RABBITTOWN, Ga. — Cherokee Bluff rebounded from a tough 1-0 loss to Johnson on Friday with a nail-biting win of its own on Tuesday.
Jack Wayne scored with just 53 seconds left in the match to give the Bears a thrilling 1-0 win over fourth-ranked East Hall at East Hall Stadium.
It was a huge match for both teams, who were part of seven teams battling for three playoff spots.
The win for the Bluff (10-5-1, 6-3 Region 8-4A) had major implications in the region standings. The loss for East Hall (9-4, 4-4 Region 8-4A) secured a No. 2 seed for East Forsyth (9-4, 7-3-3 Region 8-4A) and eliminated the Vikings, an Elite 8 team in 2023, from the playoffs.
The Bears, who are now battling, will close out their region schedule on Thursday against North Oconee (3-8-2, 2-6 Region 8-4A) at home.
East Hall next plays host to No. 1-ranked Johnson on Friday.
GAINESVILLE 3,
LANIER 1
The Red Elephants scored two second-half goals to break a tie at halftime and take a Region 8-6A win on the road.
The victory was Gainesville's fourth straight (7-7, 6-4 Region 8-6A) and avenged a loss to the Longhorns (4-9-1, 4-6 Region 8-6A) earlier in the season. The win also secured the Red Elephants a playoff spot.
Henry Bonilla scored a penalty kick goal to get Gainesville on the board, but Lanier answered to tie the match before halftime.
The second half was all Red Elephants. Daniel Galaviz and Gabriel Ixcoy Calel both found the back of the net, and Kevin Manzo dished out two assists.
JOHNSON 6,
WALNUT GROVE 2
The Class 4A No. 1-ranked Knights extended their region streak to 62 straight with a road win on Tuesday.
Junior Castillo had a huge night, recording a hat trick and adding two assists. Edgar Vazquez, Jalil Chávez, and Jordy Acosta each had one goal for Johnson (10-1-1, 9-0 Region 8-4A).
The Knights will close out their region schedule on Friday, traveling to take on East Hall.
LAKEVIEW 4,
GEORGE WALTON 3
The Lions (4-4-1, 2-0 GIAA) knocked off George Walton on the road Wednesday to improve to 2-0 in region play.
Mario Fernandez led Lakeview with two goals. Jack Bornhorst had one goal and one assist. 8th grader Dante Bulos had an assist. Lakeview outshot George Walton 16-10.
William Harrison recorded the win in goal with seven saves.
