By Score Atlanta
Class AAAAA
Lanier 16, Gainesville 8
How the game was won: After a scoreless first half, Lanier took a 3-0 lead with a 22-ard field goal by Noah Thomas with 6:13 left in the third quarter. Gainesville fumbled deep in its own territory and Lanier took over before facing a 4th and 3 from the Red Elephants' 6-yard line. After the pass was tipped, Juwuan Jones secured it for a gamechanging touchdown that put the Longhorns up 10-0. Five-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown blocked a Gainesville punt to set up the next score that he would rush in himself from 1-yard out. Gainesville's Messiah Dorsey ran in a 3-yard touchdown that cut the lead to 16-8 after a successful two-point conversion, but were turned over on downs on their final possession. Lanier (6-0) moves to 2-0 all-time against the Red Elephants.
Top performers: Juwuan Jones caught a 6-yard touchdown pass on 4th and 3. … Lanier's Derrick Brown blocked a punt and ran in a 1-yard touchdown. … Noah Thomas hit a 22-yard field goal and Gainesville's Messiah Dorsey ran in a 3-yard touchdown.
