Indians Open Playoffs Today

Stephens County opens play in the first round of the AAAA state football playoffs tonight.

The Indians host Heritage of Catoosa in a first-round game this evening at the Reservation in Toccoa.

Stephens County enters the game as the second-seeded team out of Region 8-AAAA with a record of 8-2.

Last week, the Indians beat North Oconee at home, 35-14, to end the regular season.

Meanwhile, Heritage of Catoosa, known as the Generals, are out of Ringgold.

They are the third seed out of Region 6-AAAA and enter the game with a record of 7-3.

Last week, Heritage earned the third seed by virtue of a 48-35 win over Pickens County.

This marks the first time Heritage of Catoosa has ever made the state playoffs, having started varsity play in 2008.

Stephens County Defensive Coordinator Rob Stowe said tonight provides an opportunity for Stephens County to make a statement.

“We just have to be ready to play one of our best games of the year,” said Stowe. “It is a big game. Stephens County has not pushed past eight wins in a long while and we talked a lot this week, Coach Barden has stressed this week, that Stephens County has always been a good team, but we want to be an elite team and this is the first step to get to nine wins by maybe getting a win.”

Kick-off from the Reservation in Toccoa is set for 7:30 p.m. tonight.

All tickets are $8 and only Georgia High School Association passes will be accepted.

Coverage of tonight’s game starts at 5:30 p.m. on the new 93.1 FM and AM 630 WNEG with the Indian Tailgate Show.

Coach’s Corner starts at 7 p.m. and pre-game coverage from the Reservation starts at 7:15 p.m.

In other AAAA playoff action tonight involving 8-AAAA teams, Jefferson hosts Pickens, Oconee County travels to Northwest Whitfield and St. Pius visits Ridgeland.

Elsewhere, Franklin County will open the AAA playoffs at home against Sonoraville.