TIGER When Adriel Clark transferred from Riverside Military Academy to Rabun County late in the summer, it was seen as perhaps a key ingredient for what was already a potent Wildcats offense.
They already had the nation’s No. 1 junior quarterback prospect in the country in Gunner Stockton (South Carolina-commit), a slew of receivers for their high-flying spread attack, and arguably their best offensive line in school history returning.
Clark was seen as a deep ball threat that could help stretch any defense.
But it’s doubtful that even Wildcats’ coach Jaybo Shaw, the architect of the state’s most potent 2020 attack (604 points, 47.0 ppg), could have foreseen what was to come.
TIGER Gunnar Stockton’s 1-yard plunge in overtime gave Rabun County a thrilling 27-24 win over Bleckley County Friday night in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A playoffs.
But if not for perhaps the defense’s finest hour of the season, the Wildcats would not be heading to Callaway next week for just the program’s second-ever semifinal appearance.
The Royals first play in overtime, a 23-yard screen pass, gave them what looked to be a sure touchdown setting up a 1st-and goal at the Rabun 2. But a huge first down stop by senior Hoff Windham, a gang tackle on second, and then a gutsy blitz call on third down forced Bleckley County to settle for a 24-yard James Fordman field goal.