Fireworks shot across the Peachtree City sky Friday night, but they started before sunset at McIntosh High School.
While the pyrotechnic display at the lake was presented to make up for the July 4 rainout, the Chiefs’ offensive firepower against visiting North Springs was evident from the game’s first minute, as McIntosh scored early and often en route to a 55-7 blowout win over the Spartans.
After a long return on the opening kickoff, quarterback Andrew Johnson found Matt Dognazzi for a 38-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage. With 15 seconds left in the first quarter, Johnson connected with Josh Ange on a 23-yard scoring pass for a 14-0 lead.
The next drive for North Springs ended quickly, as Darius Stokes intercepted a pass and returned it to the Spartans’ 8. After a penalty, Sebastian James scored on a 13-yard run to put the Chiefs up by three touchdowns.
North Springs finally got on the board on its next drive, but it would prove to be the only positive series of the night for the visiting team. McIntosh answered in less than three minutes, marching down the field to set the stage for Johnson’s 19-yard touchdown run.
The Spartans were trapped deep in their own territory on the ensuing possession and a short punt was downed at the North Springs 36. A few plays later, Johnson kept the ball again on second-and-goal from the 2 and made it a 35-7 game with 29 seconds left in the half.
The first time they got the ball in the third quarter, the Chiefs drove 80 yards, most of them on the ground by Victor Nguyen. James took it across the goal line from 18 yards out with 3:16 left in the period.
The next few minutes were a blur. Jake Carney stepped in front of a North Springs pass and took it 40 yards for a score, and on the next possession Deshon Hines scored on a short run with 1:07 to go in the third.
The fourth quarter was scoreless and played with a running clock.
McIntosh travels to Douglas County next Friday for a game against Alexander.
