SUGAR HILL, Ga. – Jackson County scored first, but Lanier scored the final 31 points in a 31-7 win Friday night.
The Panthers scored midway through the first quarter as Jaydan Hibbert caught a pass from RJ Knapp and went 16 yards for the opening score, but the Longhorns answered just 90 seconds later on a D'Majai Hightower 74-yard touchdown catch from Preston Ratliff to tie the game.
Lanier scored late in the second on an Ethan Montenegro 13-yard touchdown catch to take a seven-point lead into halftime. The Longhorns came out after the break with a Tojuan Peyton 29-yard catch from Ratliff. before they wrapped up the scoring with a field goal and a late touchdown run from Tayo Ashadele.
Knapp finished with 136 yards passing and 20 yards rushing. MJ Spurlin was held to just 39 yards on the ground.
The Panthers have next week off before wrapping up the regular season at home against Gainesville.
