Written by DJ Coffman

On Friday night the Haralson County Rebels traveled to Franklin, Georgia to battle the Heard County Braves in a region matchup that had huge post season implications. The Rebels were coming off a region win against the Temple Tigers the week before. The Braves had a week off after they also defeated the Temple Tigers. 

    Haralson County would receive the opening kickoff after the Braves deferred to the 2nd half. Heard County’s defense would come out pumped up and would force a 3 and out from the Rebels offense.  Haralson County would then return the favor forcing the Braves to also punt after going 3 and out.    

The 1st score of the game would come with 4:05 left in the 1st quarter on a 6-yard run by senior quarterback Clay Hyatt. The Rebels would go up 7-0. Heard County would come out driving looking to answer. Isaiah Oneal would call his own number of the right side and have the ball pop out; the Rebels defense would fall on it and take over at the Heard 40.   

At the end of the 1st quarter of play the Rebels were facing a 4th and 24 when the 2nd quarter started. The Rebels would punt, and the Braves would set up shop at their own 4 after a amazing punt by Clay Hyatt and great coverage by the punt team. 

    The Rebels would force a 3 and out and the Braves would punt, the punt would bounce off a Rebel defender and the Braves would recover it. A few plays in the Braves were facing a 3rd down when the Rebels dialed up a blitz and Clay Hyatt was able to get a huge stop in the back field. 

    The Rebels would put together a great drive which ended in another Clay Hyatt touchdown with 6.1 seconds left in the first half. The Rebels would go into the half up 14-0.

    Heard County would receive the 2nd half kickoff and started 1st and 10 at their own 31. The braves would have a 10-minute-long drive. The Rebel defense would hold of the Braves for 4 straight plays inside their own 5-yard line and keep their shutout alive. 

    The Rebels would go into the 4th quarter leading 14-0. The Rebels would have a 3 and out and have to punt, but with a great punt and coverage would pin the Braves at their own 15 yard-line. 

    The Heard County offense would come on the field looking to get back into the game. The Braves facing a 3rd down would drop back to pass when Riley Bell came off the edge and unloaded on the quarterback to force a punt. 

    The Rebels would run out most of the remaining clock before Clay Hyatt would take it in for his 3rd rushing touchdown of the game with 38.6 seconds left. The Rebels would now be up 21-0. Heard County would not be able to do much, and time would run out in the game. 

    Haralson County improves to (8-1) (3-0) in region play and will have a bye week before taking on the Bremen Blue Devils (5-3) (1-1) with a chance at their first region championship. The Heard County Braves fall to (4-4) (1-1) in region play and will travel to Bremen to take on The Blue Devils next week.