A 21-point second quarter proved to be enough of a cushion for the Apalachee High School football team during its road game against Habersham Central last Friday.
While the host Raiders would attempt to rally in the second half, AHS would hold on to improve to 6-0, defend its state ranking and, more importantly, remain the only undefeated team in Region 8-AAAA.
An interception from Qunitavis Cofield ended one fourth quarter Habersham scoring drive while John Ansley swatted away a pass attempt in the final minute to seal the deal.
“I thought we played awfully well in the first half,” said Wildcat coach Shane Davis. “We played very strong defensively in the first half. We also played hard in the second half but they got some on us with big plays. They ran a wheel route for a score and also had a punt return.”
The AHS coach credited his defense for hanging tough in the fourth quarter when the host Raiders made an attempt to tie the contest.
“I was proud of that although we did have way too many penalties in the game,” Davis said.
The team was called for 12 infractions for 85 yards against Habersham Central.
To be able to survive the longest road trip of the season, a tough environment, was something that impressed Davis.
“It was a great environment to play a game in,” Davis said of last Friday night. “You have to take your hat off to them. Their kids played extremely hard and physical, especially in the second half. They also tackled well in the open field.
“Their fans were looking for a reason to get excited. It was a great place to play. It was not a good place to be the visitor necessarily.”
Christian Hoard put the first points of the night on the scoreboard on a 1-yard run with 7:00 left in the first half. A 29-yard pass from Mike Norman to John Ansley less than two minutes later pushed the lead to 14-0 after Guy Hunt did his usual damage on the point after kick.
A third second quarter score for the Wildcats came on a 49-yard run from Ansley with 2:54 remaining in the half.
The Wildcats’ ground attack finished with 259 yards with Jon Lee totaling 101 and Ansley adding 86.
Each win adds to a school record for Apalachee, who is now 6-0 for the first time in school history. The Wildcats continue to hold the No. 9 spot in the state Class AAAA rankings released late Sunday.
Davis and his coaching staff went back to work over the week in preparation for Friday’s game at Loganville, which will also be on the road. The Red Devils, who are the defending region champion, have already been dealt two losses this season and will be looking to avoid their third defeat when the Wildcats pay a visit this Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
