Indians Season Ends in Second Round

The season comes to a close for the Stephens County Indian football team.

Friday night, the Indians lost in the second round of the AAA state playoffs to Wesleyan, 33-26 in Toccoa.

Stephens County got out to an early lead in an action-packed first half, using two Luke Waters field goals from 37 and 29 yards respectively to take a 6-0 lead.

After Wesleyan jumped to the lead with a long touchdown pass, the Indians retook the lead on a safety when Jakob Lunsford sacked the quarterback in the end zone.

Stephens County extended the lead to 15-7 on a Davon Swinton 96-yard interception return. A second touchdown pass for Wesleyan cut the Indians’ lead to two, but Luke Waters kicked his third field goal from 30 yards to make it 18-13 at halftime.

Wesleyan scored on a short touchdown run to open the third quarter, retaking the lead at 19-18 after the Indians intercepted the two-point conversion pass. The Wolves extended the lead to 26-18 on yet another long touchdown pass later in the third quarter.

After the defense got a stop, the Indians tied it early in the fourth quarter on a 72-yard touchdown pass from Tripp Underwood to Davon Swinton and a two-point conversion pass to Jasec Smith.

Wesleyan retook the lead on the very next possession, however, with a fourth touchdown pass for a 33-26 lead. From that point on, the Indian offense could not mount one more comeback and Wesleyan was able to run out the clock and take the win.

Stephens County ends the season with a 10-2 record and a Region 8-AAA championship, while Wesleyan moves to 9-3 and will play Calvary Day next week in the state quarterfinals.

Looking at other Region 8-AAA teams, Oconee County’s season ended with a 45-42 double overtime loss to Lumpkin County and Monroe Area beat Gilmer 42-24 to advance to the quarterfinals against Carver of Columbus.

In games involving other area teams, all in Class A Division 1, Elbertf County beat Trion 42-21 in overtime, Rabun County beat Whitefield Academy 42-14, and Commerce beat Dade County 34-14, moving all three teams into the quarterfinals next week, while Jefferson advanced in 5A with a 42-21 win over Hiram.

 

Stephens County Farm Bureau Player of the Game – Davon Swinton

First Baptist Church Spirit Award – Kamari McCarter

Firehouse Sub of the Game – Brock Tankersley

Hart EMC Lineman of the Game – Jacob Lunsford