The traveling Jefferson County Warriors defeated the Hephzibah Rebels 26-18 at the Big John McLeod Stadium Friday, Sept. 10.
With 2:50 left in the first quarter, the Warriors made it into the red zone on a 26-yard run from quarterback Keyshawn Vaughner.
The Warriors then moved into the red zone, and Vaughner ran for it again, scoring a 2-yard touchdown on the next play. Ethan Rabun kicked for the extra point, and the score was 7-0 going into the second quarter.
The Warriors started off strong in the third quarter. At 10:50 remaining in the third, Vaughner threw a 46-yard pass to wide receiver Marques Whigham to drive into Rebel territory. With less than six minutes left in the third quarter, the Warriors made it all the way to the 1-yard line before running back Anthony Ruff ran the ball into the endzone. Rabun kicked again for the extra point and made the score 14-0.
The Rebels had the ball, but just plays later, the Warriors intercepted a pass from quarterback Jalen Patrick and gained possession with five minutes left in the third quarter. A minute later, Vaughner ran for the Warriors’ third touchdown of the night. The kick was no good, so the score was 20-0.
Towards the end of the quarter, the Rebels put themselves on the board on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Patrick to wide receiver Eric Grant. The kick was no good, and the score was 20-6 going into the fourth quarter.
The Rebels made the first move of the fourth quarter. Patrick threw another 12-yard pass to wide open wide receiver Cornelius Smith. The Rebels failed the two-point conversion, and the score was 20-12.
With 1:07 left in the game, the Warriors worked their way to the 4-yard line. Warriors’ backup quarterback Jaron Cash ran the ball for another touchdown. The Warriors failed the two-point conversion, and the score was 26-12 with 1:02 to go in the fourth quarter.
Just moments later, the Rebels covered ground again on a touchdown pass from Patrick to Grant. The score was 26-18 to end the game.
The Hephzibah Rebels will travel to play at Josey , and the Jefferson County Warriors will play at Butler next Friday, Sept. 17.
Shelbie Summerlin is a Sports Contributor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at ssummerlin@augusta.edu
