Two weeks ago, Pinecrest Academy came away with one of the biggest wins in school history when it dethroned top-ranked Mount Paran in the regular season finale. With so much energy and passion expended in the historic win, the Paladins’ top priority was to avoid the “next game letdown.” Although Athens Christian kept the Paladins’ offense in check early, Pinecrest’s defense and special teams more than compensated in a hard-earned 20-7 victory Friday at home in the first round of the Class A-Private playoffs.