BY D. MARK MITCHELL
FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN — Lee-Scott Academy continued its dominant start to the season, dismantling region foe Beulah 70–16 in a lopsided road victory. But despite the fireworks on the scoreboard and a perfect 4–0 record, the Warriors are keeping their eyes fixed on the bigger picture: finding a little redemption and making the playoffs.
Head coach Buster Daniel made it clear in the postgame huddle that satisfaction isn’t part of the plan. “We’re not satisfied,” Daniel said. “We’ve got a long season left, and we expect to win every game. May not happen, but we expect it.”
The Warriors’ hot start mirrors last season’s 4-0 run, which ultimately unraveled with five losses in their final six games. That late-season losses left Lee-Scott at 5-5 and out of the playoff picture in their inaugural AHSAA campaign. This year, the team is determined to have a better finish.
“We just got to maintain our focus,” Daniel emphasized. “We can’t overlook anybody. This league is tough.”
Two key losses haunted the Warriors last fall — a 13–10 upset by Dadeville and a fourth-quarter collapse against eventual Class 1A state champion Wadley. Those stumbles are fueling a renewed commitment to winning each game.
Lee-Scott’s offensive explosion against Beulah was led by QB Max Hammer, throwing and managing the game, and Brooks Zachry, who rushed for 154 yards and four touchdowns. The Warriors have outscored opponents by an average of 26 points per game this season.
“We just got to focus and keep our mind on our jobs and do what we’re capable of doing,” Daniel said. “We got to worry about Lee-Scott. We can’t worry about the next opponent we’re playing. We got to take care of us.”
LSA (4-0) will host Randolph County (3-0) at Judd Scott Field on Friday night, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
Following is a rundown of the action:
First quarter:
BHS: Rybacki 30 kick, 6:47
LSA: Preston Huguley 63 pass from Max Hammer (Thomas Carmichael kick), 5:59
Second quarter:
LSA: Zachry 30 run (Carmichael kick), 5:37
BHS: Cam Baker 70 pass from Hunter Duval (PAT blocked), 3:55
LSA: Griffin Gaston 28 run (Carmichael kick), 3:34
LSA: Zachry 1 run (Carmichael kick), 0:20
Third quarter:
LSA: Huguley 34 pass from Hammer (Carmichael kick), 7:56
LSA: Zachry 50 run (Carmichael kick), 7:25
LSA: Zachry 15 run (Carmichael kick), 6:50
LSA: Zachry 20 run (Carmichael kick), 5:38
Fourth quarter:
BHS: Khamoni Lindsey 16 run (Luke Rybacki kick), 10:22
LSA: Robertson Dean 46 run (Carmichael kick), 9:40
LSA: Rylan Smith 22 run (Carmichael kick), 1:00
