Fortune turns for Indians in win
Armuchee’s defense comes up big to save a victory in its home opener.
This week, it was Armuchee’s turn to make a clutch move in the final minutes to get a victory.
After trailing LakeviewFort Oglethorpe 14-0 midway through the first quarter, the Armuchee Indians fought back Friday night and used back-toback stands by their defense to get a 27-23 win on their home field.
“This was definitely a 48-minute game, and you know, we needed every single second to win this ballgame,” Armuchee head coach Muhammad Abdellatif said.
“It’s just a testament to these kids to bounce back the way that they did. They could have come out real flat, and we kind of did, but they showed a lot of resiliency, a lot of resolve, and just a lot of fight.”
Jacob Henderson had 19 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns for the Indians, and Adam Hart scored on a 39yard run in the first quarter. Brayden Butler showed up big by intercepting an LFO pass in the end zone and recovering a fumbled LFO punt return in the second quarter. His final play of the night, however, sealed Armuchee’s win as he broke up a pass from Warrior quarterback Zach Vaughn to Ruddy Ware that threatened to put the visitors on top with no time left.
“I thought to myself before the play that I wanted the ball to come to me. I knew I had that guy manned up on that play and I knew they were coming to him so I was ready for it,” Butler said.
“I just thought to myself to dig deep and give everything I had.”
The victory comes a week after the Indians had a chance to score late against LaFayette before an interception ended their shot in both teams’ season opener.
Armuchee’s defense held LFO (0-2) to just a field goal in the second half Friday night with the visiting Warriors threatening time and time again only to punt to end one possession and throw an incomplete pass to end another before the final drive of the game
Down 20-13 at halftime, Armuchee (1-1) came out strong with Will Hubbard returning the kickoff to the 50. Henderson then broke free for a 41-yard touchdown
five plays later. Simon Wilson converted on his second of three extra points to tie the game.
Quarterback Brayden Perry hit Tae Allen on a 32-yard pass on third-and-20 early in
the fourth, which led to Henderson scoring on a four-yard run with 8:27 left in the game to make it 27-23.
Armuchee is on the road next week as the Indians visit Temple on Friday.