BC improves to 2-0 [with pictures]

It wasn’t the easiest of games for the Leopards, but the streak is still alive as Banks County earned its fifth win and a second sub-region win.

Banks (2-0;5-1) and East Hall (2-0;3-3) lead the north side of the sub-region, while across the way, North Oconee (3-0;6-0) and Elbert County (3-0;5-1) battle it out for the top of the southern sub-region.

With the goal to make it through the region play-in and into the playoffs, taking out these early region opponents is just the step up Banks County needs to push through the north side of 8-AA.

While Banks County was the favorite in last week’s 25-11 win over Dawson County, the Tigers were determined not to roll over for Banks County.

Dawson’s passing game and coverage of the Leopard running backs kept the Leopard’s on their toes. A strong Leopard defense and some big plays ultimately handed the win to Banks.

“This is the team that beat Fannin, who was favored, and beating Dawson makes us feel like we can play everyone else,” coach Blair Armstrong said. “Next we have Rabun. They play tough every year and there is a long rivalry between us.”

Banks County once again takes to the road as the Leopards prepare to face Rabun County this week. Friday night kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

Rabun County is still looking for its first sub-region victory and the chance to spoil Banks’ record. Rabun County has lost the last three encounters between the teams, but still leads the rivalry with 9 wins since 1994. Banks County has won seven of those games.

While Banks County is looking to carry on an impressive season so far, while Rabun County would like nothing more than to smear that record. The Leopards have to continue to bring everything the guys have onto the field, because Banks County is now a target for every team in the sub-region.

Dawson County
It looked like Banks County was going to be working from behind in the first minutes of last Friday’s game at Dawson County, but the Leopards pulled off another win to improve to 2-0 in region play with a 25-11 win.

Dawson County received the ball first at their own 30-yard line and in seven plays had pushed down the field to scoring position. A fourth down field goal attempt from the Banks County 18 yard line went wide.

The Leopards’ first possession of the night began with a handoff to Dylan Lackey out to the 25, due to penalties on both teams after the play, the ball was moved up to the 28 yard line. The first Banks County first down earned was on the next play as Jeremy Greenway picked up the three yards needed. Another flag on the next play backed the Leopards back to the 25 yard line.

Quarterback Harrison Dale looked for a pass on the next play, but couldn’t find an open receiver. Dale resorted to the carry and weaved his way back down the field to the Dawson County 46 yard line.

Another first down at the Tiger 30 was followed by a fumble. Banks County came up with it and continued the drive. On third down and goal, at the 2-yard line, the handoff to Lackey put the Leopards on the board 6-0.

On the return, Dawson County lost five yards on a penalty on the first play of their second possession. Dawson County couldn’t push up to the midfield and punted.

Banks County would start the second quarter on the Leopards’ 17-yard line.

During the second quarter, both defenses got a workout as neither the Leopards or the Tigers could find the end zone. With less than 10 seconds left in the half, Banks was on the Dawson 45 yard line. Dale took the snap and stepped back into the pocket as time ran out on the clock. With a live ball keeping the half alive, Dale launched it to fringe of the red zone.

Eli Autry, covered by three Dawson County defenders pulled the ball down and stayed on his feet, cutting right while Marquaze Maddox tripped up the defenders giving Autry the opening. Autry ran the distance for the second Banks County touchdown. The Leopards went for the two-point conversion, but came up short to enter the break 12-0 over Dawson County.

Coming out in the second half, Banks’ Dean Ewing received the kick at the Leopards’ own 23-yard line.

Five plays, two first downs and three minutes later, Banks County was back in the end zone as Greenway carried the ball in to extend the lead, 18-0.

Dawson County was determined to start cutting into the Leopard lead and tested the Banks County defenses. In the final minutes of the third quarter, Dawson County brought up first and goal at the 5-yard line. The second down gained four yards and the third down put the ball a foot from the goal line.

The Leopards’ defenses lined up on the goal line and took the brunt of the hit as Dawson County forced up the center. Banks County stopped the drive a hairsbreadth from scoring to end the quarter.

Dawson County started the fourth quarter on fourth and goal at the goal line. The push into the end zone was recalled out to the Banks County 11-yard line for holding. Dawson elected to take the field goal cutting the Banks County lead 18-3.

Banks County scored again after forcing the turnover on downs at the Dawson County 4-yard line. Lackey ran the ball in and the Leopards made their first PAT of the night, 25-3.

Dawson County took advantage of the next possession putting the ball in the air and making a 10 play scoring drive. The Tiger touchdown and two-point conversion made it 25-11. A Banks County fumble turned the ball back over to Dawson who attempted to get back to the end zone but ran out of time with 28 yards to go.

“I am very proud,” Armstrong said. “We deserved the win and the guys did a good job working for it.”

Leopard Spots
PASSING
Dale 3 for 6, 71y and one TD

REC
Ewing 1 for 9y
Greenway 1 for 7y
Autry 1 for 55y and one TD

RUSHING
Lackey 15 for 65y and two TD
Greenway 11 for 123y and one TD
Dale 5 for 45y

TEAM TOTALS
Rush-233y
Pass-71y
Total- 304y

DEFENSE (incomplete)
Greenway 19 tackles 2 sacks
Autry 2 sacks





For more photos from the game, see The Banks County News.