Deerfield-Windsor overpowers Lakeview Academy to advance to GIAA semifinals

ALBANY – The Deerfield-Windsor Knights (8-3) are advancing to the Class AAA GIAA semifinals after defeating Lakeview Academy (9-2) with a decisive 35-12 victory at Webb Memorial Stadium in Albany on Friday night.

Deerfield-Windsor quarterback Lane Sceals completed 17 of 24 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Knights’ offense. His first two passes were touchdowns, totaling 137 yards.

The Knights will now travel to Perry next Friday to face top-ranked Westfield (9-2), who advanced by defeating Terrell Academy 15-6.

“I’m proud of our guys,” said Deerfield-Windsor Head Coach Jake McCrae. “That was a good football team, and we kept our composure. Next week, we’re up against the No. 1 team in the state. We’ve got to have a great week of practice.”

Deerfield-Windsor scored on all four of its first-half possessions, while the Knights’ defense controlled the line of scrimmage, keeping Lakeview out of the end zone.

The Knights received the opening kickoff, and on their first play from scrimmage, Sceals connected with Jake Hatcher for an 86-yard touchdown. After Deerfield-Windsor’s defense forced a Lakeview punt, Sceals struck again, finding David Hutchins for a 56-yard touchdown pass, giving the Knights a 14-0 lead.

With a 14-0 lead entering the second quarter, Cole Jones added to the score with a touchdown run on the second play of the period.

The Lions threatened twice in the second quarter. Lakeview quarterback Kyari Burch broke free for a long run down to the Knights’ 30-yard line, then hit wide receiver Jr Thompson with a pass inside the 10. However, a penalty negated the play, and the Deerfield-Windsor defense held strong on a fourth-and-six when Burch’s pass fell incomplete.

Deerfield-Windsor quickly responded, starting a drive that began with a screen pass to Jones for a gain to the 42-yard line, and ending with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Sceals to Brantley Michlig.

Late in the second quarter, the Lions drove again but stalled when their 47-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Deerfield-Windsor’s Liam Elliot.

Early in the third quarter, the Knights fumbled, giving Lakeview the ball at Deerfield-Windsor’s 23-yard line. Lakeview running back Ryker Kohler took the ball to the six-yard line, but the Knights’ defense held firm. The Lions attempted another field goal, only to have Cole Jones block the kick.

Lakeview finally scored with a trick play: Burch flipped the ball to Kohler, who then pitched it back to Burch. Burch connected with a wide-open Thompson for an 87-yard touchdown.

Deerfield-Windsor added its final touchdown on a two-yard run by Cross Mitchell, set up by an unsportsmanlike penalty against Lakeview after a defender attempted to rip off Liam Elliot’s helmet on the previous play.

The Lions added a late score when Burch broke multiple tackles and sprinted down the left sideline for a 90-yard touchdown.

OTHER SCORES

Westfield 15 Terrell Aca. 6

Valwood 35 Frederica 14

Tiftarea 35 John Milledge 21

Sherwood Christian 58 Holy Spirit Prep 7

Harvester Christian 50 Westwood 30

Southland 30 Briarwood 14

Southwest Georgia 44 Central Fellowship 7

Worth Co. 49 Brantley Co. 0

Calhoun Co. 38 Pataula Charter 14

Crisp Co. 13 Tatnall Co. 0

By Joe Whitfield
Sports EditorBy Joe Whitfield
Sports EditorJoeWhitfield[email protected]
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