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Sunshot by Grayson Williams -- Hart County’s Jackson Canup, above, pulls down Stephens County’s MJ Jones in Toccoa on Aug. 30 in the Bulldogs’ 26-13 victory over the Indians.
Coming off of a win over AAAA Stephens County, the Hart County High School Bulldogs (2-0, 0-0) are looking to overcome the Commerce Tigers on Friday at home.
Commerce holds a 2-0 record as well, holding wins over West Hall, 48-17, and Athens Christian, 49-7. They also narrowly brought down Franklin County 21-14 in a pre-season scrimmage game.
In last week’s game against Athens Christian, Commerce’s offense accumulated 304 total yards. Quarterback Nate Ray went 4-for-5 on 82-yards and two touchdowns. Running back Sam Roach led the Tiger’s ground attack with 73 yards on six carries and two touchdowns.
Last year, the Bulldogs lost a close game to Commerce 33-20 after allowing 21 points in the first quarter. However, Hart County is riding a revenge tour right now – with a 2-0 record against the same opponents they faced this time of the year last season.
Michael Brown is in his second season of coaching the Tigers. He led the team to a 10-3 record last season in Region 8-A and a quarter-final playoff appearance where the Tigers lost a tight 26-23 game against Irwin County.
The two teams have met 15 teams since 1954. History favors the Tigers with just two games being won by the Bulldogs, 12 victories by Commerce and one game ending in a tie. Prior to 1954, Hartwell High School faced Commerce seven times and claimed victory in three of those games.