Pinecrest Academy posted its second straight shutout Friday, cruising past Central Fellowship Christian Academy 38-0 on a rainy night in Macon.

The win put the Paladins at 2-0 in region play, as Pinecrest seeks to nail down a second straight region crown.

The rout began quietly, with Rico Garcia nailing a 36-yard field goal with 3:15 left in the first quarter.

Quarterback Kevin Metz scored his first of two touchdowns, running 30 yards with 8:49 left before halftime to give the Paladins a 10-0 lead.

Four minutes later, Michael Cassandra set up a score with a 40-yard run down to the Lancers’ 5-yard line.

Three plays later, Cassandra got the five yards needed for his first of two touchdowns.  An aware Zach Wilson picked up a fumbled snap on the point after attempt and scored a 2-point conversion to make things 18-0.

With just 30 seconds left in the half, Metz ran 20 yards for a score, building a 25-0 lead for Pinecrest at the half.

About midway through the third quarter, Cassandra ran 30 yards for another touchdown, and German exchange student Michael Bremle capped off the scoring, as the kicker and reserve running back ran 35 yards for his first career touchdown. A missed extra point left things at 38-0.

The Paladins gave up only four first downs in a stellar defensive effort.

Defensive coordinator Tom Santoro said the Paladin defense was playing well, but noted that Pinecrest has a big matchup with Monroe’s George Walton Academy at home Friday.  

“Next week is a big game,” Santoro said.