TIGER — Rabun County is headed to its fourth-consecutive state quarterfinal after defeating Chattooga 34-0 at home.
“It’s great for Rabun County, I’m so proud of this football team,” Rabun County Coach Lee Shaw said after watching his team cruise to the victory on Friday in Tiger. “For everybody that came before them, that laid the foundation, we’re reaping the rewards from the model of that. These guys don’t want to drop the torch, and they’re stepping on the gas and trying to get wins. They’re representing Rabun County the way it should be.”
The Wildcats (11-1) jumped all over the Indians (9-3) from the opening kick, scoring touchdowns on two of their first three drives to take a 12-0 lead.
Gunner Stockton threw an interception on Rabun County’s opening drive but rebounded on the second with a 20-yard scoring strike to Braxton Hicks and the opening score.
Stockton found his groove quickly after the turnover, finishing 12 of 20 passing for 167 yards and two touchdowns. The freshman also ran six times for 33 yards. Stockton showed off his arm strength in the third quarter, hitting Austin Jones in stride for 73-yard touchdown pass that gave the Wildcats a 34-0 advantage.
While Stockton spread the ball around the field, Brison Beck did the dirty work between the tackles for Rabun County.
Beck paced the Wildcats’ rushing attack, which totaled 200 yards, behind a dominant offensive line. Beck finished with 167 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns.
“We just keep battling, we’re peaking at the right time,” Coach Shaw said. “We go back and work every Sunday, when we have meetings and film study. We practice hard and get it done. Guys believe in what they’re doing. Coaches come up with good game plans that we’re executing, and we’re having fun.”
The Rabun County defense has yet to allow a single point in two playoff games and Shaw beleives the unit is peaking at the right time.
The Wildcats’ forced three turnovers -- including a 36-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Braxton Hicks -- recorded two sacks and totaled five tackles for loss.
Rabun County looks to keep its 11-game win streak, and Class 2A title hopes, alive next week when it plays host to Fitzgerald.
SCORING SUMMARY
CHATTOOGA............0....0......0....0 -- 0
RABUN COUNTY....12....8....14....0 -- 34
First Quarter
RC -- Hicks 20 pass from Stockton (kick failed) 6-0, 4:33
RC -- Hicks 36 fumble return (2-point conversion failed) 12-0, 3:25
Second Quarter
RC -- Beck 2 run (Stockton run) 20-0, 4:26
Third Quarter
RC -- Beck 11 run (Diaz kick) 27-0, 7:20
RC -- Jones 73 pass from Stockton (Diaz kick) 34-0, 2:11
