Peachtree Ridge took out some frustration against North Gwinnett on Friday, routing the Bulldogs 42-6 to set up a closing three-game stretch that will decide Region 7-AAAAAA.
Connor Heyward scored two touchdowns, and Nigel Warrior had two interceptions for the Lions, who won their fifth straight game and ended a six-game losing streak to North Gwinnett.
Heyward made a spectacular leaping grab in the back of the end zone and scored on a 1-yard plunge in the first half, as the Lions (5-2, 4-0), jumped out to a 21-0 lead.
Peachtree Ridge quarterback Fred Payton threw a touchdown and scored on a 15-yard scramble that put the Lions in command 28-6 early in the fourth quarter. Marquez Jackson tacked on 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, and Chad Clay added the icing with a 30-yard interception return for a score.
“We hadn’t won this game (vs. North Gwinnett) since 2008,” said Peachtree Ridge coach Mark Fleetwood. “We just took care of business, bunch of emotion because they have always seemed to have our number. I’m proud.”
Peachtree Ridge was one of four 7-AAAAAA teams that entered Friday night unbeaten in region play. After next week’s bye, the Lions will close season against the other three unbeatens: Norcross, Collins Hill and Mill Creek.
“They’re giant,” Fleetwood said of his team’s final three games.
North Gwinnett dropped its fourth straight game and will miss the playoffs for the first time under coach Bob Sphire. The Bulldogs (2-5, 0-4) fell behind early and couldn’t overcome four turnovers.
North Gwinnett sophomore quarterback Cade Fortin was picked off twice, but did lead a scoring drive to start the quarter that gave North Gwinnett hope.
Trailing 21-0 at half, the Bulldogs opened the third quarter with their best drive of the game, a 10-play, 77-yard drive, capped by Kameron Pickett’s 5-yard touchdown run that made it 21-6. But the Lions scored the last 21 points to put the game away.
North Gwinnett's Colby Jenkins recovered a fumble, and Carlos Wade had an interception to keep the Bulldogs in the game in the first half.
Malik Staples also had a touchdown run for the Lions, and Warrior had a big reception on a double pass and recovered a muffed punt.
Warrior, a big-time recruit with offers from all the SEC powers including Alabama and Georgia, celebrated the win with a pair of back flips, then said his team hasn’t peaked yet.
“No, no, we can still play better,” Warrior said.
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Peachtree Ridge 14 7 0 21 -- 42
North Gwinnett 0 0 6 0 -- 6
PR -- Connor Heyward 19 pass from Fred Payton (Zaniel Phillips kick) 7-0
PR -- Malik Staples 3 run 14-0 (Phillips kick)
2nd
PR -- Heyward 1 run (Phillips kick) 21-0 3:30
3rd
NG -- Kameron Pickett 5 run (Kick failed)
4th
PR -- Payton 15 run (Phillips kick)
PR -- Marquez Jackson 5 run (Phillips kick)
PR --Chad Clay 30 interception return (Phillips kick)
