By Alicia Couch Payne
The Lanier Longhorns opened their football season at home against Peachtree Ridge last Friday night. The Longhorns defense were the key to success shutting out Peachtree Ridge with a final score of 47-0.
The Longhorns defense is a seasoned line up with six returning starters in the front seven. They forced two turnovers in the opening plays of the game resulting in touchdowns for Lanier. Lanier’s defense allowed only 116 yards with 99 of those in the first half for the Lions of Peachtree Ridge.
One of the most exciting plays of the game was when Isaiah Smith intercepted an overthrow by Peachtree Ridge and returned it for 49 yards landing on Peachtree Ridge’s 26-yard line. On the next play Lanier quarterback Zach Calzada connected with Cole Thornton for a 26-yard touchdown pass. The very next play Peachtree Ridge had a low snap which resulted in a fumble. Lanier senior linebacker Kameron Brown took advantage of the fumble and picked it up for a 25-yard touchdown. The crowd went wild.
At half-time Lanier’s lead was 26-0. By the end of the third quarter it was 40-0. Calzada who is a Texas A & M commit completed 7 of 12 passing for 181 yards with the three TD passes and one TD run. Other standouts for Lanier’s offense were Taj Barnes and Cole Thornton. Back up quarterback Bryce Satterfield connected with Barnes late in the fourth quarter to give the Longhorns a final score of 47-0.
