The margin for error is non-existent as Week 10 approaches for the Raiders. After starting the season 4-1, Habersham Central has fallen in three straight region games to Gainesville, Lanier and Dacula.
Despite an outstanding performance by the Raiders’ defense at home against Dacula, the offense couldn’t find much room against an equally impressive Dacula defense. The loss was the latest blow to Habersham, setting the Raiders to 0-3 within region play.
The narrow path to the state playoffs got even tougher, and now means Habersham must win against Winder-Barrow on the road finish strong at home against Apalachee. This wasn’t totally unexpected, as the three toughest teams in the region are Lanier, Dacula and Gainesville. Winder is 4-5 (1-3 in region) and Apalachee is 2-5-1 (0-3) on the season.
The Raiders defense will be leaned on heavily to stop a Winder offense that averages 23.9 points per game, second most in the region. However, the Winder-Barrow defense has been its Achilles heel, allowing a region worst 23.6 points per game (212 total points). That number is worse when Winder takes on region foes, as the porous defense gives up 29.75 per game.
Habersham’s offense inside region play has been held to all of 16 points in three losses, leaving both sides of the ball at having to come up big on Friday night under the lights.
Cole Wilbanks has 1,363 yards on the season to date with 11 TD to 6 interceptions. Fellow senior Michael Babers, dealing with injury virtually all season, has tallied a team-high 529 yards and five touchdowns rushing.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing
Cole Wilbanks – 1,363 yds, 11 TD
Rushing
Michael Babers – 529 yds, 5 TD
Aaron Galloway – 286 yds, TD
Receiving
Aaron Wood – 363 yds, 2 TD
Jake Jones – 308 yds, 5 TD
Trey Hurt – 282 yds, 3 TD
Tackles
Jake Jones – 71 (11 TFL)
Garrett Kinsey – 70 (6 TFL)
Dawson Landers – 66 (1 TFL)
Carson Taylor – 63 (11 TFL)
Sacks
Dylan Holcomb – 4
Austin Frady – 3
Jake Jones – 2
Garrett Kinsey – 2
Interceptions
Luke Wilson – 2
Jake Jones – 1
