Sports

Habersham Central freshman Zeke Whittington gets behind the defense for a touchdown against Madison County on Friday night. TOM ASKEW/Special

Habersham Central freshman Zeke Whittington gets behind the defense for a touchdown against Madison County on Friday night. TOM ASKEW/Special

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Madison dives right in, gets by Raiders

Bryant Roche
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Habersham Central couldn’t defend the dive, allowing touchdowns on the play three times in losing the season opener to Madison County, 28-25. On the other score, the Red Raiders had gained possession after a 22-yard end around finished with a fumble.

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Raider picked for scholarly honor

News Staff
Friday, August 20, 2021
Habersham Central student Jayson Bentley of Demorest was recently picked as a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. The society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship and community commitment.
Audrey and Abigail Hotard show off their trophies from last year’s Middle School State Cross Country Championships. Abigail finished first and Audrey finished second in the championship race for all schools competing in the GHSA 5A, 6A and 7A classifications.

Audrey and Abigail Hotard show off their trophies from last year’s Middle School State Cross Country Championships. Abigail finished first and Audrey finished second in the championship race for all schools competing in the GHSA 5A, 6A and 7A classifications.

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Raiders take new approach to cross country training

Bryant Roche
Friday, August 20, 2021
Habersham Central cross country changes course this year, with new coach Rabun Kimzey instituting a new four-part system. Former coaches Nikki English and assistant Lacy Simpson each gave birth over the past year, freeing up space for a new staff hoping to grow a program.
Joni Littlejohn stays ready with a Stephens County runner at third. The runner was stranded in the shutout win. MARCUS ETIENNE/CNI News Service

Joni Littlejohn stays ready with a Stephens County runner at third. The runner was stranded in the shutout win. MARCUS ETIENNE/CNI News Service

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Lady Raiders crush Stephens County

Bryant Roche
Friday, August 20, 2021
Habersham Central softball rolled past host Stephens County 10-0 Wednesday behind Taylor Wade’s base running savvy and situational switch-hitting. Leading off the game from the left side, Wade reached base on an error on a throw that would have gotten her by a hair.

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Big games on the Georgia slate opening week

Bryant Roche
Friday, August 20, 2021
Georgia High School football opens this week, with the 11-game Corky Kell Classic kicking it off with a doubleheader Wednesday. In the first matchup, Maryland commit A.J. Swann went 14 of 18 passing for 247 yards, with four touchdowns tosses in the second quarter as Cherokee defeated Mays, 52-6.
Friday, August 20 at 7:30 PM: Habersham Central Raiders vs Madison County Red Raiders. CODY ROGERS/Staff

Friday, August 20 at 7:30 PM: Habersham Central Raiders vs Madison County Red Raiders. CODY ROGERS/Staff

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Raiders seek another 1-0 start

Bryant Roche
Friday, August 20, 2021
Habersham Central coach Benji Harrison faces a familiar foe Friday in 4A Madison County’s Chris Smith. “I think the world of Coach Smith,” Harrison said. “He does it the right way. He does right by his kids.
Members of Habersham Central’s varsity cheerleading squad for 2021 are (back row, from left) Angelica Vilayvong, Kali Contreras, Samara Chappell, Ebonie King, Brianna Butler, Emma Parkey, Ava Brookshire, Haley Vieira, Makenna Eller and Annabelle James. Front row are (from left) LeAnn Kennedy, Morgan Pitts, Aloni Bowden, Ella Free, Jaylon Davidson and Jolina Phongsavanh-Kensey. Not pictured is Shyanne Rinefierd. JALEN HULSEY/Submitted

Members of Habersham Central’s varsity cheerleading squad for 2021 are (back row, from left) Angelica Vilayvong, Kali Contreras, Samara Chappell, Ebonie King, Brianna Butler, Emma Parkey, Ava Brookshire, Haley Vieira, Makenna Eller and Annabelle James. Front row are (from left) LeAnn Kennedy, Morgan Pitts, Aloni Bowden, Ella Free, Jaylon Davidson and Jolina Phongsavanh-Kensey. Not pictured is Shyanne Rinefierd. JALEN HULSEY/Submitted

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Cheerleading teams hope for full experience this year

Bryant Roche
Friday, August 20, 2021
Habersham Central cheerleading emphasizes values of academics and chemistry that extend for both sideline and competition teams to outreach beyond the arena.
Pickleballers play at Ruby Fulbright on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. BRYANT ROCHE/Staff

Pickleballers play at Ruby Fulbright on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. BRYANT ROCHE/Staff

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County does 180 on pickleball

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
A plucky, upcoming sport with a determined force of players changed the minds of the Habersham County Board of Commissioners.
First responders participating in Saturday night’s Battle of the Heroes stand at attention before the beginning of the game. BRYANT ROCHE/Staff

First responders participating in Saturday night’s Battle of the Heroes stand at attention before the beginning of the game. BRYANT ROCHE/Staff

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‘Battle of the Heroes’ stages triumphant return

Bryant Roche
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
The 8th Easton Foundation “Battle of the Heroes” event at Raiders Stadium Saturday featured a first responders flag football game and a “Best in Show” F-1 Ford. “It means a whole lot to me,” said founder and president Casey Lizama.