The Habersham Central High Raiders did it! They finally won a nail-biter instead of falling on the wrong side of it. Habersham put its first ‘W’ on the season with a win Friday night against the Madison County Red Raiders at Danielsville.
Habersham forced a 21-21 tie in the final seconds of the first half when quarterback Tre’ Luttrell connected with Tarin Westbrook in the end zone. They came back from the half to take a lead, only to see Madison take it back.
The see-saw battle continued but Habersham Central managed a late rally. Central held off Madison to claim the non-conference game, 42-35. It was a HUGE win and sweet redemption for the team after losing a heartbreaker in Week 0 to Dawson County.
“All glory to God, first off and then, I’m just proud of how we competed for four quarters this time,” said HCHS quarterback Tre’ Luttrell after the game. “Defense was backed up late in the last minute of the game and we just fought…and we won. I’m just proud of my brothers and how we fought.”
“We’ve played in so many games like that, so, it wasn’t anything new,” said HCHS head coach Benji Harrison. What is new is walking away with the win.
Hab Central had the unwanted title of “unluckiest team” in the state last year after going just 2-8, but losing six of those games by a combined 18 points. If there was a heartbreaking way to lose last year, the Raiders suffered it. This was an 8-2 team that just couldn’t buy a break.
They got that break Friday night in Danielsville. Harrison called the win against Madison County a “shot in the arm” for his young team. “It’s a great win for us on the road. It will go a long way for the season.”
“We’ve been telling our kids, look, you just keep giving yourself a chance in the fourth quarter and good things will happen,” said Harrison. “They believe that. They come up with a huge play. Obviously, we would like to have ended it and not given the ball back but I really honestly think that the way it ended will go further helping this football team down the road than anything that happened. (I’m) just proud of how the defense stepped up. Proud of the offense, It was a good win.”
Next up, the Habersham Central Raiders take on the neighboring Warriors at White County on Friday, Aug. 31.
(Photos and video by Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham and Brian Carter/BLITZ Sports)
Friday Night Scores & Recaps, Week 1
Now, here’s a look at the rest of your area Friday night matchups brought to you by BLITZ:
BIG WINS – Habersham County, White County, Rabun County, Union County, Stephens County, Buford, West Hall, Riverside
SHUTOUTS – Dawson County, Commerce, North Hall, Denmark
TOUGH LOSSES – Lumpkin County (to White), Banks County (to Franklin)
UPSETS & SHOCKERS – Lakeview (upset by Strong Rock), Gainesville (shocked by late TD & 2PC by North Forsyth)
LOCAL SCORES
White County 40, Lumpkin County 7
The Warriors got their first win, but it didn’t come as easy as it looks. It was 7-0 at the half, but White County used 33 unanswered points with six touchdowns (4 rushing, 2 passing).
Dawson County 59, Chestatee 0
The Tigers are ridiculously good! Chestatee isn’t supposed to be a playoff team this season as they undergo a rebuild, but still…Dawson County wins 59-zip!
#3 Rabun County 52, North Murray 42
See…the Wildcats are just fine after last week’s rare loss. Gunner Stockton, Austin Jones and Braxton Hicks as well as the defense, O-line, etc. had their moments. Complete team win but a little too close for comfort. 42 points allowed is the most by a Rabun team since 2014’s playoff loss to #2 Benedictine, also a 42-point total.
Stephens County 10, Hart County 7
Two straight hard-fought, low-scoring, grind-it-out wins for our Indians! They find a way to win!
#6 Commerce 38, Athens Christian 0
The Tigers pick up a huge blowout win for the second week in a row!
Union County 35, East Hall 6
A new era at QB for Union officially got off with a win, with Pierson Allison playing very well. The defense was just as incredible in a season-opening win.
Franklin County 17, Banks County 0
The Leopards would love to just score a point after two games being shut out (Jackson County in Week 0). Franklin gets back in the win column after falling just short against Stephens last week.
Denmark 43, Cherokee Bluff 0
The first brand new schools facing off since 2007, Denmark rolled past Cherokee Bluff for its first-ever win.
North Hall 35, Jackson County 0
The Trojans are legit! Watch out!
West Hall 41, Johnson 8
The Spartans get that first win of the season!
#2 Buford 58, Jonesboro 7
No surprise, Buford destroys Jonesboro to go to 2-0 and prove why they’re one of the best in the state.
North Forsyth 24, Gainesville 21
It took a last minute TD and 2-point conversion, but the Raiders edged the young but talented Red Elephants.
Riverside Military 27, Kings Ridge 3
Strong Rock 33, Lakeview 21
