ATHENS — The points came fast and furious at Waters-Wilkins Stadium, and Cedar Shoals couldn’t put them up as quickly as Flowery Branch, as the Falcons beat the Jaguars, 45-27, on Friday to open Region 8-AAAAA play.

It was Cedar Shoals' first loss and Flowery Branch’s first win of the season.

Both offenses took control in the second half as the two teams combined for 47 points.

Friday’s game stayed competitive throughout which was in sharp contrast to last year’s contest when Flowery Branch led 42-0 at halftime and played the entire second half with a running clock. Flowery Branch (1-2, 1-0 8-AAAAA) tacked on a couple of cosmetic scores in the fourth quarter to make the game look more lopsided than it played.

“Unfortunately they made some big plays that were back breakers,” Cedar Shoals coach Chris Davis said. “We had some turnovers that hurt us. But I’m proud of how we responded.”

Flowery Branch was led by Justin Curry with 31 carries for 185 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Jackson McDonald ran for 142 yards and three touchdowns. He also completed 19 of 22 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Quinshad Jenkins also had a 30-yard interception return.

Cedar Shoals (2-1, 0-1) running back Adrian Washington ran 25 times for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Darius Jordan threw a touchdown pass to Tyler Hitchcock and Tay Bowens added 81 yards on four carries, including a 60-yard touchdown, before being helped off the field in the fourth quarter.