Indians Beat Pickens 42-14, Advance in Playoffs

The Stephens County Indians are on to the second round of the state AAAA football playoffs.

In Friday’s first round, Stephens County rolled up over 500 yards of total offense on its way to a 42-14 win over Pickens on the road in Jasper.

Indians’ Head Coach Frank Barden said they are happy to still be playing this coming week.

“They have worked hard and we really played some good games this year,” said Barden. “We talked about dropping one to Elbert by two and in overtime to North Oconee.”

Barden said they knew they were a good football team and he is impressed with how the team bounced back from the game against Buford.

“To get back off the mat, that is life,” said Barden. “I am proud of them.”

Stephens County took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a Desmond Wheeler 1-yard touchdown run.

The Indians extended the lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter on a 13-yard touchdown run from Wheeler.

After Shannon Brooks scored on a 1-yard run to get Pickens on the board, Wheeler’s third touchdown run, another one-yard plunge, gave Stephens County a 21-7 lead.

The Indians pushed the lead to 28-7 at halftime when Jermaine Barnett scored on a 17-yard reverse.

In the third quarter, Tyreik Cunningham scored on a 28-yard run and Jai Brown added a 16-yard run to make it 42-7 in favor of Stephens County.

Pickens scored the final points on a Chris Pittman 10-yard run early in the final quarter.

Offensively, Stephens County ran for nearly 400 yards as a team, including about 200 yards from Desmond Wheeler and over 100 yards from quarterback Mason Long.

On defense, Micah Oglesby had an interception for the Indians, who also held Shannon Brooks, the state’s second leading rusher, to about 60 yards before he left with an injury.

With the win, Stephens County moves to 8-3 on the season, while Pickens ends its season at 8-3.

The Indians are back on the road next week in the second round, traveling to face West Laurens.

Other Region 8-AAAA teams advancing to the second round include Buford, who beat Southeast Whitfield 63-0, and North Oconee, who beat Gilmer 49-6. White County lost to Cartersville 54-0.

Elsewhere in the area, Franklin County’s season ended with a 38-7 loss to Jefferson, but Hart County advances in the AAA playoffs with a 42-14 win over East Hall.

VanMinos Insurance Agency Player of the Game: Desmond Wheeler
Hart EMC Lineman of the Game: Kenneth Brock
X-Factor Sub of the Game: Jackson Bell
First Baptist Church Spirit Award: Dante Thomas