Buford and Rabun County both advanced to the quarterfinals of the Georgia High School Association's state playoffs.
Buford's special teams put them up 10-0 early on and set the Wolves on the rout of Lovejoy, 44-7, in the Class 6A bracket on Friday at Tom Riden Stadium. The Wolves will travel to Lee County in Leesburg next week. The GHSA coin flip earlier this week, to determine the home time when both are the same seeding, fell in Lee County's favor. The Trojans rallied past Cambridge, 42-39, to advance. It'll be a rematch of last season's Class 6A title game.
Gunner Stockton had another big night, completed 22 of 24 passes for 468 yards and four touchdowns to lead Rabun County to a 56-7 blowout win over Jeff Davis at Frank Synder Stadium in Tiger. Jeff Davis had only given up 54 total points all season. The Wildcats, like Buford, were losers of the coin toss and will make the long road trip to Thomasville next week in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A playoffs.
In Class 4A, Flowery Branch's season came to an end at the hands of fifth-ranked Perry at Herb St. John Stadium in Perry. The Panthers converted three Branch turnovers into touchdowns to roll to a 42-7 win. The Falcons end the season for the third straight season in the second round.
In Class 3A, Cherokee Bluff saw its 13-0 lead quickly erased behind a gruesome Appling County rushing attack. Senior running back Taylen Crosby racked up 324 yards on 12 carries and four touchdowns to lead the Pirates to the come-from-behind win, 34-20. Dawson County's offense couldn't muster a touchdown against Class 3A defending champion Pierce County in a 49-0 rout in Blacksher.
And in the GAPPS state playoffs, Lanier Christian couldn't muster enjoy offense to get past Covenant Academy, losing 40-20.
2ND ROUND PLAYOFF SCOREBOARD, Friday, Nov. 19
Appling County 34, Cherokee Bluff 20
Buford 44, Lovejoy 7
Covenant Academy 40, LCA 20
Perry 42, Flowery Branch 7
Pierce County 49, Dawson County 0
Rabun County 56, Jeff Davis 7
QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, Nov. 26
CLASS 6A
Buford (R8, S1) at Lee County (R1, S1)
CLASS 2A
Rabun County R8, S1 at Thomasville (R1, S1)
