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Vikings 41, Knights 17
Difference maker: Vikings quarterback Cameron Davis ran for two touchdowns, one which came late in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
Stat that matters: The Vikings committed 12 penalties for 105 yards but still overcame to win the game.
Turning point: Jamond Witt's 95-yard kickoff return touchdown with 4:43 left in the second quarter put the Vikings on top for good.
Who's next: East Hall travels to Elbert County. Johnson travels to Chestatee to open up their 8-AAA play.
East Hall showed poise, patience and resiliency Friday night, beating Johnson 41-17.
The Vikings improved to 2-0 despite committing 12 penalties. The Knights fell to 0-2.
Jamond Witt led all scorers with three touchdowns.
Both teams had big plays for touchdowns called back because of penalties in the fourth quarter.
"We had some breaks go our way," East Hall coach Bryan Gray said. "It just took our offensive line and defensive line getting their confidence."
The first quarter was a defensive battle that saw neither team score, but saw Johnson cause chaos. The Knights held the Vikings to minus-6 yards of total offense and zero first downs, plus two sacks.
The Knights got on the board first when kicker Steve Rodriguez booted a 25-yard field goal with 9:08 left in the second quarter.
The Vikings responded when quarterback Cameron Davis found Austen Mahaffey on 19-yard pass, giving the Vikings a 7-3 lead.
The Knights answered when running back A.J. Millwood sprinted 27 yards for the first Johnson touchdown of the game.
That lead would be short-lived. On the ensuing kickoff, Witt gave the Vikings the lead at 14-10 when he returned the kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, the third lead change in under two minutes. The half ended with the score 14-10.
On the opening drive of the third quarter, the Vikings used Davis, Mahaffey and Witt to march down field. With 7:56 left in the third quarter, Davis scored on a 1-yard run to boost the Vikings' lead to 21-10.
Six minutes later, Witt scored his second touchdown when he broke a 21-yard run. The lead was 28-10.
"The best thing I can say is our offensive line did a tremendous job," East Hall wide receiver Austen Mahaffey said. "It's amazing how well they (offensive line) can block. Our receivers, the other running backs came together as a unit, which we have been working on all year."
The fourth quarter started off how the first quarter started, with the Knights' defense making plays. Linebacker Luis Hernandez returned a fumble 10 yards for a touchdown under one minute into the quarter.
The Vikings put the game away on their next drive when Davis scored on a 13-yard run. Witt intercepted a Johnson pass for a 55-yard return as the clock expired.
"We have been working so hard spiritually to get where we are," Mahaffey added.
The Vikings head to Elbert County next week while the Knights travel to Chestatee for a region game.