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Sports

Stephenson Beats Parkview 14-3

Big plays in the third make the difference for Jaguars.

Two huge plays by Stephenson opened the gap in a wild third quarter as Stephenson defeated Parkview 14-3 Friday at Hallford Stadium in Clarkston.

Stephenson (1-0) defeated Parkview (0-1) with all the points being scored in the third quarter. A 70-yard run and 71-yard punt return resulted in touchdowns for the ninth-ranked Jaguars.

It is true that Parkview lost 21-14 in double OT to Stephenson last year, but that was with former Panthers Raphael Kirby and Kyle Fleetwood. Both players transferred to Stephenson this year and haunted their old team all night long. Stephenson’s running back Mike Davis and quarterback Justin Holman produced enough offense to defeat Parkview. 

Before the opening kickoff it was a foregone conclusion by many outside observers that Parkview would lose the game. Stephenson has commanded the attention of every Georgia high school football program with a dozen Division I prospects on its roster.

However, Parkview showed true grit and a stalwart defense as neither team was able to score in the first half. Stephenson’s Kirby, Fleetwood, and Dareon Herring kept the Panthers offense from advancing the football.

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At one point late in the second quarter, Parkview put Stephenson on the 2-yard line, thanks to a good bounce on a punt. Stephenson’s running back Mike Davis showed a hint of what was to come, however, by breaking a tackle and weaving his way 58 yards down the field.

Parkview’s Coach Flowe said of the play, “We had them close on the 2-yard line, but we let them out.”

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Stephenson made it to the red zone but Parkview’s Patrick Flowe stopped Stephenson’s Holman as he scrambled out of the pocket. Stephenson attempted a field goal with six seconds left in the half but the attempt went wide left.

The first points on the board were scored by Parkview midway through the third quarter. The Panthers were able to move the chains with big runs from running back Jay Turner and quarterback Jack Esmonde’s throw to wide receiver Colby Smith. Keanu Mole’s run put Parkview on the 11. But the drive stalled at the 6, and Zack Kammer kicked a field goal through the uprights to put Parkview up 3-0.

Stephenson responded quickly at the end of the third. Running back Davis ran all over the field past several Parkview defenders for a 70-yard touchdown run.

Stephenson’s Coach Ron Gartrell said of the run, “Mike makes plays like that. That’s what we expect out of him. We needed that tonight.”

The play turned the momentum over to Stephenson and the Jaguars took full advantage. Stephenson’s Demarcus Sweat sealed the game by returning a punt 71 yards for a touchdown, eliminating most of Parkview’s hopes in the tightly defensive game.

 “We knew it would be hard. Two well-coached teams with very good players,” said coach Gartrell.

Flowe said of his team’s effort, “We went toe to toe with these cats. I’m real proud of my guys. We were four points worse than last year, but we had a shot to be in the game.”

Stephenson’s standout Kirby said of the win, “It was a great win. We all came to win together as a team with effort.”’

Kirby, a University of Miami commitment (for the time being, that is), transferred to Stephenson from Parkview and tormented his former team all night by making tackle after tackle all over the field.

 “I wasn’t even looking at this game like I was a transfer. It was just another game for me.”

Parkview hosts Norcross next week, Stephenson faces Cedar Grove at Hallford.

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