Stephens County Advances in State with 2nd Half Comeback
The Stephens County Indians trailed Crisp County 21-0 at the half but outscored the Cougars 24-0 in the 2nd half to win 24-21 in the opening round of the AA state playoffs.
Down 21-0 at halftime, the Indians turned the ball over on an interception on the opening drive of the 2nd half, but the Indians defense got a big 4th down stop, and the offense got going on a Branson Stowe to Da’Von Swinton 14-yard touchdown pass.
The Indians followed the touchdown with an onside kick, a Stowe to Swinton pass down to the 14-yard line, and Dallas Hague’s 6-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 21-14 heading to the 4th quarter.
Stephens County’s outstanding kicker Luke Waters pulled the Indians closer on a 46-yard field goal in the 4th to pull the Indians within four.
Isiah Patterson got a huge interception late in the game, and facing a 4th down and 20 yards to go for a first, Indians receiver Duke Collins made a season saving catch followed by a Hague 2-yard touchdown run for the go ahead score with less than a minute to play.
WNEG’s Ken Brady and Buzz Tatham had the call on the final play of the game.
Stephens County Head Coach Thomas Flowers was extremely proud of his team.
Flowers said there is one word to describe this team.
Crisp County’s season ends at 4-7. Stephens County improves to 6-5 and will travel to Carver- Columbus next Friday night. Carver was a 56-0 winner over Redan.
Other area scores included: Callaway over Franklin County 25-15, Appling County over Hart County 31-20, Columbia over East Jackson 32-18, Habersham Central lost to Statesboro 36-28, Rabun County defeated Dodge County 56-21, and Elbert County defeated Olgethorpe County 24-7.
Stephens Co. Farm Bureau Player of the Game…Da’Von Swinton
Hart EMC Lineman of the Game…Conner Holtzclaw
Chick-fil-a Sub of the Game…Malachi Williamson
First Baptist Church Spirit Award…Dalton Cook