GHS, Branch rematch to play out live

Turns out that first game didn't mean so much after all.

True, Gainesville claimed its second straight Region 7-AAA title when the Red Elephants defeated Flowery Branch 49-17 on Nov. 6 to end the regular season. But since both teams were already qualified for the postseason it now seems that was just the appetizer.

The full seven-course meal comes this Friday night when the two teams battle it out for the right to play for the Class AAA title.

The Red Elephants (13-0) will play host to the Falcons (10-3) in a game broadcast live on WDUN Newstalk 550 and on 1240-AM ESPN Radio.

Flowery Branch is coming off a 35-33 upset of Carver, Columbus, while Gainesville vanquished defending Class AAA champs Cairo 32-19.

Meanwhile, Buford will be playing for a spot in the Class AA title game when the Wolves (12-1) travel to face Fitzgerald (13-0) on Friday night.

Buford, which defeated Cook 26-0 in the quarterfinals, is just two wins removed from its third straight state championship -- a feat the Wolves also accomplished 2001-03 -- but knows it faces a tough task against a Purple Hurricanes team that has dominated all season.

The Wolves defeated Fitzgerald 44-21 at this same stage last year at Tom Riden Stadium in Buford.

The Purple Hurricanes won’t be the only team looking for a little payback on Friday, as Flowery Branch hopes it can both knock off Gainesville and reach the state championship for the second straight campaign.

The Falcons won their seventh straight road playoff game last week, pulling off a second-half comeback that saw them trailing 33-21 before scoring, gathering an onside kick and then scoring again with under a minute remaining.

Yet the road warriors face a team that excels at defending its turf and hasn’t lost at Bobby Gruhn Field since 2007 -- a span of 16 games. Yet the last team to get the better of the Red Elephants at City Park was, in fact, Flowery Branch 49-38 on Oct. 12, 2007.

Gainesville is looking for its sixth Georgia High School Association title game and first since 1982 (the other appearances came in 1960, ’68, ’69 and ’72). The Red Elephants clinched their first semifinal appearance since 2002 -- coach Bruce Miller’s first in charge -- last week.

Gainesville possesses Class AAA’s top scoring defense and offense, while the Falcons are second in scoring offense.

If you’re planning on going, you might want to start camping out at now City Park for seats (only kidding, slightly).


-- AREA FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINALS:

Flowery Branch at Gainesville -- Radio: AM-550, 1240-AM

Buford at Fitzgerald