SUGAR HILL - In each of the six seasons housed from 2014-2019 Gainesville and Lanier faced off as region foes with the Longhorns winning every contentious contest; contentious because of a single stat, not overall attitude: the 6.3-point average margin of victory per game.

The two teams met at The Ranch on Friday night for the 10th time in 12 seasons - the last three matchups anything but what yesteryear held as the Red Elephants have won them all by an average of 32 points , scoring 35 or better - the game harkening back to those days the fellows in burnt orange bested Big Red by the slimmest of margins...at least for a little while.

Down 27-23 at halftime of both its first road and region game of the season, fifth-ranked Gainesville found its stomping while the bands played and went on to make what looked like a throwback game more reminiscent of recent history, outscoring Lanier 34-3 in the second half en route to a 57-30 win.

While it may seem defense was the slow starter for Big Red by both the 27 points Lanier put up in the first two quarters and the scoring differential in the final two , Gainesville's defense was actually the catalyst for it only being a four-point deficit at half thanks to a Roger Holder 80-yard pick six in the first quarter and a safety earned in the second. Special teams helped by coming up with a blocked extra point after Lanier's first touchdown.

The defense maintaining play in the second half combined with the Red Elephants offense coming around led to a run away win...literally. As part of its 557 yards of total offense, Gainesville rushed for 333 yards (10 yards per carry) led by Nigel Newkirk's 169 yards (11.3 yards per carry) and PJ Lewis' 121 yards (9.3 yards per carry). The two dynamic running backs combined to score three rushing touchdowns, four altogether as Lewis also had a touchdown reception.

The Big Red defense that carried the team in the first half, ramped up play even more in the second and shutdown the 'Horns altogether, allowing just 45 yards of total offense. Alabama-commit Xavier Griffin and Jamarion Matthews each had four tackles for loss as part of 16 total for Gainesville. Marshall Leonard caught Lanier in the backfield three times and had the teams only sack, while Darryn Williams stopped them behind the line of scrimmage three times.

Gainesville quarterback Kharim Hughley hit seven different receivers as part of a 15-of-24 passing night in which he threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for a 31-yard score in the third quarter. Phillip Williams led the receivers with five catches for 58 yards, Colin Porterfield had two catches for 51 yards and a touchdown, and tight end Landon Williamson also had a touchdown reception.

The Red Elephants return home for homecoming Friday; they'll take on Johns Creek with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.

PHOTO GALLERY: GHS vs. Lanier
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