MOUNT AIRY, Ga. – Flowery Branch scored the first two touchdowns of the night and recovered an onside kick with 30 seconds to play to hang on and knock off Habersham Central Friday night, 31-28.
Griffin Harper got things going for the Falcons with two plunges in from a yard out in the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead. The Raiders answered with 8:42 left in the first half as Paris Wilbanks found KJ Murray for 26 yards to cut the lead in half.
Harper had the endzone in his sights again, though, just seconds later when he broke free for a 64-yard sprint and pushed the lead back up to 21-7, where it stood at the intermission.
Habersham Central came out of the locker room and took the opening drive 78 yards and scored on a Wilbanks rushing score from two yards out to trim the lead back, but Brett Sturm called his own number to start the fourth quarter with a 1-yard sneak and a 28-14 lead.
Donnie Warren finally broke free for a touchdown with 5:04 to go to cap a 15-play, 80-yard drive to again bring the Raiders to within a possession, but a Brooke Recinella 23-yard field goal put just enough cushion in for the Falcons. Wilbanks snuck in for a touchdown with 33 seconds to go, but the onside kick was unsuccessful as the Falcons escaped with the win.
Harper had 181 rushing yards for the Falcons, while Sturm added 134. Warren had 174 rushing yards for the Raiders, while Wilbanks finished the night with 232 passing yards.
Flowery Branch will play at home for the first time in 2025 next week when they take on Forsyth Central. Habersham Central wil be on the road for the first time this season at White County next week.
