BOGART — Stephens County clinched at least second place in Region 8-AAAA after pulling away in the second hald to beat North Oconee 24-7 Friday night on the road.
The Indians (8-1, 6-0 Region 8-AAAA) will get a chance to play for the region title when they travel to Buford, which also remained unbeaten in region play with a 49-8 win over Madison County on Friday.
Stephens County scored 17 fourth quarter points to break a 7-7 halftime tie. A.J. Howard, who scored two rushing touchdowns on the night, broke the tie early in the fourth quarter and Luke Pearson added a 27-yard field goal to push the lead to 17-7 midway through the quarter.
Jermaine Barnett sealed the win with an interception return for a touchdown with just over two minutes left in the game.
"It was a big win for us," Stephens County coach Frank Bearden said. "We'll get a home playoff game which is great for the kids and the community."
North Oconee (4-5, 3-3) now will have to win next week against Madison County and hope for a North Hall (5-4, 4-2) victory over White County (3-6, 3-3) to clinch a playoff berth. A Titans loss and a White County win over the Trojans would send the trio into a tie for third with coin flips to decide which team would be eliminated.
