SUGAR HILL — The pressure is off -- now Lanier can see just how far it can go.
The Longhorns earned a state playoff win and avoided a repeat first round exit on Friday courtesy a 27-13 defeat of East Paulding in Sugar Hill.
Lanier (11-0) fell behind 13-7 but stormed back with 20 unanswered points to march into the second round.
"We took their best punch and answered it," Longhorns coach Korey Mobbs said. "We had some guys step up and make plays. This is a young group, but I really like their character. And while this is a different group from last year we knew that if we got in a tight game (last year's playoff loss) might be in the back of their minds. But they didn't let it get to them.
"Now the pressure is off, and we can exhale and go back to work. We can just go play the game and have a great time doing it."
East Paulding's offense did not have a great time against the Lanier defense, managing 249 total yards while giving up three interceptions. The first gave the Longhorns their first touchdown when Ethan Wilson picked off a pass and returned it 47 yards for a score.
East Paulding rebounded to pull ahead on two long touchdown runs, 13-7, in the second quarter. But Lanier came up with a clutch drive and play before the interval, Marcko Baity -- who rushed for 151 yards -- plunging into the end zone from 1 yard on fourth down -- after the Longhorns had already seen a fourth-and-goal at the East Paulding 1 stopped earlier in the half.
The Longhorns pulled away after the half, Derrick Brown finding yet another way to score, as the standout defensive lineman hauled in a 8-yard scoring pass from Tahj Tolbert. Marcella Baity ended the scoring with a six-yard touchdown run with 2:46 remaining, capping a 96-yard drive.
Wilson sealed the win with another interception.
Lanier will play host to Northgate next Friday.
