ACWORTH — When a team has more than 450 yards of offense and it holds its opponent to a total of 82, good things are likely to happen.
They did for Allatoona on Friday as the Buccaneers shut out Lithia Springs 49-0.
The victory set up a key game next week in the Region 5AAAAA race when the Buccaneers travel to South Paulding. A victory would put Allatoona back into contention for the region championship.
The Buccaneers (3-1, 2-1) scored on their first six possessions of the game and led 42-0 at halftime. In the meantime, Allatoona’s defense was also getting the job done, limiting Lithia Springs (0-3, 0-2) to 6 yards of total offense in the first half.
Allatoona coach Gary Varner said he was pleased with his team after the game.
“We played a real solid game, from our quarterback to our offensive line to our defense,” he said. “It was a good overall effort and I’m proud of how our offensive line keeps getting better.”
In a game where the Buccaneers pulled most of their starters before halftime, even the reserves made a solid showing.
After senior tailback Russell Halimon scored his third rushing touchdown of the night with 9:54 left in the second quarter, his night was over. Halimon finished with a game-high 117 yards on the ground on only 10 carries, and scored on runs of 15, 45 and 21 yards.
Jalen Parrish got Allatoona on the scoreboard at the 7:44 mark of the opening quarter on his 11-yard run. Halimon converted the 2-point run for an 8-0 lead.
The Allatoona defense, meanwhile, put constant pressure on the Lithia Springs quarterbacks — Destin White and D.J. Montgomery. The Buccaneers had five sacks and held the Lions’ quarterbacks to a total of 41 yards passing.
Allatoona defensive coordinator Troy Peterson said his defense played a solid game on a special night.
“(Friday) was senior night, so we really wanted to get some of the seniors who don’t start into the game,” Peterson said. “They did a great job just like the starters. Our kids prepared well this week in practice and it showed tonight.”
Supporting Halimon’s three-touchdown effort on the ground for Allatoona were senior quarterback Brandon Rainey (five carries for 77 yards) and senior Brandon Archibald (five carries for 67 yards).
Rainey completed 4-of-6 passes for 77 yards.
Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal - Allatoona runs over Lithia Springs