BY COLLIN STURCHIO
For The Times
Flowery Branch struck early and often Friday, taking down Chestatee 61-20 to lock up the No. 2 seed to the state playoffs out of Region 8-4A.
The Falcons (7-2, 4-1 Region 8-4A) scored right away when junior quarterback David Renard found the end zone on a 64-yard run.
Sophomore running back Myles Ivey and senior Jaizen Ellingham added touchdowns in the first half, pushing Flowery Branch out to a 42-6 halftime lead.
Also in the opening half, Connor Larson had a 20-yard touchdown grab on a pass from Renard.
After thee touchdown grabs last week, Ryan Lusco added a scoring catch in the first half for the Falcons.
Malik Dyrden had a rushing and receiving touchdown for the Falcons.
Flowery Branch entered the night needing to win to lock up the coveted second seed to the playoffs, as a result of North Oconee’s forefit to Jefferson, due to a positive test for coronavirus. As a result, the second-ranked Dragons wrapped up the region championship.
The Falcons owned any tiebreaker against the Titans, after winning the 42-35 double overtime head-to-head matchup last month. For Chestatee (0-9, 0-5), Hunter Fouche had a pair of touchdowns.
Up next, Flowery Branch wraps up the regular season against East Hall on Nov. 20 in Gainesville .
Chestatee wraps up the season against Cedar Shoals on Nov. 20 in Gainesville.