Indians Season Ends

Football season comes to a close at Stephens County High School.

The Stephens County Indians lost to Heritage of Catoosa in the first round of the Class AAAA state football playoffs Friday night in Toccoa, 37-30.

Heritage of Catoosa scored a touchdown with just 57 seconds left on a 25-yard pass to take the victory.

Indians’ Head Coach Frank Barden said it is always disappointing to see the season come to a close, especially in a game like this.

“I love this team, love these kids,” said Barden. “We just did not get it done. If you judge on the scoreboard, we did not succeed tonight. We definitely wanted to do more with this team than this, so it is disappointing, but it is what it is tonight.”

Stephens Coujnty jumped out early in the game, taking a 12-0 first quarter lead on a Jackson Bell 2-yard run and 1-yard touchdown run by A.J. Howard.

Then, Heritage scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass to make the score 12-7 late in the first quarter.

The Indians would extend the led to 13 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Howard, but Heritage would score again on a 35-yard touchdown pass to make the halftime score, 20-14.

The third quarter was not good for the Indians as they fumbled the ball on their first drive, which was picked up and returned for a touchdown by Heritage for their first lead of the game, 21-20.

Heritage then got Stephens County in the end zone for a safety on the Indians’ next possession.

Then after the free kick, Heritage struck for a 42-yard touchdown on a halfback pass on the next play to go ahead 30-20.

However, the Indians battled back with AJ Howard’s third touchdown of the game, a 29-yard run to cut the Heritage lead down to 3 points, 30-27.

Then on their next possession, Stephens County got a 22-yard field goal from kicker Luke Pearson to tie the game with 6:29 left, before Heritage’s winning score.

Stephens County’s season ends with an overall record of 8-3.

Heritage improves to 8-3 and will move on to the second round to play Mary Persons.

Player Awards

Stephens County Farm Bureau Player of the Game:  Donovan Curry

Hart E-M-C Lineman of the Game:  Caleb Alexander

X-Factor Grill Sub of the Game:  Kamon Taylor

First Baptist Church of Toccoa Spirit Award:  Charles Cochran