Wildcats come up just short in wild shootout [VIDEO]

A top-10 showdown that would determine the region title turned into a wild shootout, as Athens Academy earned a 49–46 victory in a game where defense came at a premium. The Spartans (9-1; 6-0 in 8A-DI) polished off their regular season undefeated in region, claiming the championship. Rabun (7-2; 3-2) needed a win this week and next at Elbert.

(VIDEO COMING SOON – Check Back by 11:30-11:45 PM)

The teams traded blows throughout the entire game, with nearly 100 total points being scored in a seesaw battle that featured half a dozen lead changes. Ultimately, the Wildcats were unable to contain Georgia Tech commit Keyon Standifer, who totaled five touchdowns.

The #10-ranked Wildcats were turned away on their first possession, but made up for it when Reid Giles intercepted the first play from the Spartans. Two plays later, Lake Evans powered in from a yard out for the first score. #5 Athens Academy retaliated with a long drive that ended with a 27-yd TD pass from Chap Chapman to Grayson Stafford. 

A see-saw battle ensued, as Rabun put pressure right back on the Spartans. Ty Truelove faked out the entire defense with a keep that he took 65 yards to the house, putting the Cats up 14-7. Still in the first, the visitors again punched back. Chapman threw a 71–yd dime to Keyon Standifer for a 14-14 tie with a minute left in the opening quarter. 

Athens Academy kept the intensity, going ahead for the first time midway through the second when Chapman and Standifer linked up again for a 9-yd TD. Rabun, who had its previous drive stalled after having a TD by Truelove called back, this time cashed in. Giles had a long run inside the 10, and Evans had a 3-yd TD for the tying score. 

Still with time, Athens Academy began to exploit the Wildcat secondary. Chapman aired out a 42-yd TD as Standifer again came up with it for an impressive TD. They went for two, and were successful to take a comfy 29-21 lead. True to form, the half wasn’t ready to close. The Wildcats methodically marched down the field with just over a minute left, and Giles capped it off with a 1-yd plunge. The 2-point try failed, leaving it at 29-27 going into the half. 

Rabun tried its luck with an onside kick to open the second half. Though Athens Academy recovered, moments later a tipped ball was picked off by Brock Brady. Evans then took a handoff through traffic and raced in for a 38-yd TD. Truelove hit Hayden Cannon for the 2-point conversion to give the Wildcats a 35-29 lead. A quick 3-and-out gave them another shot. A big pass from Truelove to Colter Cannon had Rabun in business, and Giles punched in from three yards out. The Cats went for two again, and Truelove found a wide open Dane Tyler for a 43-29 advantage. 

The Spartans kept the show going, as Standifer took the ensuing kickoff back for a gut-punching TD, bridging the gap to 43-36. 

Evan had three touchdowns for the Wildcats, while Truelove had a TD pass and a pair of 2-point conversions. Giles added two scores and an interception. Standifer had four touchdown catches and a kickoff return for a TD, and Chapman had six TD passes on the night.