27-0 was the final score in Rabun County’s season-opening scrimmage win over Franklin (NC) on the road Friday night. While that number sounds low for a Wildcats offense, keep in mind the teams played just one half.

Life without Bailey Fisher, one of the state’s all-time best dual threat quarterbacks, is still a pretty good life at Rabun. Coach Lee Shaw’s much-hyped freshman quarterback Gunner Stockton played very well in his first official varsity action.

Despite throwing an interception in the red zone, Stockton threw three touchdown passes. The Wildcats led 13-0 after one quarter, with Stockton throwing TDs to Austin Jones (42-yards) and Sutton Jones (25-yards).

The Rabun defense was once again phenomenal and stingy, not provided much room at all for the opposing team, squashing their opportunities and suffocating their game plan. Brison Beck, who finished with over 100 rushing yards in the one half, added a four-yard touchdown to put Rabun up 20-0 midway through the second quarter.

The Cats pulled out some trickery with a fake punt, giving Austin Jones a huge first down and deep in Franklin territory. Braxton Hicks added an incredible catch to get inside the 20, which led to a Stockton to Tate Ramey touchdown and a 27-0 lead.

After getting the ball back, Beck ripped off a 40-yard run to get inside the 10, but Stockton was picked off by a defensive lineman. Franklin let the clock expire to close the game.

Rabun County opens the 2018 season at the Erk Russell Classic at Georgia Southern next Saturday.