CHATSWORTH — Freshman Gunner Stockton threw for 257 yards tossed four touchdown passes to lead Rabun County to a wild 52-42 win over North Murray Friday night on the road.
Stockton, in just his second varsity start, flashed the kind of potential for the Wildcats (1-1) that had coach Lee Shaw saying he was ready to assume the large role left void by the graduated Bailey Fisher.
Braxton Hicks was the favorite scoring target for Stockton snagging three touchdown catches of 46, 17, and 21 yards. The 46-yard catch capped a 10-play opening game drive to give Rabun a lead it would never lose.
The Wildcats built a 24-0 lead by halftime and a 15-yard touchdown pass from Stockton to Dawson Lathan pushed their lead to 38-7 midway through the third quarter.
But North Murray would score 35 points over the final 12 minutes, starting with a touchdown on the final play of the third quarter to pull within the final score with 21 seconds left in the game.
Brison Beck finished with 183 yards and three touchdowns rushing for Rabun County.
The Wildcats will take a week off before staging their home opener against Stephens County in two weeks.
