No. 3 Lee County overwhelms Veterans, 49-0

LEESBURG — After spending much of the season trading punches with some of the Southeast’s best teams, Lee County finally enjoyed a quiet fourth quarter.

The No. 3-ranked Trojans overwhelmed region opponent Veterans 49-0 Thursday night at Trojan Field, combining an explosive offense with a defense that barely allowed the Warhawks to move.

Lee County improved to 6-1 behind a nearly flawless performance from quarterback Cohen Lawson. The senior completed 13 of 14 passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns as the Trojans piled up 541 yards of offense.

Lawson spread his four scoring passes among four receivers, connecting with Carter Blackwell, Jaden Upshaw, Amari Wilson and Destin Bell.

The blowout was a dramatic departure from Lee County’s recent schedule. The Trojans had faced a string of highly ranked opponents, including nationally ranked Miami Carol City, defending state champion Thomas County Central and previously unbeaten Coffee.

Lee County’s defense made certain Thursday would include no late-game suspense.

Veterans finished with only 38 passing yards and minus-1 yard rushing, giving the Warhawks 37 yards of total offense. The Trojans controlled the line of scrimmage, took away the running game and never allowed Veterans to threaten the shutout.

Lee County was just as dominant on the ground.

Jymerion Roddy needed only five carries to rush for 125 yards and a touchdown, averaging 25 yards per attempt. Quay Sheard added 76 yards on 10 carries as the Trojans repeatedly created running room against the Veterans defense.

Senior running back Dominique Ball also returned after missing several games with a broken foot. Ball carried once and turned the opportunity into a 33-yard gain, giving Lee County another encouraging development as the regular season moves into its final stretch.

John Lane completed the rout by converting all seven of his extra-point attempts.

The game was played one night earlier than originally scheduled because of weather expected from Hurricane Isaias. The change did little to disrupt the Trojans, who scored early, controlled the game throughout and earned their most decisive victory since shutting out Hapeville Charter 51-0 in the season opener.

More importantly, Lee County added another region victory and emerged from the night without the fourth-quarter drama that defined several of its biggest games.

The Trojans are scheduled to visit Northside-Warner Robins next Friday.