THOMASVILLE — Gunner Stockton was looking to make history as the state’s most prolific passer ever. Rabun County was hoping to make its second straight Class 2A semifinal.
Neither happened as the No. 1-ranked Wildcats were roughed up by No. 2 Thomasville 49-24 on Friday in the two teams’ Elite 8 showdown in south Georgia.
The Bulldogs (12-1) scored 21 consecutive points to blow open a tight game behind by a bruising ground game and opportunistic defense that kept Stockton in check most of the game.
Thomasville moves on to play defending Class 2A state champion Callaway at home next week.
Thomasville came in with 48 sacks and had half-a-dozen almost by halftime. Stockton, who needed just 411 yards to surpass former Cartersville standout Trevor Lawrence as the state’s all-time leading passer never came close.
He did connect with Lang Windham on a 24-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and added a 5-yard TD run in the second quarter to tie the game both times. He was just 10-of-21 in the first half for 106 yards.
But after his TD run, the Wildcats (11-2) used several big plays, including a 62-yard scoring by quarterback Shannen White one play after Stockton had tied the game. White later found Cole Shaw for an 11-yard touchdown pass for a 28-14 lead late in the second quarter.
Senior Gus Hood booted a 50-yard field goal to pull Rabun County within 28-17 but the Bulldogs slammed the door with touchdowns on three consecutive drives to roll out to a 49-17 lead.
The Wildcats got a late score in the final two minutes for the final points.
