There are now clear-cut leaders in Regions 7-AAA and 8-AA, while two area teams from Region 8-AAAAA came up with clutch victories -- Lakeview Academy also made history on a huge night of prep football in Week 8 of the 2014 season.<br />
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There were plenty of thrilling finishes on Friday, but perhaps the most exciting game from start to finish happened in Blairsville, where Union County and Rabun County played out a Region 8-AA showdown that more than lived up to its billing. The Wildcats emerged victorious, 45-31 -- but only after a wild, back-and-forth shootout that saw Rabun pull away over the final six minutes. The outcome puts Rabun alone atop the 8-AA standings.<br />
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Meanwhile, West Hall is now alone at the front of 7-AAA after fighting past Franklin County 27-12 in Carnesville. The Spartans got 109 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Kwon Williams to help pull off the come-from-behind win -- which, combined with a Lumpkin County loss to Banks County -- leaves West Hall atop the region standings. Banks County came up with play after play to hand the Indians their first 7-AAA loss on Friday, 49-46. Fannin County also stayed in the playoff hunt with a 35-28 win over Dawson County.<br />
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In 8-AAAAA, Gainesville rebounded from a tough loss to Lanier to defeat Clarke Central 35-10 and keep hold of the No. 2 spot in the standings -- quarterback Mikey Gonzalez throwing for 304 yards and 4 TDs. Lanier also kept a firm grip of No. 1 in 8-AAAAA, hammering Heritage, Conyers 49-20. Also, Winder-Barrow held off Cedar Shoals at the death, denying a 2-point conversion attempt after a hail Mary pass from the Jaguars threatened to knot the score. The Bulldoggs held on 37-35, however, and are within touching distance of the postseason. Flowery Branch also notched a 52-28 defeat of Apalachee.<br />
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Winder held off a last-ditch comeback -- Lakeview, however, completed their own thrilling finish, scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter to nip Athens Academy 29-28. It was the Lions first ever win over Athens Academy.<br />
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In 8-AAAA, league leaders Buford, Stephens County and North Oconee rolled on toward their season-ending tilts, each notching victories on the road.<br />
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Region 6-AAAAAA also featured two razor-thin finishes -- North Forsyth edging Johns Creek 14-13 to claim its first victory of 2014, while Habersham Central so nearly broke its losing skid, falling to Centennial 42-39.<br />
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Elsewhere, Jefferson and Hart County continued on their end-of-season collision course, both winning handily in Region 8-AAA. Commerce also bounced back for a 49-10 rout of Providence Christian in 8-A play.<br />
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It was a huge night of games, and you can read about them on our <b><a href="http://www.accessnorthga.com/fridaygamenight">Friday Game Night</b> page by clicking here</a>. Inside you'll find in-depth game stories, video highlights and photos of all the action in Week 8.<br />
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<b>WEEK 8 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES, OCT. 17</b><br />
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Banks County 49, Lumpkin County 46<br />
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Buford 51, Monroe Area 12<br />
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Centennial 42, Habersham Central 39<br />
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Commerce 49, Providence Christian 10<br />
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East Hall 42, Johnson 23<br />
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Fannin County 35, Dawson County 28<br />
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Flowery Branch 52, Apalachee 28<br />
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Gainesville 35, Clarke Central 10<br />
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Hart County 43, Jackson County 7<br />
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Jefferson 63, East Jackson 0<br />
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Lakeview Academy 29, Athens Academy 28<br />
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Lanier 49, Heritage-Conyers 20<br />
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Madison County 49, North Hall 20<br />
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North Forsyth 14, Johns Creek 13<br />
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North Oconee 31, White County 6<br />
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Prince Avenue Christian 40, Towns County 7<br />
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Rabun County 45, Union County 31<br />
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Riverside Military Academy 21, Oglethorpe County 0<br />
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Stephens County 55, Chestatee 27<br />
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West Hall 27, Franklin County 12<br />
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Winder-Barrow 37, Cedar Shoals 35
