Stephens County Wins in Overtime on Homecoming

MJ Jones had 99 yds rushing on Friday night for the Stephens County Indians, but none more important than his touchdown run that proved to be the deciding points in the 26-19 overtime win over Cedar Shoals.

The Indians took the lead in the first quarter. After a Charles Cochran fumble recovery, the Indians went 64 yards on 5 plays and Cochran finished the drive with a two-yard run. The Extra point was no good.

Cedar Shoals followed with a 71 yard drive capped by a Kiyonnice Smith 22 yard pass to Jaiden Williams and the score at the half was 7-6 Cedar Shoals.

Cedar Shoals extended their lead in the third quarter on an Osiris Walker 22 yard run.

Stephens County pulled within one at 13-12 when Kenny Colwell hit Kamen Taylor for a 29 yard touchdown pass.

Cedar Shoals Devontaye Bankston’s 7 yard run put the Jaguars back up by 7, but Stephens County battled back to tie the score behind a huge punt return by KP Hayes to set up a first and goal and Colwell the short drive with a one yard sneak. The score at the end of regulation was 19-19.

In the overtime, the Indians received the ball first and rode the running of Jones capped by a 2 yard run to lead 26-19.

Cedar Shoals had a post play penalty after the touchdown which backed them up, and on the final play in overtime Stephens County’s Kamon Taylor intercepted Smith to seal the victory.

Stephens County Head Coach Wesley Tankersley said he was proud of the team’s grit “The resilience is great, the fight is great”; “We have to cut down on the mental mistakes, and it may be that we are playing some guys both ways and they are getting tired. We can work on conditioning some the next two weeks to get ready for the Region.”

Cedar Shoals had 354 yards of total offense, but turned the ball over three times and had 12 penalties for 115 yards. Devontaye Bankston rushed for 124 yds to lead the Jaguars. The Jaguars are now 3-2.

The win moves the Indians to 4-2 on the season and they will have two weeks off before returning to action in their Region opener when they host Oconee County.

It was Homecoming at The Reservation and crowned Stephens County Homecoming Queen was Kaiya Martin, daughter of Adrienne Jones and Gilbert Martin.

Stephens County Farm Bureau Player of the Game:MJ Jones
Hart EMC Lineman of the Game: Brandon McCurley
X-Factor Sub of the Game: William Rudeseal
First Baptist Church Spirit Award: William Hulsey