Indians Tame Lions in Season Opener, 34-7

Stephens County starts the regular season with a win over an arch rival.

The Indians beat Franklin County Friday night at the Reservation in Toccoa, 34-7.

Coming off the scrimmage game loss to Hart County, Indians’ Head Coach Frank Barden said the team had a good week of practice and it showed on the field.

“It is just a matter of us executing,” said Barden. “We have to cut out some penalties, but if we can just execute and not beat ourselves, that is our goal and just get better. We are going to be in some wars this year, some games that are within two and three points, so conditioning is big for us. We try to work on that hard. But the mental part of it is the hardest thing. I think we got a good week on the mental part and it is just being in the right place at the right time.”

Stephens County jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first five minutes of the game on a five-yard touchdown run from quarterback Jackson Bell and a fumble recovery return for a touchdown by Jermaine Barnett.

Franklin County cut the lead to 13-7 later in the first quarter on a one-yard touchdown run from quarterback Tyrique David.

However, Stephens County let Franklin County get no closer as the Indians extended the lead to 20-7 at halftime on a four-yard touchdown run from Tyreik Cunningham early in the second quarter.

The Indians added their final two touchdowns in the third quarter on Bell’s second touchdown run, a 15-yarder, and a touchdown pass from Bell to Donte Thomas of 20 yards.

Cunningham went over the 100-yard rushing mark for the Indians on the night.

Meanwhile, the Indian defense held Franklin County to less than 100 total yards and no passing yards on the night.

The Indians are now 1-0 on the season and Franklin County is 0-1.

Next up for Stephens County is a trip to the Granite Bowl on Friday to play Elbert County.

Meanwhile, Franklin County hosts Hart County on Friday in Carnesville.

PLAYER AWARDS
Farm Bureau Insurance Player of the Game: Jermaine Barnett
Hart EMC Lineman of the Game: Brandon Hitt
X-Factor Sub of the Game: Isaiah Crawford
First Baptist Church Spirit Award: Dylan Murphy