DACULA — In a battle of powerful rushing attacks, it was No. 8 Dacula’s defense that proved to be the difference in the Falcons’ 50-14 win over Habersham Central on Friday night in Region 8-6A action.
Both teams came in averaging over 260 yards a game and both ground attacks produced nearly identical numbers -- Dacula rushed for 272 yards and Habersham had 263 yards. But three fumbles by the Raiders, one lost, snuffed out potential drives. The Falcons also passed for 203 yards to keep the Raiders defense on its heels.
The Falcons (4-2, 3-0 Region 8-6A) stopped the Raiders (3-4, 1-2 Region 8-6A) twice on downs early in the game and used that momentum to score 30 unanswered points.
The Raiders cut Dacula’s lead to 13-7 on a 73-yard run by Joshua Pickett midway through the first quarter but the next time they scored was after Dacula had exploded for a 43-7 lead early in the third.
Pickett finished with 172 yards rushing and scored both of Habersham Central’s touchdowns. Jackson Clouatre added 88 yards for the Raiders.
Dacula’s Kyle Efford matched Pickett with 183 yards and four scores on the ground. Falcons quarterback Blaine Jenkins was 9-of-13 passing for 203 yards and two TD passes.
Third down was also a key as Dacula was 7-of-9 for the game while Habersham was just 2-of-10 and just 1-of-4 on fourth down as they could not crack the tough Falcons defense.
