TIGER, Ga. — For all the talk of the high-powered Rabun County offense, the Wildcats defense showed Friday night that it can play a little as well.
The Wildcats held Stephens County to just 145 total yards, just 43 on the ground, in a tough defensive battle, rallying for a 14-7 win at Frank Snyder Stadium.
After a huge sack of Indians’ quarterback Ben Stowe -- their third of the game -- forced a short Stephens County punt, the Rabun offense did its part.
Keegan Stover capped a 35-yard drive in just five plays with an 8-yard touchdown run. Stover added a 2-point conversion pass to Noah Legault for a 14-7 lead and the eventual game-winning points in the third quarter.
From there, the defense went back to work forcing three punts and getting a Jaden Gibson interception of a Stowe pass in the final minute to seal the win. Stowe finished just 7-of-20 for 102 yards.
When asked, Rabun coach Michael Davis said winning without an offensive explosion was a good sign for a team used to piling huge numbers.
"No doubt," Davis said. "A win is a win. We made too many mistakes on offense -- sacks, bad snaps, drop balls, missed open receivers. But it’s nothing that can’t be fixed. We will go back to work on Monday."
The Indians’ versatile Cam Lacy was held to just 22 total yards and just 1 catch for 2 yards in the game.
After a 368-yard, 5 TD outing in the Wildcats’ opener last week, a tough Stephens County defense limited Stover to 15-of-26 for 124 yards and he was sacked three times as well.
Gibson, who came in just over 1,000 yards shy of the state’s all-time receiving record, had 7 catches but was held to just 38 yards, with his longest reception just 9 yards against a solid Indians secondary. Lang Windham had 94 yards rushing for Rabun County.
Marc Remillard hit a 23-yard field goal in the first quarter to give Rabun County a 3-0 lead. Lacy put the Indians in front, 7-3, with a 4-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Remillard pulled the Wildcats within 7-6 by halftime with a 29-yard field goal.
