By Chris Megginson | For the Reporter

CARROLLTON – For the first time in a dozen meetings, Kingwood Christian School defeated the Pickens Academy Pirates and did so in style. The Lions shut out Pickens Academy, 34-0, to snap an 11-game road skid and win its first season opener since 2013.

“This team really needed a win in the fashion that we did on the road. It’s really big for us getting the season going,” said KCS head coach Todd Bradford. “It’s been a while since we won a road game. That’s big to start the year momentum wise going on the road like that. It’s big for these kids. They brought a good attitude in tonight and it only makes that better. It’s really huge for these boys to go do that tonight on the road.”

Kingwood jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Garrett Picklesimer put the Lions on the board with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Helmers. Tyler West followed with a 25-yard touchdown run and Peyton Long added a 10-yard TD run in the opening quarter.

Long also ran in a 2-yard touchdown in the second quarter to make it 27-0. A busted play kept the extra point of the board and Mason Collins missed a 40-yard field goal just before halftime – two of the few miscues made by the Lions.

“We controlled the ball. It took them until the second half, I believe to cross the 50-yard-line. The defense came up big,” Bradford said. “We got the ball back quick with some three-and-outs. The defense played about as good as they could play. They got the ball back to their offense and that got us on that hot start in the first quarter.”

KCS racked up 229 yards of rushing in the game, while Picklesimer was 5-of-9 for 88 yards passing to give the Lions more than 300 yards for the game. West led the ground attack with 153 yards on 17 carries, followed by 53 yards on eight runs by Long.

“We didn’t have to show a lot. We ran the ball pretty good. The line was pretty consistent. We got
Tyler West had the hot hand tonight and ran the ball well. He had a long one called back to. He really had a good night.”

Jayton Denard, who had 17 yards on four carries, capped Kingwood’s scoring in the fourth quarter with a 12-yard touchdown. Helmers was 4-for-4 on point after touchdown kicks.

Denard and Boston Bush each had five solo tackles and one assist to lead the defense, while Alex Simpson had a sack, three solo tackles and an assist. Connor Shaddix and West each recovered a fumble.

Kingwood Christian (1-0) will play at home the next two weeks against county rivals Evangel Christian School on Aug. 24 and Coosa Valley Academy on Aug. 31.