Carlin Long dashed 65 yards on the first play of the game for Lee-Huntsville and the Generals rolled to its second straight win to open the 2023 season – for the first time since 2017 – rolling past Madison County 50-26 at Milton Frank Stadium in Huntsville on Thursday night.

The Class 6A Generals, who finished 3-7 in 2022, put up 569 yards as Long ran for 160 yards with three touchdowns and Lashaun Vann gained 129 on six carries with three TDs. Long had a 354-yard performance in the season-opening 44-34 win last week at home over Westminster Christian.

Lee scored on all seven of its first-half possessions with Vann’s three scores, two from Long, a 33-yard TD run by Zion Thomas and a 3-yard score by Terrell Matthews.

Class 4A Madison County (0-2) trailed 42-13 at the half after getting a 3-yard TD run from Deaireton King and a 5-yard scoring pass from Lucas Putnam to Landon Duvall.

Long had Lee’s lone score in the second half on a 43-yard burst down the sideline.

The Tigers closed out their scoring on a 3-yard Putnam run and a 27-yard dash by King.

Star of the game: Lee quarterback Leshaun Vann had 212 total yards and three touchdowns.

Play of the game: Lee never trailed after Long’s 65-yard sprint.

Stat sheet: Lee – 569 total yards – 486 rushing and 83 through the air. Vann was 9-for-17 through the air for 83 yards. Matthews had 59 yards on seven carries. Demariss Caroll went for 59 yards on four carries. Brandon Johnson caught three passes for 55 yards. Madison County – 243 total yards, 150 on the ground. King went 110 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns and Keonta Hill had 46 yards on 11 carries. Putnam was 11-of-24 for 99 yards and one touchdown passing. Joshua Clark caught three passes for 38 yards.

By the numbers: 8 – Lee scored on their first eight possessions of the game. … 24 – Lee had 24 first downs on the night. … 61 – Madison County ran 61 plays to 55 for Lee.

Coachspeak: “Everybody is confident in our play right now, but it is our job as coaches to make sure our guys understand they are a 4A team and we have higher aspirations than just winning tonight. We have to get ready for region play next week against Hazel Green and we have to be much better.” – Irving McGuire, Lee head coach

They said it: “Winning this game tonight the way we did gives us a lot of confidence going into region play. I feel if we get really locked in and work hard in practice every day and pay attention in film we can take it all the way to state.” – Carlin Long

“It’s all about my line and I trust those guys and they’ve really gotten better helping to keep our confidence up. I really think we can go far if we just keep improving. We can take this thing all the way to state.” – Lashaun Vann

What’s next: Lee will be at Hazel Green and Madison County will host Priceville.