2024 Forsyth County Middle School Football

What a game! North Forsyth (8-1) defeated Lakeside (8-1) 7-6 Tuesday night at Lambert High School in the Forsyth County Football Championship! It is North Forsyth's 6th championship and first since 2015. The loss ended Lakeside's undefeated season and kept the Lions from what would have been an impressive three championships in a row.

After a year dominated by offenses, the championship game was a defensive struggle. Both teams started the game with long, time consuming drives. However, each drive came to a screeching halt deep in their opponents' territory with both defenses coming up with fourth down stops. At the end of the first quarter, there was no score. The quarter flew by only taking 13 minutes to complete.

To start the second quarter, Lakeside took over on downs deep in their own territory. The Lions went on another long drive and once again got into scoring position. This time they paid it off with a touchdown, but the extra point try was unsuccessful. Lakeside led 6-0 about halfway through the quarter. North Forsyth moved into Lakeside's end of the field, but a turnover ended the scoring threat. Lakeside ran out the quarter and the score was 6-0 at halftime.

Throughout the season Lakeside and North Forsyth made tremendous adjustments to put games out of reach coming out of halftime. So, thinking the offenses would take off in the second half was no stretch. On this night, the defenses reigned supreme as the second half went much the same as the first half.

North Forsyth received the second half kickoff, but the Wildcats were unable to move the ball and had to punt. Lakeside drove back into North's end of the field. Another defensive stand by the Wildcats caused another turnover on downs. Immediately, North Forsyth picked up an explosive play with a big run inside Lakeside's 20 yard line. A penalty backed up the Wildcats, and then another turnover ended the drive. Lakeside's next drive started out promising, but then sputtered out after a couple of penalties. The third quarter came to an end with no scoring and the score remained 6-0 in favor of Lakeside.

Lakeside punted to start the fourth quarter. North Forsyth took advantage of an all out blitz by Lakeside and had just enough time to get another chunk play down the field. A deep pass and an amazing catch set up the Wildcats at Lakeside's 25 yard line. A few plays later, North Forsyth was in the end zone to tie the score at 6-6. The converted extra point put the Wildcats up 7-6. The teams traded punts and Lakeside had the ball on their own 35 with one minute remaining. The Lions completed a long pass to get close to North Forsyth's redzone. On the next play, Lakeside fumbled the ball and North Forsyth pounced on it. A kneel down closed out the game and the Wildcats were the 2024 Forsyth County Football Champions!