SUGAR HILL — This was not the start to region play that Habersham Central targeted -- but the Raiders know there is no time to dwell on Friday's 38-10 defeat at Lanier.
With Gainesville headed to Mt. Airy next week, Habersham will look to bounce back quickly after a rough second half in Sugar Hill.
The Raiders (3-3, 0-1 Region 8-6A) trailed 14-10 with over seven minutes remaining in the first half but watched the Longhorns (4-2, 1-0) reel off 24 unanswered points, including an 8-yard touchdown from Andre Watson before halftime to give Lanier a momentum it would not release the rest of the way.
Habersham's normally-potent offense managed 293 yards -- including a team-high 70 yards rushing for quarterback Tre Luttrell -- but the Raiders passing game never found its rhythm against the Longhorns defense, completing just 18 of 42 passes for 153 yards and an interception while absorbing two sacks.
Donnie Curry snagged 6 passes for 61 yards to pace Habersham -- but it was not enough after Lanier jumped in front and forced the Raiders to its aerial game in the second half.
Lanier used a 7-yard touchdown run from quarterback Zach Calzada and a 46-yard interception return from Nahil Perkins to round out the scoring with 18 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Michael Decu also had a 22-yard field goal during the third quarter.
Habersham's defense limited Lanier to just 236 yards, 108 rushing, but big kick returns -- including a 62-yard kickoff return from Demontae Lipscomb -- helped set up two short drives for the Longhorns.
Jackson Clouatre scored Habersham's lone touchdown on a 28-yard run in the second quarter. David Escamilla also booted a 32-yard field goal for Habersham in the first quarter for a 3-0 lead.
