Indians Edged By Hebron Christian, 25-21
The Stephens County Indian football team ends the regular season with a loss.
Over 200 yards rushing and three touchdown runs from quarterback Gavin Hall propelled Hebron Christian to a 25-21 win over Stephens County in the regular season finale in Toccoa Friday night.
Indians’ Head Coach Wesley Tankersley said it is a tough, disappointing loss.
“We did not do a great job up front on either side like we had been,” said Tankersley. “We did not play our best tonight and did not have some breaks go our way. The kids kept battling. We are still the region champs and have a ton to play for. We just have to regroup and get ready for the next game.”
Hebron Christian jumped out on top in the first quarter, taking a 6-0 lead on a 17-yard touchdown run by quarterback Gavin Hall.
Stephens County took its first lead on the opening play of the second quarter courtesy of a 3-yard touchdown run by Tyson Everett to make it 7-6, Indians.
Hall answered to give the lead back to Hebron on a 72-yard touchdown run, but the Indians stopped the two-point conversion, making it 12-7, Lions. However, the Indians took a 14-12 lead into halftime after scoring on an 87-yard touchdown pass from Ben Stowe to Cam Lacy.
Stephens County extended its lead in the third quarter to 21-12 on a 55-yard punt return touchdown by Lacy. However, Hebron Christian cut it to 21-19 entering the final period after a 29-yard touchdown pass.
Then in the fourth quarter, Hebron Christian scored the winning touchdown with a 47-yard touchdown run by Hall in the early part of the quarter, with their defense doing the rest.
Stephens County falls to 8-2 with the loss, but remains region champions and top seed from the region with a 4-1 record. The win moves Hebron Christian to 8-2 overall and 3-2 in the region, and the Lions will enter the playoffs.
Elsewhere, Hart County saw its season end with a 49-14 loss to Monroe Area and Franklin County’s season with a 49-0 loss to Oconee County. Meanwhile, Habersham Central ended its season with a 42-9 loss to Shiloh.
Stephens County will host Wesleyan in the first round of the AAA State Playoffs this Saturday at 4 P.M.
WNEG will air the Indians Tailgate Show at 2 P.M., Coach’s Corner at 3:30 P.M. and kickoff at 4 P.M.
Other state playoff games involving Region-8 AAA teams include Hebron Christian hosting Pickens just after noon on Saturday, Oconee County at Lumpkin County at 1 P.M., and Monroe Area at Dawson County at 7:30 P.M. In the Class A Division 1 Playoffs on Friday night Rabun County will host Dade County, Elbert County will host Pepperell, and Commerce travels to Trion.
Player Awards
Georgia Farm Bureau Player of the Game – Ritt Tankersley
Hart EMC Lineman of the Game – Nathan Walker
Highway 17 Diner Sub of the Game – Devin Cobb
First Baptist Church Spirit Award – Davon Swinton