Indian Football Falls in 2nd Round

The Stephens County Indians’ football season comes to a close in the second round of the AAA state football playoffs.

Four touchdowns from Burke County running back Tiger Williams led the Bears into the state quarterfinals by a 41-24 score over the Indians.

Stephens County Head Coach Wesley Tankersley said it’s a tough loss, but the team played hard and battled throughout the game.

“These seniors mean a lot to me,” said Tankersley. “They are my first four-year group and they battled through adversity. They leave with memories from their second year and leaving the program better than they found it.”

Williams scored on the opening drive for Burke County on an 18-yard touchdown run to give the Bears a 7-0 lead. The Indians answered with a 26-yard field goal by Colton Bartmas.

In the second quarter, Williams’ second touchdown, a 15-yard run, gave the Bears a 13-3 lead. However, the Indians scored on a 37-yard touchdown run from Javin Gordon to cut it to 13-10. Then after Bryson Trimier intercepted a pass, Ben Stowe’s four-yard touchdown run gave the Indians a 17-13 lead.

Williams scored twice however in the final five minutes of the half to give the Bears a 27-17 lead at the break.

Jasec Smith’s interception set up an 11-yard touchdown pass from Ben Stowe to Ritt Tankersley to cut the Bears’ lead to 27-24 entering the fourth quarter, but the Bears scored twice in the final period to seal the win.

With the win, Burke County moves on to play Carver of Atlanta in the quarterfinals this coming week. The Indians end their season 8-4.

Elsewhere, Region 8-AAA was eliminated from the playoffs as Oconee County lost to Crisp County, 26-10 and Monroe Area lost to Peach County, 24-21.

In AA, Rabun County moves on to play Thomasville after beating Jeff Davis 56-7.

Player Awards

Stephens County Farm Bureau Player of the Game: Javin Gordon
Hart EMC Lineman of the Game: Cooper Dean
X-Factor Grill Sub of the Game: Aidan Butts
First Baptist Church Spirit Award: Devin Cobb