With Apalachee and Heritage tied at halftime, Wildcat head coach Shane Davis told assistant Conner Foster he wanted something big to happen to start the second half.
Davis got his wish as freshman Stanley Williams returned the second half kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. That play turned out to be huge as AHS went on to a 28-14 Region 8-AAAA victory at R. Harold Harrison Stadium. The win pushes the Wildcats to 3-1 in region play.
“All of our games are big,” Davis said. “That was a really good one to get. Heritage was a tough opponent. We knew they would be good defensively. Our kids played well and fought hard. You are going to have to be a second half team in this region.”
The visiting Patriots would later tie the score once again at 14 on a 13-yard reverse in the closing minute of the third quarter. Suddenly, the Wildcats would need even more big plays to emerge with the win.
In the fourth quarter, Williams scored on a 39-yard run at the 7:33 mark. Another touchdown by the freshman, this time from 50 yards out with 5:43 left, sealed the deal.
Zay Henry appeared to score on an incredible 90-yard run on Apalachee’s next possession but a holding penalty took the score away.
Despite that touchdown not counting, the Wildcat defense shined as well and helped record the victory.
AHS scored first in the contest on a 61-yard drive capped by a 1-yard run by Alex Camp. Williams had a 49-yard run during the series and a pass from Clint Ashe to Jermaine Smith was also pivotal.
Heritage answered during its third possession of the first half on a 10-yard quarterback keeper on the left end. The touchdown capped an 82-yard drive for the Patriots which took nine plays. Heritage moved the chains four times during the possession.
In the end, it was back-to-back wins for Apalachee, who now stands at 3-1 overall and in Region 8-AAAA.
“This game was similar to a playoff contest in terms of intensity,” said Wildcat lineman Cole Shook. “It was tough up front and it was tough to open holes for our backs. I knew we just had to keep fighting like a band of brothers. We are always there for each other.”
Several AHS defenders came up with big plays Friday night in the battle with Heritage. Will Thompson had a big hit during the Patriot’s first possession of the second half and Jermaine Smith had an interception late in the contest.
Offensively, Williams finished with 169 yards and three scores on 13 carries.
One of the players helping clear the way for Williams was Nate Holton.
“I kept telling everyone that it would happen eventually,” Holton said. “I knew we couldn’t lose hope. All we had to do was keep doing what we do best.”
Smith, who helped lead the defensive charge, agreed how tough Friday night was.
“It was a tough one,” Smith said. “We needed this one though and it was a great team effort.”
The Wildcats will take to the road this week when they travel to Madison County High School. The Raiders have struggled this season and were defeated by Habersham Central last week. Davis and his coaching staff aren’t taking any chances, however.
“We will prepare just as hard this week as we always do,” the coach said. “You can’t let one slip away from you, not in a region race that is probably going down to the last week. They are all too important. You have to guard against a letdown each week. That’s what we will stress during practice this week.”
