Peachtree Ridge pummels North Gwinnett

Peachtree Ridge already has a state championship trophy. Now, it will have to make room for the school’s first region trophy.

Behind a defense that confused and battered North Gwinnett’s high-powered offense, the Lions beat the Bulldogs for the first time, 19-7, to secure the top seed in Region 7-AAAAA. The Bulldogs came in averaging more than 40 points a game in the last half of the season, but the Lions shut down the offense, the visitors’ only score coming on a kickoff return.

Defensive back Connor Norman — who had two deflections and was key to shutting down North Gwinnett’s prolific quarterback, Michael Tamburo — said he’d like to think that the No. 10 Lions have the best defense in the county, a point that would be hard to argue. In games against the three other playoff teams from the region — North Gwinnett, Norcross and Collins Hill — the defense has allowed just seven points.

As players celebrated their first region title, Peachtree Ridge coach Bill Ballard said the defense used a bunch of different looks to control the Bulldogs’ offense.

“We slowed down a really good offense tonight,” Ballard said. “But we can’t be satisfied with this. We’ve got [the playoffs] next week.”

Peachtree Ridge trailed early after North Gwinnett’s Robert Nelson returned the opening kickoff 97 yards, but the No. 6 Bulldogs (8-2, 7-1) wouldn’t get close to the end zone again. Lions’ quarterback Nick Lombardo passed for two touchdowns, and Ronnie Smith ran for 128 yards and a touchdown.

With the Lions ahead 13-7 in the fourth quarter, their defense sacked Tamburo on third down for an 18-yard loss that pinned the Bulldogs on their own 5-yard line.

After forcing a punt, Peachtree Ridge took over at the North Gwinnett’ 40-yard line. On the first play, Lombardo found Brad Roby streaking down the sideline and hit him in stride for a touchdown. That gave the Lions a 19-7 lead with 11:24 left, a safe cushion with their stout defense.

“We didn’t really think we were going to shut them down, but the defense played great,” Norman said. “Every spot in the secondary, the linebackers, the defensive line played great tonight.”

Tamburo finished with 142 yards passing, but had only 54 yards through three quarters with a long of 13 yards. Sacked several times, he finished with 15 carries for zero yards.

After Nelson’s opening return, Lombardo connected with Mitchell Williford for a 37-yard touchdown. The Lions went ahead to stay in the second period when Smith scored on a 12-yard run.