Stephens County shocked visiting Hebron Christian at The Reservation, never trailing in a 29-10 win. The Indians (5-3, 3-1 in 8-AAA) earned the blowout win over the reigning back-to-back state champions.

The Lions (3-6, 2-3) never had a share of the lead, and briefly brought it down to a 6-point game.

While the Indians didn’t score on the game’s opening drive, they bled 6:45 off the clock and turned it over on downs at the 11. Stephens had another great opportunity but a 26-yd field goal was blocked.

Stephens went ahead 2-0 on a safety when the punter’s knee touched the ground on an attempt. After the ensuing kickoff, the Indians marched down and scored on a 5-yd touchdown from Branson Stowe to Duke Collins, making it a 9-0 lead.

After an interception by Zoonk Patterson, Stowe connected with Kaiden Harbin on a big gain to get inside the red zone. Dallas Hague rushed in from three yards out to push the advantage to 16-0 midway into the second.

Hebron Christian knocked in a 36-yd field goal as the horn sounded for the half, leaving the game at 16-3 in favor of the Indians. Hebron got a huge break on a Stephens fumble, as #0 scooped and scored to make it a 16-10 to open the third.

Josiah Worsley late in the third and again early in the fourth punched in a field goal, the latter from 35 yards out to give Stephens a 22-10 lead with about 10 minutes to go.

Hague then punctuated the win with a 26-yd TD run to put the game out of reach. An interception by Isaiah Arthur made it official.

The Indians still have a shot to play for a region title, as they sit at the top with both Elbert County (who Stephens plays next week) and Hart County, who they already beat.