LEXINGTON — All week Banks County coach Josh Shoemaker preached to his team about the necessity of Friday night's game at Oglethorpe County.
"A win essentially puts us right back in charge of our destiny -- we had to win," Shoemaker said.
His team listened.
The Leopards (3-4, 2-1 Region 8-AA) took the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and kept going in a 38-14 victory in Lexington.
Clayton Dykehouse -- who ripped off the opening kickoff jaunt -- finished the game with 181 yards rushing on 10 attempts and two touchdowns, including another rushing score. Meanwhile Jacob Lehotsky and Gatlin Lunsford each caught touchdown passes and Terrance Walker added a score on the ground. Oscar Reyes also kicked a 36-yard field goal.
"This was a big game for us," Shoemaker said. "We were physical tonight and played well. We control our seed from here on out; next week is another Super Bowl for us. But we're in the exact same situation we were in last year (when Banks finished as the No. 2 seed in Region 8-AA)."
Banks County travels to face Social Circle next week.
