Indians Drop Region Football Opener
Stephens County drops their region opener in football.
On the road Friday night, the Indians fell behind in the first half and were unable to mount a comeback, falling to Monroe Area, 41-21.
The game started well for Stephens County as Javian Hightower blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown to give the Indians a 7-0 lead.
However, the Purple Hurricanes tied it quickly on a 19-yard touchdown run by quarterback Selatian Straughter.
Then, backup quarterback Jeremiah Anderson came in and threw a pair of touchdown passes to Bryant Olson to give Monroe Area a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter. A third touchdown pass from Anderson to Alan Jones made it 28-7 in the second quarter.
The Indians cut into the lead before halftime on a 73-yard touchdown pass from Ben Stowe to Gamarion Carter to make it 28-14, Purple Hurricanes at the intermission.
However, Monroe Area’s Mason Byron intercepted an Indian pass and returned it for a score early in the third quarter to make it 34-14.
The Indians were able to return the favor later in the quarter as Bryson Trimier picked off the Purple Hurricanes and returned it for a score to cut the lead to 34-21, but Stephens County got no closer and a Byron touchdown run ended the scoring.
The win moves Monroe Area to 5-1 on the season and 1-0 in region play. The Indians saw their four-game winning streak snapped, falling to 4-2 overall and 0-1 in the region.
Stephens County returns to action Friday night at Franklin County. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. with airtime Friday on WNEG at 6:30 p.m.
In other action Friday:
- Hart County beat Franklin County 36-21
- Oconee County beat East Jackson 36-14
- Habersham Central lost to Buford 44-7
- Rabun County beat Pope 63-17
- White County lost to North Hall in overtime, 34-31
Player Awards
- Stephens County Farm Bureau Player of the Game: Javian Hightower
- Hart EMC Lineman of the Game: DJ Hampton
- X-Factor Sub of the Game: Ritt Tankersley
- First Baptist Church Spirit Award: Mardy Lanier