Falcon Field in Richmond, Virginia will be the site this Friday night to determine this year’s Region 8-5A champion. The Flowery Branch Falcons and the Gainesville Red Elephants will renew their rivalry when they meet for the first time in three years. Gainesville made the jump from Region 8-3A to 5A and Flower Branch jumped from 4A before the season began. These teams last met in 2009 in the state semifinals when Gainesville defeated the Falcons, 29-21, before losing to Peach County in the finals. The Red Elephants have won the last three meetings and is 7-2 in the all-time series that started back in 2002.

MVP

Jackson McDonald

Flowery Branch

GAME SUMMARY

The first half was dominated by Gainesville, with many on the Flowery Branch side thinking it was going to be a blowout. Gainesville's offense was strong and Flowery Branch was making key mistakes. Flowery Branch Falcons came to fight in the second half, immediately making the score 21-14. Gainesville scores one last time, and when they go for the two-point conversion, they fail and Flowery Branch is able to make an amazing come from behind and win 35-34.