The HCMS Braves football team rebounded from an 0-2 start to finish the season at 4-4 before falling to Villa Rica in the conference semifinals (Photo: Chandra Holliday)

(Franklin, GA) — The HCMS Braves football team bounced back from an 0-2 start this season by going 4-2 over their last six games before being eliminated from the playoffs by a tough Villa Rica squad on October 18 at HCMS by a final score of 28-14.

Dylan “Little Kountry” Stephens led the way in the semifinals for the Braves with two touchdowns and big Jacob “Juice” Miles scored on a 2-point conversion. The Braves battled back from an 8-6 halftime deficit keyed by and onside kick recovery by Jonathan Echols. Bowdon went on to claim the championship by defeating the Wildcats in the title game the following week.

First year Middle Brave head coach Connor McNamee was pleased with the grit and effort put in by his team to rebound from the slow start.

“I am extremely proud of these boys. I know it didn’t start the way we wanted it to with some tough games against Callaway and Haralson County but we knew once we got to league play we could do some things we wanted to do as long as we put our heads down and grinded through it, ” said McNamee. “These boys did that and did everything we asked them to.”

In the backfield, Miles had a big season for the Braves with around 800 yards rushing and eight TD’s and Stephens wasn’t far behind with some big numbers of his own.

Echols was the squad’s top receiver with Will Alford leading the way at QB. Alford also played corner on defense and hauled in a huge interception to seal one of the big late season wins.

Mason Bailey and Sammy Holliday anchored the offensive line up front.

McNamee also adds that R.J. Noles was huge for the Braves especially late in the season after he moved to outside linebacker. Todd Huey, Jr. was also big defensively for the Braves. The Middle Braves will send 20 eighth graders over to Heard High next season.

McNamee sasy his first years as head coach was awesome.

“I’ve really enjoyed everything about being at HCMS, from the parents to the staff and the administrators and even just the general atmosphere around here –everyone has been great to work with.”