FRIDAY NIGHT SCOREBOARD: Dublin hangs on to beat Bleckley, West Laurens shuts out SEB

Dublin was slightly stronger in an opening showdown of top-ranked region 2-AA heavyweights in Cochran, and West Laurens rolled past its first region challenger of 2026 on the winning side of a 2-for-4 night in Laurens County. On the flip, two touchdowns each weren’t enough for East Laurens or Trinity in games against longtime rivals that ultimately got away.

Here’s how each played out, and a look at your area-wide scoreboard from week 6 in the Heart of Georgia. Look for full coverage online and in print editions next week.

Dublin 27, Bleckley Co. 21

The Irish defense held on two fourth downs in their own red zone to seal the late advantage after going ahead on Jaydon McRae’s 12-yard run that initiated a third lead change of the night minutes into the fourth quarter. Turnovers, including a goal-to-go fumble and two others that Bleckley returned for defensive scores, plagued them the entire way there. But Dublin’s consistent ground attack, and an early second-half interception by JaKarian Jones, helped atone and keep the Irish in it. The teams traded fumbles early, a recovery in the end zone giving Bleckley the night’s first lead. Dublin quickly drove to even it up on a short sneak for a first of two rushing touchdowns by quarterback Ryland Yates. Another to convert a fourth down early in the second would give the Irish a 14-7 lead. But the last two scores of the half belonged to Bleckley on a run and a pick-six on the final play to make it 21-14 at halftime. Dublin evened it back up for good on an extended drive to start the third.

West Laurens 21, Southeast Bulloch 0

The Raiders’ long-awaited second win, following a two-game slide since their last, was nothing flashy. They didn’t score after a quick first half, in which four possessions yielded three touchdowns, but also never let Southeast Bulloch anywhere close to an answer. A Maxx Chafin sack on a fourth-and-five erased what was perhaps the Yellow Jackets’ best chance at a drive out of the gate after Eli Reed’s long opening kickoff return. Poor field position and consistent West Laurens run D had them punting on every other possession with the exception of one before halftime that reached plus territory, before stalling out on consecutive penalties in the final minute. Kaden Bloodsaw touchdown runs concluded opening drives of 56 and 78 yards to build the early lead, and Jaden Stanley took one 58 on a jet sweep to close out the scoring late in the second.

Gatewood 48, Trinity 13

Landon Moreno ran for 170 yards, and Bennett Haley, Brady Haley and Sean Bennett combined for five touchdowns to lead a ground attack that accumulated 302 of the Gators’ total 365. And that would be more than enough, though they scored through the air and via punt return to add to a hefty advantage. Trinity mustered only 163, with Tayt Evans (13 carries for 81 yards) and Sam Owens (six for 67) providing the lone scores in the first and fourth quarters. The Crusaders converted only one of 10 third downs.

Swainsboro 42, East Laurens 13

Major Floyd made a D1 play on a back-shoulder ball from Skyler Snead delivered from 29 yards out, and Aveone Wicker had a long catch-and-run for touchdowns to help the Falcons hold serve in a small score-fest that closed out the first half with some exciting back-and-forth action. Swainsboro took a minimal 19-13 lead into the half, but took the game out of East Laurens’ striking range quickly in the third quarter with the first three of an eventual four unanswered touchdowns to win it going away.

Other midstate finals…

Johnson Co. 61, Glascock Co. 22

Washington Co. 38, Westside Augusta 14

Montgomery Co. 35, Atkinson Co. 12

Telfair Co. Treutlen 23

Brentwood 42, Pinewood 22

Wilkinson Co. 57, Twiggs Co. 0

ACE Charter 17, Vidalia 7

Jeff Davis 29, Fitzgerald 20

Northeast Macon 31, Lamar Co. 8

Veterans 24, Northside 21

Toombs Co. 28, Pierce Co. 7

Jones Co. 17, Ola 14

Warner Robins 55, Eagles Landing 0

Peach Co. 62, Spalding 21

Social Circle 30, Jefferson Co. 14

Hawkinsville 21, Dooly Co. 6

Jenkins Co. 20, GMC 0

Baldwin 55, Westside Macon 21

Central Macon 23, Southwest Macon 12 (Thursday)