On March 26, the North Forsyth Raiders varsity boys lacrosse team played a riveting game against the Johns Creek Gladiators. Before the game, it was clear that both the Raiders and Gladiators would bring a fight.
Only two minutes and 30 seconds into the first quarter, Reese Lemons scored the first goal of the game. His goal marked the Raiders confidence they would keep up for the entirety of the match.
Throughout the first quarter, Gavin Button was noticed for his renowned defensive plays. He saved the ball from moving towards the North goal multiple times and helped keep the Raiders in the lead.
After multiple saves by goalie Parker Janes, Grant Gilbert swiftly scored North Forsyth’s second goal with 4:56 left on clock. Gilbert used the Gladiators’ lost momentum after Janes had stopped the shot on goal as an advantage for North.
The quarter moved on swiftly as the Gladiators and Raiders battled fiercely for the ball, checking each other down the field back and forth. Just as the quarter was ending, with 30.5 seconds left on the clock, Gilbert scored again, leaving the end of the first quarter 3-0 with North in the lead.
As the players waited for the second quarter to begin, head coach Chad Whitlow called the boys into a quick huddle. As words of inspiration filled their spirits, the second quarter began.
North started off well with defensive blows to the Gladiators, however the Gladiators pushed through and scored their first goal with 8:21 left on clock. The gladiators scoring made North ready to put up a fight.
With energy surging through the field, Lemons scored with 7:24 left on clock, leaving the stadium cheering for North to keep it up.
However, the Gladiators scored one more time within the last three minutes of the second quarter. The Gladiators’ moves left North visibly frustrated, yet hopeful as teammates from the box cheered on.
All of the cheering helped the Raiders regain their spirits, and with 1:23 left of the second quarter Bryson Weedner scored, bringing the score up to 5-2.
As the second quarter ended, both teams were anything but tired and they executed strong maneuvers around each other to showcase their abilities.
As the third quarter began, it was a rush for the ball, and both teams fought furiously. The Raiders gained two more goals while the Gladiators gained four. The frenzy for the ball brought the score up to 7-6 with Raiders still in the lead.
Then both teams hit a momentary dry spot, as they matched each other in power and went back and forth across the darkening field.
Later on Emory Dennis scored a goal with 4:38 left on the clock. Then two minutes later Lemons scored once more, bringing the score up to 9-6
At the final 1.8 seconds of the third quarter, Johns Creek scored another goal. The Gladiators’ goal left the final score of the third quarter 9-7.
Once the fourth quarter started, it was evident that the Raiders were shaken by the sudden goal made by the Gladiators, and it was clear they were no easy match. The teams would run the ball back and forth for the first half of quarter four; however, the first goal of quarter four was made by Lemons for the Raiders.
Given the momentum by Lemons, Gilbert scored another goal with 2:50 left on the clock, rising the score to 11-7
In the last two minutes of the game, the Gladiators scored twice, although it was not enough to defeat the Raiders. As the time ran out an eruption of cheering broke out from North Forsyth’s side with the final score being 11-9.
As for going forward, the next generation of Raiders are very excited. As sophomore Carter Barnes states, “Being able to collaborate with my team is the best part.” The next match of the season is a home game vs West Florida on March 28 at 1 p.m. so show up and give some Raider support!
