Weekend Roundup: East Blasts Way into Playoffs

East Paulding 42, Villa Rica 3 – poured on the points Friday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, as the Raiders advanced to the state playoffs with a win in their play-in game over Villa Rica.

Running back Kamani Thomas scored three touchdowns to pace the raiders who will face Southwest Dekalb at home Friday in the first round of the playoffs.

Hiram 23, Paulding County 0 – For the second time this season, defeated . Friday’s score was a shutout, 23-0, after the Hornets won 32-6 on Sept. 9.

With the win, Hiram finished the season with a 4-6 record. Paulding County ended with a 2-8 record. Both teams were 1-5 in region play.

North Paulding 21, Douglas County 19 – scored first Friday, according to the Douglas County Sentinel, and its defense held on the final drive of the game to narrowly edge the Tigers by two points.

North Paulding was up 15-0 late in the second quarter before Elliott Thompson caught a touchdown pass in the waning moments of the half to give Douglas County momentum.

The Tigers scored in the fourth quarter to bring the game to within two points, but a failed two-point conversion ended hope for Douglas County.

Kell 55, South Paulding 21 – clinched its fourth-straight playoff berth Friday, according to the Marietta Daily Journal, by scoring early and often on .

The Longhorns had a 49-0 lead at halftime and outgained South Paulding 418-256 to rout the Spartans. Quarterback Clay Dodson threw for 192 yards and four touchdowns for Kell, who will play at Marist next Friday.

South Paulding scored 21 points in the second half to attempt a comeback, but the deficit was insurmountable.