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Javin Gordon and Ben Stowe
The Stephens County Indian football team is ranked in the top 10 in the state in Class AAA are headed into the region portion of the 2022 season. The Indians are ranked No. 9 in the state according to the AJC and have won three straight games since a 14-7 loss to Rabun County in the second week of the season.
It’s Stephens County’s first appearance in the top 10 since the 2016 season. The Indians were off last Friday, but will take their 4-1 record to Monroe Area there Thursday night in the region opener for both teams.
The game has been moved up from Friday due to concerns about the weather. The Purple Hurricanes are the defending region champs from last season. Monroe Area, 2-3 on the season, comes into Friday’s contest from a bye week just like SCHS. In Monroe’s last game on Sept. 16, the Purple Hurricanes defeated Morgan County 37-13 in Monroe. SCHS is coming into this game on the strength of a 53-14 blowout triumph over White County in a homecoming victory on Sept. 16.
In Monroe’s last game, Purple Hurricane quarterback Jeremiah Anderson threw for 178 yards with two touchdowns. Anderson is also a threat to run the football as he has accumulated 350 rushing yards in five games this season. Monroe Area running back Alan Jones rushed for 145 yards with one touchdown with the victory over Morgan County. A notable loss Monroe Area has experienced this season came against Prince Avenue Christian as the Purple Hurricanes were beaten 29-20 in Athens. The Prince Avenue Wolverines are a team that is 4-0 for the season and one that played for a state title last season.
The Wolverines are currently ranked No. 1 in Class A. A notable loss for SCHS was when they played Rabun County who has been a powerhouse in Class AA, but has dropped back to Class A. The Indians were beaten 14-7 by the Wildcats in a game played at Tiger. The Indians have playmakers such as quarterback Ben Stowe who has a total of 707 passing yards in five games. Indian running back Javin Gordon has a total of 479 rushing yards in five games.
Indian star Cam Lacy sports 358 receiving yards for the season and on the defensive side, the Indians have Ritt Tankersley who has recorded 48 tackles for the season. Defensive lineman Nathan Walker in next on the team in tackles with 44 for the season. Last season Monroe won the region contest between the two teams by a 34-24 score in Toccoa.