Indians Edge Warriors in Second-Half Comeback, 21-20

Stephens County pulls out another close win on the road in Region 8-AAAA football play.

The Indians recovered from a 14-0 halftime deficit and also from trailing 20-14 in the fourth quarter to beat the White County Warriors 21-20 Friday night in Cleveland.

In the first half, White County controlled play, getting a 3-yard touchdown run and a 65-yard punt return from Clancy Loudermilk to take a 14-0 lead into the half.

After halftime, Stephens County out-gained White County 279 yards to 35 as the Indian offensive line took control, gaining all of those yards on the ground.

Finally, with four minutes to go in the third quarter, A.J. Howard’s two-yard touchdown run cut the Indian deficit to 14-6.

Stephens County then tied it at 14 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter on Hassan Brown’s 22-yard touchdown run and corresponding two-point conversion pass from Dylan Murphy to A.J. Curry.

However, Loudermilk returned the ensuing kickoff 84 yards to give White County a 20-14 lead after the Warriors’ Bradley Hurst missed the extra point off the upright.

The Indians then went right back down the field and scored the tying touchdown on Howard’s second touchdown run, this time from four yards out and took the lead on Luke Pearson’s extra point.

Then, Hurst missed a 54-yard field goal in the closing minutes for White County and the Indians ran out the clock.

Both Brown and Howard went over 100 yards rushing on the night for Stephens County.

The Indians are now 5-1 on the season and 3-0 in region play. White County falls to 1-5 overall and 1-2 in the region.

Stephens County returns home Friday night to play Chestatee in another region match-up.

Player Awards
Stephens Co. Farm Bureau Player of the Game: Hassan Brown
Hart EMC Lineman of the Game: Isaiah Crawford
X-Factor Sub of the Game: Montavious Thornton
First Baptist Church Spirit Award: Chris Craft