Wheeler's six TD night leads Indians past Monroe Area

MONROE -- Stephens County kept its strong start to the region season going on Friday, pushing past Monroe Area 42-34 in Monroe.<br /> <br /> The Indians did so thanks in large part to a punishing ground game.<br /> <br /> Desmond Wheeler provided the wheels, rushing 30 times for 263 yards and all six touchdowns behind a punishing offensive line that has been boosted by the return of Football Bowl Subdivision recruit Ben Cleveland -- who actually played several snaps at tight end on Friday.<br /> <br /> "Desmond ran hard all night, and the offensive line did a great job," Stephens County coach Frank Barden said. "The kids played extremely hard and are still learning how to overcome adversity -- and they did that tonight."<br /> <br /> The Indians built a 28-7 third quarter lead and then held on for the win after Monroe scored to pull with a score with 2:42 remaining.<br /> <br /> "Credit to them, they've got some athletes, and they were hungry," Barden said of the Purple Hurricanes.<br /> <br /> Stephens County (4-1, 2-0 Region 8-AAAA) will play host to White County in a huge region showdown next Friday in Toccoa.