On a tough night for Forsyth County football, Lambert's defense kept it from being a total loss.
The Longhorns came up with five interceptions during a big 17-7 upset of Creekview on the road.
Other local high school teams weren't as fortunate, as Forsyth Central, North Forsyth, West Forsyth and Pinecrest Academy all went down to defeat.
South Forsyth had the week off.
Lambert 17, Creekview 7.
CANTON — The name of the game between Lambert and Creekview was turnovers Friday night.
Lambert intercepted five Creekview passes - returning one for a touchdown - en route to a 17-7 upset victory.
The Grizzlies (2-1 overall, 2-1 Region 7-AAAA) came into the night having won 17 of their last 20 games since Oct. 3, 2008.
"It's a great win, anytime you win it is big because it helps your kids believe," Lambert head coach Sid Maxwell said. "This type of success is big, success breeds success."
Lambert quarterback David Broadus led the Longhorns' offense, completing his first seven passes in the game, including a touchdown on the opening drive. Broadus finished the game 7-of-8 for 81 yards.
Lambert (2-1, 2-1) will host South Forsyth Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Etowah 41, West Forsyth 14
Playing in its first season in Class AAAAA and just the third season of varsity competition, West Forsyth came into Friday riding the momentum of two rousing victories to open the season. Then came the third quarter, and things quickly went south for the Wolverines.
Two turnovers deep in West territory jump-started Etowah to a 13-point quarter, and a game tied at 14 at halftime quickly spiraled into a one-sided contest, the Eagles pulling away to win 41-14 at The Den.
Hillgrove 42, North Forsyth 28
POWDER SPRINGS — After being shut out two weeks ago, North Forsyth’s offense woke up Friday night.
Unfortunately, it was the defense’s turn for a rough outing, as Hillgrove burned the Raiders for 468 yards and scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, coming away with a 42-28 win at home.
Big plays were the bread and butter for the Hawks (3-0), who picked up 25 yards or more from scrimmage seven times. Four of those big yardage lays covered half the field or more.
“They’re a good football team, they’ve got a lot of good athletes. They do a good job with their spread scheme,” North coach Jared Zito aid after the game.
North (1-2) is home Friday to take on Etowah. That game will be the Raiders’ last non-region tuneup before entering Region 6-AAAAA play.
Chattahoochee 35, Forsyth Central 14
JOHNS CREEK — Forsyth Central ran for 271 yards, racked up 18 first downs and held a three-to-one edge in time of possession Friday night at Chattahoochee. But all the ball control in the world couldn’t keep the plucky visitors in the game against the explosive Cougars, as Chattahoochee (2-0 overall, 2-0 Region 7-AAAA) converted a couple of big scoring plays and coasted home 35-14.
Cougars receiver Kane Whitehurst racked up 230 total yards, breaking free for a 96-yard kickoff return and a 72 yard catch-and-run, and quarterback Timmy Byerly added two more scores on the ground for the Cougars, who broke a 14-14 tie just before the end of the first half and put the game away with 14 more in the third.
“They’re just a very good offensive football team,” Central head coach Chris Bennett said. “They’ve got very skilled athletes.”
Central (0-2, 0-2) travels to longtime Region 7-AAAA powerhouse Rome Friday.
Trion 35, Pinecrest Academy 0
The Pinecrest Paladins were only down 7-0 at the half, but the Bulldogs dominated the last two quarters to take a 35-0 decision in Trion.
Paladins Joe Neiner and Jimmy Strom were both injured in an unlucky second quarter for the Paladins (0-3).
Pinecrest is in Johns Creek Friday to face Mt. Pisgah Christian in the Paladins’ Region 5-A opener.
Check Sunday’s edition of the Forsyth County News for more details on all the games.