MT. AIRY — It may not have been must-win -- but Friday's Lanier at Habersham Central contest was about as close as it gets.
After both teams suffered Region 8-AAAAAA defeats last week, both the Longhorns and Raiders knew their showdown represented both a shot at redemption and a route back into the thick of the playoff race.
Thanks to the formula that has worked so well for Lanier over the past four seasons, it was the Longhorns that made the most of the opportunity, notching a 25-21 victory in Mt. Airy.
Lanier fought back in front with 3:55 remaining on a 13-yard Larry Harper touchdown run and then relied on its defense, which forced a turnover on downs with 1:47 remaining to seal the win.
The Longhorns (4-3, 1-1) completed just four passes and rushed for 144 yards as a team -- including 72 for Harper and 77 and a touchdown for Kevonte Polk. Taj Barnes also added a 14-yard touchdown run and finished with 47 yards on the ground.
But the Lanier defense also made plenty of difference, including on a 62-yard interception return for a score from Jason Wallace that pulled Lanier within 14-12 just :36 before halftime.
The Habersham offense picked up plenty of yardage, including 238 yards passing for AJ Curry, who completed 18 of 30 attempts, while also rushing for 68 yards. It was Curry's one-yard run with 6:49 that pushed the Raiders (1-6, 0-2) in front 21-18. But after losing its previous five games by a combined 14 points, Habersham saw another clsoe finish go the other way when Harper crashed into the end zone from 13 yards.
Baylor Hinshaw had another strong night for the Raiders offense, rushing for 66 yards and two scores, both in the first half, as Habersham took a 14-6 lead. But the interception gave Lanier momentum at the half, and theLonghorns scored the only points of the third quarter to take a 18-14 advantage on Barnes' run.
Lanier will look to keep rolling next week at Apalachee.
Habersham, meanwhile, travels to face Dacula.
