When the Raiders line up against Stephens County this evening, there will be no playoff implications on the line. Nor will the game affect Habersham’s ultimate goal of competing in the Region 8-6A standings. Yet, depending on who you ask, tonight’s game might just transcend all of that.
I did ask. I parlayed answers I received into a snapshot of just how much this means to both communities in question.
You see, community pride runs rife in places like Habersham and Stephens. High school athletics are the ties that bind. That’ll be evident tonight. There’s neither a time nor place where that pride is displayed brighter than when these two programs butt heads in late August/early September each year. (Or most years at least.)
We’re deep in SEC country. You know the slogan. If some games just mean more, this one means the most.
Time for the elephant in the room. An inconvenient truth, as they say. The rivalry series has not been kind to Habersham over the past decade. That’s putting it mildly. The series leans heavily towards Stephens. The Indians have taken 18 of the last 20 matchups and, prior to HCHS’ memorable 2019 win, was riding a 14-game streak. With a new streak picking up steam, it’s time we nip it in the bud.
This is the team capable of getting over the hump. Experienced, yes, but also grizzled in a sense. From beginning highschool amid a pandemic to riding the ups and downs of some tough seasons, these seniors have seen a lot and been through a lot. This whole program has. Front to back, top to bottom.
Regardless of tonight’s outcome, these kids are in good shape. Under Coach Benji Harrison’s tutelage, this community has gotten to see them grow up. On the field and beyond.
Win or lose, lasting memories will still be made.
But this team wants it bad. I say tonight’s the night they go out and grab one. See y’all there.
Lang Storey is the sportswriter for The Northeast Georgian. Reach him at 706-778-4215 or lstorey@TheNortheastGeorgian.com.