It was a tale of two halves, as a defensive stalemate gave way to a second-half track meet in an intense 28-21 win for Elbert in the regular season finale at Rabun.
Elbert (5-5; 4-2 in 8-A DI) got off to a great start, capping a 6-plus minute drive with a 1-yd TD by Jayvyn Hickman to grab an early 7-0 lead. Clayton Blalock had a clutch interception later in the first, but #10 Rabun (6-4; 3-3) was unable to capitalize. The score remained 7-0 after one.
The Blue Devils kept the Wildcats at bay, as Rabun never got the red zone in the first half. Elbert had a chance in the red zone but turned it over on downs late in the second, but got another shot as time expired. This time, Hickman heaved up a Hail Mary as the horn sounded from 33 yards out, and a defender tipped it into the hands of a diving Ty’Rikis Jones for the 14-0 halftime lead.
Things changed quickly in the third, as Lake Evans took the kickoff back for a TD. On the next drive, Elbert fumbled the ball away and Rabun wasted no time in taking advantage. Ty Truelove raced to the end zone from about 40 yards out to tie the game. The Blue Devils would respond quickly on a Jacari Barnett 6-yd TD.
The sudden barn-burner continued. Evans found a hole and scored from 39 yards out to set the teams equal again at 21 with 4:51 left in the third. Not to be outdone, Barnett found an edge and went 68 yards for the go-ahead score just moments later. Late in the third, Evans had a breakaway run inside the red zone but the ball popped loose as Elbert gained possession.
Neither team found the end zone again, though Rabun nearly got the ball back with 1:30 to go in the game with a chance to tie. However, a roughing the punter call allowed the Blue Devils to knee out the clock.
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