After an offseason that brought plenty of change, from reclassification to key transfers around the state to the loss of dozens of Georgia High School Association members, the regular season of the 2022 season is finally in the books after a thrilling Friday night of action.
No game on the docket was as big as Buford taking on Thompson from Alabaster, Alabama, in a meeting of defending state title winners and nationally-ranked programs.
After a slow start that saw just one touchdown on the scoreboard, the Wolves dominated in the second half for a 38-7 win over the Warriors in the Freedom Bowl played at Milton High School. Buford newcomer Justin Haynes, an Alabama-commit, rushed 17 times for 93 yards but had a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
If not for the Buford-Thompson showdown, the Gainesville-Marist battle in Atlanta probably would have taken top billing. No team has generated as much excitement and hype as the Red Elephants during the offseason after bringing in former Hoover, Ala., coach Josh Niblett.
The Red Elephants jumped out to a big lead against the perennial powerhouse War Eagles and held on late in a 34-23 win on the road.
Banks County knocked off Johnson, 41-20, in Homer.
The annual border battle between White County and North Hall has been one of the area’s longest-running and most exciting rivalries. Both teams came in sporting new head coaches.
But an inexperienced Trojans squad is still breaking in a new offensive system, and an experienced Warriors group took advantage with a 35-14 win in Cleveland to bring the overall series to an even 25-25 split in its history.
Jefferson, also sporting a new head coach in Travis Noland, fell in the final minutes to Class 6A Alpharetta on the road, 47-46.
Rabun County, also with a new head coach in Michael Davis, picked up where it left off last season, getting an offensive explosion behind new quarterback Keegan Stover in a 49-3 rout of Haralson County in Tallapoosa.
Habersham Central came into its annual showdown with arch-rival Stephens County looking to snap a 10-game losing streak in Toccoa going back to 1993. The Raiders pushed the Indians to the limit but dropped a tough 14-3 decision.
AUGUST 19 SCORES
Alpharetta 47, Jefferson 46
Buford 38, Thompson, Ala 17
Commerce 21. Southside Christian 17
Dawson County 28, Jackson County 21
Gainesville 34, Marist 23
Hayesville, N.C. 13, Towns County 12
Hebron Christian Academy 63, Chestatee 13
Lakeview Academy 35, Kings Ridge 28
Lumpkin County 61, Riverside Military 7
Oglethorpe County 16, East Jackson 7
Rabun County 49, Haralson County 3
Stephens County 14, Habersham Central 3
Union County 14, Fannin County 7
White County 35, North Hall 14
