Indian Football Opens Season With Win
A strong second half propels the Indians to a season-opening win.
Trailing 20-14 at the half, Stephens County scores 20 unanswered points after halftime to defeat the White County Warriors at the Reservation, 34-20.
“I knew we would have the advantage in the third and fourth quarter if we kept the game close and weathered some storms,” said Indians’ Head Coach Wesley Tankersley. “The kids responded and kept the faith.”
White County got on the board first thanks to a Colton Turner interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter. However, the Indians tied it at 7 when Armand Cunningham scored on a nine-yard touchdown run.
The Warriors’ Darius Cannon returned the next kickoff 95 yards to put White County back on top, but Cam Lacy’s matching 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown put the Indians up, 14-13.
White County took the lead at the half when Cannon caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Billy Carder.
In the second half, Ben Stowe put the Indians in the lead for good with a five-yard touchdown run. Stowe extended the lead later in the third quarter when he found Corey Richie for a 17-yard touchdown pass.
T.J. Everett ended the scoring for Stephens County with a 51-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Stephens County’s defense also played well, getting two fourth-down stops, along with a Corey Richie interception.
With the win, Stephens County moves to 1-0 on the season, while White County falls to 0-1.
The Indians head on the road Friday night to visit North Hall. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m. with coverage on WNEG and wnegradio.com starting at 6:30 p.m. with the Indian Road Show.
In other action involving area teams …
- Franklin County beat Lumpkin County 20-6
- Habersham Central lost to Madison County 28-25
- Hart County beat Elbert County 54-21
- Rabun County lost to Jefferson 22-13
- Oconee County beat North Oconee 35-28
Week 1 WNEG Player Awards
First Baptist Church Spirit Award – Corey Richie
X-Factor Sub of the Game – Jasec Smith
Hart EMC Lineman of the Game – Quanah Martin
Stephens County Farm Bureau Player of the Game – T.J. Everett