Habersham Central High School stepped closer to solidifying a spot in the Georgia High School Association Class AAAAAA state playoffs with a 42-15 victory over Apalachee High School Friday night in Winder.
The Raiders (4-5, 2-3 Region 8-AAAAAA) jumped out to a quick-strike lead and never looked back as, just 18 seconds into the contest, quarterback DJ Pass found receiver Zeke Whittington for a 60-yard touchdown pass.
Pass (7-for-11, 146 yards, 3 TD) would connect with Whittington on all three scores for Habersham Central through the air on the night. The other two scores covered 33 and 17 yards, respectively.
Whittington (6 rec, 158 yds, 3 TD) crossed a career mark for the Raiders as he hauled in catches 204-209 on the night, passing the school mark of 207.
“I was really proud of him for that,” Habersham Central Head Coach Benji Harrison said. “Zeke is a very smart football player. He understands leverage of defenders, he understands coverages, he’s just a really headsy player. He puts a lot of work into it. That showed tonight.”
Sandwiched between Whittington’s touchdowns were a pair of rushing touchdowns for Antonio Cantrell (12 carries, 46 yds, 2 TD).
Running back Donnie Warren capped off the Raiders’ scoring for the night with 45 seconds remaining in the third quarter with a 2-yard scamper.
Apalachee (0-9, 0-5 8-AAAAAA) had a pair of scores with a 67-yard screen pass and a 27-yard run in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats had a successful two-point conversion after their first score, then kicked the extra point on the second.
Harrison said the coaching staff and players are “obviously” happy with the win.
The head coach is hoping this big win can roll into preparation for Shiloh and carry some momentum with it into next Friday.
“That one just sets us up hopefully to get some confidence going into next week,” Harrison said. “Next week is what it’s all about. That game is what will determine if we’re playing a next one.”
After last week’s loss to North Forsyth at home, Harrison changed up his messaging before the game this week.
“I told them tonight, I felt like last week (against North Forsyth) there was so much pressure put on them. And I feel like a lot of that was with me,” Harrison said. “I told them tonight, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do – we’re going to go out tonight and play a game. At the end of the night, it’s a game. And you play this game because you enjoy playing the game, so I want you to go out and have fun tonight.’
“I said, ‘I’m going to have fun coaching the game. I’m not going to feel the pressure of the world on me and I don’t want you to feel the pressure of the world on you. I just want you to go out tonight and play football and have fun doing it.’”
The Raiders needed this win and have to win next week at Shiloh to secure their playoff spot.
With the season hanging on the result of the game, Harrison said there will be no change in how his coaches and team prepare for the Generals..
“You don’t change up the week. You don’t want to make this game different. Our kids know what’s at stake. But, as far as how we prepare, we’re going to prepare the same way we’ve done all year long,” Harrison said.
That preparation will include film and giving the players a full download as to what to expect from Shiloh.
“They’re going to know everything that Shiloh is going to do and how they’re going to try to attack us offensively and defensively,” Harrison said.
“In the end, it’s ‘Go and play another football game.’”
The Raiders and Generals will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Snellville.
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