HOMER — Banks County stormed past Social Circle, 45-7, in the Region 8-2A opener Friday night at Leopards Stadium.
The Leopards (2-2, 1-0 Region 8-2A) rebounded well from last week's 31-0 loss to East Jackson with a dominant offensive performance and stellar special teams play.
Mason Marlow set the tone for the Leopards' high-scoring affair with a kickoff return for a touchdown to open the game. His touchdown part of a 42-point explosion in the first half.
Chandler Payne and Roman Haynes added two scores in the first half, including a 70-yard touchdown run from Payne as time expired in the first half. The touchdown pushed the score up to 42-0.
On special teams, the Leopards blocked a punt with 7 minutes left in the half and scooped it up for a touchdown.
Erwin Durmic chipped in a 27-yard field with 24 seconds left in the third for the final Banks County score.
Social Circle (1-2, 0-1) scored its lone touchdown with 45 seconds left in the game.
The Leopards will travel to Oglethorpe on Friday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
