HOMER — West Hall coach Tony Lotti got a muted response when he told his team to get excited for next week’s decisive region battle against Lumpkin County.

To be fair, most of his starters were still trying to catch their breath after a bruising, gritty 23-7 victory at Banks County Friday night.

Junior running back Kwon Williams ran for 153 yards, scored two crucial late touchdowns and made a fourth quarter interception to save West Hall from a 7-3 halftime deficit and give the Spartans (8-1, 5-0 Region 7-AAA) their fifth straight win.

Williams, wincing from a knee injury, was still feeling the effects of West Hall’s hardest fought game yet.

Before the game, he donned a No. 83 jersey instead of his typical No. 4 to honor the memory of teammate Wesley Burgess’ mother, who lost her battle to cancer earlier this week.

“This was an intense game,” Williams said. “We just wanted to represent his family.”

The win, in front of a hostile crowd at Leopard Stadium, sets up Lotti’s team for a winner-takes-all showdown in Oakwood against Lumpkin County. The Indians (5-1, 4-1) defeated Dawson County 42-19.

Kicker Brad Hodgson was called into action on three separate occasions (45, 28, 20) throughout two quarters to keep West Hall in touching distance of the Leopards after Trevae Cain caught a 10-yard scoring reception in the first quarter from Banks County quarterback Griffin Goodwin.

But the Spartans continued to claw their way back thanks to key first downs by Williams.

With 2:32 left in the game, the junior picked off Goodwin on the Banks County 45-yard line before running it all the way to the Leopards’ 20. Two plays later, Williams would take it to the house himself to give West Hall its first two score lead of the game.

“That’s what is big, what we’ve been doing all year is capitalize on turnovers and I was pleased we came out with points when we got them,” Lotti said. “But it’s got to be 48 minutes. We can’t go into halftime and have to try and make adjustments.”

The Leopards (5-4, 2-3) came out fighting on their first possession. Banks County converted three straight third-down attempts to get within West Hall’s 5 before Goodwin found Cain (3 receptions, 35 yards) five yards into the middle of the end zone.

The run game was key to Banks County, who chewed up large portions of the game clock on their extended drives. Sophomore running back Demetrius Walker (15 carries, 50 yards) picked up six of the Leopards’ nine first downs in the first half alone.

“It wasn’t so much of running the clock, but we thought we could run the football,” said Leopards’ head coach Biff Parson. “But they’ve got skill kids who are talented.”

The West Hall rush attack was a different story, especially inside the red zone.

Lotti was forced to settle for field goals through the first three quarters since the offense couldn’t push through to score after getting inside the Banks County 20.

West Hall dropped three fumbles on those drives, but were able to recover each of them.

“Our focus was a struggle tonight,” Lotti said. “We did some things where we’d make a play and get backed up. I’m just glad this week is over with.”

The Spartans’ luck finally turned when Tyquan Statham picked off Goodwin midway through the third quarter. His presence of mind to pull in a pass that had tipped off of Malcolm Mitchell’s hand allowed West Hall to take over on the Banks 35.

Four plays later, Hodgson had kicked West Hall in front from 20 yards to give West Hall a tenuous 9-7 lead.

“It was really the game where they won the turnover battle,” Parson said. “It didn’t bounce in our favor, but that’s the game of football.”

Lotti’s defense stopped the next two Banks County drives before quarterback Jacob Satterfield found Hykeem Bennett for 15 yards over the middle. Williams then ran for 20 yards to get West Hall within the Banks 25 with 6:48 left in the game.

Williams, bursting through the arms of two Leopard linebackers, drifted to the right side of the end zone for a score.

Needing points quickly, Banks County switched to the pass attack in the final quarter. Leading from the wildcat formation, Cain threw a long, looping pass up the middle that Williams returned for 25 yards.

He’d later punch it in from 32 yards for West Hall’s final score of the night.

Soon after the final whistle, Lotti was surrounded by a group of exhausted, yet victorious players.

Williams said he didn’t think his team needed to change its approach to the do-or-die meeting with Lumpkin County next Friday.

“We’re going to enjoy this night, but tomorrow, we’ll be focusing on them,” he said. “It’s the biggest game of the season.”