Jeremy Johnson had two kickoff returns for touchdowns, fueling Lambert’s 41-7 rout of host Johns Creek on Friday in a Region 6-AAAAAA battle at the Gladiators’ field.
Johnson took the opening kickoff 94 yards untouched, and the Longhorns (1-1) never looked back in handing first-year coach Louis Daniel his first career win. Johns Creek (0-2) has lost 14 straight games.
It was 17-0 Lambert seven minutes into the first quarter, before the Gladiators appeared to get back in the game. Quarterback Kevin Nalecz capped a nine-play, 52-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run that cut the deficit to 17-7. The drive featured a 28-yard pass from Nalecz to Cole Neuber on fourth and four.
But Johnson struck again on the ensuing kickoff, racing down the left sideline, cutting back across the field and scoring on a 92-yard return. He also had a kickoff return for a score in the Longhorns’ first game.
A senior defensive back who has committed to play baseball for Auburn, Johnson added an interception in the end zone in the second quarter, thwarting a Johns Creek scoring threat. Johnson also has offers from Harvard, Yale and Penn, among others, and didn’t hesitate when asked about the key to being a good kick returner.
“Blocking,” Johnson said with a grin. “We’ve really come together as a team this year, and I want to thank my teammates for having my back and blocking for me to allow me to run those kicks back.”
Lambert running back Trevor O’Brien scored two touchdowns, and Tanner Hall caught a 64-yard touchdown pass from Reid Martin to put the Longhorns up 41-7 at halftime. Hall also booted two field goals and connected on all five extra points for the Gladiators.
Chad Conner, Brandon Hardee and Jarrett Wright each recovered fumbles for the Longhorns, who bounced back from an opening loss to Lanier.
Daniel said he was glad to get his first win out of the way and was excited about his team’s improvement in Game 2.
“We limited our offense a little bit with our motions and shifts against Lanier,” said Daniel. “Tonight, we were a little more versatile, tried a few more things. It feels good to get the win, but you want to see perfection.”
It doesn’t get any easier for Johns Creek, which travels to two-time defending region champ Alpharetta next week. Lambert heads to Centennial for another region game next week.
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