LAGRANGE — It was over early.

The Lafayette Christian School Cougars opened their season on Friday with a home game against Appling Christian, and it was a mismatch.

The Cougars surged to a 28-8 lead after the opening quarter, and they led 35-8 at the half on the way to a 35-22 victory.

Appling Christian scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter to make the final score more respectable.

It didn’t take the Cougars long to find the end zone.

Just 32 seconds into the game, Sam Marshall threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Jemi Reed, and it was 6-0.

Appling then returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to take an 8-6 lead following the two-point conversion, and in less than a minute, the teams had combined for two touchdowns.

The rest of the half belonged to the Cougars.

With 7:29 to play in the opening quarter, Reed scored on an 11-yard run, and Morgan Channell made the extra point to give the Cougars a 13-8 lead.

Following an Appling Christian turnover, the Cougars scored again moments later on a 1-yard run by Marshall, and Eli Shepherd ran in the two-point conversion attempt to make it a 21-8 game.

Later in the quarter, Reed took off on a 55-yard touchdown run, and Channell’s extra point put the Cougars on top 28-8.

With 4:36 left in the second quarter, Marshall threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Antavious Sands, and Channell’s extra point gave the home team a 35-8 lead, which was the score at the half.

In the decisive first half, Lane Brooks had two interceptions, and Jess Hill recovered a fumble.

It was a quick start for the Cougars, who are looking to build on the best season in school history.

Lafayette Christian went 10-2 a year ago and reached the Georgia Independent Christian School Athletic Association semifinals for the second straight year.

Reach Kevin Eckleberry at (706) 884-7311 or on Twitter @lagrangesports