Indians Tame Lions In Football Season Opener

Hudson Spurlock’s five touchdown runs serve as the spark that propels Stephens County to a win in their football season opener.

In a game delayed in the first half by lightning, the Indians beat the Lions at the Reservation on Friday night, 42-28.

“It’s good to get a win,” said Indians’ Head Coach Wesley Tankersley. “I saw a lot of positive things. We’ll look at the film to see where we need to get better. The kids have gotten better over the summertime and hopefully they’ll continue with that attitude throughout non-region play. It’s not going to get any easier for us. We have a tough road ahead of us, but we need that to get us ready for region play and get us into the playoff.”

Scoreless after the first quarter, Hudson Spurlock propelled the Indians to a 14-0 lead with touchdown runs of 15 yards and nine yards.

After Franklin County got on the board with a 6-yard touchdown run from Everett Haselton, Spurlock scored on a three-yard touchdown run to make it 21-7 at halftime.

Franklin County cut it to 21-14 on a C.J. Hall eight-yard touchdown run, but Spurlock’s fourth touchdown, a three-yard run, made it 28-14.

The Lions got it to 28-21 on a 31-yard scoring run from Titlan Wells, but Franklin County got no closer as Spurlock scored his fifth and final touchdown on a four-yard touchdown run and D.J. Hampton returned a fumble for a touchdown to make it 42-21.

Franklin County did get one last touchdown in the final seconds on an eight-yard touchdown pass.

The win propels the Indians to 1-0 on the season, while the Lions fall to 0-1 with the loss.

Stephens County hosts Hart County on Friday night at the Reservation. Kick-off Friday is set for 7:30 p.m. with air time on WNEG set for 5:30 p.m. with the Indian Tailgate Show.

Stephens County Farm Bureau Player of the Game: Hudson Spurlock
Hart EMC Lineman of the Game: William Rudeseal
X-Factor Grill Sub of the Game: D.J. Hampton
First Baptist Church Spirit Award: William Hulsey