The Chestatee High football team rebounded from its Week 8 loss to White County and defeated Gilmer 33-25 Friday night in Elijay.
War Eagles’ (6-2, 2-1 Region 7A-AAA) running back Jo Jo Sweet led the Chestatee offense with 152 yards rushing on 27 carries and four touchdowns.
Freshman Scott Chewning, who made his first career varsity start in place of the injured Ethan Souther, connected with Justin Byers on a 38-yard touchdown pass in the first half, giving the War Eagles an early 13-0 lead. Byers finished the game with two catches for 55 yards.
Spencer Gruenenfelder added five receptions for 51 yards and sophomore tailback Ben Souther had seven rushes for 71 yards.
Chestatee visits Lumpkin County at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Habersham Central 35,
Loganville 13
Habersham Central quarterback Bo Hatchett connected with University of Georgia recruit Tavarres King on a 24-yard touchdown pass on the Raiders’ (7-1, 5-0 Region 8-AAAA) first drive of the game Friday night in Loganville. Hatchett, who set a school record with five touchdown passes in the first half, then threw touchdown passes of 21, 7, 2 and 11 yards.
With the win, the Raiders clinch the subregion championship.
Habersham Central visits Jackson County at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Athens Academy 27,
Commerce 24
Commerce senior quarterback Reuben Haynes scored on a 1-yard run to give the Tigers an early 7-0 lead Friday night in Commerce. Haynes then added a touchdown run of 10 yards and a 7-yard touchdown pass to give the Tigers a 21-13 lead entering halftime.
With the game tied at 21-21 in overtime and the Tigers facing a fourth down, Commerce kicker Cameron Billings hit a 28-yard field goal, giving the Tigers (6-3, 2-1 Region 8-A) a 24-21 lead. But the Commerce defense failed to contain Athens Academy’s running back, and the Spartans scored on a 3-yard run to win the game.
Commerce visits Jefferson at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Fannin County 42,
Banks County 28
Banks County receiver Kane Duncan hauled in a 17-yard touchdown pass from Dustin Worley on the Leopards’ (3-5, 2-1 Region 8B-AA) first possession of the game Friday night in Homer. Worley also scored on runs of 4 and 30 yards.
Leopards’ tailback Justin Beasley led the Banks County backfield with 23 carries for 216 yards and a touchdown.
Banks County visits Dawson County at 7:30 p.m. Friday.