If you had any doubts as to what this year’s Banks County High School football team is made of, you shouldn’t worry any more.
After starting the season 0-2, the Leopards have climbed their way back to .500 overall and more importantly sit at 2-1 in Region 8-AA.
Back-to-back region wins against Dawson County and Rabun County have BCHS looking at a very important home game against North Oconee this Friday. This will be as important a regular season game as a Leopard football team has played in some time.
You can’t help but admire the grit and determination of this team. BCHS ventured to Rabun County last week and recorded a 35-6 victory at a place where it is never easy to win. However, this team was not going to be denied.
Column: Leopards claw their way back into contention
The Leopards had their usual group of players leading the way in standouts like Justin Beasley and Demetric Dempson. There was Lyn Hester causing havoc on both sides of the football.
However, several more BCHS players are rapidly emerging as stars and leaders this fall. How can one not admire the effort shown by Kane Duncan and Bill Redmon, both of whom suffered injuries in a preseason automobile accident. It’s great to just see both of them back on the football field in any capacity, let alone making standout plays. Duncan has emerged as one of the top receivers and defensive backs in the region and Redmon’s interception return for a touchdown sealed the deal last week at Rabun County.
Senior quarterback Chris Porter has looked cool, calm and collected behind center this season taking over for Dustin Worley, who is now competing at the next level. At times Porter looks as if he is a four-year starter standing in the pocket looking over his receiver options.
Enough also can’t be said about the offensive line — the men in the trenches — for coach Blair Armstrong, coach Chuck Hudson and the offensive staff. Hester, Zach Dale, Justin Bowen, Tyler Husley, Jeff Smith and Nathan Mathis have all been key contributors to the big yardage gained by Beasley and the offense. Mathis is only a sophomore this season but has shown courage under fire playing up front.
North Oconee will be a challenge for the Leopards this week. The game is Homecoming and the BCHS players will have to keep their minds on the business at hand. The game is also the second annual Shawn Smith Bowl, and is played in honor of the former Leopard standout who died in an automobile accident. This also adds another emotional element to the contest.
A three-game winning streak would be huge for the BCHS football program, which is looking to post its first winning season since 1997. So much has already been accomplished this season but there is still plenty of miles to be run before this race is over.
A big obstacle between the Leopards and their goals awaits them this Friday. A noisy, supportive home crowd would make a huge difference.
However, several more BCHS players are rapidly emerging as stars and leaders this fall. How can one not admire the effort shown by Kane Duncan and Bill Redmon, both of whom suffered injuries in a preseason automobile accident. It’s great to just see both of them back on the football field in any capacity, let alone making standout plays. Duncan has emerged as one of the top receivers and defensive backs in the region and Redmon’s interception return for a touchdown sealed the deal last week at Rabun County.
Senior quarterback Chris Porter has looked cool, calm and collected behind center this season taking over for Dustin Worley, who is now competing at the next level. At times Porter looks as if he is a four-year starter standing in the pocket looking over his receiver options.
Enough also can’t be said about the offensive line — the men in the trenches — for coach Blair Armstrong, coach Chuck Hudson and the offensive staff. Hester, Zach Dale, Justin Bowen, Tyler Husley, Jeff Smith and Nathan Mathis have all been key contributors to the big yardage gained by Beasley and the offense. Mathis is only a sophomore this season but has shown courage under fire playing up front.
North Oconee will be a challenge for the Leopards this week. The game is Homecoming and the BCHS players will have to keep their minds on the business at hand. The game is also the second annual Shawn Smith Bowl, and is played in honor of the former Leopard standout who died in an automobile accident. This also adds another emotional element to the contest.
A three-game winning streak would be huge for the BCHS football program, which is looking to post its first winning season since 1997. So much has already been accomplished this season but there is still plenty of miles to be run before this race is over.
A big obstacle between the Leopards and their goals awaits them this Friday. A noisy, supportive home crowd would make a huge difference.
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