Houston County’s offense lit up the scoreboard Friday night, powering past Effingham County in a 56–42 shootout to move to 2–0 on the season.
The opening half was a fireworks show, with both teams trading scores seemingly at will. By the end of the first quarter, the Bears held a narrow 21–14 advantage. Effingham responded, and behind several explosive plays, the Rebels matched Houston County punch for punch. The highlight of the half came from Bears running back Colin Anderson, who found the end zone twice in the opening two quarters. Quarterback Ryan Maxwell and wideout Joshua Pettigrew also contributed to the barrage of touchdowns. At halftime, the teams were deadlocked, 35–35.
After the break, Houston County’s defense finally asserted itself, slowing down Effingham’s attack. That shift in momentum allowed the Bears’ offense to pull away. Westen Ard opened the third quarter with a touchdown, and Maxwell connected with MJ Mathis and Jeffery Thomas on scoring strikes. Anderson continued his big night with additional scores, cementing his role as the offensive catalyst.
Effingham continued to battle, adding touchdowns of their own, but Houston County’s relentless pace proved too much. The Bears closed out the game with authority, sealing a 56–42 victory.
Anderson’s multiple touchdowns, coupled with Maxwell’s efficient passing and a second-half defensive stand, highlighted the night for Houston County.
With the win, the Bears improve to 2–0 and will look to continue their momentum as the season progresses. Next week the Bears return home to face Perry.
