The White County High football team failed to overcome a Carver-Atlanta overtime touchdown, falling to the Panthers (11-0) 20-13 in the opening round of the Class AAA state playoffs Friday night in Atlanta.
"I’m just so proud of the kids," White County coach Gregg Segraves said. "We’re obviously upset about the loss, but it’s been a memorable season.
"The kids fought hard all season long, and it’s just been a great year."
Brandon Vaught scored the Warriors' first touchdown of the game on a 90-yard fumble recovery.
White County (7-4) added two first half field goals by Mike Tone, giving the Warriors a 13-0 lead at the half.
The Warriors defense failed to contain the Panthers’ offense, as they surrendered 20 unanswered points in the second half.
Habersham Central 24,
Marist 7
Habersham Central wide receiver Tavarres King broke his own school record of catches in a single game with 12 receptions for 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the first round of the Class AAAA state playoffs Friday night in Mount Airy.
Habersham Central plays host to Region 5-AAAA’s No. 4 seed Cherokee (8-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The Raiders (10-1) jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on a 30-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Bo Hatchett to University of Georgia recruit King.
Habersham Central extended its lead to 17-7 when Hatchett connected with King on a 4-yard touchdown reception. Hatchett finished the game 20 of 33 for 243 yards.
The Raiders sealed the victory with two minutes remaining on a 6-yard touchdown run by senior tailback Robert Renshaw. Renshaw finished the game with 62 yards on 12 carries.
Jefferson 24,
Bowdon 13
Tyler Hill scored on a 52-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter sealing the Dragons’ victory in the first round of the Class A playoffs Friday night in Jefferson. The Dragons will now visit Region 7-A’s No. 2 seed Warren County (9-2) at 7:30 p.m. next Friday.
The win marks the first time in four years that the Dragons (8-3) have advanced past the first round.
Trailing 7-6, Hill scored from the 26 for his second score of the game. Hill finished the game with 143 yards on 27 carries.
Jefferson extended its lead to 18-13 when senior Zack Crosby scored on an 8-yard touchdown run.
Dragons’ quarterback Josh Bohanan finished the game 9 of 15 for 119 yards and a touchdown.
Gordon Lee 16,
Commerce 14
Gordon Lee kicker Payden Harris hit a 31-yard field goal with no time on the clock to give Gordon Lee the victory in the opening round of the Class A playoffs Friday night in Chickamauga.
The loss marks the second time in three years that Commerce (6-5) has been eliminated in the first round.
With three seconds left in the game, the Tigers defense committed two costly penalties, advancing the Trojans (6-5) 30 yards, setting up Harris’ field goal attempt.
Cohen Cooke led the Tigers receivers with five catches for 60 yards, and Jon Cash added 54 yards rushing on 12 carries.
Jacob Groce scored first for Gordon Lee on a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the Trojans a 7-0 lead at halftime.
The Tigers took their opening possession on a 13-play, 80-yard drive as Commerce senior quarterback Reuben Haynes scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7.
Groce answered with his second rushing touchdown of the game, putting the Trojans ahead 13-7.
Haynes once again found the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the Tigers a one-point lead with four minutes remaining in the game. Haynes finished the game with 17 carries for 85 yards.