The Jaguars won 35-17 and could play at 1-seed Southern Durham in the next round. Southern hosts East Wake on Saturday.

Running back Kyree Green ran for two first-half touchdowns, and a strong defensive effort also propelled Athens to just its second playoff win in school history.

Person (6-6) managed just 86 yards in the first half as Athens force two key turnovers – interceptions by DeKendrick Smith and Tavon Littles – that halted threatening drives.

“I think we've got a lot of quickness on defense and that gave them a little bit of trouble at first, but that's how we play because we're not big at all,” Athens coach Jeff Smouse.

The Jags (9-3) got on the board first when Kelvin Mulebya blocked a Rocket punt out of the end zone for a safety with 1:14 left in the first quarter. Quarterback Ben Snotherly accounted for 351 yards of offense and threw touchdown passes to Kwamaine Jones and Louis Wilder.

While Jones was on the receiving end of a eight-yard jump ball, Wilder's score was a 61-yard catch-and-run that saw him out-jump one Rocket defender, juke another and fight the last one for the final five yards until he caught it.

The 6-3 Wilder ended the game with seven catches for 189 yards. Athens fullback Zach Bender also added a 1-yard rushing touchdown.

In last year's playoffs, Athens lost 8-7 at Southern Durham after the Spartans elected to go for two following a touchdown in the game's final two minutes. Smouse said no matter who the opponent is, his team will have to be prepared.

“We're going to approach that game just like we did this game and hopefully come out better, earlier,” Smouse said. “[Southern Durham] has the same style of play we do, they're just bigger than us.”