The back-to-back region champions Stephens County hope to maintain the level of play the Indians have grown accustomed to over the past three years. In that span, coach Wesley Tankersley has guided Stephens to 27 wins, 2 region crowns, and 3 playoff wins. The team has been state-ranked the past 3 seasons, including #1 at one point last year. The 2023 edition saw the Indians go 10-2 and getting to the second round for the third straight year.

New QB Tripp Underwood (1,523 yds, 13 TD) got his feet wet, and will be back along with one of the top local athletes in Javin Gordon (1,635 rush yds, 20 TD; 273 rec yds, 2 TD). Also back is Brock Tankersley (400 total yds, 4 TD) and Davin Swinton (226 rec yds, 3 TD, 7 INT). Jonah Swinton (95 TKL) and Jakob Lunsford (64 TKL, 18 TFL, 4 Sacks) will help anchor the defense. The team will have to find someone to fill the shoes of such talents as Jasec Smith and Aiden Butts, but those new players will emerge. The Indians move down a classification into 2A, so this year could look a lot different.

The Indians have revealed their 2024 schedule, in the all-new 8-AA, which now features state powerhouse Prince Ave along with familiar foes Franklin, Hebron, Hart, and East Jackson. The non-region slate is TOUGH…

2024 SCHEDULE

AUG 16 – vs Habersham Central
AUG 23 – vs Elbert County
AUG 30 – @ Cedar Shoals
SEP 6 – @ Jefferson
SEP 13 – vs Oconee County
SEP 20 – BYE
SEP 27 – @ Franklin County*
OCT 4 – vs Prince Avenue Christian*
OCT 11 – BYE
OCT 18 – @ Hebron Christian*
OCT 25 – vs Hart County*
NOV 1 – @ East Jackson*

*Region 8-AA