HAMILTON – Mikey Gonzalez has carved out his own legacy for Gainesville. His year as the Red Elephants’ signal-caller will be remembered for winning huge games with clutch performances.

The Red Elephants’ senior quarterback threw for five touchdowns as Gainesville survived a fourth-quarter charge by Harris County for a 49-40 win in the second round of the Class AAAAA state playoffs on Friday in Hamilton.

With the win, Gainesville (10-2) advances to face Allatoona in the state quarterfinals on Friday in Acworth.

“Mikey has just been outstanding,” said Red Elephants senior wide receiver Chris Williamson. “He’s stepped up and played his best when we need it most.”

All of Gonzalez’s touchdown throws were for long yardage as Gainesville jumped to a 42-20 lead early in the second half, then held on as the Tigers (9-3) scored on a pair of Tae Crowder touchdowns to draw to within 42-40 in the fourth.

Gainesville delivered the final blow in a back-and-forth struggle with Gonzalez’s 61-yard pass to senior Rodney Lackey and only five minutes left to play. Gonzalez had three touchdown passes to Williamson, along with one to Messiah Dorsey.

“It feels so good to come out of here with a win,” said Dorsey. “I love this team, love all our fans.”

Gonzalez finished the game 23-of-31 passing for 296 yards. He was 20-of-25 for 260 in the opening half.

“Mikey’s just been amazing,” said Gainesville coach Bruce Miller. “He’s not very big, but he’s shown that size doesn’t matter.”

The Red Elephants’ defense was also able to limit the big plays of Harris County’s Crowder, who finished with four touchdowns, including his fourth-quarter touchdown grab. The Tigers’ 6-foot-3, 230 pound running back finished with 25 carries for 181 yards. On many attempts, Crowder was stopped near or behind the line of scrimmage.

“I felt like we bottled him up pretty well,” Miller said.

Another key aspect to the game was Gainesville taking advantage of the Harris County turnovers. The Red Elephants scored after the Tigers fumbled away the opening kickoff on Williamson’s 31-yard touchdown grab from Gonzalez.

Harris County turned the ball over three times on fumbles. Gainesville’s Toddrick Turner intercepted a TaQuon Marshall pass in the second quarter. The Red Elephants also blocked an extra point attempt just before halftime to maintain a 28-20 lead.

Gonzalez showed off his arm strength and precise touch with a 70-yard touchdown throw to Dorsey over the defender late in the first quarter. Then leading 21-14 early in the second quarter, he connected with Williamson on a 60-yard pass for another score.

Williamson had five catches for 166 yards for Gainesville. Dorsey had 10 receptions for 140 yards.

Gonzalez wasn’t the only one to throw a touchdown pass for the Red Elephants. Leading 28-20 early in the second half, Dorsey took the handoff behind the line and found Williamson open down the sideline for the 61-yard touchdown pass.

“That was a huge play for us,” said Williamson, who also scored on a 5-yard pass late in the third quarter.

Harris County made it interesting with a late surge. Down by three touchdowns, Crowder started picking up bigger chunks of yardage. First, he scored on a 20-yard run late in the third quarter. Then midway through the final period, he was open for a 52-yard catch and touchdown from Marshall.

Crowder scored in the first half on runs of 20 and 22 yards.

Miller said he never relaxed, even with a sizable lead late knowing that Harris County had big-play capability.

“I didn’t think it was over until I saw all zeros on the time clock,” said Miller.

Marshall, Harris County’s dual-threat quarterback rushed for 110 yards. He passed for 150, including a third-quarter touchdown pass to Mike Johnson.

With the win, Gainesville is in the state quarterfinals for the third consecutive season. Allatoona defeated Coffee in the second round.