Behind a monster night from Derrick Lane, Grovetown lashed Lakeside 42-17 in the season opener for both teams at Panther Stadium on Friday, Aug. 15.
The game ended early in the third quarter due to heavy rain and lightning, but by then, Grovetown had built a 42-17 lead behind its dominant run game.
Lane, a senior running back, led the way for the Warriors, finishing with 239 yards and four touchdowns on only 12 carries. He broke loose for a 68-yard touchdown on his second touch of the game, and he never looked back, piling up 179 yards and three scores by halftime.
Grovetown’s success started up front, where the offensive line created space all night. New Warrior Coach Dedrick Mayo said the group was the difference.
“It was the offensive line and our receivers blocking the perimeter.” Mayo said. “Derrick is a
very explosive kid, but our offensive line was the highlight of our offense last week. We’ve got
three offensive coaches who are doing a great job.”
Lane gained most of his yards on the perimeter as the Panthers found it hard to slow the Warrior
back down. He scored on runs of 68, 54, 17 and 1 yards.
Lakeside had chances early, including an 80-yard touchdown pass that was erased by a penalty. Senior quarterback John Allen Williamson still put together a solid game, going 12-for-20 for 172 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, but the Panthers struggled to keep up.
Penalties were a problem for both sides. The teams combined for seven flags in the first quarter, and by halftime, Grovetown had nine for 65 yards while Lakeside had seven for 52. The Warriors would finish with 15 flags for 115 yards in the rain-shortened contest. The Panthers had eight penalties for 67 yards in Coach Brett Johnson’s first game at the helm.
For Grovetown’s Mayo, the win was more than just a good start to the season.
“We only had one win all of last year,” he said of the 1-9 2024 Warriors. “To get one early, to do
it like this, to have 42 points with eight minutes left in the third quarter, it says a lot about these
kids. You know they were told last year and all offseason that they weren’t good, so its big for us
moving forward.”
Mayo also stressed the mentality he expects from his players.
“I told them Day One when I came in, this is one place in life where you can get away with
violence,” Mayo said. “Violence is king in football. If you’re violent, we can find a spot for you
on the team. If you’re not violent, we can’t play you.”
The rain brought the game to a stop with eight minutes left in the third quarter, sealing Grovetown’s victory. Lane’s big night helped the Warriors start their season on the right foot, while Lakeside will have two weeks to regroup.
Grovetown will host Greenbrier Aug. 22. Lakeside will travel to South Aiken in two weeks.
(Rodrigo Burgos Avila is a senior sports management major and communication minor at
Augusta University. He is editor in chief of AU’s student newspaper, the Bell Ringer.)
don’t forget about special teams !!!