(LINCOLNTON GA) Jonathan Norman scored three touchdowns in the first eight minutes to lead the Lincoln County Red Devils to a dominating 56-0 win over the McCormick Chiefs here last Friday.
The junior speedster rushed for touchdowns of seven and twelve yards, and caught a 15-yard TD pass from Mekhi Wade. For the game, he carried four times for 48 yards. Many starters saw little action after the first quarter.
McCormick dressed only 20 players for the contest. Lincoln County would play everyone it had in uniform, including four quarterbacks. The game was played with the clock running after the first quarter.
Nasir Gartrell returned the opening kickoff 12 yards to the LC 43. Norman ran for 18 before Kelby Glaze bolted up the middle for 16. Norman added another eleven before following blockers on the left side seven yards to pay dirt. Fortson Partridge booted the PAT and the home team led 7-0 with 10:18 left in the opening period.
Jeremiah Wynn recovered a third down fumble at the Chief 15. Norman jumped higher than the defender in the end zone to make the 15-yard catch of Wade's lone pass attempt. As usual, Partridge's kick was true. The Devils were up 14-0 with 8:37 left.
A bad snap on a McCormick punt put the Devils back in scoring position as the Chief 24. Glaze ran for 19. A bad play and a flag led to 3rd-&-goal at the 12. Norman scored on an end-around with 4:44 left in the first. The Devils led 21-0.
Another McCormick miscue became a fumble recovery by sophomore Kingston Elam. Aiden Jones, another sophomore, ran the pigskin in from the 18. Partridge put the Devils up 28-0 with 4:27 left.
The Chiefs started at their five after the next kickoff, but went backwards from there. Their punt attempt was blocked with the Devils recovering at the one. Backup quarterback Thomas McWhorter called his own number and scored with 1:36 left in the first. Partridge finalized the first quarter score at 35-0.
The Devil Defense remained tough and forced a punt to the LC 45. Travis Franklin cut right and was gone to the end zone some 53 yards later. LCHS led 42-0 with 10:18 left in the half.
With the clock running and young Devils playing, freshman Bryson Elam scored on a 12-yard run with 4:42 left in the third. Nick Giovengo booted the PAT.
Quadri Norman closed out the scoring with a 30-yard fumble return as the fourth quarter started. Giovengo provided the final point for a 56-0 decision.
Big Red led in total yards 249-33. The visitors did not get past their 43 yard line. The Devil Defense has not allowed a touchdown in 2025.
Lake Oconee Academy was the only other Region 8-A Division II team to claim a victory last Friday. It defeated Hancock Central in Sparta 21-6. Washington-Wilkes lost to Oglethorpe County 42-12, the Tigers' first loss to their neighbor Patriots since 1983 and ending a string of 17 wins. Greene County fell to Haralson County 41-7. Warren County was pounded 40-14 by Johnson County, a Top Ten team.
The top-ranked Red Devils have an open date this Friday before traveling to Elberton September 12 to face the Blue Devils in the Granite Bowl. Looking down the road, Strom Thurmond High School pounded Silver Bluff 50-0; both South Carolina schools are on the Devils' September schedule.