ELLENBORO, Ga. — All three phases of the game got into the scoring as Clayton State held off Lighthouse Christian College 42-28 and claim the inaugural New South Athletic Conference football championship on Saturday.

Quarterback Sire Hardaway led the Clayton State offense, completing 15 of 18 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns. Savion West had a monster day for the Lakers with three catches for 142 yards and a touchdown and rushed for two more. Danimon Moxey also added a TD run. Hardaway added nine carries for 18 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Darrel Bland Jr. electrified the crowd with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, helping push the lead. The defense got into the scoring action as well when Ebine Griffin picked off an Ashton Nunes pass and went 43 yards to the house.

Lighthouse quarterback Nunes threw 14 of 22 for 134 yards and a touchdown and one interception. Nunes and Deonte Reinhardt combined for 123 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Jamarkus Jefferson added 81 yards on 14 carries.

Clayton State amassed 429 total yards, outpacing Lighthouse’s 323, and maintained control of the game despite a late push by Lighthouse’s ground game.

Image courtesy Clayton State Football