an onside kick and ran it back 55 yards for a score.

Lovett 25, Hapeville Charter 14

How the game was won: Lovett scored 25 of the game’s last 32 points and outscored visiting Hapeville Charter 11-0 in the fourth quarter to break a 14-14 tie. Brady Tindall rushed for two touchdowns, a 16-yarder that tied the score at 7-7 in the first quarter and another from one yard out with 11:45 remaining to put the Lions in front 20-14. A safety by Lovett’s Ian Herbert extended the lead to eight points before Jack McGowan’s 19-yard field goal made it a two-possession game.

Top performers: Tindall gained 108 yards on 19 quarterback keepers to go along with his two scores. … Lovett’s Jay Harris rushed 28 times for 171 yards and one touchdown. … Hapeville Charter got a touchdown pass from Mack Green to Kawaan Baker and a rushing score by Calvin Coney.

Wesleyan 10, BEST Academy 8

How the game was won: The Wolves prevailed in a low scoring defensive battle. BEST cut the lead to two with 5:02 minutes remaining, but like they did the entire game, Wesleyan’s defense did not allow the Eagles a chance to take the lead.

Top Performers: Harrison Cook led the defense with an interception and a fumble recovery both coming in the first quarter. …Jordan Weaver made a 35-yard field goal with 6:50 to play in the second quarter. …Jordan Argilagos found the end zone on the ground with 31 seconds remaining in the second quarter to give the Wolves a 10-0 lead at the break.

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Class A

Mt. Paran 41, Walker 20

How the game was won: Taylor Trammell had over 300 yards rushing and four touchdowns, including one on the first play from scrimmage. Mt. Paran led 35-7 at halftime and 41-7 in the third quarter before a few late touchdowns from Walker.

Top performers: John Allen Knox led Mt. Paran in receiving with four catches for 70 yards. … Jack Lee had a 65-yard touchdown run, and quarterback Matthew Norton had a one-yard sneak for a touchdown for Mt. Paran. … Mt. Paran amassed 542 yards of offense.

Mount De Sales 22, First Presbyterian 21

How the game was won: Mount De Sales trailed 21-3 after the opening quarter. The Cavaliers turned it around and held First Presbyterian scoreless in the final three quarters and capped a game-winning drive with :45 left in the game, completing the comeback.

Top Performers: Adrian Hardwick ran in a 56-yard touchdown. … First Presbyterian Day’s Armaun Smith returned a punt for a touchdown and rushed in a touchdown from five yards out. … Daniel Weaver added a 70 yard run for a touchdown.

King’s Ridge 17, Whitefield Academy 16

How the game was won: After scoring an apparent game-tying touchdown in overtime, Whitefield Academy missed an extra point to end it and give visiting King’s Ridge a thrilling victory. King’s Ridge had previously failed to convert a 29-yard field goal as time expired in regulation.

Top performers: Reid Martin got the overtime scoring started for King’s Ridge with a 15-yard quarterback keeper. He also accounted for the Tigers’ other touchdown by throwing a long pass to Jack McHugh. … Kyle Brnovich added a 47-yard field goal for King’s Ridge.

Aquinas 48, Georgia Military College 0

How the game was won: Joseph Douglas ran it in from three yards out for Aquinas to give them a 28-0 lead heading into halftime. The team racked up 241 yards of total offense in the first half compared to GMC’s 43. This win was the fifth in a row for Aquinas, improving their record to 6-1.

Top performers: Liam Welch was the offensive story for Aquinas, tossing two touchdowns and running in another. His first was reeled in by his brother George Welch on a 38-yard connection to put Aquinas on the board. He then hit Justin Gibbs for a 26-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter. His final touchdown came on a 17-yard run in the third quarter. … Chris Gates rushed for 95 yards on eight carries, including a 29-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Marion County 40, Brookstone 0

How the game was won: Quentez Battle scored on an 8-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to give Marion County a 20-0 lead and put the game out of reach.

Top Performers: The Marion County defense held Brookstone to just 22 yards of total offense in the first half. …Lorenzo Smothers had a 23-yard touchdown reception, a 9-yard touchdown run and an interception on defense for Marion County. …Maurice Carter had the big score of the night for Marion County on a 60-yard touchdown run for the team’s last points.

Savannah Christian 14, Calvary Day 3

How the game was won: Ben Jackson’s 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave Savannah Christian a 14-3 halftime lead. In the second half, their defense told the story by not allowing Calvary to add to their scoring from the first half.

Top Performers: AJ Davis scored on a 1-yard run to give Savannah Christian its first score and lead of the game. …Alan Gibbs notched a 26-yard field goal for Calvary Day’s only points.

Mt. Pisgah 20, Fellowship Christian 17

How the game was won: Fellowship Christian’s touchdown with 1:32 left in the game cut the Mt. Pisgah lead to 20-17, but they couldn’t complete the comeback. This came after Mt. Pisgah successfully stormed back from a 10-7 halftime deficit. Special teams was the story for the victors.

Top Performers: Mt. Pisgah got on the board first with a 70-yard punt return by Kai Williams in the second quarter. …Chase Clark then scored on a 60-yard run on a fake punt. …Jacob Cendoya’s 7-yard run stretched the Mt. Pisgah lead to 20-7 in the fourth quarter. …Jack Hardin led Fellowship Christian, throwing an 11-yard touchdown to Matthew Sterling and rushing for a 1-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Pinecrest Academy 49, St. Francis 13

How the game was won: Pinecrest Academy running back Ryan McCarthy ran in a touchdown from 18 yards out to give the team a 21-0 lead. They took a 35-0 lead into half.

Top performers: Mitchell Ojeda put Pinecrest Academy on the board in the first quarter with a monster 80-yard run. …The Pinecrest Academy defense got in on the act in the fourth quarter as Peter Nelson picked off a pass and ran it back for a touchdown to stretch the lead to 49-7.

Stratford Academy 41, Tattnall Square 14

How the game was won: Stratford Academy’s Quintez Cephus led the way, scoring four touchdowns in the romp. Stratford held a 21-14 lead after halftime as Tattnall challenged. The Eagles opened it up with 20 unanswered points in the second half to apply pressure and put away the game.

Top Performers: Cephus scored three receiving (26, 23, and 20 yards) and one rushing touchdown (40-yards). … OShowen Williams and Tyler Jordan added 3-yard rushing touchdowns. … Zion Blasingame scored on an 8-yard run for Tattnall Square and Garrett Houston added a touchdown reception.

Prince Avenue Christian 45, Athens Academy 14

How the game was won: The Wolverines busted out in the second half, scoring 35 points to open up a big lead after entering the half up 10-0. After Prince Avenue scored to go up 24-7 late in the third quarter, Athens Academy fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which was eventually converted into an early fourth quarter Kevon Hudson touchdown to push the lead to 31-7.

Top Performers: Jared Pringle knocked home a 23-yard field goal to give Prince Avenue an early first quarter lead. …Kevon Hudson rushed for three touchdowns, scoring on runs of 75, 14 and 35 yards. …Jordan Ginnel scored on a 6-yard run. …Andrew Hayes punched on a 2-yard score. …Jordan Hightower returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown. …Athens Academy scored in the third quarter when Drew Richardson hit Ed Ferguson on a 64-yard touchdown pass.

Twiggs County 20, Wilkinson County 14

How the game was won: Twiggs County held on late and pulled of the upset at home against Wilkinson County The Cobras clinged to a 14-12 lead going into the final quarter and were waiting to strike. Quarterback Calvin Stephens connected with Robert Cornelius on a 42 yard strike with 10 minutes left to push the lead to 20-12 after a failed 2-point conversion. Wilkinson forced Twiggs into a safety to trim the lead but then turned the ball over on downs with 1:50 left in the game to allow Twiggs County to hold on.

Top Performers: Ja’Mon Height scored on runs of one and eight yards. … Cornelius added the 42 yard reception. .. Jamoris Smith scored a crucial two-point conversion attempt. … Christian Burney scored on a reception from Tylan Gable. … Tyrique Ford added a 13-yard rush for a touchdown.