By Ashley Hargrove
ashley@athensnews-courier.com
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Ryan Horton was somewhat like the Energizer Bunny Friday night.
The Athens High senior running back kept going … and going … and going.
Before the night ended Horton had racked up 183 of the Golden Eagles 333 total yards of offense as he helped his team cruise to a 37-14 win over Johnson.
“The running game is a team effort and it was important to us that we were as successful on the ground as we were,” Athens High coach Allen Creasy said. “Ryan had 183 yards rushing, which is the most we’ve had from a running back here in a long time.”
Johnson found the end zone early in the first quarter on a 47-yard pass from Ronnie McRae to Mason Rice to put the Jaguars up 6-0. The point after attempt failed.
Athens responded with 2:38 remaining when Stephen Rivers hit Riggs Bailey with an 11-yard pass for the touchdown. Trey Grantham’s extra point attempt was good to put the Golden Eagles up 7-6.
Hunter Lambert found the end zone in the opening minutes of the second period for Athens when he blocked a Johnson punt around the 30-yard line, adding six more points for the Golden Eagles. Grantham’s kick was good to put Athens up 14-6. The Golden Eagles capitalized once more on a 24-yard touchdown run by Rivers that was set up by an interception by Locker McDonald.
Athens scored twice more before the half on a safety by Johnson and a 23-yard pass from Rivers to Tristian Castro. Horton scored the final Golden Eagle touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run.
Athens travels to Russellville for another key Class 5A, Region 8 game Friday.
