Raiders' defense finally garnering some respect

MT. AIRY - Typically the first thing that comes up when fans talk about the Habersham Central football team is its offense. The Raiders are averaging 34 points a game behind senior quarterback Bo Hatchett and senior wide receiver and Georgia signee Tavarres King.

But the real key to the Raiders 10-1 season to this point may be its defense. Habersham will be put to the test Friday night when it plays host to Cherokee in the second round of the Class AAAA playoffs.

A win for the Raiders, who have won nine straight overall, would give them a second straight berth in the quarterfinal round.

The two teams met last year in the first round with Habersham surviving with a 28-26 win. What is significant about those numbers is the 26 points for the Warriors are the third most against the Raiders over the past two seasons. Only Stephens County (31) and defending Class AAAA state champion Northside, Warner Robins (34) have scored more.

"They are very big large up front and run the option with a good tailback," Habersham coach Gene Cathcart said. "Size is their big thing and we'll have to be prepared for a physical game up front. They were tough last year and I expect they'll be even better (Friday night)."

Cathcart said the defense will be the key. Since the 31 given up to Stephens in Week 2, the Habersham defense has allowed just 68 total points over its last eight games (8.4 ppg) holding six teams to nine points or less. They have allowed just seven points in two games during the region and state playoffs.

"We've been playing some awfully good defense all year but have really stepped it up the last couple of weeks. We're very proud of how those guys have been playing," Catchcart said.

CHEROKEE WARRIORS at HABERSHAM CENTRAL RAIDERS

Cherokee: 8-3, fourth seed from Region 5-AAAA; beat Region 7-AAAA No. 1 seed Dalton 21-19 in first round

Habersham: 10-1, No. 2 seed from 8-AAAA; beat Marist 24-7 in first round

Last meeting: 2006 playoffs, Habersham won 28-26 (Habersham leads series 1-0)

NOTES: The Warriors have won two straight since a three-game losing streak and also have done it with defense. They held Dalton to just 19 points, more than 24 points below its average coming into the game....The Warriors have not advanced past the second round since 2004 when they were in Class AAAAA. Cherokee is 5-3 in its last eight road playoff games going back to 2003...Habersham is 3-0 at home in the playoffs the past two seasons.