STATE PLAYOFFS: Four area teams break through to quarterfinals

There's something special about practicing through the Thanksgiving holiday -- and four area football teams will do just that this week after winning through to the state quarterfinals.<br /> <br /> Buford, Commerce, Gainesville and Jefferson each came up with winning formulas -- three of them in dominating fashion -- to claim postseason victories on Friday night.<br /> <br /> The Wolves will make their 15th straight quarterfinal appearance, the Red Elephants their fourth and the Dragons their third, while the Tigers will mark their first quarterfinal berth since 2006.<br /> <br /> Gainesville (10-2) produced the game of the night amongst area squads, rolling its way to 546 yards of offense to fend off Harris County, 49-40 in Class AAAAA. It was the Red Elephants' second playoff win over the Tigers in three years, both on the road in Hamilton. Gainesville did most of its damage through the air, passing for 416 yards -- including 355 yards and 5 TDs for Mikey Gonzalez, while Messiah Dorsey also completed his one pass for 61 yards and a score. Gainesville will travel to face Allatoona next Friday.<br /> <br /> In Class AAA, Jefferson saw Dodge County's gameplan and raised it. The Dragons (12-0) rushed for 238 yards and allowed just 111 yards from the ground-and-pound Indians en route to a 27-7 win in Jefferson. Sammy Williams provided much of the spark, scoring three touchdowns and rushed for 147 yards, while Evan Shirreffs also passed for 234 yards. The Dragons coordinated an early coin flip to earn homefield advantage again in the quarterfinals, where they will play Blessed Trinity.<br /> <br /> Buford also moved to 12-0 in Class AAAA en route to a 35-14 win over Mary Persons at home. The Wolves rode some early emotion to take a 28-7 lead at halftime. The Wolves didn't even have to worry about a coin flip, as Marist knocked off Griffin in their second round game to give Buford the homefield for the third round.<br /> <br /> And in Class A public, Commerce rolled to its first postseason victory since 2009, crushing Clinch County 37-7. The Tigers (9-2) will also get another home game, playing host to Calhoun County next week.<br /> <br /> Rabun County and Stephens County fell in their respective second round contests, each despite holding early leads.<br /> <br /> Check our <b><a href="http://www.accessnorthga.com/fridaygamenight">Friday Game Night page</a></b> for in-depth game stories, video highlights and state scores from this week's contests.<br /> <br /> <b>FRIDAY'S STATE PLAYOFF FINALS:</b><br /> Benedictine 42, Rabun County 9<br /> <br /> Buford 35, Mary Persons 14<br /> <br /> Commerce 37, Clinch County 7<br /> <br /> Gainesville 49, Harris County 40<br /> <br /> Jefferson 27, Dodge County 7<br /> <br /> West Laurens 30, Stephens County 14