An inexperienced Lanier football team was put to the test on the road against Dutchtown in their season-opening game. Despite trailing the Dutchtown Bulldogs by 14 points going into the fourth quarter, the Longhorns never gave up. The Longhorns put 10 points on the board in the fourth quarter but it was not enough to get the win. Dutchtown would beat Lanier 28-10.
Despite losing, the Lanier defense did a good job of not allowing Dutchtown to run away with the game. Lanier’s defense returned only one starter this season, senior Matthew Laughlin. The Longhorns kept the Bulldogs to just 6.8 yards per possession and forced Dutchtown to fumble which Lanier recovered. Jack Humberstone had a solo tackle for the Longhorns.
Dutchtown’s four touchdowns all were rushing touchdowns of less than 10 yards. Two came in the first half and two came in the fourth quarter.
Lanier’s quarterback Carson Thomas in the first game as a starter had a bit of trouble connecting with his receivers as he completed just five out of 18 passing attempts for 74 yards. Carson also threw one interception. He chose to run the ball himself 10 times amassing 71 yards for the Longhorns.
The receivers for Lanier were Tijan Foon with two receptions for 31 yards, Javar Holloway with 24 yards on two receptions and Reese Scott with one reception for 19 yards.
Running back Bryan Williams had 83 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown for Lanier. Williams scored in the fourth quarter on a short one-yard run into the end zone for the touchdown. Kicker Kason Atkinson would make the extra point to put seven points on the board for Lanier. Atkinson turned around and made a 27-yard field goal to pull Lanier within four points of Dutchtown before Dutchtown scored two additional touchdowns.
Lanier (0-1) has a week off next week but will return to play on Sept. 3 when they host the Mountain View Lions at the Ranch in Sugar Hill at 7:30 p.m.
