SCHS Falls to Buford; Will Head On Road For Opening Playoff Game

The Indian football team will head on the road for the first round of the state AAAA football playoffs next week.

Stephens County lost its final regular season game at home Friday to Buford by a final score of 56-0.

Indians’ Head Coach Frank Barden said that the team must turn its attention to the playoffs after a tough loss.

“It is what it is right now,” said Barden. “The new season starts. Everybody is 0-0. You have to put this one behind you. You have to put this one past you. You have to go to work Monday, try to play one week at a time and see how far we can go.”

Stephens County fumbled on its first three possessions and Buford scored on each of them to take an early 21-0 lead they would not relinquish.

For the game, Luke Humphrey threw three touchdown passes for Buford, while Joshua Thomas, Martin Mangram, and Anthony Grant added touchdown runs, Xavier Gantt returned a kick-off for a touchdown, and the Buford defense returned a fumble for a score.

The Indians did get four catches from Isaiah Mighell and Tyreik Cunningham led Stephens County in rushing for the game.

Defensively, Gary Walker recovered a Buford fumble for Stephens County.

The loss drops the Indians to 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the region.

Meanwhile, Buford finishes the regular season as the undefeated Region 8-AAAA champions.

Both teams are headed to the playoffs.

Stephens County will travel to face Pickens, the second place team from Region 7-AAAA, while Buford will host the fourth place team from Region 7-AAAA.

North Oconee and White County are the other two playoff teams from Region 8-AAAA.

White County clinched a spot Friday with a 40-14 win over North Hall. In other region action, Monroe Area beat Chestatee 41-28 and North Oconee beat Madison County 24-0.

Elsewhere in the area, Franklin County earned a playoff spot with a 21-14 win over Fannin County, Hart County lost to Jefferson 21-14, and Habersham Central lost to Chattahoochee 35-28.

VanMinos Insurance Agency Player of the Game: Tyreik Cunningham
Hart EMC Lineman of the Game: Graham Ferreira
X-Factor Sub of the Game: Hassan Brown
First Baptist Church Spirit Award: Scout Team Offense