Baylor edges Rabun Gap in Friday night thriller, 35–34
A year after rallying for a 21–14 win over Rabun Gap on national television, Baylor and the Eagles once again delivered a classic. This time, the Red Raiders escaped with a 35–34 victory in Heywood Stadium, improving to 2–0 on the season.
Gabriel-Georges leads the charge
Junior running back David Gabriel-Georges put together a performance to remember, carrying the ball 22 times for 223 yards and four touchdowns. He wasted no time getting Baylor on the board, breaking free for a 30-yard score just 67 seconds into the game. His second touchdown came from 63 yards out early in the second quarter, and his final carry proved the difference — a powerful 3-yard run on fourth down with 3:06 remaining to lift the Red Raiders to the win.
Offensive highlights
Quarterback Briggs Cherry was efficient under center, completing 15-of-22 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown. With Baylor facing fourth-and-21 on the final play of the first half, Cherry launched a deep ball that found tight end Braxton Rein, who made a leaping 36-yard Hail Mary catch in the end zone to give Baylor momentum at the break.
Cherry's top targets were Kaden Dewey (7 receptions, 80 yards) and Jamyan Theodore (3 receptions, 80 yards), both of whom made key plays to keep drives alive.
Defense delivers
Rabun Gap struck with big plays of its own, including an 88-yard punt return by Joshua Buckhalter and a 58-yard touchdown run from Indiana commitment Walker Bryson that gave the Eagles a 34–28 lead with 7:40 left. But the Baylor defense responded when it mattered most.
Defensive back Maxym Sugoniako came up with a crucial interception early in the fourth quarter, returning it 21 yards to set up Gabriel-Georges' third touchdown run that tied the game. That turnover helped swing momentum and kept Baylor within striking distance.
Rivalry continues
The Red Raiders and Eagles have now met in five straight seasons, with Baylor winning four of those matchups. Friday's contest may have been the most dramatic of them all, with the teams trading the lead multiple times before Baylor ultimately prevailed.
What's next
Baylor, ranked No. 1 in Tennessee by MaxPreps, now faces another test as the Red Raiders travel to Nashville this Friday to take on Brentwood Academy.
#WeAreBaylor
