By Becky Holland
WEST LAURENS — Bleckley County opened the 2026 football season with a strong defensive showing and a balanced offensive effort Friday night, defeating West Laurens 28-3.
The Royals struck first late in the opening quarter when quarterback Brody Fleming connected with Gage Harris on a 14-yard touchdown pass. Dylan Lamb added the extra point to give Bleckley County a 7-0 lead.
West Laurens cut the margin to 7-3 in the second quarter on a 28-yard field goal by Dugan Malone, but the Raiders would not score again.
Bleckley answered before the half when Zyion Love scored on a 5-yard run. Lamb’s extra point extended the Royals’ advantage to 14-3.
The Bleckley defense kept the pressure on throughout the night. Cody Register recorded a sack in the first quarter, while Kmarion McClinton came up with a tackle for loss in the third. Jason Balthrope also recorded a third-quarter sack as the Royals kept West Laurens out of the end zone.
Bleckley pulled away in the fourth quarter.
Love scored his second touchdown of the night on a 3-yard run with approximately seven minutes remaining. Lamb again converted the PAT to make it 21-3.
Willy Walters added another tackle for loss for the Royals’ defense, and Love later broke a long run that moved Bleckley County to the West Laurens 8-yard line.
Kix Foskey finished the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run with about two minutes remaining. Lamb’s fourth successful extra point of the night gave the Royals the final 28-3 margin.
The victory gives Bleckley County a 1-0 start to the season.
Stats and information gathered from MaxPreps.
Photos by Brandi Rozier, Tonya Harris, Tiffani Amber Ware and Tobie S. Rogers.
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