The Banks County High football team is one win away from its first state playoff appearance since 1997 after a 28-21 win against Dawson County on Friday night in Dawsonville. The Leopards (4-5, 3-1 Region 8B-AA) next face Washington-Wilkes at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a region play-in game.

The winner of that game secures a spot in the Class AA state playoffs.

On Friday, Justin Beasley led the Leopards with 37 carries for 181 yards. The Banks County tailback scored on touchdown runs of 7, 8 and 28 yards. Banks County’s Demetric Dempson, who rushed for 20 yards on four carries, scored the other touchdown run from 3 yards out.

Banks County quarterback Dustin Worley finished the game 3 of 5 passing for 64 yards and rushed for 30 yards on nine carries.

Cain Duncan led the Leopard defense with two interceptions.

Dawson County, which is Region 8B-AA’s No. 3 seed, also faces a play-in game next week. They will play the No. 2 seed from Region 6-AA for a playoff berth.