The Winder-Barrow High School football team trailed by 18 points as the second half against Habersham Central began Friday night.
However, the Bulldogg offense put together an impressive drive moving its own 36-yard line to the Raider 9. Suddenly, a fumble was recovered by Habersham Central and the possession — and seemingly the game itself — was torn away from WBHS.
The end result was a 54-10 loss in a game which was much more competitive than the final score would indicate to those who weren’t there.
Raider quarterback Kevin Ellison was, as advertised, rushing for 238 yards on 16 carries with three touchdowns. Bulldogg coach David Wagner said Ellison is very elusive with great balance.
The win keeps Habersham Central alive in the playoff chase from 8-AAAA while WBHS lost its 19th game in a row dating back to 2009.
Habersham Central relied heavily on Ellison and the ground attack Friday. With 570 yards of total offense, only 11 was through the air.
The Bulldoggs forced a punt on the Raiders’ first series of the contest.
WBHS then had to punt after three plays and Habersham Central found the endzone after a 55-yard drive. Ellison went the final eight yards as the Raiders converted two fourth down plays. A fourth and 11 play was successful by no more than an inch.
An early turning point came on the ensuing kickoff on which Habersham recovered a Bulldogg fumble. That play led to a 14-0 lead which would increase to 21-0 by the time the first quarter was over.
Jamonte Riden helped spark the WBHS offense on a 70-yard run on the team’s third offensive series of the first half. Riden finished the game with 170 yards on 16 carries.
The Raiders would move in front by three scores in the second quarter before Collin Shannon connected on a 37-yard field goal with 1:24 left before halftime.
Riden has his eyes on the single-season rushing record of 1,073 yards. The record is currently held by Tommy Wayne during the 1962 season, according to local sports historian Hal Miller.
Tyler Barrett also provided some life for the Bulldoggs gaining 42 yards on eight carries from his fullback position. Donte Jones also had three catches for 50 yards from quarterback Christian Hodge.
The task certainly gets no easier for WBHS this Friday. The Bulldoggs will face undefeated Heritage at W. Clair Harris Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Habersham Central has a challenge that is equally as tough as the Raiders travel to Flowery Branch. Heritage and Flowery Branch are the lone undefeated teams in Region 8-AAAA at this juncture.
“We’ll go back to work and see where we can improve,” Wagner said. “That’s all you can do. You have to keep working and try everything in your power to get better. That’s what I’m going to do in an effort to give our kids the best chance to win.”
