The Jackson County Panthers have one more shot at getting into the win column in region play in 2009.
After they were denied in a 20-0 loss to Oconee County last week, the Panthers will now travel to Stephens County to face the Indians, who are coming off a big overtime win over Elbert County last week.
The Indians are 2-4 in the region and 3-6 overall going into Friday night’s season finale.
Stephens County has scored 189 points total this season, an average of 21 points per game. The Panthers have scored 147 points total, an average of 16.3 per game.
Jackson County has allowed 204 points to be scored against them, an average of 22.7 per game. The Indians have allowed 212 points to be scored, a per game average of 23.6.
In their last two meetings, Stephens County has come away the victor. Last year, the Indians defeated the Panthers 35-0.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Oconee County
Hopes were high for the Panthers as they traveled to Oconee County Friday night. Jackson County was still looking for their first region win of the season.
The Panthers got the ball first when the game began, but trouble soon found them as they fumbled the ball on their first play. The Warriors recovered on Jackson County’s 25-yard line.
The Panther defense stepped up and kept Oconee out of the end zone, but the Warriors would still get on the board first with a field goal that put them ahead 3-0 just over two and a half minutes into the game.
The Panther offense drove deep into Oconee County territory. Quarterback Jalen Banks got a pass off to Michael Pesaresi on fourth down to move Jackson County into scoring position. But a Warrior interception denied the Panthers of a chance to get on the board.
Jackson County’s Kelly Moates sacked Oconee County’s quarterback near the one-yard line, and the Panthers were soon able to take over deep in Warrior territory. The Panthers were again held at bay.
Jackson County attempted a field goal, but missed with about a minute left in the half.
North Oconee would score their first touchdown of the night with just over 30 seconds left on the clock. The extra point moved the Warriors out to a 10-0 lead.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald or The Braselton News.
