Marist School, Atlanta, was held scoreless for three quarters by Dacula High School, but two fourth-quarter touchdowns were just enough to pull out a 14-7 second-round playoff game. With 9:31 left in the final quarter, senior fullback Preston Lyons ran 55 yards for the first score. Lyons finished the game with 141 yards rushing on 16 carries. Senior quarterback Gary Marshall capped off a 10-play, 59-yard drive, with a two-yard run in the last 40 seconds of the game to seal the victory. Marist (11-1) will host Creekside High School (12-0), Fairburn, in the quarterfinals of the playoffs Friday, Dec. 1.

St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, also moved on to the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs with a 20-18 win over Pebblebrook High School of Mableton. St. Pius had to come from behind and the defense had to step up big to ensure a victory. Sophomore linebacker Jonathan Tinsley led the defense with 22 tackles; however, the game’s decisive moment took place during a fourth-quarter blocked punt in Pebblebrook territory by senior defensive back Joey Flint. The play was followed up by senior running back Tyler Fish’s touchdown run for the go-ahead score. St. Pius (10-2) will travel to Thomasville Friday, Dec. 1, to take on Thomas County Central High School (9-3).