Rabun County has played Elbert County now 7 times in the teams’ histories. Nearly every instance has had the region title on the line and oftentimes both teams were state ranked. Never has it been closer than 28 points, as Rabun has won all meetings. This one was no different, as the #2-ranked Wildcats ran past #6 Elbert 41-21 in the battle of the undefeated teams. Rabun’s big third quarter put the game away, but the story was Jaden Gibson’s historic night, as the senior set the all-time state record for receiving TDs and receiving yards.

Keegan Stover found Gibson for a 7-yd TD in the first quarter for the early 7-0 lead. It was the start of a historic evening. Elbert County threatened, but turned the ball over 3 times in the first half. Willie Goodwyn and Nic Baloga had interceptions, with Baloga’s going for six and the 14-0 lead in the second.

It was still a ball game, but Gibson hit another gear in the second half. Needing 4 TD and 226 yards to set the state’s all-time marks, he wound up eclipsing both in the fourth quarter. But the third had most of the damage. Stover connected with Gibson for a long TD for a 21-0 lead. Elbert midway through the third got on the board with a Quan Moss 3-yd TD to keep it interesting, though Rabun would immediately respond. Once again it was Stover finding Gibson with a sliding TD catch, tying the state record for TD receptions. It made it a 28-7 lead. After a gutsy onside kick, the Cats made it quickly 35-7 on Lang Winham’s 34-yd TD run.

Elbert tacked on another TD to pull within 35-14, but the next TD was special for the Wildcats. Stover and Gibson connected again, with the play before setting the yardage record. The TD was good for 9 yards and the fourth of the game for Gibson, putting him alone at the top in Georgia history.

The win makes Rabun County 8-0 and 1-2 in region play, while Elbert drops to 7-1 and 0-1. It makes 48 straight region wins for the Wildcats, last losing in 2013 in a region contest.