INTERLACHEN - Keystone Heights High football survived a physical battle with rival Interlachen with some scrappy play as the Indians won a tough 17-7 contest at Interlachen High School.

“That’s a very physical team right there” said Keystone Heights High coach Chuck Dickenson, now 7-1 with a final game at Union County (5-3). “They played more physical than us for a couple series. They scored and got fired up. But… it’s always nice to win.”

The Keystone Heights hallmark ground assault kicked in and methodically used Logan Williams on five runs to get the ball into the Ram Red Zone after starting at the 40 from a 20 yard kickoff return from Colton Tibbetts.

As Dickinson did against Crescent City, quarterback Gage Stevens found John David Schenck for a score to go up 7-0 at 7:49 in the first quarter.

On the return Ram drive, Interlachen surprised the Indian defense with a 35 yard pass play, but the game went awry with a fight on the Interlachen sidelikne. Once play resumed, both teams traded unsuccessful fourth down attempts, before Indian linebacker Bryson Chanell picked off Rams quarterback Reginald Allen’s pass and took to the sidelines. With a late hit flag putting Keystone Heights at the seven, Tibbetts punched in for the score; 14-0.

Dalton Hollingsworth was stopped at the Ram one to end the half.

Keystone Heights got an Ian Schofield field goal in the third with Interlachen scoring off an interference call late in the game.

Friday night is yet another road trip for the Indians, traveling to Union County just as the playoffs are at the doorstep. After the game, Tyler Jenkins and Logan Williams put it best; “It’s time to get serious. It’s playoffs and it’s time to tighten down.”