Indians Lose 28-7 to Athens Academy in Football

Stephens County drops its football home opener.

The Indians fell 28-7 on Friday night at the Reservation to defending Class A private runner-up Athens Academy.

“I don’t care what classification you are, if you played for a state title last year and have a lot of guys coming back, you’re probably pretty good,” said Head Coach Wesley Tankersley. “We knew that coming in that they had a solid football team. We thought we could hang with it and I thought we did for the most part. We gave up a couple plays in the first half and could not get the momentum back after that. We just have to regroup and get ready for next week.”

The two teams played to a scoreless first quarter.

Athens Academy got on the board twice in the second quarter thanks to two Palmer Bush touchdown passes, a 51-yarder to Hugh Laughlin and a 42-yarder to Deion Colzie, and the Spartans led at the half, 14-0.

In the third quarter, a short touchdown run from Palmer Bush and a 4-yard touchdown run from Payton Bowles made it 28-0, Athens Academy.

The Indians got on the board in the final two minutes when MJ Jones intercepted a Spartan pass and returned it for a touchdown.

With the win, Athens Academy moves to 2-0 on the season. Meanwhile, the Indians fall to 2-1 with the loss.

Next week, Stephens County returns to the road to visit Rabun County in Tiger. Meanwhile, Athens Academy will visit Cherokee Bluff.

 

Stephens County Farm Bureau Player of the Game: Bryson Kent

Hart EMC Lineman of the Game: Daniel Brock

X-Factor Grill Sub of the Game: Colley Glenn

First Baptist Church Spirit Award: MJ Jones