GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Lakeview Academy opened a season 3-0 for the first time in school history after a dominating 42-0 win over Towns County Friday night.
Lakeview’s defense, which has allowed just six points this season, smothered Towns (2-1) holding the Indians to 98 yards total offense. The Indians had 54 yards on its first drive of the game but were stopped on downs by linebacker Ricky Brown with a tackle for loss on fourth down.
“They play together,” Lakeview Coach Lee Coleman said. “They trust themselves. They get lined up right. They play fast and physical with 11 men to the football.”
Junior quarterback Kyari Burch led the Lions' big-play offense with 228 yards passing and three touchdowns. He has thrown for nine touchdowns and nearly 600 yards in three games. The Lions outscored their first three opponents 115-6.
“It all comes from film work and preparation,” Burch said. “We know what we want to run.”
Burch connected with Jace Forrest on a 54-yard touchdown pass less than three minutes into the game to put the Lions up 7-0. A 66-yard pass to Jr. Thompson set up Ryker Kohler’s 10-yard touchdown run, three minutes into the second quarter for a 14-0 lead.
“Kyari’s progression from year one to year two has been tremendous,” Coleman said. “He had a great off-season. He got strong and put on 20 pounds. He’s confident. The game is slowing down. He’s doing a phenomenal job.”
The offense closed out the first half with two more scores. Burch hit Ricky Brown with a 24-yard scoring pass. Burch’s 31-yard run on third-and-27 was the key play on the drive that pushed the Lions’ lead to 21-0.
The Lions spread the offense around with six receivers catching passes and five runners totaling 127 yards rushing.
“We have dynamic weapons, and we get the ball in the playmakers’ hands,” Coleman said “(Kyari) does a great job of facilitating. When it breaks down, he can scramble, and he can throw it.”
Lakeview’s special teams did their part.
After holding the Indians to a three-and-out, Forrest returned a punt 55-yard for a 28-0 lead at the half. Forrest had several big punt returns including a 34-yarder.
“We teach all three phases -- offense, defense, and special teams,” Coleman said. “You have to play all three.”
The Lions scored two more times in the second half. Thompson caught a 19-yard TD pass and Christian Dykes closed the scoring with a 5-yard run.
Lakeview takes its historic start on the road next Friday facing Piedmont Academy in Monticello. The Lions begin region play at home on Sept. 13 against George Walton Academy.
