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'Cats lose homecoming heartbreaker
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| Rabun County Wildcats junior running back Daniel Campbell collides with a wall of East Jackson defenders Oct. 17 during Rabun's 24-20 loss at home. |
By Justin Raines Staff Writer
Hopes were high Friday night as stadium lights twinkled sequins in the dresses of homecoming queens, and honking wedges of southbound geese creased the bleeding evening sky.
But victory was not in the cards for Rabun County. The Wildcats fell at home to the East Jackson Eagles by a score of 24-20.
The game remained close down to its final seconds, but the 'Cats (1-6 overall, 1-5 Region 8AA) could not catch up during their last two possessions.
Despite the heartbreaking homecoming defeat, there were some positives.
"We played a good solid game," head coach Danny Durham said. "Our kids played four solid quarters."
After winning the coin toss, Rabun chose to defer, and a booming kickoff by senior Victor Camacho was fielded by junior Jeremiah VanderHorst to push the Eagles back to their own 15-yard line.
East Jackson began a long 18-play drive that burned 9 minutes and 15 seconds off the clock. They did not score, however, and after some key tackles by sophomore Jack Woerner and seniors Ian McDonald and Dillon Bennett, the Eagles were forced to attempt a field goal from Rabun's 20-yard line.
Junior Daniel Campbell flew around outside blockers and slapped the kick out of the air to get the home crowd roaring.
Rabun's first drive was hampered by a penalty flag on third down, and the 'Cats were forced to punt, setting up East Jackson's first scoring drive of the game.
The Eagles managed a 9-yard touchdown run with 7:54 left in the half, but the two-point conversion failed, pegging the score at 6-0.
Rabun's next drive included four first downs and a nice 35-yard connection between senior quarterback Ethan Grant and junior receiver Paul Blackstock.
The 'Cats' running game gained steam with nice blocks made by the offensive line to open holes for Campbell, Bennett and McDonald.
On fourth-and-goal, Campbell broke into the end zone with 2:15 left in the half. Junior Marco Cruz launched the extra point through the uprights, and the 'Cats led 7-6.
East Jackson answered with a touchdown six plays later, and a two-point conversion put the Eagles ahead 14-7.
Then, in what was perhaps the most exciting special teams play of the season, Campbell fielded the ensuing kickoff and was able to weave his way 95 yards down field to score on the return.
The home crowd erupted, and momentum seemed to favor the 'Cats at halftime as they jogged to the locker room with the score tied at 14 apiece.
After a festive halftime show that featured the crowning of new RCHS homecoming queen Anna Phillips, Rabun returned to the field ready to capitalize on the kickoff.
The 'Cats put together a long consistent drive that chewed 6:57 off the clock and culminated in a 7-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Luke Cross. Cruz's extra point kick sailed wide, and Rabun led 20-14.
The Eagles threatened to take back the lead after breaking a long run down to Rabun's 9-yard line.
They drove to the goal line before receiving an introduction to the grit that has become a hallmark of the 'Cats' defense this season. Rabun forced a turnover on downs at the 1-yard line with just more than two minutes left in the third.
The 'Cats struggled to move the ball past their own 15-yard line, and it looked like Rabun would have to punt, but then the turnover monster reared its ugly head.
On a handoff, the ball was fumbled, and the Eagles recovered deep in Rabun territory. One play later, East Jackson scored to make the score 21-20 at the opening of the final quarter.
Led by the power running of Bennett, Rabun pushed the ball toward midfield on its next possession, but a pair of incomplete passes forced a punt situation.
The snap to Grant was low, and as he scooped the ball off the ground, Eagles defenders swarmed the backfield. Grant could not manage a kick and was forced to throw the ball away.
East Jackson drilled a field goal soon after, increasing its lead to 24-20 with 2:56 left in the game.
The final minutes of the battle were perhaps the most suspenseful Rabun fans have seen all season.
Needing only a field goal to tie the game, Rabun could not get within range, and a string of incomplete passes forced a turnover on downs.
The 'Cats' defense again stood strong, shutting down the Eagles in four plays to give the offense one more chance in the final minute of the game.
Grant hit Cross on fourth-and-six to keep the hopes alive, but an interception with less than 20 seconds in the game sealed Rabun's fate.
"We had opportunities," Durham said. "We had two drives at the end of the game where we needed to score some points, and we didn't get anything out of it. It just came down to them getting that field goal and going up on us 24-20."
Durham said the loss was disappointing, but not for lack of effort.
"I think they learned that sometimes you're going to play as hard as you can play and not get the result you want," Durham said.
After suffering an injury in the first quarter, VanderHorst watched most of the game from the sidelines. He said his team was improving, but there is still work to be done.
"We have the physical part and the heart," VanderHorst said. "We all want to play good, but we're just making some mental errors."
The 'Cats will need to be at the top of their game Friday as they travel to Jefferson High School for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The Dragons are undefeated at 7-0 and lead Region 8AA.
"We need to play really well," Durham said about pulling off an upset. "We've got to play flawless."
Senior Morgan Gantt said he would try to keep his teammates motivated during what could be the biggest challenge Rabun faces all season.
"As a senior leader, I've got to keep them motivated," Gantt said. "We've got to definitely stay motivated throughout the game and play our hardest. We definitely can't give up big plays against Jefferson."
The Dragons feature a "dangerous" offense with a wealth of talent on the offensive line and at the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions, Durham said.
Rabun's defense will have to "bleed slow" if it hopes to stay in the game.
The junior varsity squad travels today to Union County for its final game of the season. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
But victory was not in the cards for Rabun County. The Wildcats fell at home to the East Jackson Eagles by a score of 24-20.
The game remained close down to its final seconds, but the 'Cats (1-6 overall, 1-5 Region 8AA) could not catch up during their last two possessions.
Despite the heartbreaking homecoming defeat, there were some positives.
"We played a good solid game," head coach Danny Durham said. "Our kids played four solid quarters."
After winning the coin toss, Rabun chose to defer, and a booming kickoff by senior Victor Camacho was fielded by junior Jeremiah VanderHorst to push the Eagles back to their own 15-yard line.
East Jackson began a long 18-play drive that burned 9 minutes and 15 seconds off the clock. They did not score, however, and after some key tackles by sophomore Jack Woerner and seniors Ian McDonald and Dillon Bennett, the Eagles were forced to attempt a field goal from Rabun's 20-yard line.
Junior Daniel Campbell flew around outside blockers and slapped the kick out of the air to get the home crowd roaring.
Rabun's first drive was hampered by a penalty flag on third down, and the 'Cats were forced to punt, setting up East Jackson's first scoring drive of the game.
The Eagles managed a 9-yard touchdown run with 7:54 left in the half, but the two-point conversion failed, pegging the score at 6-0.
Rabun's next drive included four first downs and a nice 35-yard connection between senior quarterback Ethan Grant and junior receiver Paul Blackstock.
The 'Cats' running game gained steam with nice blocks made by the offensive line to open holes for Campbell, Bennett and McDonald.
On fourth-and-goal, Campbell broke into the end zone with 2:15 left in the half. Junior Marco Cruz launched the extra point through the uprights, and the 'Cats led 7-6.
East Jackson answered with a touchdown six plays later, and a two-point conversion put the Eagles ahead 14-7.
Then, in what was perhaps the most exciting special teams play of the season, Campbell fielded the ensuing kickoff and was able to weave his way 95 yards down field to score on the return.
The home crowd erupted, and momentum seemed to favor the 'Cats at halftime as they jogged to the locker room with the score tied at 14 apiece.
After a festive halftime show that featured the crowning of new RCHS homecoming queen Anna Phillips, Rabun returned to the field ready to capitalize on the kickoff.
The 'Cats put together a long consistent drive that chewed 6:57 off the clock and culminated in a 7-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Luke Cross. Cruz's extra point kick sailed wide, and Rabun led 20-14.
The Eagles threatened to take back the lead after breaking a long run down to Rabun's 9-yard line.
They drove to the goal line before receiving an introduction to the grit that has become a hallmark of the 'Cats' defense this season. Rabun forced a turnover on downs at the 1-yard line with just more than two minutes left in the third.
The 'Cats struggled to move the ball past their own 15-yard line, and it looked like Rabun would have to punt, but then the turnover monster reared its ugly head.
On a handoff, the ball was fumbled, and the Eagles recovered deep in Rabun territory. One play later, East Jackson scored to make the score 21-20 at the opening of the final quarter.
Led by the power running of Bennett, Rabun pushed the ball toward midfield on its next possession, but a pair of incomplete passes forced a punt situation.
The snap to Grant was low, and as he scooped the ball off the ground, Eagles defenders swarmed the backfield. Grant could not manage a kick and was forced to throw the ball away.
East Jackson drilled a field goal soon after, increasing its lead to 24-20 with 2:56 left in the game.
The final minutes of the battle were perhaps the most suspenseful Rabun fans have seen all season.
Needing only a field goal to tie the game, Rabun could not get within range, and a string of incomplete passes forced a turnover on downs.
The 'Cats' defense again stood strong, shutting down the Eagles in four plays to give the offense one more chance in the final minute of the game.
Grant hit Cross on fourth-and-six to keep the hopes alive, but an interception with less than 20 seconds in the game sealed Rabun's fate.
"We had opportunities," Durham said. "We had two drives at the end of the game where we needed to score some points, and we didn't get anything out of it. It just came down to them getting that field goal and going up on us 24-20."
Durham said the loss was disappointing, but not for lack of effort.
"I think they learned that sometimes you're going to play as hard as you can play and not get the result you want," Durham said.
After suffering an injury in the first quarter, VanderHorst watched most of the game from the sidelines. He said his team was improving, but there is still work to be done.
"We have the physical part and the heart," VanderHorst said. "We all want to play good, but we're just making some mental errors."
The 'Cats will need to be at the top of their game Friday as they travel to Jefferson High School for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The Dragons are undefeated at 7-0 and lead Region 8AA.
"We need to play really well," Durham said about pulling off an upset. "We've got to play flawless."
Senior Morgan Gantt said he would try to keep his teammates motivated during what could be the biggest challenge Rabun faces all season.
"As a senior leader, I've got to keep them motivated," Gantt said. "We've got to definitely stay motivated throughout the game and play our hardest. We definitely can't give up big plays against Jefferson."
The Dragons feature a "dangerous" offense with a wealth of talent on the offensive line and at the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions, Durham said.
Rabun's defense will have to "bleed slow" if it hopes to stay in the game.
The junior varsity squad travels today to Union County for its final game of the season. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
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