SUGAR HILL — Defending Region 8-AAAAA champion Lanier opened defense of its title with a dominating 37-20 win over Clarke Central Friday night at Longhorns Stadium.
The Longhorns (2-0, 1-0 Region 8-AAAAA) scored 10 points in 14 seconds just over a minute into the game and was never threatened the rest of the way.
After kickoff return for a touchdown was called back on a penalty, Noah Thomas drilled a 43-yard field goal for a 3-0 just 61 seconds into the game.
The vaunted Lanier defense got into the act on Clarke Central’s next play when Juwuan Jones sacked Clarke Central quarterback Jack Mangel, who fumbled. Michael Allen scooped up the ball and raced 40 yards for the score for a 10-0 lead just 75 seconds in.
“Our defense played very well creating turnovers and turning them into points,” Lanier coach Korey Mobbs said. “The defense did not give up a first down until the fourth quarter. It was a good start to the region.”
The Gladiators (0-2, 0-1) trimmed the lead to 10-3 on a 33-yard field by William Downs late in the first quarter. The Longhorns answered in the second quarter.
Lanier exploded for 21 points using its ground attack. Ashton Barnes scored on a 3-yard run and Marcella Baity added a 4-yard touchdown run three minutes later for a 23-3 lead. Marko Baity capped the dominating first half with a 1-yard scoring run for a 29-3 halftime lead.
Lanier opened the second half forcing a Gladiators punt and then Marko Baity extended the Longhorns lead to 37-3 with 8:20 left in the third quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run.
Clarke Central made it interesting the rest of the way. Downs booted a 41-yard field goal late in third quarter and Jaqua Daniels raced 67 yards for a score early in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 37-13.
Mangel connected with Desmond Sorrells on a 14-yard touchdown pass with just over two minutes but the Gladiators could get no closer.
Lanier will travel to Flowery Branch next week in another crucial 8-AAAAA battle.
