ATHENS – Decatur gave Athens an early scare in the first half, but the Golden Eagles defense took over the game in the second half while the offense was scoring 27 unanswered points for a 34-17 win.

Athens’ (4-0,3-0) defense held Decatur (1-3,0-3) to a minus two yards of offense in the second half.

“It’s huge anytime you beat Decatur,” Athens coach Allen Creasy said. “They’re a well coached program with outstanding players and they’re also a class act.”

Red Raiders quarterback Joe Lothspeich hit David Westbrook on a 8-yard touchdown pass to cap off the opening drive. Michael Schuster missed the extra point, giving Decatur a 6-0 lead.

Athens struck back in the second quarter when Ferrell Williams scored on a 5-yard run around left end. Matt Jackson made the extra point to give the Golden Eagles a one point lead.

On the ensuing series, Lothspeich hit Justin Bishop for a 67-yard reception to put the Red Raiders on the 8-yard line. Chris Coffey followed with an 8-yard touchdown run. Decatur converted the two-point conversion.

Schuster made a 22-yard field goal to give Decatur a 17-7 lead at the half.

“We came out flat in the first half,” Creasy said. “It wasn’t a pretty conversation at halftime. We were a lot better football team in the second half.”

Robert Brown set the tone early in the second half for Athens when he broke three tackles and fought his way for an 18-yard touchdown run while dragging Decatur defenders behind him. Jackson’s extra point was good.

“All I was thinking about was getting in the end zone,” Brown said. “I wasn’t about to let anybody stop me from getting there.”

On the ensuing series, Brown intercepted Lothspeich on the Athens 45-yard line. Vincent Azzarello caught a 38-yard pass across the middle of the field on third and 18 to put Athens on the 1-yard line. Karlos Jones punched the football in the end zone and Jackson made the extra point to give the Golden Eagles a 21-17 lead midway through the third quarter.

“This was a huge win because it puts us in good position in the region,” said Azzarello, who had six receptions in third and long situations. “We started out slow, but everything came together in the second half.”

Azzarello spent most of the night on a training bike on the sideline due to a bruised lower back he’s struggled with all season.

“Vincent is one tough kid,” Creasy said. “He is a warrior and he came through for us in big situations. That’s the type of kid he is.”

Dewan Tisdale scored on a 24-yard touchdown pass and Brown scored on a 2-yard run late in the fourth quarter for Athens.

“Our defense played physical in the second half,” Brown said. “It was a hard hitting game and we enjoyed every minute of it.”

Athens quarterback Rob Ezell threw for 140-yards with no interceptions. The Golden Eagles rushed for 207 yards in the win.

“We’ve still got a lot good football teams left to play in our region,” Creasy said.

“We’re in good position, but we can’t let up.”