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Lions 49, Eagles 22
Difference maker: The Lakeview offense topped its previous season high in points in just one quarter, scoring 28 in in the first alone.
Stat that matters: The Lions' 49 points topped their offensive output from each of their first five games combined.
Turning point: After Lakeview scored on its first play from scrimmage, North Cobb fumbed the ensuing kickoff. One play later, Lakeview was in the end zone again and on its way to a rout.
Who's next: Lakeview Academy hosts Georgia Military College at home on Friday.
It didn't take long for the Lakeview Academy offense to find its groove on Friday.
After recording their highest point total of the season a week ago, the Lions' offense erupted on Friday, scoring twice on their first two plays from scrimmage and going on to top North Cobb Christian 49-22 at home.
"That was nice; we haven't done that in a long time," Lions coach Matthew Gruhn said after the game. "I don't know if we've ever done that before. We were kind of in unfamiliar territory there. We've been struggling offensively, so that was a great way to start the game."
The Lions (2-4) notched 28 points in the first quarter alone and matched their school record for points in a game, set last year against North Cobb.
Lakeview got the offense started after forcing a North Cobb three-and-out on its first possession. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Matt Askounis took the ball 41 yards to the end zone.
Just seconds later, after North Cobb fumbled the kickoff, running back Trevor Price added an 18-yarder to make the score 14-0 less than three minutes into the game.
"I thought we executed tonight probably better than we have all year," Gruhn said.
Askounis added another 65-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and finished with 151 yards and two scores on the day. He was shaken up late in the first half and carried the ball just twice the rest of the game.
Quarterback Ted Reynolds and running back Jackson Strickland picked up the slack, adding 147 and 88 yards, respectively. Both also scored touchdowns.
After North Cobb (1-7) cut the Lakeview lead to 28-14 in the second quarter, Reynolds took over the offense. He ran four consecutive times on the ensuing drive, capping it off with runs of 20 and 18 yards, the latter a score to put the Lions up 35-14 going into the half.
Overall, the Lions put up 455 yards of total offense, 436 of which were on the ground.
"We hoped we would be able to move the ball well, but you never know," Gruhn said. "But we came out and executed pretty well."
While the offense may get the glory in this game, Gruhn noted that the defense shouldn't be forgotten.
Despite allowing decent yardage through the air (North Cobb quarterback Alex Ho-on was 21 of 34 for 261 yards and two touchdowns), the defense recorded three interceptions in the game. Backup cornerback John Cox recorded two, taking one back 50 yards for a touchdown, and defensive back Thomas Paris added a third.
"They've got those athletes that can score on any play, and as a coach that scares you to death," Gruhn said. "We knew they were going to score some points, but overall, I'm very pleased with how we played.
Lakeview will try to keep its strong offensive playing going on Friday when they play host to Georgia Military College.