by TROUP BRINSON
The Swainsboro Tigers (3-3) opened up their 2-AA region schedule with an impressive win that saw the Tigers run off 28 unanswered points to close the game out in a 48-13 victory over the East Laurens Falcons. The story of the game was the influx of freshman offensive talent and the impact that they continue to have on Swainsboro’s success.
Lenox Lively, Jordon Williams, Demello Jones, and Keshon Deloach all played big minutes on Friday night in the offensive spotlight. Lively hit Cedric Seabrough with an 11 yard TD pass in the 1st quarter and then Fred Seabrough with a 4 yard TD pass in the 2nd quarter to get Swainsboro rolling. Jordan Williams scored from 3 yards out as the Tigers took a 20-6 lead at the half.
East Laurens got on the board midway through the 3rd quarter to tighten the score to 13-20 but it was all Swainsboro after that. Williams ran one in from 23 yards and Keshon Deloach scored from 10 yards out. Defensive back Ja’quavious Lattimore picked off a pass and returned it for a 40 yard touchdown early in the 4th quarter. Lively dumped off a short pass to Williams midway through the final quarter that went 62 yards for a TD to cap the scoring in the blowout win.
“They are all very talented,” said head coach Scott Roberts when talking about his freshman playmakers. “The game is still moving really fast for them, but they are competing like crazy at practice every day. You can see all of them getting more comfortable every week.”
On many plays, the ball only touches freshmen players as Swainsboro’s starting center is also a freshman, Kason Palmer.
Lively had an efficient night through the air completing 14 of 17 passes for 208 yards and 3 TDs. Deloach connected on his only pass for 29 yards. Cedric Seabough led receivers with 5 catches for 33 yards and Fred Seabrough pulled in 4 passes for 38 yards. Williams caught 3 passes for 121 yards.
The Tigers racked up 169 rushing yards as a team on 32 carries with Robert Allen leading the way with 73 yards on 8 carries before leaving the game with an ankle injury in the 1st half. Williams carried the ball 10 times for 49 yards and has the big play potential that Swainsboro has been missing at times.
Swainsboro will have another bye week before traveling to Bacon County on October 30.
