If the Westlake Lions want to build off last season’s semifinals run, they’re off to a good start after a 29-14 win over Archer on Thursday at Dacula High’s Barron Field in the second night of the 30th annual Kell Classic.
The Lions (1-0), ranked No. 4 in Class 6A, were led on offense by preseason all-state quarterback R.J. Johnson, who completed 12 of his 22 passes for 126 yards and accounted for all four of his team’s touchdowns — two in the air and two on the ground. He rushed for 57 yards on nine carries.
“This is the start to a marathon,” said Johnson, a senior. “We’re going to party in the locker room, then it’s onto next week. I thought we played great for our first game, but there’s much room to improve. Everybody is stepping up to a greater goal.”
Johnson’s touchdown runs were from 1 and 4 yards out, and he threw a 26-yard score to Jakari Christian and another for 11 yards to T.J. Booker. Jai’Den Thomas led the Lions and all rushers with 129 yards on 19 carries.
The Lions led 16-7 at halftime on Johnson’s 1-yard run and touchdown pass to Booker, plus a Westlake safety. They scored 13 unanswered in the third quarter, with Johnson’s 4-yard scoring run making it 29-7 with 2:43 left.
The Lions went 11-2 last year to reach the semifinals for just the second time in a program that began in 1988. They reached the semis in 2016, and their 11 wins tied the 1999 season for a program-high.
The Tigers (0-1), unranked in 7A, were limited by a Westlake defense that had seven sacks. Tigers receiver and Georgia Tech commit D.J. Moore led the team with four catches for 87 yards an a touchdown, and running back Chase Sellers rushed 17 times for 60 yards and a score.
The Tigers went 7-5 last year and advanced in the playoffs for a third consecutive year, though their loss in the second round ended a streak of three consecutive trips to at least the quarterfinals — they reached the semis in 2018. The Tigers have seen a drop-off in wins four consecutive seasons.
Next week, Westlake plays at 7A’s No. 5 Colquitt County, and Archer host’s 5A’s No. 2 Warner Robins.
Lightning storms delayed the originally scheduled 5:30 p.m. kickoff by one hour. It was the second night in a row the Kell Classic got off to a late start after Mays showed up minutes before the scheduled kickoff in their 52-6 loss to Cherokee.
The Kell Classic continues with games on Friday and Saturday.
Official stats for the Lions-Tigers game can be found here.
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