MT. AIRY, Ga. — Habersham Central got its first Region 8-6A win of the season in wild fashion Friday night, beating Jackson County, 34-27, in double overtime at Raider Stadium.
DJ Pass scored on a 1-yard run in the second overtime and then the Raiders defense held off the Panthers to secure the win.
Habersham Central (3-3, 1-1 Region 8-6A) led from the opening play when Somdee Satiphone returned the game’s opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown. The Raiders pushed their lead to 14-0 on a 70-yard pass from DJ Pass to Carter Barrett with just 13 seconds left in the first half.
It stayed that way until the Panthers rallied in the fourth quarter. MJ Spurlin capped a short 16-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run to cut the lead to 14-7. Then Acoreon McClure scored with just 51 seconds left to get Jackson County (3-4, 1-2 Region 8-6A) within 14-13. But the extra point was no good.
Habersham Central recovered the ensuing onside kick and looked to put the game away one play later when Antonio Cantrell raced 49 yards for a score. But the Raiders missed their extra point for a 20-13 lead.
Jackson County was not done as RJ Knapp connected with Jaydan Hibbert on a 12-yard touchdown pass with no time left to send it to overtime.
In overtime, McClure gave the Panthers a 27-20 lead on a 15-yard scoring run. Cantrell scored on a 1-yard TD run for the Raiders to tie it at 27 before Pass’s TD and the habersham defense sealed the win.
Spurlin, Class 6A’s leading rusher and playing his most significant action since an ankle injury two weeks ago, had 57 yards on 18 carries. McClure finished with 87 yards and Knapp was 17-of-30 for 207 yards with one interception for Jackson County. Hibbert had 8 catches for 92 yards.
Cantrell piled up 130 yards rushing for Habersham Central. Pass was 7-of-20 passing for 119 yards. Barrett finished with 3 catches for 89 yards for the Raiders.
