It wasn’t the result the Habersham Raiders wanted Friday night in Week 4, with their archrivals Stephens County coming out on top 27-7.
In a game where the Habersham defense couldn’t contain a powerful running attack, the offense also bogged down as it played once again without star running back Michael Babers, who was on track originally to play in the rivalry game.
The Raiders looked to score on their opening drive, but were turned away at the goal line on a 4th-and-goal effort. The Indians subsequently scored late in the quarter, and would never relinquish the lead. Stephens County led 21-0 at the break and were up 27-0 before the Raiders scored late in the fourth.
Junior Hassan Brown notched a 15-yard touchdown run in the first, while junior AJ Howard had two second quarter touchdowns, including one just before the half that featured eight or nine missed tackles by Habersham. Junior quarterback Jackson Bell didn’t need to do much for the Indians but hand the ball off, as the running game netted 321 yards of the 394 offensive yards.
Brown added his second score late in the third. The Raiders finally got on the board with a late touchdown when senior quarterback Cole Wilbanks found Trey Hurt for a 12-yard strike.
Howard tallied a game-high 151 rushing yards, while Brown added 122. Both had two touchdowns. Wilbanks passed for 168 yards and a touchdown, with Hurt being his primary target (five catches, 84 yards). Aaron Galloway led the Raiders rushing attack with 73 yards of the team 88.
The Indians were plagued by 16 penalties for 123 yards, but still found a way to keep the chains moving with 19 first downs and 2-for-3 on fourth down conversions.
The loss marked the 12th straight in the series for Habersham Central, giving Stephens County the 28-11-1 all-time advantage. The Raiders have not won the matchup since 1996.
WEEK 4 FINALS
Stephens Co 27, Habersham Central 7
White Co 24, #9 North Hall 23 (OT)
West Hall 30, #7 Dawson Co 23 (2 OT)
Chestatee 38, Lumpkin Co 33
Union Co 42, Banks Co 28
Towns Co 13, Riverside 7 (2 OT)
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#9 Jefferson 33, Flowery Branch 0
East Hall 38, Jackson Co 22
#1 Buford 38, Jefferson Davis 30
