Leopards secure 8A-AA sub region title

Leopards take Sub Region with win over Fannin 42-21

            The BCHS Leopards had a big win Friday night against the Fannin County Rebels clinching the Sub Region Championship with a little help from Dawson County. Dawson beat East Hall and the Leopards sit at number one undefeated in region 8A-AA."We are the sub region champs and I am very proud of all of you for the hard work and dedication. We have something special here and you are showing your Leopard pride," said Head Coach Philip Jones.

            Athens Christian had to forfeit its games so the Leopards pick up a win and their record now stands at 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the region. Athens Christian must forfeit football victories over Hebron Christian, Banks County and Social Circle, the GHSA ruled Tuesday. Athens Christian running back Travis Wildgoose, who attended school in the Bahamas last academic year, did not meet the GHSA standards for eligibility regarding foreign exchange students.

            Fannin County received the kick off in Friday nights game and drove the ball eight plays before fumbling to the Leopards. BCHS wasted no time getting into the groove and put the ball into the end zone in eight plays. Dean Ewing made the 18 yard touchdown run and Ermain Corona kicked the PAT. The Leopards are up 7-0 with 4:36 to play in the first quarter.

            The Rebels get a 42 yard kick off return but can't seem to move the ball even though they had excellent field position. After a fourth and three yards to go down they turn the ball over to BCHS.

            The Leopards move the ball back across the 50 yard line and run out of steam and punt the ball away. Ewing makes a 23 yard punt to the Rebels and they begin their possession on the 27 yard line. FCHS can only manage to move the ball against the Leopard defense to the 35 yard line and punt to Malcolm Mitchell for a 17 Yard return.

            The Leopards start at the 35 yard line and move the ball eight plays for a score. Again Ewing takes the ball into the end zone from one yard out. Ermain Corona kicks the PAT and the Leopards lead 14-0 with 5:18 left in the second quarter.

            FCHS takes the ball on the kick off on the 35 yard line. They pass the ball on several downs making good gains getting the ball into field goal range. The Leopards defense holds them up at the 22 yard line and they decide to attempt a field goal. The kick goes up and hits the left side of the goal post and doesn't go through. The score remains 14-0 with 3:27 left in the half.

            BCHS starts this drive on the 20 yard line with runs from Ewing. The Leopards are penalized for a false start and two plays later the Rebels get a personal foul penalty which helps the Leopards get a first down to continue the drive.

            Tyler Hubbard hits Marquaze Maddox for a 39 yard gain and the Leopards are poised to score again before the end of the half. Ewing runs for 15 yards to get the ball to the five yard line. Hubbard goes back to Maddox for the five yard touch down pass play. Corona hits the PAT and the Leopards now lead the ballgame 21-0 with :32 seconds left in the half. Fannin takes a knee and runs the clock out to finish the half.

            BCHS takes the second half kick off for a 35 yard return by Maddox. But six plays into the drive the Leopards fumble to FCHS. The Rebels come out in the second half ready to play and take the ball on a five play scoring drive. The score now 21-7 in the third quarter with 6:19 on the clock.

            Marquaze Maddox gets a 20 yard kick off return and on the first play of the drive Dean Ewing goes 70 yards for a touch down to extend the score to 28-7 over the Rebels.

            FCHS takes the kick off deep back on the 15 yard line and start a rushing attack to move the ball across the 50 yard line. A large gain on a running play capped off by a penalty on BCHS puts the Rebels in the red zone and ready to score. The next play the Rebels score on a seven yard touchdown run. The Leopards still lead the game 28-14 with 3:23 to play in the third quarter.

            The Rebels try on onside kick but touch the ball too early and the Leopards take the ball in excellent field position on the 32 yard line. Tanner Thompson gets a 18 yard gain to move the ball to the 14 yard line. Hubbard then passes the ball to tight end Montana Kennedy for a 14 yard touch down pass play. Corona hits the PAT and the score is 35-14 Leopards.

            FCHS start a long drive taking 7:05 minutes and 16 plays to complete. Resulting in a score from the one yard line. Giving the Rebels 21 points in the game but the Leopards still lead 35-21.

            The Leopards get the ball on the 41 yard line and head straight for the end zone. This scoring drive is only four plays with Ewing  making the ten yard dash to the end zone. BCHS goes up 42-21 after a successful PAT by Corona.

            The Rebels get one more chance to drive the ball to the end zone but the clock runs out and the Leopards take the sub region championship.

            BCHS will play East Hall next week and then a region showdown with the winner of this weeks Elbert County vs North Oconee game in the Granite Bowl.