Athens did throw for three touchdown passes in the first half, but the Warriors won the game on the ground. Nic Laird and Charles Molitoris carried the load most of the way as Athens beat Warrensburg-Latham 49-20 in the first round of the 1A state playoffs on Saturday afternoon.
Mason Reiff hit Garrett Reichert, Drayton Davis and Noah Tisdale for passing touchdowns in the first half and then the Warriors put it away in the second half with their ground attack.
Diondre and Dionte Lewis linked up a for a touchdown in the second quarter and the quarterback added another on the ground to make it 28-14 at the half.
Athens will travel to Argenta-Oreana next Saturday for round two.
