Athens got two passing touchdowns and a rushing score from Logan Smothers and recovered a late Austin fumble to take a 21-18 victory over the Class 7A Black Bears in the regular-season finale.

Athens struck first early in the second quarter on a 7-yard touchdown run by Smothers, but Austin kicked a short field goal just seconds before halftime to cut the lead to 7-3 at the break.

But two plays early in the third quarter changed the momentum of the game. On its first play from scrimmage after taking the opening kickoff, Austin fumbled.

Athens wasted no time taking advantage of the mistake, as on the very next play, Smother found Keenan Hambrick for a 36-yard touchdown pass to give the Golden Eagles a 14-3 lead just 20 seconds into the third quarter.

Austin climbed back into the game on its next possession, as Reddy Stewart scored a touchdown on a 2-yard run that cut the Athens lead to 14-11 following a successful 2-point conversion attempt.

But Athens once again responded, as Smothers once again found Hambrick on a 33-yard catch-and-run touchdown that gave the Golden Eagles a 10-point lead.

Austin scored the final touchdown of the game midway through the fourth quarter on a 14-yard catch by Tre’ Shackleford, but Austin’s next possession ended in a lost fumble and Athens was able to run out the clock.

The win improved Athens to 8-2 on the season. The Golden Eagles will travel to play Homewood in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs next Friday night.