The Lake Oconee Academy football team made a statement last Friday after winning its first game of the regular season in convincing fashion.
The Titans easily defeated the Indians 27-0, earning them their third shutout victory in program history.
Head coach Patrick Stewart emphasized how important the victory was for the young program, and that it was good to reciprocate the results from last year’s contest.
“This win was very important for our young program,” Stewart said. “Beating a team who has been around for a while, and who also beat us 23-0 last year was very big. I believe the victory sent a strong statement to our community of how hard these kids have worked all season.”
Lake Oconee Academy came out in the first quarter firing on all cylinders, scoring 10 points in the first 12 minutes.
Titans’ quarterback Ike O’Neal kept that momentum going into the second quarter with a long pass to Hayes Fleming. He later finished the drive with a touchdown pass to Logan Waldron.
The first half ended with a long run to the Towns’ 10-yard line by Lake Oconee Academy’s Cameron Kelley. Placekicker Knox Van Mol would eventually convert a 23-yard field goal as time expired to give the Titans a 20-lead going into the locker room.
O’Neal and Fleming kept their connection rolling to start the third quarter as well. The two linked up for an 80-yard pass-and-catch for the Titans’ final touchdown of the contest.
O’Neal finished the contest with 215 yards and three scores, and as a team, the Titans finished the game with over 200 rushing yards.
Lake Oconee Academy’s defense also performed well through all four quarters of the contest.
The Titans’ front seven had a “bend but not break” attitude as they kept the Indians out of the end zone on every drive even though they let them into the red zone a couple of times.
Sophomore Dylan Hiter was named the team’s defensive player of the game for his seven-tackle performance against the Indians. Fleming earned the same honors for the offense, and Brayden Higham was named the Titans’ special teams player of the week.
Stewart was pleased with the effort his team gave on both sides of the ball and acknowledged that if they can continue to replicate that level of play, then they will be able to find success.
“On both sides of the ball, if we can continue the effort and physicality we have been showing, then we will be just fine,” Stewart said. “Run is a priority at all times. Once we showed their defense we could run the ball well, which opened up the back end for Ike to connect with our skill guys in the passing game.”
With the first win under their belt, the Titans look towards Skipstone Academy for their next game of the season.