The Banks County Leopards will face off against the Athens Academy Spartans at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Banks County, yet to win a game, are hoping to taste some of the success that has characterized Athens Academy's (thus far) undefeated season.
Banks County came up short against Rabun County last Friday, falling 31-9. While losing is never fun, the Leopards can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Georgia football rankings (they are ranked 391st, while the Wildcats are ranked 155th).
Meanwhile, Athens Academy made easy work of Oglethorpe County on Saturday and carried off a 47-27 win. Considering the Spartans have won five matches by more than 19 points this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.
Athens Academy's win was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from Keyon Standifer, who picked up 101 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Standifer torched the secondary when he pulled down a catch that went for 75 yards. Another rusher making a difference was Jamari Welch, who rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown on only nine carries.
He was just one part of a punishing run game: Athens Academy was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 265 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 158 rushing yards in eight consecutive contests dating back to last season.
Athens Academy's defense was in the mix too, especially the secondary: they snagged two passes before it was all said and done. Standifer picked up that interception and then proceeded to rub salt in the wound by taking it back the other way for a touchdown.
Banks County's defeat dropped their record down to 0-5. As for Athens Academy, their victory was their fourth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 6-0.
Banks County was taken down by Athens Academy 56-27 when the teams last played back in October of 2023. Can Banks County avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
