Forsyth Central 0, Southwest DeKalb 42
CLARKSTON — Forsyth Central managed only 129 yards of offense Saturday, falling to Southwest Dekalb 42-0 in a daytime matchup just outside Atlanta.
Central (1-2 overall, 1-1 Region 6-AAAA) punted four time and turned it over on three more possessions during a frustrating afternoon for the offense.
Southwest DeKalb had no such struggles, as senior Michael Johnson ran for two touchdowns and caught one more to lead the Panthers to victory.
Central now has a short week to prepare for the next challenge, when the Stone Mountain Pirates come calling on Friday.
Duluth 8, North Forsyth 24
With an opportunity to string together consecutive victories for the first time in three years, North Forsyth's Raiders answered the call, producing a 24-8 triumph over Duluth in their Region 7-AAAAA opener Friday night.
The win marked the Raiders' first winning streak in three seasons and the team's third straight victory over Duluth. North (2-1 overall, 1-0, 7-AAAAA) held the Wildcats (0-3, 0-1) to just 32 total yards in the first half while building an 18-0 lead.
The Raiders' dual-threat backfield of Jory Walsh (118 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Tyler Slaton (114 yards, touchdown) tallied 232 yards on the ground while quarterback Eli Chester passed for 102 yards.
North punted only once during the game.
The Raiders hit the road Friday to visit Peachtree Ridge.
West Forsyth 42, Pickens 7
West Forsyth's Wolverines took their first real road trip on Friday, and their winning ways came along for the ride.
Ethan Shirley ran back a kick for a touchdown and scored once on offense, while the Wolverines’ defense limited Pickens to a single score on the game’s opening drive, and the Wolverines romped in their Region 7-AAA opener by a 42-7 count.
West’s defense came alive after surrendering a touchdown on the opening drive.
Pickens touched the ball 11 more times in the game, with the results being five punts, five turnovers and a quick partial drive that was ended by the halftime buzzer.
West is home for another crossover match Friday, hosting the Creekview Grizzlies from Canton.
North Gwinnett 35, South Forsyth 0
In the early parts of South Forsyth's Region 7-AAAAA opener at home against North Gwinnett Friday night, it looked like senior signal-caller Brian Adams might be able to carry the War Eagles to an upset of the No. 6 Bulldogs.
But North Gwinnett solved Adams, and another highly-touted quarterback, the Bulldogs’ Michael Tamburo, solved the War Eagles' defense en route to a 35-0 win.
Tamburo finished an efficient 9-of-18 passing for 129 yards and two touchdowns.
South had the ball deep in Bulldog territory twice in the third quarter, but couldn’t capitalize on good field position and turned the ball over on downs both times.
The War Eagles travel to Chattahoochee Friday for another region matchup.